83

E.—l

The amount thus paid as rents during the year was £325 55., which sum ought rather to form a charge against the Building Fund than on that for maintenance. The building grant has, as usual, been found quite insufficient to overtake the applications for new schools, &c, and the consideration of several cases of great urgency has been deferred till the requisite funds are available. Teachers' Insueancb. —The scheme of insuring the lives of teachers, and deducting the premiums from their monthly salaries, has not been a success in this district, the number of teachers availing themselves of it being only fifteen, and the total premiums paid during the year £162 16s. lOd. Penny-banks and School-libearies. —No penny-banks or school-libraries, though necessary appendages to every school, have been established in this district; and it might be well if the attention of School Committees were again drawn to these very important subjects. All the details of the financial condition of the Board will be found in the Appendix (Eeturns Nos. 4, 5, and 6). By order of the Board. The Hon. the Minister of Education. John Neill, Secretary.

Geneeal Statement of Receipts and Expendituee for the Year ending 31st December, 1885. Receipts. S s. i. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Government grant ior buildings .. 3,500 0 0 By Balance at beginning of year .. 303 0 1 Subscriptions and donations for build- Office staff, salaries .. .. 350 0 0 ings '.. .. .. 48 9 6 Clerical assistance .. .. 110 0 Government statutory capitation (£3 Departmental contingencies .. 317 11 9 155.) .. .". .. 16,251 5 0 Inspector's salary .. .. 400 0 0 Special capitation (55.) .. .. 1,209 13 9 Inspector's travelling expenses .. 130 0 0 Scholarship grant (Is. Gd.) .. 370 0 0 Examination of pupil-teachers .. 12 2 C Inspection subsidy .. .. 300 0 0 Teachers' salaries and allowances (inPayments by School Commissioners eluding rent, bonus, &c.) .. 17,327 12 6 for primary education .. 2,794 1 3 Incidental expenses of schools .. 1,204 1 4 Eeserves' rents .; .. 12 18 G Scholarships— Balance at end of year .. .. 170 5 0 Paid to scholars .. .. 295 0 0 Expenses .. .. .. 017 6 School buildings— New buildings .. .. 2,363 18 0 Improvements of buildings .. 1,501 3 1 Furniture and appliances .. 65 17 11 Sites .. .. .. 226 19 10 Plans, supervision, and foes .. 216 19 3 £24,716 13 9 £24,716 13 9 Thomas M. Macdonald, Chairman. John Neill, Secretary. John G. Smith, Treasurer. I have compared this abstract with the treasurer's books and vouchers, and I certify it to be correct.—H. Livingston, Auditor.

EEPOETS ON THE TEAINING COLLEGES.

AUCKLAND. Peincipal's Eepokt. Sic,— , Auckland Training College, 23rd February, 1886. I have the honour to submit my report on the Training College for the year 1885. At the beginning of the year there were twelve male and fourteen female students; total, twenty-six. During the past session of the Auckland University College three of the senior students attended lectures, and succeeded in being placed in the second class in English and Latin, and in the third class in mathematics. The second-year students attended the literature lectures of Professor Tucker; and about fifty teachers in connection with the training classes attended the science-lectures of Professor Brown on Saturday mornings. These classes proved of great advantage to all who attended, and I have much pleasure in expressing my thanks to both these professors for the great interest taken by them in connection therewith. At the matriculation examination held in December last eleven candidates from the College presented themselves, of whom eight passed ; while several of the old students attended University lectures with a view to taking their degrees. The results of the recent teachers' examination have not yet been published. The work of the students throughout the year has not been so satisfactory as that of former years, owing to the want of mental and physical ability in several of those who were admitted. Many were not nearly robust enough for the profession of teaching, and consequently found work simple enough in itself too difficult for them. I regret that from the above cause I was compelled to diminish the amount of actual practice—a course in which I considered I was justified, because, while sadly deficient in scholastic attainments, many had had an average of three or four years' practice. In the selection of students for 1884 and 1885 I was not consulted; but am pleased to state that the recommendation contained in my last report has been agreed to, and that I had placed before me the names of the applicants for the present year. In my last report I said, "Every care should be taken to admit to the Training College only such as are, without doubt, physically capable of undertaking the work of teaching;" and lam happy to see that the Board has instituted, before the appointment of any candidate, an examination by its own medical officer—a