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graphical terms, grammar, simple analysis and parsing , object lessons—simple lessons on common objects, with a view to subsequent composition on the subject of lesson. French Vocabulary, and easy sentences. Arithmetic Simple and compound rules in money, simple problems, mental arithmetic.

4. Scholaeships. The Gray Eussell Scholarship of £40 per annum, tenable for three years, is attached to the school. School fees are not charged to any candidate who obtains 50 per cent, of the attainable marks at the scholarship examinations of the Otago Education Board, but does not win a scholarship.

SOUTHLAND HIGH SCHOOLS. 1. Beport of the Board. The following composed the Board during the year Messrs. J W Bain and Robert McNab, M.H.R., elected by the Southland Education Board, Hugh Carswell and Charles Gilbertson, the nominees of His Excellency the Governor, and the Mayor of Invercargill, Mr. Andrew Baeside. Mr. Bain was elected Chairman, and on the termination of his period of office Mr Baeside's place was taken by Mr W B. Scandrett, the newly-elected Mayor Mr Lumsden, who had held office as a member of the Board since its establishment in 1878, and who for many years filled the position of chairman, having retired from the Board, a motion indicating its appreciation of his long service in the cause of secondary education in Southland was placed upon record by the Board. Mr J S. Vernon, M.A., B.Sc, who had been appointed to the post of mathematical and science master the previous year, entered upon his duties on the opening of the school in January There were no changes in the staff during the year The Collegiate Classes Association, which has for many years occupied the school buildings during the winter months, did not hold its usual classes during last winter, and the school buildings were not occupied outside of the Board's work. In the month of April Mr W Macalister, 8.A., resigned the management of the boarding establishment, and arrangements were made with the headmaster, who immediately took over the residence and premises attached thereto, and the boarding establishment was conducted in a highly satisfactory manner That but few pupils avail themselves of this useful adjunct to school-life is easily accounted for in these times of commercial depression , but the number who are now in attendance fully warrants the expenditure to which the Board is put. Beference was made in the last report to an effort the Board was making to extend the usefulness of the schools by introducing free pupils from the primary schools under the age of fourteen years. Owing to the hurried manner in which the arrangements had to be completed to enable the first trial to be made in the beginning of the year, the original scheme had to be slightly modified , but twenty new pupils were introduced, and the work done by the greater portion during the year was highly satisfactory It is intended by the Board to give up to twenty free scholarships annually, the scholarships to be available for three years. Difficulties have been experienced in connection with the Education Board's scholarships which are now open for pupils up to fifteen years of age, and the standard of work to be required, but, with the experience which has been obtained this year, the Board anticipates being able to remove the difficulties and establish a scheme by which the brightest of the pupils from the primary schools will find free education in the high schools. It is worthy of note that the granting of twenty free scholarships caused no diminution in fees, the fees for 1894 exceeding those of 1893 by £11 Is. Bd. The Board is indebted to Messrs. James Hendry, 8.A., and G. D. Braik, M.A., the Southland Education Board Inspectors, for the assistance rendered by them in selecting the most deserving pupils. In the month of October the schools were examined by the Very Bey Archdeacon Stocker, 8.A., the Rev R. Thornton, M.A., and the Rev W White, M.A. The results showed that the work done in the schools was of a very high standard, and reflected great credit upon the teaching staff. In future no pupils will be admitted into what has been known as the lower division of the schools. All pupils will be required to have passed the Fourth Standard of the primary schools, or some equivalent examination. During the year considerable additions have been made to the library, which will shortly be a feature in connection with the schools. The physical development of the pupils also has not been overlooked. The Town Council, early in the year, granted permission to the Board to fence off a portion of the reserve opposite the schools. This has been done, and, at considerable expense, an area enclosed and prepared for the recreation of the pupils. During the last session of Parliament the provisions of the Harbour and Education Beserves Bill were carefully considered by the Board. In the opinion of the Governors the Bill, in its operation, would be adverse to the interests of secondary education, as the revenue of the Board would be seriously affected by the proposed changes. J Walker Bain, Chairman. 4—E. 9.