E.—9

48

SOUTHLAND HIGH SCHOOLS. 1. Eepoet of the Board of Governors. At the beginning of the year the Board of Governors consisted of the following gentlemen: Messrs. Lumsden and Wilson, appointed by His Excellency the Governor; Messrs. Watson and Matheson, appointed by the Education Board; and Mr. Froggatt, the Mayor for the time being. The term of office for which Messrs. Lumsden and Wilson were appointed expired in August, when they were both reappointed. Mr. Lumsden has occupied the office of Chairman throughout the year. The average attendance at the schools for the year has been —boys, 41; girls, 36. The number on the roll at the end of the year was —boys, 45 ; girls, 33. Although no change has actually taken place in the teaching staff during the year, in view of the fact that the attendance has been gradually diminishing for some time, the Board resolved to dispense with the services of the headmaster and headmistress at the end of the year, and, for a time, at least, until the funds were in a more prosperous state, endeavour to carry on the schools under a married man as headmaster of both divisions. This resolution w Tas given effect to, and in August the headmaster and headmistress received notice that their engagements would terminate on the 31st December, and Mr. A. H. Highton, M.A. of Cambridge, was appointed headmaster over both schools. During the year the following endowments have been dealt with : Section 17, Block XIII., New Eiver Hundred, containing 43 acres and 16 perches, leased for seven years at 7s. 6d. per acre per annum ; Sections 37b and 38a, Wairio District, containing 203 acres, sold on deferred-payment conditions for £1 10s. per acre, extending over ten years; Sections 37 and 33, Wairio District, containing 1,429 acres 1 rood 29 perches, leased for ten years at 2d. per acre per annum ; Section 9, Wairaki District, containing 433 acres 3 roods 10 perches, leased for five years at 2d. per acre per annum. The revenue obtained from the endowments is very unsatisfactory, owing to the inferior quality of the land in so many instances. This is especially the case with all the larger areas. In order to assist pupils who reside in the country and have obtained scholarships, the Board has made a reduction to those pupils of one-third on the usual fees charged. The Inspector-General visited the schools on the 30th November; but, that day being a partial holiday, the attendance was very small. The balance-sheet which usually accompanies the formal report has been duly audited, and is appended hereto; also general statement of accounts in the form prescribed by the Education Department, and special information asked for in circular of 20th November, 1885. Thomas Watson, Chairman.

2. Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1885. Receipts. £ s. d. i Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance from last year .. .. 424 97J By Reserves— Bank of New Zealand—fixed deposit .. 300 0 0 Eents .. .. .. .. 44 211 Paymaster-General .. .. .. 250 0 0 Sold .. .. .. .. 98 10 6 Eeserves — School fees, cost of collection (Boys') .. 4 9 8 Secondary ... .. .. 170 19 10 Stationery fees (Boys') .. .. 18 5 0 Eents .. .. .. 604 19 7 Extra subjects (Boys') .. .. 32 0 2 Sold .. .. .. 268 12 6 Prizes (Boys') .. .. .. 14 4 0 School fees (Boys') .. .. .. 422 4 6 Cleaning (Boys') .. .. .. 33 9 0 Stationery fees (Boys') .. .. 29 17 0 Printing and advertising (Boys') .. 27 8 2 Extra subjects (Boys') .. .. 14 0 0 Fuel and light (Boys') .. .. 6 5 6 School fees (Girls') .. .. .. 404 16 8 Salaries (Boys') .. .. .. 850 0 0 Stationery fees (Girls') .. .. 29 9 7 School fees, cost of collection (Girls') .. 3 2 6 Extra subjects (Girls').. .. .. 14 14 0 Stationery fees (Girls') .. .. 25 13 4 Interest .. .. .. .. 15 0 0 Extra subjects (Girls') .. .. 34 2 1 Prizes (Girls') .. .. .. 6 5 6 Cleaning (Girls') .. .. .. 34 0 5 Printing and advertising (Girls') .. 27 8 1 Fuel and light (Girls') .. .. 6 5 6 Salaries (Girls') .. .. .. 625 0 0 Eepairs .. .. .. .. 7 5 1 Insurance .. .. .. .. 3 15 0 Sundries (inspection £1, postage-stamps, cheque book, &c.) .. .. .. 34 9 0' Secretary's salary, including office rent, fuel and light (fifteen months) .. 87 10 0 Furniture and fittings .. .. 4 12 9 Bank of New Zealand—fixed deposit .. 600 0 0 Balance .. .. .. 320 19 1 £2,949 3 3 £2,949 3 3 Chaeles Bout, Treasurer. I have examined this abstract and compared it with the treasurer's books and vouchers, and I certify it to be correct.-—H. Livingston, Auditor.

3. Eeport of the Inspectoe-Geneeal to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Invercargill High School. —Inspected 80th November. I regret to say that the only day I could well spare for the inspection of this school was broken by a half-holiday. On that account I thought it right to devote my attention chiefly to the classes taught by the headmaster and the lady principal, who are both about to leave the school. I think it due to them to say that I consider the work of their classes very satisfactory indeed. The first class of boys is in three divisions for Latin :— Division A: De Ofliciis, I, to III.; In Catilinam, 1., II.; Satires, I. Division