23

E.—9

OTAGO HIGH SCHOOLS. 1. Repoet of the Boaed. In accordance with section 8 of "The Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools Act, 1877," and in compliance with circular from the Education Department dated 29th November last, I have the honour to forward herewith report of the Board of Governors of the Otago Boys' and Girls' High Schools for the year ending 31st December, 1894. I am pleased to state that the attendance in both schools during the year kept up to that of the previous year the number in the Girls' School showing an increase. I would desire to draw attention to the fact that of the number attending the schools during the year forty-five boys and thirty-two girls received free education, in virtue of their having obtained 50 per cent, of attainable marks in the Education Boards Senior and Junior Scholarship Examinations, and that the Board is therefore carrying out the object of the Endowed Schools Act which you proposed to introduce during the session of 1893, and which, in the case of the Otago High Schools, would have provided for the free education of about fifty-four pupils. In the month of August last the Inspector-General, at the request of the Board, and with your consent, made a special inspection of the Boys' and Girls' Schools for the purpose of reporting to the Board on the standard of attainments of the pupils, the work of each department, the organizations of the schools, the suitability of books, and generally The outcome of the inspection, as given in the Inspector's report (a copy of which was forwarded to you on the 7th September last), together with the results of recent examinations, goes to prove that the efficiency of the schools is being fully maintained, and that they are both doing excellent work. The following are the results of examinations referred to:— Boys' School—Junior University Scholarship competition (scholarships gained), 3, "credit" list on Junior University Scholarship papers, 4, medical preliminary pass, 12 matriculation pass, 13, Senior Scholarship competition, 6. Besides these scholars, five boys qualified for free education. Total, 43. Of all boys submitted two failed. Girls' School. —Ten pupils matriculated from the school, two pupils gained University Junior Scholarships, one pupil matriculated in the " credit " list, one pupil passed medical preliminary, one pupil Senior Civil Service, and one passed first in the competition for the Scott and the Women's Scholarships in the Otago University and accepted the Women's Scholarship. I regret to say that the increased depreciation in the value of pastoral and agricultural produce has had such a serious effect on the Board's revenue from endowments that it was found necessary to reduce the salaries and number of the teaching staff to the lowest limit consistent with efficiency, and it is feared that a further shrinkage of income will have to be faced during the current year I cannot close this report without referring to the loss the Board sustained during the year by the death of the Bey Dr Stuart, who held office as Chairman from the time the Board was constituted in the year 1878, down to the date of his death in May last. Dr Stuart was one of those _ who were instrumental in organizing and founding the High Schools, and his mature experience, together with his unflagging interest in the cause of secondary education in general, and of the Otago High Schools in particular, were of the utmost value to the Board during the many yeats he presided over it. I have, &c, Hon, the Minister of Education. A. R. Fitchett, Chairman.

2. Statements of Beceipts and Expendituee for the Year ending 31st December, 1894. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Capital account—Price of reserves sold. 463 2 1 By Dr. balance at beginning of year 3,517 5 5 Current income from reserves 2,597 9 11 ManagementInterest on moneys invested and on un- Office salaries .. 180 0 0 paid purchase-money 93 7 6 Rent 10 0 0 Paid by School Commissioners 261 0 3 Legal expenses 26 0 2 School fees— Telephone Exchange 11 4 11 Boys 1,538 9 8 Stamps 24 3 6 Girls . 1,389 12 10 Teachers'salaries and allowances, — Boarding-school fees -Girls 529 10 6 Boys 2,848 13 5 Amount received from D. Brent, surplus Girls 1,868 4 0 from Campbell and Hawthorne funds 45 13 9 Boarding-school accountBalances— Boys 169 2 1 Overdraft, Colonial Bank Girls 443 15 \ of New Zealand £1,911 8 5 Examination expenses, sundry inoiLess cash in hand 38 1 11 dentals 52 6 3 Scholarships 40 0 0 £1,873 6 6 Prizes 29 4 6 Outstanding cheques 177 15 0 Printing, stationery, and advertising 102 10 3 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c, including wages 2,051 1 6 of two janitors 220 5 6 Overdraft,Colonialßank, Book and stationery account 179 0 0 No. 4 Account 2,058 14 0 Laboratory requisites 3 18 0 4,109 15 6 Repairs, &c. 193 0 1 Insurance and taxes 258 13 7 Interest on current account 291 19 11 Endowments—Auctioneer's commission, costs of inspection, &c. 3 13 7 Advance towards expenses of fives' court 45 13 9 Repayment of advances to Equitable Investment Company .. 509 8 0 £11,028 2 0 £11,028 2 0