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General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1897— continued.

Jas. A. Bonar, Chairman. A. J. Morton, Secretary. Examined and found correct. —J. K. Warburton, Controller and Auditor-General.

CANTEEBUEY. Sir, — Christchurch, sth January, 1898. In accordance with Order in Council of date 17th day of September, 1878, I have the honour to forward the report of the School Commissioners for the Canterbury Provincial District for the year ending the 31st December, 1897, together with a copy of its accounts duly audited. The total area of the primary education estate under lease on the 31st December, 1897, was 68,044J acres, producing an annual rental of £16,003 15s. 10d.; of this area, 24,200 acres is contained in Pastoral Eun No. 5, which was obtained from the Crown early in 1892 in exchange for agricultural land in the Waimate district. The fixed deposit of £163 3s. 5d., which matured on the 21st December, 1897 (and is onlyavailable for the purchase of land), has been renewed for one year. Only one reserve, a small one of 26 acres, has been dealt with during the year, and this was let by tender.for thirteen years and ten months from the Ist July, 1897. The Board during the year granted a slight reduction of rent from the Ist May to two tenants— to one for three years, and to the other until the expiry of his lease, the Ist November, 1901 ; and with respect to tenants who previously obtained a reduction of rent for three years, nine were granted an extension of the reduction for another three years from the Ist November, 1897, and seven an extension of the reduction until the expiry of their leases. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. H. E. Webb, Chairman.

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1897.

Primary. Secondary. Total. Assets. balance in bank, 31st December, 1897 ■rrears of rent at 31st December, 1897 Total assets £ s. d. £ Si d. £ s. d. 117 6 6 6 14 0 124 0 6 124 0 6 Liabilities. £ s. d. £ B. d. £ s. 5 0 119 0 d. 0 6 Secretary's salary (part) Jredit balance ... Total liabilities... 124 0 6

Primary Education Estate. Total. Receipts. 'o Balance brought down from 31st December, 1896 Arrears of 1896, from last account ... Moneys payable within the year 1897, and collected— On account of half-year's rent payable in advance on the 1st May, 1897 On account of half-year's rent payable in advance on the 1st November, 1897 £ 8. a. £ s. 818 9 1,803 13 a, 7 i 7,867 9 0 6,105 17 5 13,973 6 5 Other receipts— Bank of New Zealand — Interest on £163 3s. 5d. placed on deposit for one year (see statement of 31st December, 1896) 5 14 1 Total receipts ... ... .. 16,601 3 5