E.-6.

Appendix.

French—Siepmann, Part I, Conversation and Regular Verbs. Mathematics — Arithmetic, fractions, decimals, practice, ratio, proportion, areas, proportionate division, and percentages; algebra, Hall and Knight, to simultaneous equations ; euclid, Barnard and Child, 30 propositions, experimental work. Science—Botany, as in lIIa. Shorthand—Pitman's Short Course. Book-keeping—-Bolton's Business Book-keeping.

GORE HIGH SCHOOL. Staff. Mr. J. Hunter, M.A. ; Mr. W. T. Foster, M.A. : Mr. J. R. Strachan, M.A. ; Miss H. P. Kerse, M.A. ; Miss G. C. M Cameron, M.So. 1. Report of the Boarb of Governors. In presenting the third annual report of the work of the school, our first words are those of congratulation. We have looked long and fervently to the completion of our new school buildings, and are glad to report that same were completed during the year. The original plans were somewhat diverted from, in so far that the proposed cookery-room, which was intended to be in part of the main building, was added to the woodwork-room, and a room was thus released as a class-room. The buildings completed cost £5,337 14s. In this was included the technical rooms (£430), play-sheds, lavatories, fencing, &c. (£309), laboratory contract (£155), and sundries (£93). The seating (£176), electric light (£136), and laboratory equipment (£120) were over and above the £5,337 14s. Together with groundimprovements a total expenditure of over £6,000 has been incurred. We are anxious to improve the grounds and surroundings of the school, such as a cricket-pitch for the boys, tennis-courts for the girls, and a fives court, and the plot set apart for the development of agricultural experiments and additional holly-tree fencing will cost fully £300, and for this amount we are appealing to our friends for assistance. Already close on £100 is in hand. We sincerely hope the friends who desire to see higher education develop in our midst will come to our assistance. The Government of the day has borne all the expense so far, and they expect those interested in the school to carry out such works as those mentioned. Our new school, which we can safely say is a credit to the district and an ornament to the town, was officially opened by the Hon. Sir James Carroll (Acting-Premier) on the 28th June last. Sir James was accompanied by the Hon. Mr. Ngata, and both gentlemen gave interesting addresses, as also did Messrs. G. J. Anderson, M.P., D. L. Poppelwell (Mayor of Gore), and W. N. Stirling (Chairman of the Southland Education Board). In concluding our report on the erection of the school buildings, we desire to express our high appreciation of the excellent manner in which Mr. Owen Kelly and his staff carried out their work. During the year we have, owing to increased attendance, been obliged to add to our teaching staff, and Miss Gladys Cameron, M.Sc., and Mr. J. E. Strachan, M.A., have been appointed. At the end of the second term we lost the services of Mr. A. B. Fitt, M.A., owing to his desire to visit the Old Land and the Continent to further prosecute his studies. In conclusion, the Board desire to place on record their high appreciation of the work of the Rector and staff. We believe excellent work has been done under considerable difficulties in the past, and therefore believe that greater achievement will be accomplished in the future. The results of the examinations have been most satisfactory, and we are looking forward to an increased number of pupils on our roll for the coming year. A. Martin, Chairman. 2. Report op the Rector. I have the honour to present the following report for the 1911 session. Much of the information that it is desirable the parents of the children should have is contained in the annual inspection report, which has just come to hand. Owing to the phenomenal increase in the roll-number, the Board of Governors found it necessary to advertise for additional teachers. At the beginning of the first term Miss G. C. M. Cameron, M.Sc, and Miss M. Wilson, M.A., were appointed temporary relieving-teachers, and both gave faithful service. Subsequently Miss Cameron received appointment as permanent junior lady assistant. Thereafter until the end of the term Miss A. M. Bentham, M.A., did splendid work as relieving-teacher. At the beginning of the second term Mr. J. E. Strachan, M.A., who had been appointed science master, took up his duties. Owing, however, to the fact that our science apparatus has not come to hand, Mr. Strachan has not been able to take up the special work for which he was appointed, but has ably carried on his share of the general and, for the last term, the commercial work of the school. At the end of the second term we lost the valuable services of Mr. A. B. Fitt, M.A., commercial master. His departure was a severe loss to the school, for both as a teacher and as a man he wielded a powerful influence for good among the boys and girls. We trust that his successor, recently appointed, will continue his good work successfully. We commenced our second term in our new school, and, needless to say, both staff and pupils were sincerely thankful to be at last housed in comfortable, commodious, and well-equipped premises. Although, owing to the frequent changes in the staff, the session has been an arduous one, still the work of the school has been most pleasant and satisfactory. Again, I desire to express my sincerest thanks to the staff for the excellent way in which they have carried out their duties, and for their continued loyalty to me as head of the school. I desire also to express my keen appreciation of the friendly and sympathetic attitude of the Chairman and members of the Board of Governors towards the staff and myself. Joseph Hunter, Rector.

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