E.—6.

Appendix.]

Lowest. —This division begins secondary education with boys who have passed the Fifth Standard. French is compulsory, Latin is alternative, with extra English and book-keeping. French —Rossmann and Schmidt. Geography—Oxford Preliminary. History—Meiklejohn; Carmina. Mathematics— Pendlebury's Arithmetic ; Baker and Baurne's Algebra ; Baker and Bourne's Geometry ; Borchardt's Trigonometry, VI only. English—Tanglewood Tales; Hiawatha ; Nesfield's Elementary Grammar.

PALMERSTON NORTH HIGH SCHOOL. Staff. Mr. J. E. Vernon, M.A., J3.Su. ; Mr. F. Foote, 8.A., B.Sc. ; Mr. ,J. Murray, M.A. ; Mr. W. Anderson, B.A. ; Miss Dobbie ; Miss A. Ironside, M.A. : Miss M. Ronaldson, 8.A., B.Sc. ; Miss M. Arnott, B.A. ; Mr. G. H. Elliott; Mr. E. Kultze ; Mrs. Woolfe. 1. Report of the Board of Governors. In accordance with custom, I have much pleasure in giving a summarized report on the working of the High and Technical Schools during the past year : High School— The new building was opened on the 16th February, 1911, by the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister of Education, and the school has been worked much more smoothly than was the case the previous year, when the Technical School had to be used while the new school was being built. The new building has proved highly satisfactory, and entirely suited to the purpose for which it was erected. What at the time appeared to be a dire calamity has proved a real benefit. In the first place, the loss of the old school, and the subsequent use of a building not erected for the purpose, put the teachers on their metal, and made each individual an organizer. More than that, when the new school was occupied, the advantages were found to be so many that the work became a pleasure. The Board can now claim to be in charge of two of the finest buildings in the Dominion in proportion to their size. The efforts made by the Board to erect an assembly hall have been crowned with success, and, thanks to the kindness and energy displayed by the Mayoress, both buildings are now clear of debt. 1 feel proud that during my second year of office, and within a year of the High School being erected, the heavy debt of the Board has been completely liquidated, and the individual members relieved from the necessity of being guarantee for an overdraft at the bank. Mrs. Nash's effort, which covered several months of hard and continuous work, resulted in a first payment of £250, which, with the Government subsidy, amounts to £500, and a promise, to make up another £250 when affairs are balanced up. The Board owes a debt of gratitude to the Mayoress, and also to the Mayor, who so ably backed up her efforts. The final result will be an additional £1.000 to the funds, which will pay off all liabilities, and leave a handsome surplus for future necessities. Baths.—-I would suggest for the Board's consideration during the current year a scheme for the establishment of swimming-baths on the Rangitikei Street frontage. Girls' School.— -During the year the Rector expresses the opinion that in the near future a girls' school would be necessary and advisable instead of enlarging the present building. With a view of securing the requisite land, an application has been made to the Government for 5 acres in Grey Street, and when an answer is received the Board might favourably consider the proposal. Staff.— Timing the year the staff has worked most harmoniously together, and put forth every effort to place the school in the front rank. Miss Lynch, senior mistress, resigned during the early part of the year, and Miss Ironside, M.A., was appointed. Mr. Dobbie was appointed an extra junior master. Roll.— Each year finds an advance in numbers, the average for last year being nine above the previous College House.— The boarding establishment, so ably conducted by the Rector and Mrs. Vernon, has grown so much in popularity that it has had to be further increased in size, and its increased accommodation is still taxed to the utmost. Examination Result.— -The result of the examination by Dr. Anderson and Mr. Gill was eminently satisfactory and the proportion of passes at outside examinations was well above the average. While the utmost attention is given to the development of the intellectual qualities, the moral and physical qualities are not neglected. Football and cricket, tennis and hockey for the boys, and tennis and hockey for the girls constitute the principal games, and the teachers take great interest in the resultant physical development. . . , , Grounds —Thanks to the excellent work of the gardener, Mr. Leet, and to the supervision of the chairman of the ground committee, Mr. Barnicoat, the grounds are in excellent condition, and the gardens have been restored to their original beauty. W. H. Coi.LiNGWOOD, Chairman 2. Work of the Highest and Lowest Classes. Highest —English—Anglo-Saxon Primer (Sweet); Middle English Reader, Part II (Morris and Skeat) : Nesfieldts Manual, Past and Present; George Eliot's Romola ; Shakespeare, King Lear. the Tempest; Palgrave, Golden Treasury ; essays. Mathematics—Arithmetic, New School Arithmetic (Pendlebury) ; algebra, Baker and Bourne's Algebra, Parts 1 and II; geometry, Baker and Bourne's Geometry, Books I--VII ; trigonometry, Elementary Trigonometry (Pendlebury). Latin— Cicero Philippics II; Virgil, iEneid, IV; Matriculation selections (London University, tutorial College) • Dies Romani (Arnold) ; Arnold's Latin Prose Composition. French—Weekley, French Prose°Composition ; Siepmann's Grammar ; Siepmann's Primary French Course, Part 111 ; essays ; translation Science— Electricity and Magnetism (Poyser and Allanach) ; Heat (Wright) : Hygiene (Reynolds).

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