83

E.—l

Buildings.—The principal operations during the year 1898 were building a school at Cricklewood, altering and furnishing the temporary school at Te Ngawai, making additions to the residences at Washdyke and at Bedcliff, and enlarging the school at St. Andrew's. The following schools and residences were painted and repaired : Waitohi Flat, Opihi, Gapes Valley, Temuka, Timaru South, Bedcliff, and Hakateramea Valley. The Temuka and Timaru Main Schools were distempered, as well as Fairlie and Orari South. Pumps or wells were supplied to Belfield, Pleasant Point, Orton, Hook, Makikihi, Springbrook, and Sutherland's. Fencing and repairs to fences were carried out at Southburn, Belfield, Seadown, and Winchester. New furniture was supplied to Cricklewood, Hannaton, Upper Otaio, and Fairlie. New closets were erected at Bedcliff, Orari Bridge, and Hook; maps and material were supplied to a number of schools; and grants made in aid to School Committees to make small repairs, &c. Pupil-teachebs.—The annual pupil-teachers' examination was held in the last week in June, when twenty-four pupil-teachers, together with ten candidates for employment, presented themselves for examination. Twenty-three pupil-teachers passed and one failed. Of the candidates, five passed and five failed. Seven pupil-teachers of the third and fourth year sat for certificates at the Education Department's examination; three passed for D and three for E, and one obtained a partial E. Distbict High Schools.—A special report of the secondary work of the District High Schools was submitted to the Board by the Inspector. From this report it appears that thirty-two scholars took part in the examination at Waimate and fifteen at Temuka. The subjects taken were English, French, Latin, algebra, and Euclid. The Waimate High School Board of Governors continues its annual grant of £100 per annum towards the teaching of the higher subjects in the Waimate District High School, and encourages attendance by awarding scholarships and exhibitions to successful candidates. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Wm. B. Howell, Chairman.

Geneeal Statement of Beceipts and Expenditube for the Year ending 31st December, 1898. Receipts. £ s. d. , Expenditure. £ a. d. To Balance— £ s. d. By Office staff—salaries .. .. 265 17 0 On Building Account Dr. 1,114 1 2 Clerical assistance .. .. .. 4 0 0 On General Account Cr. 2,257 6 2 Departmental contingencies .. .. 207 16 6 1,143 5 0 Inspector's salary, with travelling - exjGovernment grant for buildings .. 2,171 0 0 penses .. .. .. .. 599 0 0 Subscriptions and donations for build- Examination of pupil-teachers .. 44 16 0 ings, transferred from General Account 1,158 19 10 Teachers' salaries and allowances (inOther receipts for buildings— eluding rent, bonus, &c.) .. .. 15,196 13 6 Interest on fixed deposit .. .. 210 0 Incidental expenses of schools .. 1,35118 6 Contractor's deposit transferred .. 5 0 0 Scholarships— Government statutory capitation ..13,954 8 1 Paid to scholars .. .. .. 342 19 10 Scholarship grant .. .. .. 340 16 5 Examination expenses .. .. 72 13 8 Inspection subsidy .. .. .. 300 0 0 School buildingsPayments by School Commissioners .. 2,922 0 6 New buildings .. L. .. 871 6 0 District High School fees .. .. 211 2 6 Improvements of buildings.. .. 472 4 5 Contributions from School Committees 56 3 8 Furniture and appliances .. .. 96 7 0 WaMate subsidy .. .. .. 100 0 0 Sites .. .. .. .. 11 11 0 Rents .. .. .. .. 35 15 6 Plans, supervision, and fees.. .. 121 10 0 Refunds .. .. .. .. 22 3 1 Transferred from General Account to Building Aooount .. .. .. 1,158 1910 Transferred from Deposit Account to Building Account .. .. .. 5 0 0 Balance — On Building Account .. .. 650 10 3 On General Aooount .. .. 950 1 1 £22,423 4 7 £22,423 4 7 Wm. B. Howell, Chairman. J. H. Bamfield, Secretary. Examined and found correct—J. K. Waebueton, Controller and Auditor-General.

REPORT ON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS. Sic, — Education Office, Timaru, 31st January, 1899. I have the honour to submit the following report on the higher work of the District High Schools :— Thirty-two scholars took part in the examination at Waimate, seventeen of whom were examined in five subjects, fourteen in four subjects, and one in three subjects. Fifteen scholars were examined at Temuka, ten in five subjects, four in three subjects, and one in two subjects. In each school the subjects were English, Latin, French, Euclid, and algebra. The following tables show the subjects taught, the number of pupils examined, the marks gained by each class, and the amount of work done in each subject:—