B.—l

58

Genbbal Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1889. Receipts. & s. d. : Expenditure. S, s. d. To Balance at beginning of year— ! By Office staff— Salaries .. .. 150 0 0 On Building Account .. .. 491 9 1 ' Departmental contingencies .. 95 15 1 On Scholarship Account .. 0 0 1 j Inspector's salary .. .. 300 0 0 Cto General Account .. .. 310 19 2 ■ Inspector's travelling expenses .. 50 0 0 Government grant for buildings .. 300 0 0 Examination of pupil-teachers .. 310 0 Subscriptions and donations for build- Teacher's salaries and allowances (iuings .. .. .. 4 0 0 eluding rent, bonus, &c.) .. 5,371 11 9 Grant from Education Fund to Build- Incidental expenses of schools .. 756 5 0 ing Fund .. .. .. 100 0 0 Training of teachers .. .. 113 10 0 Sale of old buildings .. .. 317 0 Scholarships— Government statutory capitation .. 6,334 711 Paid to scholars .. .. 116 5 0 Scholarship grant .. .. .. 121 4 3 : Examination expenses .. .. 419 4 Inspection subsidy .. .. 200 0 0 School buildings— Payments by School Commissioners.. 393 3 8 New buildings .. .. 706 16 1 Sale of school site .. .. 40 0 0 Improvements of buildings 25 7 6 Contractors' deposits .. .. 72 0 0 Furniture and appliances .. 62 15 4 Amount disallowed by Auditor-General Sites .. .. .. 97 10 3 in 1888 .. .. .. 12 19 11 Plans, supervision, and fees .. 37 10 0 Contractors' deposits .. .. 42 0 0 Grant for school buildings .. 100 0 0 Credit balance at end of year— On Building Account .. .. 61 2 6 On Deposit Account .. .. 30 0 0 On General Account .. .. 219 3 3 On Land Account ... .. 40 0 0 £8,384 1 1 ■ £8,384 1 1 Thomas Kelly, Chairman. E. Veale, Secretary. Examined and found correct, except as to the payment of 14s. for refreshments, for which there is no authority, and which is therefore disallowed. James Edward FitzGerald, Controller and Auditor-General.

WANGANUI. Sir, — Education Office, Wanganui, 17th February, 1890. In compliance with the provisions of the Education Act, I have the honour to present the usual annual report of the proceedings of this Board for the year ending the 31st December, 1889. Board.—At the commencement of the year the Board was composed of the following members : Mr. Gilbert Carson (Chairman), Mr. H. Sanson, Mr. James W. Baker, Mr. George S. Bridge, Sev. John Boss, Mr. John Notman, Mr. James H. Fry, Mr. E. E. Beckett, and Mr. J. C. Yorke. Messrs. Boss, Carson, and Fry retired by rotation and were all re-elected, and Mr. Carson was again chosen Chairman. An extraordinary vacancy occurred in November by the resignation of Mr. J. C. Yorke, and steps were at once taken to fill the vacancy (since rilled by the election of Mr. G. A. Hurley). The Board lias held its regular meetings on the last Monday and Tuesday in each month. Several committees composed of its members have also assisted the Board during the year by visiting various parts of the district, and inquiring minutely into the requirements thereof, especially with regard to building operations. An important service was also rendered by a committee of the Board in the readjustment of the boundaries of the several school districts, which had more or less been disarranged owing to the formation from time to time of new districts; and these alterations have been " publicly rectified "in accordance with the Act. The Executive Committee of the Board, composed of the Chairman and Messrs. Baker and Notman, have also met once or twice a month, as circumstances required, and have attended to urgent details during the interim of the Board meetings. Buildings and Genebal Works.—The Board has used every effort to meet the requirements of the district with the amount at its disposal. Repairs and improvements of one kind, and another have been effected at Brunswick, Waverley, Stoney Creek, Patea, Kohi, Ngaire, Taonui, Feilding, Aramoho, Marton, Turakiua Valley, Karere, Crofton, Bunnythorpe, Birmingham, Momohaki, Hawera, Terrace End, Mosston, Kaupokonui, Otakeho, Goat Valley, Mount View, and Pihama. Several country schools were erected without being lined, in consequence of the funds falling short. It was found, however, that the cold in winter and the heat in summer rendered them most uncomfortable, and the following schools have therefore been completely lined : Birmingham, Kairanga, Fitzherbert East, Terrace End, Momohaki, and Kakaramea. It should be mentioned that the Palmerston North School Committee contributed £50 towards shelter sheds at Terrace End, and some other Committees proportionate amounts. Additions have been made to Campbelltown, Marton, Maxwelltown, Karere, and Kakaramea Schools. New schools have been erected at Pohangina, Linton, and Momohaki, and these are now in operation. New residences have been erected at Okaiawa, Mangaone, Kapuni, Pohangina, Momohaki, and Eltham. School sites have been acquired at PalinerstonrsNorth and Mangaone. A new school is urgently required at Palmerston North. It is found that the present building is far too small and inconvenient for this growing town, that there is little or no playground attached to it, and that it is in dangerous proximity to the railway line. The Board has already received the sanction of the Minister of Education to dispose of this property, and will act upon it when a suitable offer is made. Additions and improve-