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regular course. In pianoforte music, however, there are fewer pupils than in former years, for most prefer to take such lessons at hours which will not interfere with the school routine. In all our work special measures have been taken that there may be as little mental strain upon the girls as possible. Light subjects, which might be considered as relaxations, are intermixed with the heavier, an hour twice a week is given to drawing, two half-hours a week to singing, and the majority learn sewing. The girls also attend special classes for physical training at the gymnasium, under the supervision of Mr Walker and two of their teachers these are supplemented by extension exercises and lawn tennis at school, and club practice at home. Still further, in the mental work itself, considerable reductions as compared with former years have been made. In the upper classes less Latin is taught, and the amount of English to be read by those studying for junior scholarships has been much reduced by the University In the lower classes also, less geography, history, and such subjects is taught in the year We find that our short monthly examinations are much less a tax upon the girls and much more satisfactory than longer ones at the end of every term they are specially advantageous in those subjects in which under ordinary circumstances little writing is done, and are most particularly so in the lower classes, where the greater part of the teaching is viva voce. It must not be supposed that our aim is merely to lead girls on to the University, .though many from the higher classes would naturally enter upon that course we try to give all a practical education by developing their own natural tastes, and teaching them to think for themselves. I have, &c, The Chairman, Board of Governors. Helen Connon

EANGIOEA HIGH SCHOOL. 1. GOVEBNOBS' BePOBT. Sib,— Eangiora, 30th April, 1884. I have the honour, on behalf of the Board of Governors of this school, to report that the Board, during the early part of last year, received substantial evidence of local support in promises amounting to £335 towards starting the school. This, with the rents accrued, amounting to £237 2s. 4d., determined the Board in purchasing a very suitable freehold property in the borough of 4J acres of land with a house, then for sale, for the sum of £600. The Board then erected a schoolroom of 30ft. by 20ft. for a beginning, and sought a competent teacher Mr H. E. Tuckey, 8.A., and Scholar of St. John's College, Cambridge, was elected master The school was formally opened on the 28th of January last. This, the first term, numbers twenty-seven pupils, all of whom have entered on the usual curriculum of a high-school education, with bright prospects of a successful career As numbers increase, the Board hopes to increase the accommodation and add to the teaching staff. I may say that £200 is still owing on the purchase account, towards which £163 of promised subscriptions remain to be collected. I enclose a table showing attendance, fees, salary, (fee.; also a statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ending April 25, 1884, duly audited by the Provincial Auditor I have, &c. A. H. Cunningham, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Chairman, Board of Governors,

2. Absteact of the Boabd's Accounts for Year. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance, April 25th, 1883 . 237 2 4 Land Purchase Account 400 0 0 Subscriptions received , . 179 11 6 ; Building schoolroom . 162 5 6 Interest on deposit 7 15 0 Furniture and fittings 51 0 0 Eents .. 227 2 3 j Sundries 33 8 3 School fees, first term 75 19 0 Salary one quarter 75 0 0 Overdraft at bank 42 11 3 : Expenses, as per entry, April 24th 48 7 7 £770 1 A J £770 1 4 I have audited this account and find it correct.— J Olliviee, Provincial District Auditor.

AKAEOA HIGH SCHOOL. 1. GOVEENOES' EeBOBT. At the first meeting of the Board, held on the 11th April, 1883, it was determined to take immediate steps to open a high school in Akaroa, and on the 9th June Mr William Walton, B.A. of Cambridge, and since a master at the Timaru High School, was unanimously elected Headmaster The school was opened on the 18th September, the number of pupils being nine. The Board had every reason to be satisfied during the first term with the manner in which the school was conducted, and on the 9th January it was resolved that the High School should be opened for girls should a sufficient number be entered. Ten pupils presented themselves , and on the 4th February, 1884, the school was reopened, the number of pupils being eighteen, eight boys and ten girls. This number has been increased to twenty, there being now eleven girls and nine boys on the roll. As it is the wish of the Headmaster that the boys and girls should be in separate rooms, arrangements have been made with a lady to assist Mr Walton, and remain in the girls' room during school hours. This plan is working well, and the school is being well conducted. The fees charged are —£10 10s. for one pupil, £9 9s. each for two, and £8 Bs. each for three of the same family The salary paid the Headmaster is £275 per annum, with part of the house rented by the Board. For this house, containing twelve rooms, the Board pay £20 a year rent: three rooms are used for school purposes, and the rest by the Headmaster. The lady who assists receives half the girls' fees, William B. Tosswill, Chairman, Akaroa High School Board.