104

H.—l

The discipline of the school has been generally satisfactory, and I think we are making steady, if slow, progress in the power of self-government. The boys have this year managed the school games and sports entirely for themselves ; and they have also started a reading-room, and the nucleus of a general library, any contributions to which will, I have no doubt, be most thankfully received. I must also express my great gratitude to several old members of the College who are making energetic efforts to raise subscriptions for a fives court. This, if successful, will supply a much-needed want; but in any case I welcome it as a sign of the interest felt in the school by " our boys," for without their hearty support no public school can maintain a high tone. I enclose a report from Mr. Kirk, and one from Dr. Hector, on the work done in the scientific department: and in doing so I would call your attention to the fact that it is in a very great measure by the success of this department during the last three years that we have been enabled to raise, as we have done, the general standard of our work ; for without the scholarships which'have been gained in natural science we should not have had a Sixth Form at all. I have attached to this report copies of all the papers set during the examination. I have, &c, To the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Kenneth Wilson, M.A., the Wellington College. Principal.

Balance-sheet of Receipts and Expenditure of Wellington College for the Tear ended 31st December, 1877.

NELSON COLLEGE. Eepoet for Teae 1877. Very little of a noteworthy character has occurred, since the publication of the last annual report, in connection with the College. The annexed balance-sheet continues to exhibit its sound financial condition. To that sheet the public are also referred for the number of boarders and of day-scholars during the past year, who, in each case, it will be seen are more numerous than at any previous period. 2. The published report of the Eev. S. Poole (whom the Governors have again to thank for undertaking the examination for the annual prizes, as well as for the scholarships) will have been read with much interest and satisfaction by all concerned in the well-being of the College. A complete list of the scholarships, and of their holders as affected by this examination, will be found below. 3. Soon after the lamented death of the late Principal, an effort was made by some of his former pupils permanently to connect his name with the College by means of a prize fund, and the sum of £50 then contributed was with this view offered to the Governors of the College. An equivalent being added by the Governors out of the Fee Fund, they are thus enabled to perpetuate the memory of one to whom the College and the country owe so much, by the institution of a prize for the best paper on some subject connected with English literature, to be competed for annually by the pupils of the College. The first two " Simmons prizes " were awarded at the examination just referred to. 4. Instruction in drawing, after some unavoidable interruption, has been resumed under the direction of Mr. Eaikes. 5. The vacancy in the third mastership created by the retirement of Mr. Howlett, 8.A., has, after the usual resort to advertisements, been filled, on the recommendation of the Principal, by the appointment of Mr. James T. Barnicoat, formerly a College pupil.

Receipts. £ a. A. 'uition fees ... ... ... ... 1,006 12 2 Soarding fees ... ... ... ... 1,039 12 3 tents of reserves ... ... ... 420 13 2 tents—Fitzherbert Terrace ... ... 223 0 0 Jniversity Lecture Fund ... ... 342 13 4 iovernment Gi-ant ... ... ... 750 0 0 i"ees for University Examination ... ... 2 2 0 "urnlmll Fund... ... ... ... 80 0 0 jevin Prize ... ... ... ... 10 0 0 .ducation Board for prizes ... ... 5 5 0 Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance brought forward ... ... 664 10 8 Masters' salaries ... ... ... 2,537 0 0 Secretary's salary ... ... ... 50 0 0 „ Commission on fees ... ... 99 16 0 Janitor ... ... ... ... 50 10 0 Honorarium to Examiners ... ... 63 0 0 Commission on collection of rents to December, 1876 ... ... ... 24 11 6 Stationery and printing ... ... ... 39 19 6 Advertising ... ... ... ... 28 0 9 Repairs, &c. ... ... ... ... 45 1 1 Architect's fee ... ... ... ... 19 4 0 Insurance ... ... ... ... 45 18 9 Sundries ... ... ... ... 9 14 5 Survey of reserve ... ... ... 3000 Labour at Fitzherbert Terrace ... ... 7 4 0 Prizes ... ... ... ... 45 0 0 Turnbull Scholarships ... ... ... 65 0 0 Boarding fees refunded ... ... ... 10 5 0 „ paid to Principal, less commission ... ... ... ... 973 18 2 Interest on loan ... ... ... 406 5 0 ,, Bank overdraft to 31st December 42 0 6 3,879 17 11 .alance ... ... ... ... 1,377 1 5 Total ,., ... ... £5,256 19 4 Total ... ... ... £5,256 19 4 True copy of audited account. Heney Jackson, Hon. Treasurer. Chabies P. Powles, Secretary. July 6th, 1878. Balance down ... ... ... ... £1,377 1 5 Examined. Chaeles Knight, Commissioner of Audit.