E.—l

56

placed under the inspection of a public school Inspector. It is hard to understand why the youths of this district should be excluded from sharing the advantages of a colonial institution of this kind. Buildings.—The Board has had to postpone several necessary buildings for want of funds. The building-grant voted by Parliament was not received until after the close of the year. It is now all expended, and a further sum of £9,000 is needed for immediate requirements. It is difficult to prepare an accurate estimate of building requirements for twelve months in advance. Settlement in country districts is advancing rapidly; and the establishment of a new industry, or the opening of a new mining-field, may cause a sudden growth of population in a locality which was previously almost uninhabited. The Board endeavours to meet the wants of country districts as liberally and as speedily as its resources will allow; but there is often some delay in fixing upon a suitable site for a school in a newly-formed settlement, and in estimating the amount of accommodation required. There are still many schools unprovided with teacher's dwellings ; and serious inconvenience is endured by some teachers through the want of a suitable residence. All school buildings are painted once in every five years, the cost being defrayed by equal instalments from the Board fund and from the school fund administered by Committees. The contribution from the school fund is allowed to extend over two or three years, if desired. Finance. —The receipts during the year amounted to £82,939 65., inclusive of a balance of £9,566 2s. Bd. brought forward at the beginning of the year. The expenditure during the year amounted to £75,282 7s. 6d. The following statement shows the assets and liabilities at the 31st December, 1890 : -Maintenance Account—assets, £11,833 7s. 7d.; liabilities, £5,583 2s. 9d.: credit balance, £6,250 is. lOd. Building Fund—assets £6,200; liabilities, £8,050 9s. : debit balance, £1,850 9s. The capitation grant of £3 15s. was applied (approximately) as follows :On teachers' salaries, £3 3s. per head; on grants to Committees (including painting and repairs of school buildings), ss. lOd.; on inspection and examination, 25.; on office management, Is. 7d. ; unexpended, 2s. 7d. : total, £3 15s. per head. The accounts of School Committees will be rendered for the period of fifteen months ending in March, 1891. An auditor has been appointed to audit them, and the usual summary will be forwarded in due course. Committees. —Valuable help continues to be afforded by the School Committees throughout the district in the conduct and supervision of school affairs, and in maintaining and improving the school property. The Board is glad to have this opportunity of acknowledging their cordial co-operation in these matters. The Hon. the Minister of Education. B. Udy, Chairman.

General Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1890 Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year — By Office staff—Salaries .. .. 928 0 0 On Building Account .. .. 920 19 4 Clerical assistance .. .. .. 5 15 0 On General Account .. .. 8,645 3 4 Departmental contingencies .. .. 466 11 1 Government grant for buildings .. 4,568 11 0 Inspectors' salaries .. .. .. 1,250 0 0 Subscriptions and donations for build- Inspectors' travelling-expenses .. 502 2 9 ings .. .. .. '.. 20 8 6 Examination of pupil-teachers .. 36 11 9 Proceeds sale of teacher's house at Teachers' salaries and allowances (inOtahuhu .. .. .. 34 4 0 eluding rent, bonus, &c.) .. 56,443 13 5 Proceeds sale of cottage at Newton East 18 16 6 Incidental expenses of schools .. 5,217 15 10 Government statutory capitation .. 65,320 14 9 Scholarships— Scholarship grant .. .. .. 1,015 9 7 Paid to scholars .. .. .. 1,294 8 0 Inspection subsidy .. .. .. 500 0 0 Examination expenses .. .. 66 8 10 Payments by School Commissioners .. 1,559 0 0 School buildings— School Committees, towards cost of New buildings .. .. .. 4,489 13 9 painting .. .. .. 313 17 0 Improvements of buildings .. 3,044 7 9 Whakahara School Committee, rent of Furniture and appliances .. .. 887 12 7 teacher's house .. .. .. 511 6 Sites .. .. .. .. 55 410 Ohineroa School Committee, balance of Plans, supervision, and fees .. 594 1 5 school fund .. .. .. 8 10 Balance at end of year—■ Auckland City Council, for drain .. 8 9 0 Dr. on Building Account £3,508 1 0 Cr. on General Account 11,164 19 6 -. 7,656 18 6 £82,939 6 0 £82,939 6 0 B. Udy, Chairman. Vincent E. Bice, Secretary. Examined and found correct.—James Edward FitzGerald, Controller and Auditor-General.

7,656 18 6

£82,939 6 0

TABANAKI. Sib, — Taranaki Education Board, New Plymouth, 11th March, 1891. In the terms of " The Education Act, 1877," I have the honour to transmit the report of the Education Board for the year ending the 31st December, 1890. The Board. —At the annual election in March, Messrs. Adlam, Bauchope, and Syme were the retiring members. Mr. Bauchope was not a candidate for re-electionV Mr. Adlam was re-elected, with Mr. David Teed and Mr?, James Wade. Mrs. Bichmond resigned in June, and Mr. Bauchope was elected to fill the vacancy. The Board then consisted of the following members, viz.: Thomas Kelly (Chairman), Miss Heywood, Messrs. J. Andrews, G. A. Adlam, B. G. Bauchope, H. Faull, E. Olson, D. Teed, and J. Wade. The Board held twenty-four ordinary and one special meeting during the year. The attendance of members has been as follows : Mr. Kelly, 23 ; Mr. Andrews,