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Truant Inspectors.—After the discharge of the Truant Inspector who had acted for the district, the Board allowed the Committees to appoint their own officers, upon the scale referred to in last year's report. The experiment, however, has not proved a success, notwithstanding that the Board issued a circular to Committees offering to defray any reasonable expense incurred by them in enforcing the compulsory clauses of the Act. School Committees.—The Board is glad to be able to state that it has worked very harmoniously with the School Committees generally, and can testify to the useful work performed by them. Large sums of money have been collected by them for prize-funds, picnics, and improvements to grounds, &c. ; and it can only regret that there should have been any exception to the rule. Finance.—The several returns required by Government give full details of the receipts and expenditure during the year. Owing to the vast area covered by this district, and the consequent number of small schools, the manipulation of the funds placed at the Board's disposal involves far more labour than is generally supposed. The statement of account shows that a sum of £25,399 11s. 3d. has passed through the Board's hands during the year. In the General Account there is a credit balance of £2,434 14s. Id., with liabilities amounting to £560 2s. 4d.; leaving a net credit balance of £1,874 11s. 9d. Of these liabilities £329 14s. 4d. is for school fund due to Committees (since paid); and a foot-note to Eeturn No. 6 explains that £230 Bs. belongs to the Eees Bequest Interest Account, now held in suspense in accordance with the Board's promise. The Building Account shows a debit balance of £2,209 9s. 10d., with liabilities amounting to £1,372 12s. 2d., making a total of £3,582 2s. Against this the Board has taken as an asset the Government grant for buildings of £3,009 3s. 3d. now due; leaving a net deficiency of £572 18s. 9d. It will thus be seen that, although the Board has not yet provided for many necessary works in the district, and has constant demands made upon it from all parts, it has been obliged to incur liabilities over its assets for a considerable sum. The sum now placed by Government at the disposal of the Board for building purposes is so small that it is totally inadequate to meet the demands made upon it; and, as already represented to the department, it would be useless to apply for assistance to local bodies who are themselves in debt or struggling for an existence. The Board therefore urgently presses upon the notice of the Government the necessity of affording some information as to the course to be adopted in future with regard to providing funds for building purposes. For details of information respecting the state and progress of education in this district, I have the honour to refer you to the Inspector's report. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. W. H. Watt, Chairman.

Geneeal Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1885. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year—General By Balance at beginning of year on BuildAccount .. .. .. 1,939 1G 0 ing Account .. .. 1,617 7 7 Government grant for buildings .. 2,736 0 0 Office staff—salaries .. .. 418 15 4 Balance of contractors' deposits .. 32 2 6 Clerical assistance .. .. 10 0 Government statutory capitation (£3155.) 16,206 3 6 Departmental contingencies .. 335 6 9 Special capitation (55.) .. .. 1,109 0 0 Inspector's salary .. .. 400 0 0 Scholarship grant (Is. 6d.) .. .. 312 6 0 Inspector's travelling expenses .. 133 6 8 Inspection subsidy .. .. 300 0 0 Examination of pupil-teachers .. 39 0 6 Grant for training of teachers .. 4 3 4 Teachers' salaries and allowances (inPayments by School Commissioners for eluding rent, bonus, &c.) .. 14,914 18 4 primary education .. .. 381 11 1 Incidental expenses of schools .. 1,404 15 3 Bees bequest .. .. .. 168 19 0 Training of teachers .. .. 4 3 4 Balance at end of year on Building Ac- Scholarships— count .. .. .. 2,209 9 10 Paid to scholars .. .. 301 15 0 Examination expenses .. .. 10 11 0 General examination expenses 23 12 8 School buildings— New buildings .. .. 998 9 9 Improvements of buildings .. 2,219 13 9 Furniture and appliances .. 2 4 0 Plans, supervision, and fees .. 139 10 9 Balance at end of year on General Account .. .. .. 2,434 14 1 £25,399 11 8 £25,399 11 3 W. H. Watt, Chairman. A. A. Browne, Secretary. Examined and passed.—E. Macalister, Provincial District Auditor. sth May, 1886.

WELLINGTON. Sin,— Wellington, 31st March, 1886. In accordance with section 102 of " The Education Act, 1877," I have the honour to transmit the report of this Board for the past year. Board. —On the Ist January, 1885, the Board was constituted as follows : J. E. Blair (Chairman), G. Beetham, W. C. Buchanan, H. Bunny, the Hon. G. Eandall Johnson, Thomas Mason, Dr. Newman, G. V. Shannon, and the Eev. J. Paterson. At the annual election in March Messrs. Mason, Johnson, and Paterson retired. Mr. Paterson was re-elected, and A. W. Brown and J. Young were elected to fill the places of Messrs. Mason and Johnson, who declined to stand again. During the year the Board has met thirteen times, one meeting being for special business. Schools. —Additional schools have been opened at Pahiatua, Dreyerton, Te Whiti, Dalefield,