87

E.—l

Buildings.—The principal work undertaken by the Board during the past year has been the erection of schoolhouses at Belfield and Kakahu Bush. In addition to the foregoing, minor works have been carried out at Waitohi Flat, Timaru, Temuka, Silverstream, Waimate, &c, in the shape of enlargements, repairs, porches, gymnastic apparatus, fencing, and planting. New funiture has been provided for Silverstream, Belfield, Kakahu Bush, &c.; and so much has been expended on these necessary works, in order to enable the Board to do its duty by education, that very important matters, such as painting and reroofing old schools, have been left undone for want of funds. One of the most pressing claims on the Board's attention is the erection of residences for the masters of schools, who in many instances find it very difficult to get accommodation in the rural districts, and in some cases are several miles distant from their schools. Out of the year's grant the Board contemplates erecting four residences, besides building three schools ; but to do all that is required in this way would need an extraordinary grant of at least £5,000 to make good all the wear and tear some of the oldest structures have sustained; the erection of a new building at Geraldine on a new site, which is much wanted; remodelling the school at Pleasant Point; as well as enlarging, fencing, and planting many rising and important schools. Many of the buildings which were handed over by the North Canterbury Board on the division of the district are very old, and require (or will at a very early date) to be replaced by entirely new erections. And in reviewing the general wants of the country, as represented through the medium of the various Education Boards, it is to be hoped that Government will be able to see its way to enable this Board to fully meet the exigencies of the situation. The balance-sheet, duly certified by the Provincial Auditor, is appended. The Building Account shows receipts to £2,347 19s. 4d., and an expenditure of £1,713 11s. 2d., still owing the Maintenance Account what it did at the end of last year—namely, £1,633 14s. lOd. The Maintenance Account shows a balance at the end of the year of £934, from which the sum of £872 must be deducted on account of money received from the School Commissioners, which will be balanced by the amount less in the monthly capitation grant paid by the Treasury in the month of February. The Board desires to place on record its grateful appreciation for the continuance of the extra ss. capitation grant, which, as heretofore, has been mainly utilized in increasing the amount paid in salaries and incidentals. Scholarships.—The annual scholarship examination was- held as usual, commencing on Tuesday, the 3rd March, and terminating on the following Friday. The gentlemen who gratuitously undertook the examination were—the Eev. George Barclay, Mr. Melville Gray, the Ven. Archdeacon Harper, and Dr. Anderson. Thirty-four candidates presented themselves, as follows : 9 for Class A, 10 for Class B, 13 for Class C, and 2 for Class D. The increase in Class Cis gratifying, but Classes A and B are not so well represented as last year, when the numbers were as follows : 13 in Class A, 18 in Class B, sin Class C, and lin Class D. The result of the examination, with the report of the several examiners, is appended,* as well as a table showing the actual holders of the Board's scholarships from the commencement to the present time. District High Schools. —The two District High Schools of Temuka and Waimate continue to give secondary education to a number of pupils. In the case of the latter, the Board of Governors of the Waimate High School have generously supplemented the funds of the Board by an annual sum of £75, enabling the Board to make an important addition to the staff, and thus providing for more efficient instruction in secondary subjects. It is to be regretted that so much opposition, in certain quarters, is given to district high schools. It arises partly from a lack of a just appreciation of the benefits designed to be diffused, partly from the failure to realize that such schools are as clearly contemplated and provided for by the Education Act as well as are the primary schools, partly from the grudge entertained by some that any public money should be spent on any secondary education whatever, and partly from jealousy in favour of other and rival institutions. The experience of many persons—having had no little to do for a number of years both with primary and secondary schools—leads to the conviction that, what is the case in some instances —namely, one Board in each district to deal with both primary and secondary schools of all kinds—were better extended to all. Unity of government in this important matter should be the rule, providing for a harmonious management of both sets of institutions, and guarding against a temptation, sometimes yielded to, on the part of the larger and wealthier establishments to disparage and weaken those which occupy smaller centres, and are less highly endowed than themselves. With respect to the distribution of moneys designed for repairs, improvements, incidentals of all kinds, the Board would gladly have some principle, laid down by law, which would have the effect of restraining, in some localities, the never-ceasing and vehement demands for increased expenditure,

* Not reprinted here.

Ave: •age Attcndi ice. Year. Number of Schools. . Number of Teachers. Number on llolls. Male. Female. Total. .878 .879 .880 .881 882 .883 884 17 29 29 35 39 39 45 56 77 80 84 89 95 109 2,666 3,203 3,506 3,531 3,853 3,920 4,067 1,005 1,241 1,381 1,364 1,532 1,589 1,G89 872 1,083 1,235 1,249 1,412 1,456 1,531 1,877 2,324 2,616 2,613 2,944 3,045 3,220