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H.—2lb

Nelson Non-Sectarian Schools. (Now under Central Board of Education.) Mr. Matheiv Campbell, being duly sworn, states: My name is Mathew Campbell. There were six grants of land made to myself and other trustees —1. Nelson; 2. Hope; 3. Eiver Terrace (Wairoa Eiver) ;4. Spring Grove; 5. Eiwaka; 6. Upper Wakefield. These lands were all granted as sites for schools for children of all denominations and classes, without the imposition of any sectarian creed. Schools were established on this principle at various places. These were for some years the only public schools in the Province of Nelson. Others were sometimes commenced, but were discontinued until the Government took up the question. It was commonly said that, but for these schools, most of the children in the country districts, and even in the town, would have gone without education. Sir George Grey for some years made a grant of £30 per annum for these schools ; and in the year before the Central Board took it (I think in 1855) as much as £180. Mr. Tuckett also rendered great assistance in the early days of the settlement, by giving the rents of certain lands for several years on which there were seven or eight tenants. Mr. and Mrs. -Fox also assisted by paying a teacher, and giving tuition themselves to the children, and in many ways promoting the object of the trust.

Nelson College Trusts. Letter from Mr. E. Pollock to the Sbgretaby to the Commission. Sib,— Nelson College Office, Bth February, 1870. I have the honour to state, for the information of the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into the Eeligious, Educational, and Charitable Trusts in the Province of Nelson, that the objects of the trust have been fully carried out as regards the grants specified below. It is necessary that I should explain, with respect to the several properties set forth in the grants, that those marked with an asterisk have been exchanged with the Crown for the land specified in the grant numbered ninety, being Highfield Eun, Amuri. I have, &c, F. Wakefield, Esq., Bobt. Pollock, Secretary to the Commission, &c. Secretary, Nelson College. 26 —Nelson, 7 acres.* 26—Opawa, 800 aores. „ 17 aores. Massacre Bay, 415 acres.* „ 1 acre.* „ 158 acres.* „ 6 acres. 90—Amuri, Highfield Run, 2,780 acres 3 roods. Motueka, 331 acres.

Letter from Mr. E. Pollock to the Secretary to the Commission. Sic, — College Office, Nelson, 15th March, 1870. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo, requesting me to furnish a report of this Institution, showing its state, &c, &c, up to the Ist January, 1870. I thought it advisable to defer my reply until the monthly meeting of the Governors, which took place a day or two since, in order that I might lay the matter before them, and take their directions. This I have done, and, in accordance with those directions, I now enclose a copy of oar last Annual Eeport, published in accordance with the Statutes of the College. This Eeport, with the accompanying statement of accounts and balance-sheet, will, I doubt not, furnish the information required by the Commissioners. I quite agree with you that it is to be regretted that circumstances should have prevented the Commissioner's personal inquiry when in Nelson, as the precise nature of the information sought would doubtless have been better understood. I have, &c, F. Wakefield, Esq., Eobt. Pollock, Secretary to the Commission, &c, Wellington. Secretary.

Bepobt of Governoes of Nelson College. 1. The number of pupils taught at the Nelson College during the past year has been considerably in advance of the attendance in the year immediately preceding:— 1869. Boarders. Day Scholars. Totals. Attendance Ist Quarter ... ..'. 39 11 50 2nd „ ... ... 39 10 49 3rd „ ... ... 33 12 45 4th „ 36 14 50 The numbers in the corresponding quarters of the previous year being 39, 40, 40, and 47. 2. The appended financial statement exhibits a continued reduction in the balance against the College. Indeed, the College is now really free from debt, and its apparent indebtedness results from the difficulty of collecting moneys in all cases within the quarter for which they are properly due. 7—H. 21b.