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GENERAL STATEMENT of RECEIPTS and EXPENDITURE for the Year ended 31ST December, 1877.

I certify that I have examined the General Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure of the New Plymouth Education Board for the year ending 31st December, 1877, and have compared the same with the vouchers relating thereto, and find them to be correct. Clarence Eennell, Auditor, New Plymouth Education Board.

BALANCE - SHEET of RECEIPTS and EXPENDITURE in respect of Education RESERVES for the Year ended 31st December, 1877.

PATEA. Sir,— Education Board Office, Patea, 26th April, 1878. In accordance with clause 102 of " The Education Act, 1877," and special authority from the Secretary of Education to extend the time to 31st March, IS7B, the Board of the Education District of Patea for the fourth time has the honor to present you with its report for the year ending 31st March, IS7B, when, by the Education Act of 1877, it lapses, and becomes merged in Wanganui and other counties —a measure which the Board, in the interests of the particular district under its control, felt compelled to demur to when appealed to for its opinion by the Government, and suggested that the district: should not be extended beyond the county boundaries. During the past four years this district has made rapid advancement in population, and is ever increasing. At the present time the Board has much pleasure in reporting that the district throughout is amply provided with schools, which are well appointed in all respects. The properties are of the very best description, comprising the more recent suggestions for school accommodation from the best authorities, together with architectural design to add to the adornment of the building. In the vicinity of each school is the master's residence, with suitable out-buildings, and the whole is enclosed in paddocks of varying sizes, with playgrounds in some instances divided off. The Board had hoped to have had the grounds planted with trees and shrubs for ornament and shelter, which latter is very requisite. One feature of great importance to the district, which was shadowed forth in the last return, is that a district high school should be established, and the i-apidly-increasing population, and the advancement of the scholars already accomplished, render it an absolute necessity. This matter will, no doubt, be duly considered by the new Board. A noticeable feature, and one the Board has watched with peculiar jealousy, is that of "reserves." The reserves have received the most careful attention, and the whole of them are let for periods suitable to the locality in which they are situated, and for unprecedented amounts, thus deriving a revenue which, it admits —together with the liberality of the Provincial and General Governments —has been mainly contributable to the successful accomplishment of placing education in this district second to no other country district in New Zealand. Now that the reserves will be vested in Commissioners, and the income derived therefrom be devoted to specific purposes, and as a set-off against the payment per head, this district would suffer (of necessity) from the smallness of the average daily attendance for a year or two, as against those schools in large towns where the numerical strength creates a fund in excess of the requirement. The Board here recognizes the justice of tho whole payment going into one Board fund, and being reimbursed according to the requirements of the various School Committees. Through the courtesy of the Wellington Education Board, yearly inspections have been made by its Inspector, Eobert Lee, Esq. Underneath is his last report, held during the month of October, 1877, and which, upon reference, will be found to compare very favourably with those of other districts— 7—H. 1.

Income. £ a. d. 'o Balance on 31st December, 1876 ... 97 10 5 Grants from Government ... ... 3,052 7 6 Net rents and profits of education reserves, &c. ... ... ... 76 9 3 Household rates ... ... ... 600 Dog tax ... ... ... ... 20 9 0 Native Office, for Maoris ... ... 17 5 3 Expenditure. £ s. d. By OfficeSecretary's salary ... Inspector's ditto ... Printing, advertising, &c. Schools— Teachers' salaries and allowances Rents and rent allowances Petty repairs and other costs School buildings and sites ... Other heads of Expenditure — Collection of dog tax Parr, advance repaid Balance 221 5 0 100 0 0 22 9 3 ... 1,606 12 7 32 7 0 208 4 8 568 16 5 18 7 97 4 6 411 13 5 Total ... ... ... £3,270 I 5 Total ... £3,270 1 5

Receipts. 'own Lands —To rents collected for year current iuburban and Rural Lands —To rents collected for year current ?ents in Arrear — To amounts collected on account of town lands To amounts collected on account of suburban and rural lands £ b. d. 31 Hi 3 48 17 0 64 5 0 25 12 0 Expenditure. Secretary's salary Sundries, viz.— Fencing and eradication of furze Surveys £ s. d 25 0 0 10 13 0 58 8 0 Total Expenditure ... Balance carried to Education Fund Account £91 1 0 76 9 3 Total £170 10 3 Total £170 10 3