93

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exceeding the annual revenue derived from the reserves. The County Council sued, but did not succeed in enforcing payment. The Commissioners were, of course, compelled to engage legal assistance, and for several years a large proportion of their revenue has been expended in resisting these claims. The Commissioners would respectfully urge the necessity for some provision being made to-relieve them from these charges. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. James A. Bonar.

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1890.

James A. Bonar, Chairman. Edwakd T. Robinson, Secretary. Examined and found correct. —James Edwabd FitzGebald, Controller and Auditor-General.

CANTEBBUBY. Sir, — Christchurch, sth January, 1891. In accordance with Order in Council of date 17th December, 1878, and in terms of circular from the Education Department, dated the Bth of December last, I have the honour to forward report of the School Commissioners for the Canterbury Provincial District for the year ending the 31st December, 1890, together with a copy of their accounts, duly audited. The total area of the primary-education estate under lease on the 31st of December, 1890, was 45,161^- acres, producing an annual rental of £15,679 10s. 4d. Included in the foregoing area is Beserve No. 1126, of 640 acres,'which is let temporarily for grazing, pending the Governor's assent to a proposal for the subdivision of this reserve into seventeen farms. There are now only 39J acres of the estate unlet, and this consists chiefly of stony plain, and is comparatively valueless. The fixed deposits of £181 lis. 5d., which matured on the 20th December, 1890, have been redeposited for one year, it being deemed inexpedient at present to buy land, for which purpose only is this sum available. The interest when received will be credited to primary estate as revenue.

leceip ;s. Primary. Seconaary. i Total. To Credit balance on 1st January, 1890 Rents Debit balance, 31st December, 1890 £ s. 7 1 39 11 a. 2 6 £ s. a. g'"o o 20 3 5 £ s. 7 1 48 11 20 3 a, 2 6 5 Total receipts ... 46 12 8 29 3 5 75 16 Expenditun £ s. a. I £ s. 1 16 a. 3 £ s. d. 1 16 3 By Debit balance on 1st January, 1890 ... ...* Secretary to Commissioners, commission and travelling expenses Furniture Legal expenses Hokitika High School Board ... Greymouth High School Board Credit balance, 31st December, 1890 7 15 1 15 0 10 36 12 0 i S 8 1 14 8 13 8 10 8 10 0 2 0 0 9 9 0 1 15 0 9 3 2 8 10 0 8 10 0 36 12 8 Total expenditure 46 12 8 i 29 3 5 75 16 1 Assets. Jredit balance, Slat December, 1890 j-rears of rent Salance of liabilities £ s. 36 12 7 10 37 9 a. 8 0 0 £ s. 9 "O a. 0 £ s. 36 12 16 10 37 9 a. 8 0 0 Total assets 81 11 8 9 0 0 90 11 8 Liabilities. )ebit balance, 31st December, 1890 'rimary Account due to Secondary Account & s. 7O'"8 a. | i 3 & s. 20 3 a. 5 £ s. 20 3 70 8 a. 5 3 Total liabilities 70 8 3 ! 20 3 5 ; 90 11 8