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NELSON. Sir,— Nelson, 31st March, 1890. I have the honour to lay before you a report of the proceedings of the Nelson Education Board during the year ending the 31st December, 1889. Board.—The Board has held thirteen meetings during the year, the average attendance at each meeting being eight. The late Chairman of the Board, the Hon. J. W. Barnicoat, having retired from the Board in March, the Bishop of Nelson was elected Chairman, the vacancy caused by Mr. Barnicoat's resignation being filled up by Mr. G. Talbot. The Board now consists of the following members : The Bishop of Nelson (Chairman), the Hon. Joseph Shephard, Messrs. S. Clayden, H. A. Tarrant, W. H. Phillips, jun., Joseph G. Harkness, M.H.E., C. Dencker, Eichmond Hursthouse, G. Talbot. Schools.—Ninety-one schools were at work at the close of 1889, twenty-three of these being aided schools, and three household schools. These twenty-six establishments receive a capitation allowance of £4, and an allowance for contingencies, in the case of the aided schools, varying from 10s. to 11s. 6d. for each scholar in daily attendance. Teaching Staff.—At the close of the year 168 teachers of all grades were on the staff. Of these, sixty-four were male and 104 female teachers. Forty-five are classed as probationers (equivalent to pupil-teachers)—an increase of six since 1888. Attendance ov Scholars. —The number of scholars on the roll at the end of 1889 was 5,749, being an increase of 267 on the previous year. The average attendance at the same period was 4,489, an increase during the year of 291. A circular (not the first of the kind) having been sent to the Board by the Education Department, giving a list of the numerous uncertificated teachers in the service of the Board, it was resolved that the Board's practice should in future be brought into stricter conformity with the provisions of the Education Act as to the employment of uncertificated teachers. A circular was therefore sent early in May to thirty-two uncertificated teachers, requiring them to present themselves at the examination of teachers in January, 1890, with the view of obtaining the certificate which the law requires. Twenty of those addressed presented themselves for examination, eight of whom obtained either a partial or a full pass. Of the twelve who absented themselves three produced medical certificates of ill-health. No satisfactory reason has so far been assigned for the absence of the remaining nine. The Board is of opinion that it is most desirable that the Education Department should without delay prepare and lay before the country, through the Government, a scheme for providing a pension and superannuation fund for teachers who have been long in the service of the department. I have, &c, Andrew Burn Suter, Bishop of Nelson, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Chairman.

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1889. Receipts. £ s. d. I Expenditure. & s. dTo Balance at beginning of year— • By Office staff—Salaries .. .. 287 0 0 On Building Account .. .. 1,698 12 7 Departmental contingencies .. .. 231 10 G On General Account .. .. 3,172 2 6 Inspector's salary and travelling exGovernment grant for buildings .. 324 18 3 > penses.. .. .. .. 550 0 0 Other receipts for buildings— Teachers' salaries and allowances (inTransfer from General Account .. 500 0 0 eluding rent, bonus, &c.) ~ 13,142 11 7 Bank interest .. .. .. 49 15 0 Incidental expenses of schools .. 1,890 19 11 Government statutory capitation .. 1G,094 16 111 Training of teachers .. .. US 2 6 Scholarship grant .. .. .. 340 14 7 j Scholarships— Inspection subsidy .. .. .. 300 0 0 Paid to scholars .. .. .. 348 14 2 Payment by School Commissioners .. 568 3 7 Examination expenses .. .. 25 9 3 From sale of school books, &c. .. 4SI 3 3 ; School buildings— Bank interest .. .. .. 62 0 0 New buildings .. .. .. 1,565 7 3 Improvements of buildings .. 542 19 6 Furniture and appliances .. .. 113 2 4 Sites .. .. .. .. 120 0 0 Purchase of school books .. .. 480 2 7 Subscription to schools library .. 6 0 0 Transfer to Building Account .. 500 0 0 Balance at end of year— On Building Account .. .. 231 16 9 On General Account .. .. 3,438 10 4 £23,592 6 8 £23,592 6 8 Stead Ellis, Secretary. Examined and found correct. —James Edwaed FitzGehald, Controller and Auditor-General.