E.-l

100

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st December, 1899 —continued.

Assets.

Liabilities.

31st May, 1900. H. N. Garland, Secretary and Treasurer. Examined and found correct, except as to a guinea a meeting which has been drawn by each Commissioner as honorarium from the funds of the trust, and which, though described as " Commissioners' expenses," is not authorised by law, and is therefore disallowed. J. K. Wabbubton, Controller and Auditor-General.

TAEANAKI. Sic, — School Commissioners' Office, New Plymouth, 16th March, 1900. 1 have the honour to hand you herewith statement of accounts and balance-sheet of the School Commissioners for the District of Taranaki in respect of the year ended the 31st December last. The past year has been a somewhat eventful one in the history of the Board, a number of changes having taken place in its membership. In March our venerable Chairman, Major Parris, finding the weight of years necessitated less devotion to public matters, resigned the seat which he had so long and honourably held upon the Board. He was succeeded in the chair by Mr. Eobert George Bauchope, another old and respected member, who had only held the position some two months when his sudden death again created a vacancy. In April Mr. P. P. Corkill, who had for many years been one of the Government nominee members, sent in his resignation, and was appointed Secretary and Treasurer to the Board. The present Commissioners are Messrs. E. Cock (Chairman), C. K. Stock, Strauchon (Commissioner of Crown Lands), James Wade, and Henry Faull, the last two gentlemen being the representatives of the Taranaki Education Board, and the others appointed by the Government. During the twelve months an average amount of business has been transacted by the Board, although, owing to the remoteness of recently vested reserves, there has not been a very active demand for the unimproved bush-land which has been put on the market for lease. The total revenue of £3,768 6s. sd. includes about £700 outstanding at the 31st December, 1898, the ordinary income of the Commissioners amounting to some £3,000. Early in the year the arrangement by which the secretarial duties of the Commissioners, the Education Board, and the High School Board were all performed by the same officer was found to have become unworkable, and separate appointments were made by each of these bodies. The business of this Board is now conducted at the offices of the Secretary, where better accommodation and the use of a good strong-room are provided. It will be noticed that the rents outstanding have been brought within reasonable compass, a great portion of the £519 owing at the 31st December last having fallen due within that month, and of these rents a good many are payable in advance. I have to acknowledge the very regular attendance of my colleagues on the Board, and the interest displayed in all matters coming up for consideration. I have, &c, The Minister for Education, Wellington. E. Cock, Chairman.

Primary. Secondary. Total. Expenditure. ly Balance Total expenditure £ B. ... 1,018 2 1,018 2 d. 0 0 £ 380 s. d. 2 6 £ s. 1,398 4 d. 6 380 2 6 1,398 4 6

Bank balance (current account) ... „ (deposit account £ s. 1,018 2 6 5 37 18 843 2 d. 0 0 0 9 £ s. 380 2 3 0 6 13 97 14 d. 6 0 0 1 £ s. d. 49 0 2 1,398 4 6 9 5 0 44 11 0 940 16 10 Arrears of rent ■ Total assets 2,441 17 6

lease deposits £ 12 s. d. : 6 o £ 8 s. 8 a, o £ s. 20 14 d. 0 Total liabilities 20 14 0 J