59

E.—l

Scholarships.—The annual competition for scholarships was held in the month of August, as usual. Eight pupils competed for the senior scholarships and eighteen for the junior. There were three scholarships each for the seniors and juniors The scholarships are of the annual value of £20, tenable for two years, with an addition of £20 per annum for boarding money to those scholars who are obliged to reside away from home to attend a secondary school. The boys have the advantage of being able to hold their scholarships at the Collegiate School; but the girls are not so favoured, as there is not any secondary school for them in this town. Dr. Harvey, of the Collegiate School, gave two scholarships to be competed for—one for the country and one for the town. These consisted of free education at the College for two years, with board at a reduced rate, if required. School Furniture.—During the year fresh tenders were invited for improved school-furniture, and a contract for two years was ultimately taken by the Hawera Sash, Door, and Moulding Company upon advantageous terms to the Board. Finance. —The several returns required by the department have been furnished. Return No. 4, which is a general statement of the Board's accounts for the year, shows that there is a credit balance of £2,661 18s. lOd. on the General Account, with liabilities as per Return No. 6, amounting to £736 9s. 5d., leaving a net credit of £1,925 9s. sd. The Building Account was overdrawn to the extent of £991 12s. 10d., with liabilities amounting to £2,477 10s. 7d., being a total of £3,469 3s. 5d.; against which must be placed as an asset the Government grant of £2,600, leaving a net deficiency of £869 3s. sd. Although the General Account is, at the end of the year, in credit after meeting the deficiency in the Building Account, the Board has since been obliged to forestall it to meet pressing demands. At this date, however, the Board has been obliged to suspend building operations until the amount of the next Government grant is known, information regarding which it awaits with much interest. Every economy has been observed in the departmental expenses. The advertising is heavier this year, owing to the difficulty the Board has often experienced in obtaining competent teachers, especially female assistants ; but care will be taken to reduce this during the current year. For any further particulars respecting the progress and state 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, Wellington. W. H. Watt, Chairman.

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1886. Receipts. £ s. d. I Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year on Gone- ! By Balance at beginning of year on Buildral Account .. .. .. 2,434 14 1;. ing Account .. .. .. 2,209 910 Government grant for buildings .. 3,259 3 3 | Office staff, salaries .. .. 425 0 0 Balance of contractors'deposits .. 59 7 2 Departmental contingencies.. .. 279 6 2 Government capitation (£4) .. .. 17,894 0 4 Inspector's salary .. .. .. 400 0 0 Scholarship grant (Is. 6d.) .. .. 158 3 0 Inspector's travelling expenses .. 150 0 0 Inspection subsidy .. .. .. 300 0 0 Inspector's examination expenses .. 24 6 0 Grant for training of teachers .. 79 3 4 Examination of pupil-teachers .. 33 19 5 Payments by School Commissioners for Teachers' salaries and allowances (inprimary education .. .. 326 8 3 eluding rent, bonus, &c.) .. 15,604 8 9 Interest on Bees bequest .. .. 202 19 0 Incidental expenses of schools .. 1,389 6 0 Balance at end of year on Building Training of teachers .. .. 79 3 4 Account .. .. .. 991 12 10 Scholarships— Paid to scholars .. .. .. 143 15 0 Examination expenses .. .. 14 8 0 School buildings— New buildings ~ .. .. 306 8 9 Improvements of buildings ~ 1,562 2 2 Furniture and appliances .. .. 22 1 10 Sites .'. .. .. .. 150 0 0 Plans, supervision, and foes .. 210 0 8 Interest on Reos bequest, transferred to Capital Account .. .. 20 0 0 Legal expenses on ditto .. .. 110 Drill instructor .. .. .. 18 15 0 Balance at end of year on General Account .. .. .. 2,661 18 10 £25,705 11 3 £25,705 11 3 W. H. Watt, Chairman. A. A. Browne, Secretary, Examined and passed.—R. Macalister, Provincial District Auditor. 23rd April, 1887. ■

WELLINGTON. Sib,— Wellington, 31st March, 1887. In conformity with the provisions of " The Education Act, 1877," I have the honour to submit the report of the Wellington Education Board for the year ended the 31st December, 1886. Board. —At the commencement of the year the Board was constituted as follows: Mr. J. R. Blair (Chairman), Mr. G. Beetham, M.H.R., Mr. W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R., Mr. A. W. Brown, Mr. H. Bunny, Dr. Newman, M.H.R., the Rev. J. Paterson, Mr. G. V. Shannon, and Mr. J. Young. In March the retiring members, Messrs. G. Beetham, J. R. Blair, and Dr. Newman were re-elected. Mr. Blair was re-elected Chairman. The Board has held sixteen meetings during the year —one special, two emergency, twelve ordinary, and one adjourned meeting.