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Teaching Staff.—The teajhing staff of the Board consisted of 134 teachers of all grades at the end of 1884. Fifty of these were male and eighty-four female teachers. They were again subdivided into forty-two male and forty female head teachers, and eight male and forty-four female assistant teachers. Attendance of Scholars.—The number of scholars on the roll at the close of 1884 was 4,808, the working average being 3,641. At the close of the corresponding quarter of 1883 the roll-number was 4,550, the working average 3,424, the increase to the number on the roll being 258, the working average being increased by 217. Peobationebs. —The number of teachers of this class, which four years ago was only two, has increased to twenty-six. Several of these, having completed their three years'term of service, have gone up for the teachers' examination, with what success cannot yet be ascertained. The question of providing probationers with systematic instruction is still in a very unsettled state, as it has not been formally decided what, if any, assistance in their studies head teachers are bound to give to the probationers in their schools. The result is a great diversity of practice, some probationers getting large gratuitous help from the head teachers, others paying for what help they get, and not a few struggling on quite unaided. Having an opportunity of testing the attainments of the probationers by half-yearly examinations, the Inspector reports that, as might be expected, those who pursue their studies unaided are by far the most backward of the class. A danger seems to be arising, however, from the very popularity of the probationer system. Probationers are becoming so numerous that difficulties in placing them suitably when their three years' engagement has expired are likely to arise, especially if any considerable addition be made to their present numbers. This difficulty has been already felt both in England and some of the colonies with regard to pupilteachers, who have been trained in such numbers that the teaching profession is beginning to be seriously overcrowded. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. J. W. Baenicoat, Chairman.

Geneeal Statement of Eeceipts and Expendituee for the Year ending 31st December, 1884. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance on 31st December, 1883— By Office staff salaries .. .. .. 299 0 4 On Building Account .. .. 716 19 0 Departmental contingencies .. .. 228 2 5 On General Account .. .. 1,471 '3 11 Inspector's salary and travelling exGovcrnment grant for buildings .. 2,307 0 0 penses .. .. .. .. 572 1 8 Bank interest .. .. .. 6 0 0 Examination of probationers and young Refund exchange .. .. .. 114 6 assistants .. .. .. 615 0 Government statutory capitation (£3 155.) 12,892 16 4 Teachers'salaries and allowances, includSpecial capitation (55.) .. .. 886 11 3 ing rent, bonus, &c. .. .. 12,442 3 7 Scholarship grant (Is. 6d.) .. .. 225 15 6 Incidental expenses of schools .. .. 1,263 7 8 Inspection subsidy .. .. .. 300 0 0 Rents of schools .. .. .. 89 7 0 Grant for training of teachers .. .. 19 10 0 Training of teachers .. .. .. 19 10 0 • Payments by School Commissioners — Scholarships— For primary education .. .. 369 18 7 Paid to scholars .. .. .. 270 15 0 For secondary education .. .. 12 10 0 Examination expenses .. .. 34 0 9 Sale of school-books .. .. .. 615 12 8 School-buildings— Refunds, exchange, &c. .. .. 911 4 New buildings .. .. .. 2,010 13 2 Improvements of buildings .. .. 495 9 0 Furniture and appliances .. .. 67 15 5 Sites .. .. .. .. 22 10 0 Purchase of school-books, &c, .. .. 492 10 10 Balance of account on 31st December, 1884— On Building Account .. ■ .. 435 5 11 On General Account .. .. 1,085 14 10 £19,835 3 1 £19,835 3 1 J. W. Baenicoat, Chairman. Stead Ellis, Secretary. The above accounts examined and found correct.—H. E. Cuetis, Provincial District Auditor. 24th March, 1885.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities on 31st December, 1884. A. Exclusive of Building Fund. Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. Cash in bank on this account, 31st Decem- Due to Government on reserves revenue .. 177 16 3 ber, 1884 .. .. .. .. 1,085 14 10 Due for rent of Port School .. .. 5 0 0 Due from department for scholarships .. 51 7 C Credit balance to next year .. >. 060 11 1 Due from School Commissioners .. .. 0 5 0 £1,143 7 4 £1,143 7 4 B. Building Fund only. £ s. d. £ R . d. Cash in bank on this account, 31st Decem- Due on account of votes to Commissioners.. 343 7 0 ber, 1884 .. .. .. .. 435 511 Balance of purchase-money for site of Haven Balance to next year .. .. .. 360 1 1 Road School, and interest .. .. 452 0 0 £795 7 0 £795 7 0

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