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directed School Committees' attention to the irregular attendance of a large number of scholars, with a request that they should make an effort to remedy the evil. It is difficult to induce a Committee to take firm action under sections 91 to 93 of the Act, but if this w 7ere done in one or two well-chosen cases the effect on other offenders of the same class would no doubt be most salutary. School Buildings.—During the year a new school was built at Kawhaka; the schools at Bangiriri, Stafford, Arahura Boad, and Blue Spur, and the teacher's residence at Woodstock, were painted ; additions were made to the schools at Blue Spur and Haast; considerable improvements and repairs to the schools at Kumara, Hokitika, Boss, and Goldsborough; and a few minor repairs to the schools at Stafford, Arahura Boad, Kanieri, Woodstock, Blue Spur, Humphrey's, Donoghue's, Waitangi, and Haast. The total expenditure on buildings was £481 4s. 7d. Scholarships.—Up to the present time two scholarships, each of the annual value of £50, have been offered by the Board; but now that the Hokitika State School has, under the 55th clause of " The Education Act, 1877," been converted into a district high school, new scholarship regulations have been drawn up, and have received the approval of the Minister of Education. Under these regulations scholarships are offered, of a total annual value not exceeding the amount available from Government for scholarship purposes, to be competed for annually by scholars attending public schools in Westland, and tenable for two years at the Hokitika District High School. The scholarships henceforth awarded are at the rate of £8 for a town scholar and £23 for a country scholar. Pupil-teachers.—The annual examination of pupil-teachers wras held in December. The following statement shows the number of pupil-teachers who came up for examination, the number that passed, and the number that failed : Fourth year—four presented, four passed; third year— four presented, four passed; second year —seven presented, seven passed; first year—one presented, one failed. Two candidates—one of fourth and one of second year's service—passed with credit. Inspection.—Mr. John Smith, who has held the position of Secretary and Inspector to the Board since the introduction of the national system of education in New Zealand, has accepted the post of Secretary and Inspector to the Marlborough Board of Education. While having to regret the loss of such a valuable officer, the Board had the pleasing opportunity of promoting one of its teachers, Mr. E. B. Dixon, who entered its service in the same year in which Mr. Smith received his appointment as Inspector to the Westland Board. For further information respecting the state of education in this district the Board has the honour to refer you to the Inspector's report. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. Gerhard Mueller, 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 .. .. 177 1 8 On Building Account .. .. 35 16 6 Departmental contingencies .. .. 134 10 1 On General Account .. .. 216 110 Inspector's salary .. .. .. 175 0 0 Government grant for buildings .. 531 6 0 Inspector's travelling expenses .. 95 19 6 . Refund from Kumara School Com- Examination of pupil-teachers .. 25 0 0 mittee (for building) .. .. 4 0 0 Teachers' salaries and allowances (inGovernment statutory capitation .. 5,236 17 6 x eluding rent, bonus, &0.).. .. 4,700 17 10 Scholarship grant .. .. .. 125 0 0 Incidental expenses of schools .. 243 1 3 Inspection subsidy .. .. .. 175 0 0 Scholarships— Deposit (tenders) .. .. .. 3 0 0 Paid to scholars .. .. .. 100 0 0 Rent of Reserve No. 99 .. .. 010 0 Examination expenses .. .. 10 10 0 Book-sales .. .. .. .. 31 9 7 I School buildings— Interest from fixed deposits .. .. 9 0 0 New buildings .. .. .. 121 10 8 Improvement of building's .. .. 211 16 11 Furniture and appliances .. .. 37 16 6 Sites .. .. .. .. 103 15 6 Plans, supervision, and fees .. 6 5 0 Books .. .. .. .. 48 12 1 School requisites .. .. .. 56 5 2 Deposits .. .. .. .. 300 Balance at end of year— On Building Account .. .. 85 17 9 On General Account .. .. 31 1 0 £6,368 1 5 £6,368 1 5 Gerhard Mueller, Chairman. E. B. Dixon, Secretary. Examined and found correct.—James Edward FitzGerald, Controller and Auditor-General.

NOBTH CANTEBBUBY. Sir,— Christchurch, 31st March, 1891. I have the honour to present the following report of the proceedings of the Education Board of the District of North Canterbury for the year ending the 31st December, 1890. The Board. —The three members who retired at the end of March, 1890, were Mr. Chrystall, Mr. Peryman, and Mr. Weston, of whom Mr. Chrystall did not offer himself for re-election. At an election held on the 6th March, Mr. Peryman, Mr. Meredith, and Mr. Weston we're returned to fill the three ordinary vacancies. An extraordinary vacancy occurred through the resignation, followed shortly afterwards by the death, of Mr. A. H. Cunningham, who had held a seat on the Board since March, 1880, and in whom its members lost an experienced and esteemed colleague, w7ho had been distinguished for his long and earnest exertions in the cause of education. On the 17th April Mr,