E.—9

22

Lowest. —English : Longmans' Fourth Beader; History—Blackwood's Short Stories. Geography—Macdonald's Zealandia Geography, Part I.; physical geography —explanation of geographical terms, &c. Grammar—simple analysis and parsing. Object lessons—simple lessons on common objects, with a view to subsequent composition on the subject of lesson. French : Ohardenai's First French Course. Arithmetic : Simple and compound rules in money, simple problems, mental arithmetic. Drawing is taught throughout the school.

SOUTHLAND BOYS' AND GIBLS' HIGH SCHOOL BOABD. 1. Beport of the Board. Sir,— Invercargill, 27th March, 1893. In conformity with section 8 of " The Southland Boys' and Girls' High Schools Act, 1877," and terms of circular of 10th December from the Education Department, I have the honour to present the following annual report of the High Schools Board for the year ended 31st December, 1892: — The members of the Board at the beginning of the year were Messrs. G. Lumsden and H. Carswell, appointed by His Excellency the Governor; Messrs. D. L. Matheson and B. McNab, elected by the Southland Education Board; and His Worship Mr. J. W. Bain, the Mayor of Invercargill. Mr. Lumsden was elected chairman. Miss Billing, successor to Miss Pitcaithly, as first assistant-teacher in the. Girls' School, entered upon her duties at the beginning of 1892. There has been no change in the teaching-staff during the year. The Collegiate Classes Association continues the occupation of part of the school building during the winter session for their classes. The boarding establishment referred to in last annual report is still continued. The Board has, during the year, availed itself of the opportunity of purchasing a property adjoining the school suitable, with addition, for a boys' boarding establishment. The building is now complete and is very suitable for the purpose. The want of a boys' playground is, however, still very much felt. An effort is being made to secure the use of an area near the school for this purpose, but arrangements are not yet completed. The separation of the boys' and girls' schools, referred to in previous reports, is still under consideration, but no definite steps have yet been taken. The leasing of a property, suitable for a school and boarding establishment in one, for girls, was favourably considered by the Board, but before arrangements were completed a committee was formed for the purpose of ascertaining whether some scheme could be devised to increase the popularity of the school, and it was deemed desirable to defer deciding upon the matter until the committee had sent in its report. The absence of a systematic annual examination of the schools by outside examiners, which has been referred to in previous reports, is a much-felt want, and this Board would be glad if such examinations could be undertaken by the Government. No transactions of any importance have taken place during the year in connection with the Board's endowments. At the end of the school year there was held a public demonstration on a limited scale, but somewhat more extensive than has been usual on previous occasions. The entertainment, which partook of the character of a conversazione, brought before the public the kind of work done at the schools. I append hereto financial statement for the year ended 31st December, 1892, duly certified by the Auditor-General. I have, &c, J. Walker Bain, Acting Chairman. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.

2. General Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1892. Beceipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance .. .. .. .. 126 18 9 By Management—Office salary .. .. 75 0 0 Bank of New Zealand, fixed deposit from Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 1,180 0 0 last year .. .. .. .. 2,219 14 9 Boaraing establishment .. .. 11l 14 4 Bank of New South Wales, fixed deposit Prizes .. .. .. .. 810 3 from last year .. .. .. 453 0 0 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 24 19 6 Endowments — Cleaning, fuel, light, &c, .. .. 77 5 5 Reserves sold .. .. .. 109 12 8 Book and stationery account, and other Current income from reserves .. 890 3 11 temporary advances .. .. 17 10 1 Interest on moneys invested and on un- Fencing, repairs, &o. .. .. .. 41 7 11 paid purchase-money .. .. 172 15 4 Insurance and taxes .. .. .. 21 15 0 Paid by School Commissioners .. 249 7 4 Interest on current account .. .. 0 7 0 School fees, Boys' School .. .. 309 8 8 Site and buildings for Boys' Boarding Boarding establishment .. .. 15 12 0 Establishment .. .. .. 781 7 1 Books, &c, sold, and other refunds, Boys' Reserves—Rates, and expenses of leasing 3 16 6 School .. .. . ■ .. 2 4 0 Furniture and fittings .. .. 17 12 4 School fees, Girls' School .. .. 147 2 2 Sundries —Stamps, telegrams, &c. .. 7 5 5 Books, &c, sold, and other refunds, Girls' Balance in Bank of New Zealand on fixed School .. .. .. .. 016 0 deposit .. .. .. .. 1,355 4 7 Rent of building purchased for boarding Balance in Bank of New South Wales on establishment .. .. .. 12 0 0 fixed deposit .. .. .. 403 0 0 Amount received for window broken .. 0 9 0 Balance .. .. .. ' .. 582 9 2 £4,709 4 7 £4,709 4 7 George Lumsden, Chairman. Charles Bout, Treasurer. Examined and found correct. —James Edward FitzGerald, Controller and Auditor-General.