85

E.—l

As compared with 1883, this return shows a considerable increase in the number of children presented in the Sixth Standard, and a marked reduction in the age at which the First Standard is passed; the average falling from 9 years 6 months to 8 years 7 months. In other respects, and in the general average of passes, the results (except in Standard V., in which there is a falling-off) do not differ materially from those arrived at in the preceding year. Normal School.—As was stated in the last report, the lady who was brought out from England to take charge of the girls' department of the practising school resigned in December, 1883, on account of her marriage. The Board engaged another English teacher—Miss Strudwich —to fill the position. She arrived in September last, and has since performed her duties as mistress to the Board's entire satisfaction. The improvements in the organization of the practising school, mentioned in the last report, have answered well and contributed much to its harmonious and efficient working. The following is a return of the number of students who entered or left during the year, and of their present employment: Students in 1884 — Males. Females. Total. Eemaining from 1883 ... ... 14 ... 29 ... 43 Admitted in 1884... ... ... 6 ... 26 ... 32 Left during 1884 ... ... ... 11 ... 24 ... 35 On the books, December, 1884 ... 9 ... 31 ... 40 Left during 1884— Teaching in public schools ... ... 10 ... 16 ... 26 Teaching in other schools ... ... 1 ... 2 ... 3 Left the service ... ... ... 0 ... 1 ... 1 Occupation not known ... ... 0 ... 5 ... 5 Scholaeships.—The usual examinations were held in June. The number of competitors was 51. Of these 9(6 boys and 3 girls) were in Class A, 17 (9 boys and 8 girls) in Class B, 20 (12 boys and 8 girls) in Class C, 3 (all boys) in Class D, 2(1 boy and 1 girl) in Class E. Scholarships were awarded to Hilda Lewis and Arthur Flower in Class A, Harriet Fricker and Eobert M'llroy in Class B, Thomas Clarkson and Stella Henderson in Class C, Edwin Norris in Class D, and Janet Prosser in Class E. The two remaining scholarships were divided between William Joyce and Cyril Williams in Class A, and Frank Flower and Thomas Gibson in Class B. As Arthur and Frank Flower were unable to comply with the regulation as to attendance at a secondary school, they resigned the scholarships awarded to them, which the Board then divided between W. Joyce, C. Williams, and T. Gibson, so as to make the half-scholarships held by them into full ones. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. H. E. Webb, Chairman.

General Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditube for the Year ending 31st December, 1884. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance on 31st December, 1883— By Office staff, salaries .. .. 1,023 0 0 Building Account .. .. .. 1,509 11 9 Departmental contingencies .. .. 232 12 4 General Account .. .. .. 7,73d 18 6 Inspectors' salaries .. .. .. 950 0 0 Government grant for buildings .. 9,439 0 0 Inspectors' travelling expenses .. 330 2 9 Contractors' deposits .. .. 72 1G 0 Examination of pupil-teachers .. 149 10 0 Government statutory capitation (£3 Teachers' salaries and allowances (in--155.) .. .. .. .. 41,878 5 5 eluding rent, bonus, &c.) .. 44,727 17 4 Special capitation (55.) .. .. 3,373 0 0 Incidental expenses of schools .. 6,431 14 1 Scholarship grant (Is Gd.) .. .. 909 1G 8 Training of teachers .. .. 2,199 9 9 Inspection subsidy .. .. .. 500 0 0 ScholarshipsGrant for training of teachers .. 2,000 0 0 Paid to scholars .. .. .. 780 0 0 Payments by School Commissioners — Examination expenses .. .. 147 18 3 For primary education .. .. 9,683 0 9 School buildings— Other receipts— New buildings .. .. .. 5,469 12 1 Rent of school site, Mandovillo Improvements of buildings.. .. 3,319 4 5 Plains .. .. .. .. 210 0 Furniture and appliances .. .. 679 2 8 Interest .. .. .. .. 598 10 8 Sites .. .. .. .. 157 15 6 Training fees .. .. .. 25 0 0 Plans, supervision, and fees .. G74 4 0 Canterbury College on account of Refund of deposits on contracts .. 139 G 6 drill instruction .. .. 35 0 0 Drill instruction .. .. .. 398 11 7 School of Art .. .. .. 301 17 8 Public libraries refund to Government G 13 9 Balance of account on 31st December, 1884— Building Acount .. .. .. 552 3 1 General Account .. .. .. 9,062 14 6 £77,7G3 10 3 £77,763 10 3 H. E. Webb, Chairman. ~~ J. V. Colborne-Veel, Secretary.

Number presented. Number passed. Average Age. Percentage of Passes. No. of Schools at which Scholars wero presented. Standard I. itandard II. itandard III. Itandard IV. Itandard V. itandard VI. ... 2,482 2,301 2,147 1,378 587 237 2,317 1,977 1,606 956 398 183 Yrs. mos. 8 7 10 0 11 4 12 7 13 4 14 3 93 86 75 69 68 77 133 133 120 103 70 43 Totals ... 9,132 7,437 81