35

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the school. Satisfactory attention is paid to English composition, I heard the highest class construe a passage in Sallust, and I think the work is beyond them. I am also of opinion that Caesar is too hard for the class taught by the assistant, and that the construing of this class should be taken by the headmaster.

AKAEOA HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Chairman's Eepokt. Gentlemen, — I have the honour to present to you the annual report of the High School for the year ending the 31st December, 1885, and have much pleasure in testifying to the very satisfactory manner in which the school has been carried on under the headmaster, Mr. W. Walton, B.A. The email number of pupils attending the school is, I am sure, in no way owing to any want of exertion on his part, but mainly, I am of opinion, to the serious depression that we, in common with the whole of Canterbury, have been experiencing. With a return of better times no doubt our numbers will again increase, especially if we individually spare no efforts to bring about this much to be desired result. With regard to our own financial position, I find, on looking back to our last year's report, that we began the year with a credit balance at the bank of £123 10s. Id., in addition to a fixed deposit of £200, placed at interest with the Bank of New Zealand. This deposit still remains to our credit, but our current account at the same bank was, you will see on referring to the balance-sheet on the table, overdrawn to the extent of £11 13s. 2d. on the 31st of December. This, at first sight, appears sufficiently alarming ; but the difference, I shall, I think, be able to show, is more apparent than real. Last year we had all our rents collected; but this year one of our tenants, whose rent amounts to £92 per half-year, has not yet paid the instalment due on the Ist of November. Acting on instructions from the Board, lon the 13th of December drew on him for the amount; but he has not yet honoured the draft. Last year, too, the pupils' fees were all paid up with the exception of £3 13s. 9d., whilst this year the amount owing is £15 Bs. If we add the difference between these two sums—viz., £11 14s. 3d.—to the £92 due for rent, we get £103 14s. 3d., and had this amount been paid in, our bank balance, after deducting the overdraft of £11 13s. 2d., would be £92 Is. Id., so that our actual position is this : We began the year with a balance of £123 10s. Id., and we end it with a balance, including amounts owing to us, of £92 Is. Id., or, in other words, we are poorer at the end of the year than we were at the beginning by the sum of £31 9s. Our expenditure has been carefully controlled, and, except in one or two small cases, I cannot see where it can be curtailed without affecting the usefulness of the school. It is made up as follows : Headmaster's salary (including half the girls' fees), £315 ; rent, £50 ; cleaning the school closets, £12 ; concrete work at back of school, £7 ; books, £9 4s.—nearly the whole of which amount is paid back by pupils ; advertising and stationery, circulars, &c, £12 13s. (of this amount £5 15s. 6d. has been paid to outside papers, the balance of £6 17s. 6d. being for advertisements in local papers, stationery for school use, and circulars); the prizes cost us £5 2s. 6d. ; incidentals (including firewood, cutting up same, carriage of books, &c.) amounted to £4 15s. 9d. ; stamps, £1; and cheque-book and stamp on draft, 4s. Id., brings the total amount up to £416 19s. 9d. The only item I can see that can be cut down is that for advertising. Ido not think any good has resulted or is likely to result from our advertising in the Christchurch or Dunedin papers, and shall propose that this be discontinued. The analysis of the accounts given above will, I think, clearly show that our expenditure has been on a strictly economical basis; and it is only by continuing this course that we can hope to weather the adverse times we are now experiencing. In conclusion, I must again urge on the Governors the importance of supporting and inducing others to support the school. It would be a very great pity, and a very serious loss to the district, to allow this, the only superior school, to dwindle away and die a natural death. Not that I for one moment anticipate any such result. Still, the position is a grave one, and calls for our united and individual efforts to improve it. I have gone at length into our financial affairs, in order that every governor may thoroughly understand them, and in the hope that, seeing the need there is of support, it may be given, not only by ourselves, but by the public generally. Let us only pull together, and pull hard, and a successful result will be sure to reward us. I have, &c, The Governors, Akaroa High School. William B. Tosswill, Chairman.

2. Annual Statement of Account to 31st December, 1885. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance in hand, Ist January, 1885 .. 323 10 1 By Salaries .. .. .. .. 275 0 0 Pees .. .. .. .. 147 0 0 Pees .. .. .. 40 8 6 Rents .. .. .. .. 113 0 0 Rent .. .. .. 50 0 0 Books .. .. .. .. 916 6 Cleansing, fuel, &c. .. .. .. 1G 15 9 Interest on fixed deposit .. .. 12 0 0 Prizes, books, stationery .. .. 14 7 8 Bank overdraft .. .. .. 11 13 2 Incidental .. .. .. 20 7 10 416 19 9 Fixed deposit .. .. .. 200 0 0 £616 19 9 £616 19 9 I have audited this account, and have compared the items with the vouchers, andfindit correct, —J. Olliviee, Provincial District Auditor.—2oth April, 1886,