13

E.—s.

TIMARU HIGH SCHOOL. Sic, — Timaru, 10th January, 1881. I have the honor, by direction of the Board of Governors of the Timaru High School, to submit to you the following report for the year 1880. The school was opened for the first time on the 2nd February last. The teaching staff consisted of rector, second master, and lady-superintendent. During the first quarter 72 pupils were enrolled, 41 girls and 31 boys. The pupils were at many various stages of their education, having been taught on different systems in 33 different schools, making the work of classification exceedingly difficult. As the boys and girls had to be taught separately, but with the one staff for both schools, this made the work heavier, and during the first quarter neither drawing, singing, nor needlework could be attempted. The work done was necessarily, to a large extent, elementary, but included, besides the ordinary subjects of an English education, French, German, mathematics, Latin, and botany. At the beginning of the second quarter it was decided to form a low rer school, the requirements of admission being those of Standard 111. of the Government regulations, without history and geography, the fees charged to be the same as for the upper school. The work done in this department has been the ordinary English subjects with the addition of French. With the increased attendance for that quarter it was found necessary to add to the staff by the appointment of another lady-teacher. Drawing was then added to the course, but only one hour per week could be devoted to it throughout the rest of the year. With the third quarter a further increase of pupils took place, and it was found necessary to add a junior master to the staff. Singing was then added to the course, to which one hour per week was devoted for the rest of the year. For the fourth quarter 91 pupils were enrolled, 42 boys and 49 girls. A set of apparatus for the teaching of physics and chemistry having been provided, some practical instructions in these subjects was given during the last three months. Needlework was also added to the girls' course during the last quarter. Early in the year the Board found it necessary to arrange for the purchase of an additional two acres in front of the school buildings, possession of which, however, is not to be obtained till February, 1881. This will enable a separate playground to be set apart for the girls. ' From the tables appended to this report the work done in the various subjects, the state of the finances, and other information relating to the working of the school will be obtained. With special reference to the teaching of science the Board deems this a matter of great importance, and so far as lies in its power will provide every facility therefor. The rector has himself taken charge of this department, and has willingly given an extra hour on two days of the week for further instruction therein to senior pupils, both boys and girls. His work in his previous position embraced the teaching of science along with English. From the necessity of teaching the two schools of boys and girls with the one staff, it has not been possible to arrange for alternative courses of instruction, modern and classical. In the meantime the two have been combined ; modifications being introduced to provide for the preparation of pupils for what their future course is intended to be. At the close of the year Mr. Stewart retired from his position of second master, and Mr. Arthur Buechler, of the Dunedin High School, has been appointed to fill his place. Miss Jardine has also resigned her position of lady-superintendent on account of ill health, but her successor has not yet been appointed. The second mistress and junior master appointed during the year retain their positions, and for the work of next year another junior master is appointed in accordance with the recommendation of the Inspector-General on the occasion of his recent visit of inspection. I have, &c., The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. Wm. Gillies, Chairman.

Receipts and Expendituee for the Tear ending 31st December, 1881. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance from 31st December, 1879 ... 908 3 1 By Building and furniture ... ... 763 18 1 Rents of reserves ... ... ... 837 310 Teachers'salaries ... ... ... 1,880 1 8 School fees ... ... ... ... 733 5 8 Secretary's salary ... ... ... 70 0 0 Interest during year ... ... ... 30 8 5 Members'expenses ... ... ... 14 10 0 Scientific apparatus ... ... ... 39 0 5 Incidental, advertising, &c. ... ... 123 14 7 Balance at credit, 31st December, 1880 ... 107 16 3 £2,559 1 0 . £2,559 1 0 I have audited this account and have compared the items with the several vouchers, and find it correct. The rents and school fees have been duly verified. 22nd January, 1881. J. Ollivieh, Provincial District Auditor.

WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOL. Receipts and Expenditube for Year ending 31st December, 1880. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ 8. d. To Balance from 31st December, 1879, bank By Amount paid on account purchase of lease current account ... ... ... 11 6 2 of site ... ... ... ... 529 2 2 Cash in hand ... ... ... 8 10 0 Labour at site ... ... ~. 2 17 6 Bank fixed deposit ... ... ... 158 2 4 Auctioneer's charges re sale of lease ... 21 11 0 Amount of rents collected ... ~, 640 0 7 Advertising, printing, and stationery ... 012 6 Interest collected ... ... ... 45 7 11 Clerical assistance ... ... ... 15 0 0 Incidental expenses, stamps, and exchange 0 16 0 Balance forward, bank current account ... 109 9 6 Cash in hand ... ... ... 0 16 0 Bank fixed deposit ... ... ... 183 2 4 £863 7 0 £863 7 0 I certify the foregoing abstract to be correct. —H. Livingston, Auditor.