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Expenditure. £ s. d. (a.) Officers' and teachers' salaries ... ... ... 13,555 1 0 (6.) Payment to School Committees ... ... ... 1,493 19 0 (c.) House allowances, and instruction of pupil-teachers ... 656 1 0 (d.) Scholarships ... ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 (c.) Printing and advertising... ... ... ... 150 0 0 Total expenditure ... ... £16,155 1 0 It will thus be seen that the work of the schools can be continued upon exactly the same scale of expenditure as at present without any reductions being made in the payments to Committees or in the remuneration of teachers, or in any other way likely to impair the efficiency of the system. Building Fund.—The Building Fund still remains in the same unsatisfactory condition that it has before occupied, and it is hoped the Legislature will take steps to insure sufficient provision for enabling the Board to provide fitting and sufficient school accommodation in future. I am, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. J. D. Oemond, Chairman.

Geneeal Statement of Beceipts and Expbndituee for the Year ending 31st December, 1887. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year—General By Balance at beginning of year —BuildAccount .. .. .. 1,222 3 7 ing Account .. .. .. 1,629 7 7 Government grant for buildings .. 3,207 12 0 Office staff—Salaries .. .. 250 0 0 Other receipts for buildings— Departmental contingencies .. 207 12 4 Purchase of Gisborne site, grant .. 98 0 0 Inspector's salary .. .. .. 500 0 0 Prom School Fund .. 271 18 1 Inspector's travelling expenses .. 150 0 0 Government statutory capitation .. 13,564 15 9 Examination of pupil-teachers .. 49 0 3 Special capitation .. .. .. 904 6 4 Teachers' salaries and allowances (inScholarship grant .. .. .. 323 19 1 eluding rent, bonus, &o.) .. 13,715 13 6 Inspection subsidy .. .. .. 300 0 0 Incidental expenses of schools .. 1,457 16 5 Grant for training of teachers .. 127 11 8 Training of teachers .. .. 151 12 8 Payments by School Commissioners .. 2,105 1 8 Scholarships— Tarawera School—Payment on account Paid to scholars.. .. .. 310 0 0 teacher's salary .. 19 12 8 Examination expenses .. .. 42 13 3 Deposit on contract .. .. 25 9 0 School-buildings— Balance at end of year —Building Ac- New buildings .. .. .. 3,206 19 3 count .. .. .. .. 2,399 4 3 Improvements of buildings .. 603 2 1 Furniture and appliances .. .. 105 11 8 Sites .. .. .. .. 90 0 0 Plans, supervision, and fees .. 244 0 7 Interest .. .. .. .. 11 3 6 Legal expenses .. .. .. 119 8 Building Fund, per contra .. .. 271 18 1 Deposit returned .. .. .. 87 9 0 Balance in bank — On Building Account .. .. 13 0 0 On General Account .. .. 1,461 5 3 £24,569 14 1 £24,569 14 1

MABLBOBOUGH. Sib,— Education Board Office, Blenheim, 11th April, 1888. I have the honour to forward you the report of the Education Board of the District of Marlborough for the year ending 31st December, 1887. The Boaed. —The three retiring members were re-elected; and the names of those constituting the Board are as follows: Mr. Seymour (Chairman), the Hon. Major Baillie, Messrs. Conolly, Henderson, Lambert, McHutcheson, Parker, Paul, and Ward. The Board held thirteen meetings during the year. Schools. The Blenheim School was divided as to sexes, and the girls placed under the care of a head-mistress. Aided schools were opened at Endeavour Inlet, Waikakaho, Deep Creek, and Hitaua ; the aided school at Bobin Hood's Bay was closed during the March quarter, but reopened in April. The year closed with thirty-five schools in work. Attendance.—On the 31st December, 1886, the average weekly roll was 1,624, and the working average of the last quarter of that year was 1,261. At the end of 1887 the working average of the last quarter had increased to 1,311. Teachers. The staff consisted of 53 of all classes, of whom 26 were males and 27 females. Scholarships.—These are two in number, tenable for two years. Buildings.—On this account the year began with a credit balance of £209 2s. Bd., to which must be added the Government grant, £1,083 9s. 7d., making a total of £1,292 12s. 3d. We have spent under this head £1,189 16s. Bd., leaving a balance of £102 15s. 7d. to carry on. We have 10— E. 1.