E.—l

88

thus leading to economy, and also to the relief of the Board from incessant pressure. In the case of some localities, the people willingly come forward with considerable sums; but a principle is wanted, such as the necessary contribution of a certain proportion in all cases, which would somewhat control the importunity of some, and secure fair and equitable grants to all. Staff. —During the past year, Mr. H. W. Hammond was replaced as Inspector by Mr. W. J. Anderson, M.A., LL.D. The Inspector's report gives full particulars of the work of inspection; and by the results as set forth in the tables, demonstrate that the standard of education in South Canterbury will not compare unfavourably with that in any other district. The annual pi;pil-teachers' examination was held in June last, the report of which is hereto appended,* as well as the several schedules giving information concerning the Board's income and expenditure, the names, status, and emoluments of the teachers, the amount of school accommodation provided, the attendance of pupils, with their ages, standards, and the number receiving instruction in each subject as prescribed by the Act, and a table showing the state of accounts of the various schools as audited by the Board's officers. There are also attached the Board's Eegulations for the Employment of Teachers, Begulations for Pupil-teachers, School Fund Begulations, Aided School Eegulations, Scholarship Eegulations, as well as the scholarship examination papers for the current year.* I have, &c, Geo. Barclay, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Chairman.

General Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1884. Receipts. & s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance on 31st December, 1883— By Office staff, salaries .. .. .. 250 0 0 General Account .. .. .. 94 5 6 Clerical assistance .. .. .. 2 0 0 Government grant for buildings .. 2,230 0 0 Departmental contingencies .. 326 4 0 Other receipts for buildings (sale of old Inspectors' salaries and travelling exsite, Waimate) .. .. .. 106 13 4 ponsos .. .. .. .. 431 4 7 Government statutory capitation (£3 Examination of pupil-teachers .. 43 7 3 155.) .. .. .. .. 9,447 3 6 Teachers' salaries and allowances (inSpecial capitation (55.) .. .. 769 8 9 eluding rent, bonus, &c.) .. 10,606 8 4 Scholarship grant (Is. 6d.) .. .. 205 10 0 Incidental expenses of schools .. 1,053 3 6 Inspection subsidy .. .. .. 300 0 0 ScholarshipsPayments by School Commissioners — Paid to scholars .. .. .. 178 0 0 For primary education .. .. 2,288 6 3 Examination expenses .. .. 19 0 4 For secondary education .. .. 38 17 4 School buildings— Fees for district high schools.. .. 57 10 0 New buildings .. .. .. 1,156 3 8 Other receipts .. .. .. 18 0 Improvements of buildings .. 264 8 8 Temuka refund .. .. .. 20 0 0 Furniture and appliances .. .. 167 6 1 Orari contribution .. .. .. 18 6 0 Sites .. .. .. .. 23 19 7 Plans, supervision, and fees .. 101 13 2 Transfer .. .. .. .. 217 0 Depot cheques .. .. .. 14 12 11 Interest .. .. .. .. 1 18 0 Balance of account on 31st December, 1884—General Account .. .. 935 1 7 £15,577 8 8 £15,577 8 8 Geo. Barclay, Chairman. J. H. Bamfield, Secretary. I have audited this account, and have examined the items with the vouchers and find the same correct. The item, incidental expenses of schools, £1,053 3s. 6d., has been passed to the credit of the School Committees, but no evidence is afforded to me of its legal expenditure, in consequence of the very absurd regulations for the audit of these accounts issued by the Board of Education, and against which I have constantly protested. —J. Olliviee, Provincial District Auditor. Timaru, 31st March, 1885.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities on 31st December, 1884. A. Exclusive of Building Fund. Assets. £ s. a. Liabilities. & s. dCash in bank on this account, 31st December, Overpaid on account of reserves revenue to 1884 .. .. .. 935 1 7 31st December, 1884 .. .. 872 13 3 Due from building fund .. .. .. 1,633 14 10 Due to depot .. .. .. .. 30 0 0 Due from depot.. .. .. .. 328 i i Credit on this account .. .. .. 1,994 7 6 £2,897 0 9 £2,897 0 9 B. Building Fund only. Cash in bank on this account, 31st December Balance of account, 31st December, 1883, 1884 .. .. .. .. G6l 8 2 and carried on .. .. .. 1,633 14 10 Due from Waimate Library .. .. 89 16 0 Amounts due under contract .. .. 1,200 0 0 Due from Waimate Library .. .. 92 1 5 Amounts due Waimataitai .. .. 500 0 0 Building grant for year .. .. .. 2,830 0 0 Credit on this account .. .. .. 339 10 9 £3,673 5 7 £3,673 5 7 J. H. Bamfield, Secretary. Timaru, 31st March, 1885.

* Not reprinted here.