E.—l

98

NELSON. In forwarding the annual statement of accounts for the year ended the 31st December, 1880, the Commissioners regret that they are not able to report the granting of any further leases for the reserves under their management, but the remarks made in their previous reports, to the effect that the present available sections are already included in the leases issued, will sufficiently explain the reason. A lease for twelve sections of land in the town of Reefton, which had been duly tendered for, and prepared for issue on the Ist January, 1879, has now been declared cancelled, and the sections readvertised for tender, the applicant having failed to take up the lease or pay any rent thereon, though repeatedly notified of its being ready for issue, and the rent claimed. The rents received during the year for the purposes of primary education, amounting to £532 3s. lOd. net, have been paid, or are awaiting payment, to the Education Boards within the Nelson Provincial District. Those accruing under the head of " Secondary " have been added to the amount lodged in the Union Bank of Australia on fixed deposit, making a total of £462 10s. 7d., which sum is reserved towards the establishment of a superior school for girls, as formerly reported. With respect to the arrears of rent the Commissioners have, in accordance with their letter to the Secretary for Education of the 15th June last, taken legal proceedings for the recovery, and have already recovered part thereof; and they trust that there will be no further occasion for taking such extreme steps. No alteration has been made by the Commissioners in their by-laws during the year. Alfeed Geeenfield, Chairman.

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st December, 1880.

Alfeed Geeenfield, Chairman. Auditoe's Certificate. —Examined and found correct. —H. E. Curtis, Auditor.

* To this should be added a former fixed deposit of £149,

Receipts. Primary Education Keserves. Secondary Education Reserves. Total. To Balance on 1st January, 1880*... Arrears due 1st January, 1880, collected in 1880— (1.) Eents, issues, profits or receipts of reserves Moneys payable and collected within 1880 — (1.) Rents, &c, of reserves ... (2.) Other receipts; interest £ s. d. 197 14 3 £ s. d. 7 12 9 £ s. A. 205 7 0 83 14 9 13 2 6 96 17 3 463 14 7 154 12 11 19 8 7 618 7 6 19 8 7 745 3 7 194 16 9 940 0 I JSxpenditivrt By OfficeSalaries and allowances to officers Printing, stationery, &c. Expenses of Leasing —Advertising, &c. Nelson Education Board "Westland Education Board North Canterbury Education Board Secondary Education —Fixed deposit in Bank Balance in hand or in Bank* ,.. £ s. d. 16 13 4 0 12 2 2 0 0 579 15 2 74 13 6 18 14 4 £ s. d. 8 6 8 0 6 1 10 0 163 10 7 21 13 5 £ s. d. 25 0 0 0 18 3 3 0 0 579 15 2 74 13 6 18 14 4 163 10 7 74 8 6 52 15 1 745 3 7 194 16 9 940 0 4 Arrears. Arrears due on 31st December, 1880— (1.) Arrears at 31st December, 1879, still unpaid (2.) Arrears of payments due within year 1880 ... £ s. d. 33 0 0 81 11 9 £ 2 21 s. d. 0 0 2 6 : £ s. d. 35 0 0 102 14 3 114 11 9 23 2 6 137 14 3 Liabilities or JSngi igements. £ 4 s. d. i 3 4 £ 2 s. d. 1 8 £ 6 s. d. 5 0 Salaries, &c. 4 3 4 ! 2 1 8 6 5 0