E.—ll

24

Examination. —That good work has been done at the school is evidenced by the fact that at the examination held in December last one pupil (E. M. Erskine) won a University Junior Scholarship, and one gained " credit " in the same examination ; fifteen pupils passed matriculation examination (being all but one of those from Invercargill who passed). Two passed the medical preliminary, eleven the Junior and five the Senior Civil Service Examination. Free Education Scholarships. —Fifteen pupils from the primary schools were admitted at the beginning of the year, who received free education for two years, with the prospect that if exceptionally good progress be made the Board will grant an additional year. Boarding Establishment. —After a fair trial for several years it has been found that the boarding establishment for boys did not result in an advantage to the school that was commensurate with the cost of maintaining the institution. It was therefore decided to close the establishment, which was done at the end of the first term of 1897. The Board has offered the property for sale, but a purchaser has not yet been found. Site for Boys' School. —The Governors have kept before them the importance of obtaining a site for a boys' school, with the view of allowing the girls only to have the building at present used for boys and girls. A suitable site within the means of the Board has not yet been met with. Improvements of School Property. —A substantial stone, concrete, and iron fence has been erected on the street lines of the boundary of the school grounds. The property in other ways also has been greatly improved during the past year. I have, &c, Harry Stocker, Chairman.

2. General Statement of Accounts for the Year ending 31st December, 1897. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. To Balance .. .. .. .. 2,806 16 4 By Management .. .. .. 67 10 0 Current income from reserves.. .. 787 15 4 Teachers'salaries and allowances .. 1,197 0 6 Interest on moneys invested and on un- Boarding-school account .. .. 28 3 9 paid purchase-money .. .. 97 16 7 Prizes .. .. .. ■ .. 816 5 Paid by School Commissioners .. 180 3 3 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. 76 13 11 School fees.. .. .. .. 561 9 0 Cleaning, fuel, light, &o. .. .. 71 7 6 Sale of Furniture .. .. .. 34 17 6 Fencing, repairs, &o .. 18 8 2 Rents, insurance, and taxes .. .. 33 6 0 Expended on site or buildings .. 143 17 6 Chemicals, appliances, and sundries .. 15 7 9 Balance.. .. .. .. .. 2,808 6 6 Total .. .. .. £4,468 18 0 Total .. .. .. £4,468 18 0 H. Stocker, Chairman. Charles Eout, Secretary. Examined and found correct.—J. K. Warburton, Controller and Auditor-General.

3. Work of Highest and Lowest Classes. Highest. —English—As You Like It; Henry V.; Chaucer, Prologue ; Selections from Tennyson ; Bowen's Studies in English; S. Brooke's Literature ; English Lessons for English People; composition, &c. Latin—Virgil, iEneid VII.; Pliny's Letters (selections); Catullus, Tibullus, Propertius (selections); translation at sight; prose ; history and antiquities. French—Gautier's Scenes of Travel; Blouet's Composition ; Brachet's Grammar. Mathematics—Arithmetic; Algebra, to binomial theorem; Euclid, Books I. to IV., VI., with exercises; trigonometry, to solution of triangles. Applied Mathematics—Dynamics. Science—Electricity and magnetism. Lowest. —English—The Lady of the Lake ; Mason's Grammar; composition, &c.; geography; history. Latin—Principia ; Gradatim. French—Principia : Macmillan's First Beader. Arithmetic—Algebra, to simple equations (without fractions); Euclid, Book I. to proposition 34, with exercises. Science —Physics (as in Primer); elements of chemistry (boys); physiology (girls). Shorthand. Drawing—Freehand (girls).

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (1,550 copies), £18 7». 6(1.

Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.— lB9B.

Price, 9d.