8.—9

8

5. Eepoet of the Inspectoe-Geneeal of Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Auckland Girls' High School, 3rd and 4th August, —There is a very noticeable falling off in the number of pupils attending the school. I am disposed to attribute this to causes connected with the state of trade. Ido not observe any diminution of efficiency in the school itself. The highest form has had improved provision made for its instruction in French. The services of a gentleman to whom French is more familiar than English have been engaged; and it seems to me that pupils in a senior class ought to derive great benefit from his custom of carrying on all the work of the class in French. The habit of hearing and speaking in French by way of question and answer is likely to be very useful to them. I have formed a high opinion of the value of the instruction given in drawing and also of the exercises in drill.

WHANGAEEI HIGn SCHOOL. Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1887. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year .. .. 31 2 7 By Ranger's salary .. .. .. 5 0 0 Stationery, &o. .-. .. .. 12 6 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 25 0 1 £31 2 7 £31 2 7 W. Bedlington, Chairman and Secretary. Examined and found to be correct. —L. A. Dubeieu, Auditor.

THAMES BOYS' AND GIELS' HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Statement of Eeceipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1887. Receipts. S, s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year .. .. 324 11 9 By Management—Salary .. .. 22 0 0 Current income from reserves.. .. 133 10 10 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 845 3 4 Interest on moneys invested and on un- Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 12 17 0 paid purchase-money .. .. 12 10 0 Cleaning, fuel, light, &c. .. .. 29 15 0 Paid by School Commissioners .. 75 0 0 I'oncing, repairs, &c. .. .. .. 34 18 8 School fees .. .. .. 290 17 0 Bents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 8 2 2 Goldfields revenue .. .. .. 187 0 0 Interest on current account .. .. 0 2 8 Sale of house .. .. .. 3 10 0 Expenses of survey, sales, &c... .. 17 17 6 School requisites .. .. .. 24 17 0 Balance at end of year .. .. 31 6 3 £1,026 19 7 £1,026 19 7 A. Beodie, Chairman. E. A. Heald, Secretary and Treasurer. Examined and found to be correct. —L. A. Dueeieu, Auditor.

2. Work done by Highest and Lowest Classes. Highest. —University junior scholarship examination. Loioest. —Arithmetic, elementary rules; elementary French; reading, writing, and dictation.

3. SCHOLARSHIPS HELD AT THE SCHOOL DURING THE LAST QuAETEE OF THE YbAB. Education Board Scholarships. —At £45, 1; at £20, 1. The school gave free education to these scholars, and also to two holders of Education Board's certificate of proficiency.

4. Beport of the Inspectoe-Genebal of Schools to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Thames High School, 2nd August. —l think this school is doing very good work on an unpretending scale. Mental activity, rather than scholarship, must be the immediate end of the efforts put forth in the circumstances in which the school is placed. I had an interview with three gentlemen representing the Board of Governors, and answered several questions with more freedom than is allowed in writing a report that is to be published. I hope that my answers will serve to confirm the confidence of the Board with respect to the ability with which the school is conducted.

NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL. 1. Statement of Eecbipts and Expenditure for the Tear ending 31sfc December, 1887. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Grant from vote of the General Assembly 150 0 0 By Balance at beginning of year .. 80 4 11 Special grant for buildings .. .. 200 0 0 Expenses of management .. .. 10 2 G Current income from reserves.. .. 350 14 6 Teachers' salaries and allowances .. 743 0 0 Paid by School Commissioners .. 139 9 3 Prizes .. .. .. .. 814 3 School fees .. .. .. .. 2G2 0 0 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 19 1 3 Debit balance at end of year .. .. 24 14 4 Cleaning, fuel, light, &o. .. .. 32 13 8 Site and buildings— Purchases and now works .. .. 207 17 3 Fencing, repairs, &c. .. .. 11 7 5 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. 7 12 6 Apparatus .. .. .. .. 6 4 4 £1,120 18 1 £1,126 18 1 Thomas Kelly, Chairman. E. Veale, Secretary and Treasurer. Examined and passed.—C. Eennell, Auditor.