E.—l

60

Enlaegement op District.—Owing to the creation of a new county in the Taranaki Provincial District—viz., the Stratford County, which altered the boundaries of the Taranaki and Hawera Counties —it became necessary to reconstitute the boundary between the Taranaki and Wanganui Education Districts. This change of boundary added to this district three schools—viz , the Ngaire, Bird Boad, and Cardiff Eoad Schools, which are now under the administration of this Board. If the extension had included the whole of the Taranaki Provincial District it would have made a compact and easily-administered district, and the larger grants due to such a district would, under economical administration, have done much to remove the difficulties the Board has to encounter in securing good, permanent teachers for small schools. Attendance.—The roll-number on the 31st December, 1890, was 2,629 , on the 31st December of this year it had increased to 2,997 A portion of this increase, viz. 185, is due to the three new schools taken from the Wanganui District, leaving a net increase of children on the roll of 183, as against an increase of sixty-four for 1890. The average attendance for the year 1890 was 1,897 = 72 percent., and this year 2,094 = 72-3 per cent., showing a slight increase in the average attendance. In many of the schools the attendance is very irregular, and it is to be hoped that in the future the several Committees concerned will make strong endeavours to remedy such an unsatisfactory condition of affairs. Scholarships.—Four scholarships have been awarded by the Board to competitors who complied with the Board's regulations—viz., one B and three A Scholarships. These, together with the scholarships current at the end of the year, represent a money value of £142 yearly Buildings.—The small building grant made to the Board was only equal to making additions to the Okato and Stratford Schools, and a new residence at Urenui. Additions and repairs were also made to several schools and residences. Settlement is advancing rapidly in our forest lands, and large demands will soon be made on the Board for new schools, additions to existing schools, and also for residences in out-districts. To keep pace with actual settlement will be impossible in this district, so long as the Building Fund is mainly allocated on a population basis. Density of population is not the true measure of educational requirements. School Committees.—The various Committees, as a general rule, take an active interest in school work, and aid the Board in administration by undertaking all purely local work. Where the powers of the Board and of Committees overlap, and concurrence of action is required, difference of opinion must occasionally arise. The Board has endeavoured to work in harmony with Committees, and no serious difficulties have arisen during the year in administration arising out of dual authority The total payments made by the Board to the various School Committees during the year was £611 16s. lid. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Thomas Kelly, Chairman.

General Statement of Eeceipts and Expendituee for the Year ending 31st December, 1891.

Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance at beginning of year— By Office staff —Salaries 150 0 0 On Land Account 40 0 0 Departmental contingencies 82 0 0 On General Account .. 249 14 4 Inspector's salary 300 0 0 Government grant for buildings 1 790 0 0 ! Inspector's travelling expenses 50 0 0 Subscriptions and donations for build- Teachers salaries and allowances (inings 8 14 0 eluding rent, bonus, &c.) 6,050 0 0 Government statutory capitation 7,170 12 4 Incidental expenses of schools 783 0 11 Scholarship grant 146 10 0 Training of teachers 154 15 0 Inspection subsidy 200 0 0 Scholarships— Payments by School Commissioners 668 4 3 Paid to scholars 145 15 0 Lost cheques 4 5 0 Examination expenses 0 15 0 Interest on Land Fund 4 2 10 School-buildings— Now buildings 105 2 0 Improvements of buildings 438 10 0 Furniture and appliances 40 15 0 Sites 44 15 0 Plans, supervision, and fees 81 0 0 Balance at end of year— On Building Account 1 146 17 3 On Land Account 44 2 10 On General Account 664 14 9 £10,282 2 9 £10,282 2 9 Thomas Kelly, Chairman. E Veale, Secretary Examined and found correct.—James Edward FitzGerald, Controller and Auditor-General.

WANGANUI. Sic, — Education Office, Wanganui, 15th February, 1892. In compliance with the provisions of the Education Act, I have the honour to forward you an account of this Board's proceedings for the year 1891 Boabd.-—Mr James W Baker, Mr Henry Sanson, and Mr George Hurley were the retiring members in December, 1890, and were all re-elected; and subsequently Mr Gilbert Carson was reelected Chairman. Since then no change has taken place in the Board's constitution. The present members consist of Gilbert Carson, Esq of Wanganui (Chairman), Henry Sanson, Esq., of Campbelltown, Sandon , George S. Bridge, Esq., of Waverley , Eev J Eoss, of Turakina, James W