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HISTOEY. 1. What were the chief occupations of the inhabitants of North and South Britain respectively prior to the Boman invasion ? 2. Mention the first and last marked insurrections of the lower orders in England since the Conquest, giving causes, events, and results. 3. Sketch the chief events in English history during the first half of the eighteenth century. 4. When were glass windows first used in England, printing introduced, the circulation of the blood discovered, the steam-engine and electric telegraph invented ? Mention names where you can. 5. Which do you think was the most remarkable reign between the Conquest and the accession of Victoria ? Why do you think so ? BOOK-KEEPING. 1. Describe the books of account which are generally used in the most simple form of the system, of double entry. 2. What are the two first entries to be made in your books on commencing business? 3. Name and describe the three classes of ledger accounts usually kept in the system of double entry. 4. If, on balancing a " real" account, it is found a loss has been made, to which side and to what other account shoulid the result be carried ? 5. Journalize the fol owing transactions: Accepted draft of James Jones at 14 days' sight for £1,500 ; paid cash for £10,000 Consols at 90, and -J- per cent, brokerage, in all £9,012 10s.; received from Thomas Smith his bill on Hymans and Co. at 3 months for £500; paid bill due James Jones for £1,500. 6. Thomas Williams and James Atkinson join in a cotton venture, profit or loss to be shared equally, Williams to manage the speculation. £7,000 of cotton was bought—namely, £3,000 for cash ; promissory note at 3 months for £1,500; draft on Messrs. Jones and Co. for £2,000; and a bill of Johnston and Co. in favour of Williams for £500. Give the respective journal entries to be made by Williams and by Atkinson. 7. I bought from Simms, Marshall, and Co. 200 bales of wool, invoiced at £4,500, and paid as follows: Cash, £500; drew on George Golding at 30 days' sight for £1,300, and handed over the draft; gave a sale note of 20 pipes of wine, valued at £800; my acceptance at 3 months for £1,400: the balance to be paid in cash 3 months hence. Give the respective journal entries to be made by Simms, Marshall, and Co., and by myself. SHOETHAND. Passage for Dictation. I quite agree that it is desirable that these islands should be placed under British rule, and I hope to see them all under that rule; but it seems to me that the question as put before us is far too indefinite. It is all very well to ask us to approve of such a measure, but, when we are asked to find money to carry it into effect—to sanction the expenditure of money—then, of course, the question as to whether it is a reasonable request, and what results will accrue from a certain expenditure, naturally follows. The original motion mentions " certain " islands in the South Pacific. Now, there are a great number of those islands. Then, there is the amendment proposing to replace the words " certain islands " by making it all the islands not already claimed by some other country. It has been objected that, although it might be desirable to put all these islands under British rule, that amendment goes too far, and would prevent the adoption of this motion. It seems to me that the original resolution contains the amendment, because " certain islands" may include all the islands that are not claimed by other countries. I think it is unfortunate, however, that we have not more definite information as to what is proposed. We hear that the New Hebrides is one group which is proposed to be placed under British rule. Those islands are farther to the north than New Caledonia, which at the present moment is held by France; so that we have now a foreign Power between us and those islands. Ido not know whether New Guinea is meant to be included in " certain islands," so that I think we ought to have more information before we are called upon to say we will provide a certain sum of money to carry out the establishment of British rule in those islands, seeing that we are so far away from them, and that the other colonies are so much more interested in them than we are. The Hon. Mr. Wilson referred to what he believed would be the result of the introduction of British rule, and no doubt to a certain extent he is correct that it would lead to ill-feeling between the native races and the people coming from civilized countries. But his argument goes so far that if we were to carry it out fully it would exclude all civilized races from any of these islands : our proper course would be to hedge them in and prevent Europeans from coming amongst them at all. Ido not think, therefore, we should pay much attention to that argument. Our object should be to establish a good Government, to see that justice is done to the natives as far as possible; but we cannot prevent other races coming and mixing amongst them. Then, again, there will undoubtedly be quarrels and fighting between the races, and that will involve expense. That is another question which should not be lost sight of. It should certainly be known how many islands are to be annexed, so that we might form some estimate of the amount we are to contribute. The Hon. the Premier has suggested that the contribution be made on the basis of population. I see that South Australia has already declined to join in this arrangement. lam not aware whether Tasmania is willing to join. Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, I believe, have already joined. But all these points have reference to the contribution that we shall have to pay. At the present time it seems to me New Zealand finance is not in such a position that we can afford to vote money for purposes outside the colony. Any money we have is required for pur-