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GEEY. Sir, — Education Board Office, Greymouth, 27th March, 1902. I have the honour to lay before you a report of the proceedings of the Grey Education Board for the year 1901. The members who retired on the 31st March last were Messrs. Flynn, Harris, and Marshall. At the election to fill the vacancies thereby constituted the three retiring members were re-elected. On the 25th August last, after a brief illness, the Hon. James Kerr, one of the oldest members of the Board, passed away—a loss that was keenly felt not only by his colleagues, but by all with whom he was brought in contact, for his sterling worth and many good qualities. As a member of the Legislative Council Mr. Kerr was of great service to the Board. He took a very deep interest in educational matters, and spared neither time nor trouble in doing all that was possible not only for the Board which he represented, but for the furtherance of education generally. Mr. Kerr was for several years Chairman and also Treasurer to the Board. At the election held in October to fill the vacancy caused by the Hon. Mr. Kerr's death Mr. James Kerr, jun., was elected. The Board at the close of the year therefore consisted of Messrs. John Byrne, John Flynn, S. R. Harris, James Kerr, W. K. Kettle, James Marshall, Jeremiah McCarthy, Joseph Petrie, and Frank White. There were twenty-nine schools in operation at the close of the year, being a decrease of one on the previous year, The teachers in the employ of the Board comprised fourteen males and fortyfour females, or a total of fifty-eight. The annual examination of pupil-teachers was held in December. Four pupils were examined, all of whom qualified themselves for a higher grade. The annual examination for scholarships was also held in December. For the four scholarships —two town and two country —there were eighteen competitors. At the close of the year the Building Fund showed a debit balance of £96 15s. Bd. The expenditure during the year was £1,149 18s. 3d. This large outlay is to be attributed to the rebuilding of the Cobden School, at a cost of £600—an undertaking that would not have been sanctioned if the Board had known at the time that no special grant in aid of the work would be made. The Board's General Account at the close of the year showed a debit balance of £220 65., but against this £184 was due from Government. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. S. R. Haekis, Chairman.

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1901. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure & s. d. Balance —On General Account .. .. 9 17 0 Balanoe —On Building Account .. .. 68 16 5 Government grant for buildings .. 1,162 10 0 Office staff —Salaries and clerical assistance 175 0 0 Statutory capitation— Departmental contingencies .. .. 433 14 3 Amount paid by Government .. .. 5,179 15 0 Inspectors'salaries and travelling-expenses 200 0 0 Amount paid by School Commissioners 88 0 0 Truant Officer's salary and expenses .. 25 0 0 Addition to statutory capitation — For ' Examination of pupil-teachers .. .. 33 3 0 teaohers' salaries .. .. .. 402 3 0 Scholarships— Scholarship grant .. .. .. 105 10 0 Paid to scholars .. .. .. 75 0 0 District High School grants .. .. 90 5 0 Examination expenses .. .. 2 2 0 Inspection subsidy .. .. .. 150 0 0 Teachers'salaries .. .. .. 5,5G4 8 9 Capitation for manual and technical in- Teachers' house allowances .. .. 100 0 0 struction for school classes .. .. 615 9 Incidental expenses of schools .. .. 97 0 0 Grant for manual and technical instruc School buildings— ti on .. .. .. .. 75 0 0 New buildings .. .. .. 623 18 0 Grant for encouragement of swimming .. 318 3 Improvements of buildings .. .. 367 3 0 District High Sohool fees .. .. 35 0' 0 Furniture and appliances .. .. 114 5 9 Other receipts Rent of buildings used for sohool purGrants from High School Board .. 350 0 0 poses .. .. .. .. 44 11 6 Bent of property .. .. .. 0 16 0 Manual and technical instruction— Balance Travelling-expenses of teachers .. 35 11 6 On General Account .. .. .. 220 6 0 Payments to Committees .. .. 615 9 On Building Account.. .. .. 96 15 8 Other expensesInterest on General Account .. .. 0 2 6 Interest on Building Account .. .. 2 10 Grant, instruction in swimming .. 3 18 3 £7,982 11 8 £7,982 11 8 S. R. Harris, Chairman. F. W. Riemenschneider, Secretary. Examined and found correct.— J. K. Wakburton, Controller and Auditor-General.

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