!e.~9

39

very general rale, the " practical" pdrtidn of the papers is much better done than what may be called the " book work." I find that in the majority of cases the marks for the examinations and description of specimens are considerably higher than those for the other answers, and that, if marked for their practical work alone, many of the boys would stand in a higher class than that in which they are placed at present. Otago University Museum, 14th December, 1883. T. Jbffeby Parker-

SOUTHLAND BOYS' AND GIELS' HIGH SCHOOLS; 1. Governors' Eeport: f> i > i .a j, ' i. , Irivercafgiil, 26th April, 1884: XJonsMutidn-t&c, Of Board.— At tile beginning of the year the fdllowing gentlemen cdmpdsed the Board of Governors: Messrs, G. Lmnsden and F. W. Wade, appointed by the Gdvermnent - Messrs. T. Watson arid D. L. Mathesdn, elected by the Bducatidn Board; and Mr. Mayor of Invercargill. Messrs. Lumsden and Wade were reappdinted by the Government id August. Mr. Lumsden occupied the position of Chairman during the whole of the year. There have been sixteen meetings of the Board, at which the attendance has been as follows : Mr Matheson 16; Mr. Lumsden, 15; Mr. Watson, 15; Mr. Kingsland, 8; and Mr. Wade, 6. Schools. —The average attendance at the schools is : Boys, 53; girls, 42. At the close of the year 1882, Miss Tait, second assistant-teacher, resigned, and early in 1883 Miss M. Bain was appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr. Tait, drawing-master, resigned at the end of the year the appointment of a successor being deferred until the beginning of 1884. With these exceptions' the staff of teachers remains as at the end of 1882. The Girls' School has been examined at the end of each term by Mr. Blanchflqwer, the Headmaster of the Boys' School; but beyond this no examination or inspection has taken place. The Board would take this opportunity of again the desirability of the appointment by Government of an examiner and inspector for the High Schools The appointment of such an officer, this Board is of opinion, would have the effect of materially increasing the usefulness of the schools, and of establishing confidence in the mind of the public The school building having been erected for girls only, great inconvenience is experienced in carrying on both schools m the same building. In addition to this difficulty there is so little playground that the pupils are prevented in either school from taking the healthful exercise in play for which ample provision should be made in every school. The financial position of the Board prevents any step being taken to provide a separate building for the boys. The number of scholars in each department is doubtless kept down by this cause. Beserves.— On the 23rd April the greater part of Bun 214, 17,975 acres, was leased in six parts at from 2d. to 4fd. per acre per annum, for fourteen years; the average rental per acre being nearly 3|d The remainder of the run, containing 179 acres 3 roods 28 perches, is to be sold as a village settlement. On the date referred to, Section 2, Block LXIV., Invercargill, was sold for £270 on terms extending over three years. Sections 37 and 38, Wairio, were offered for sale on deferred payment at £1 10s. and £1 ss. respectively, but were not disposed of. The Hon. the Minister of Education. G. Lumsden, Chairman

2. Statement of Beceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1883. ~ ,'■■.',, Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s a Reserves secondary) 146 7 1 Bank overdraft from last year 170 Iβ q Eeserves (rents) .. .. .. 554 0 1 Reserves iX q A Reserves (sold) 654 17 4 Stationery (boys) '.'. 28 1 11 School fees (boys) 461 16 8 Extra subjects (boys) . fl ft n Stationery (boys) .- 41 5 9 Cleaning (boys).. 98 O fi Extra subjects (boys) 7 0 0 Printing and advertising (boys) '.'. 18 15 2 School fees (girls) .. .. .. 380 7 8 Fuel and light (boys) 19 11 * Stationery (girls) 30 12 2 Salaries (boys) .. 850 n n Extra subjects (girls) 14 0 0 Stationery (girls) "-' ?o {t V Prizes (donations) 3 3 0 Extra subjects (girls) .. ." '" 158 0 Cleaning (girls) [\ 28 15 0 Printing and advertising (girls) .. 93 8 7 Fuel and light (girls) \ 12 11 S Salaries (girls) .. .. ~ , _ 614 19 1 Prizes • • • • • • • • .. 10 10 0 Furniture and fittings .. . 13 1 6 ? e P airs '.'. 15 18 9 Insurance .. .. , _ 315 0 Secretary's salary, including office rent, fire' and light 50 0 0 Interest .. .. ~ __ 15 9 4 Sundries (examinations, postage - stamps, * c -) • • ■ • .. 29 0 fi -Balance, bank ~ nan n k -Balance, cash .. ~ , t 4 0 0 ? 2 ' 293 9 9 z^TTJ) T * m '* b °° ks and vouchers ' and 1 ««W *be