91

B.—l

schools free to all children that have passed Standard VI.; and Geraldine was raised to the status of a district high school, in which secondary work was begun in January, 1902. The abolition of fees at these institutions has led to a great influx of new scholars eager to extend their education beyond the limits of the ordinary standards; but those parents of Timaru and neighbourhood that have to pay for the higher education of their children, and those that are debarred by the cost from obtaining such a privilege, are complaining, and with good reason, that they are placed at a great disadvantage when compared with parents at Geraldine, Temuka, and Waimate, where secondary education is now free. The Board therefore hopes that the day is not far distant when secondary education will become free, at least to all children that show aptitude and ability to benefit by it. Scholarships.—The usual scholarship examination was held in December, the Board's Inspectors being the examiners. Though the number of candidates was slightly less than last year, the number of schools competing was nearly doubled. Four senior and eight junior scholarships were awarded, and three candidates gained exhibitions entitling them to free education for two years at the Timaru High School. Pupil-teachers.—At the end of the year the Board employed twenty-four pupil-teachers, classified as follows: First year—No males, 7 females; second year—2 males, no females; third year —6 males, 4 females ; fourth year—l male, 4 females : total, 9 males, 15 females. At the annual examination held in July eighteen pupil-teachers and fifteen candidates for pupil-teacher-ships were examined. All the pupil-teachers and ten candidates passed. Attendance. —The roll-number for the last quarter of the year was 5,074, and the average attendance 4,462. The average attendance shows a decline of twenty-six, as compared with the preceding year. It should be pointed out, however, that the average would have been much greater had the attendance *at many of our schools not suffered during the September quarter through prevailing sickness and bad weather. Buildings.—The total expenditure on school buildings during the year was £2,490 18s. £1,800 was received from the Government as building grant, and £615 for buildings in newly settled districts. The sum of £40 was received as contributions from residents towards new schools at Waihaorunga and Lyalldale ; and, besides this, several School Committees have come to the Board's assistance by providing and carting material, erecting fences, &c. Among the more important works undertaken during the year were new schools at Lyalldale, Waihaorunga and Waikakahi, residences at Glenavy and Waihaorunga, additions to the schools at Morven and Eedcliff, and the shifting and enlarging of the Waitaki School. Besides these works, there have been the usual numerous repairs, paintings, and alterations always involved where there are so many buildings, nearly all wooden, to be kept in order. Public-School Teachers' Salaries Act.—During the year the Public-School Teachers' Salaries Act was passed, bringing into force the long-discussed colonial scale of salaries. While this Act has, with few exceptions, benefited the teachers of this district, the Board finds that the capitation allowance of 11s. 3d. is insufficient to provide adequately for the School Committees' incidentals and the other necessary expenditure of the Board, and it is therefore hoped that the amount of capitation will soon be much increased. While this Act is being mentioned, it should be pointed out that it needs amendment in one or two particulars. In the first place, the Board is strongly of opinion that provision should be made for the teaching of sewing in every school. There are anomalies in the scale which should be removed as soon as possible. It so happens that two of the South Canterbury schools have averages just below 200. Should the averages rise above 200, each school will be provided with another assistant, and the salary of the present assistant will be nearly doubled. By order. The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. J. H. Bamfibld, Secretary.

Genbeal Statement of Eeceipts and Expendituee for the Year ending 31st December, 1901. Receipts. Expenditure. £ c. d. Balance— £ s. d. Office Btaff— Salaries .. .. .. 299 3 9 On Building Account.. .. .. 458 9 3 Departmental contingencies .. .. 450 15 1 On General Account .. .. .. 1,214 10 0 Inspectors'salaries and travelling-expenses 854 0 0 Government grant for buildings .. .. 1,800 0 0 Truant Officer's salary and expenses .. 97 17 10 Sobools in newly settled distriots .. 615 0 0 Examination of pupil-teachers .. .. 26 12 9 Subscriptions and donations for builaings 40 0 o'■ Scholarships— Other receipts for buildings— Paid to scholars .. .. .. 301 2 11 Interest on fixed deposit .. .. 30 0 0 Examination expenses .. .. 25 13 0 Refund, Building Account .. .. 2 0 0 Teachers'salaries .. .. .. 15,844 11 10 Statutory capitation— Incidental expenses of schools .. .. 1,112 3 3 Paid by Government .. .. .. 13,596 11 8 School buildings— Paid by School Commissioners .. 3,035 17 4 New buildings .. .. .. 1,394 10 3 Addition to statutory capitation — For Improvements of buildings .. .. 618 15 6 teachers'salaries .. .. .. 1,343 8 9. Furniture and applianoes .. .. 238 10 5 Scholarship grant .. .. .. 252 17 7 Rent of buildings used for school purDistrict High Schools—Grants .. .. 321 0 0 poses .. .. .. .. 38 2 i Inspection subsidy .. .. .. 300 0 0 Sites .. .. .. .. 59 3 6 Giant for training of teachers .. .. 125 0 0 Plans, supervision, and fees .. .. 142 6 0 Manual and technical instruction — Manual and technioal instruction— Capitation for school classes .. .. 4 6 6 Salaries .. .. .. .. 43 4 0 Grant for apparatus .. .. .. 314 0 Payments to Committees .. .. 1119 Subsidy on voluntary contributions .. 79 .17 6 Subsidy paid to managers of associated Grants for swimming .. .. .. 12 2 9 classes .. .. .. .. 79 17 6 District High School fees .. .. 64 0 0 Material .. .. 6 16 11 Other receipts— Apparatus .. .. .. .. 62 17 2 Subsidies from Committees .. .. 27 9 2 Other expenses—Exchanges and petties .. 39 5 3 Rents .. .. .. .. 24 8 7 Balance — Waimate High School Board .. .. 100 0 0 On Building Account.. .. .. 454 1 3 Refunds .. .. .. .. 810 7 On General Account .. .. .. 1,258 11 5 £23,459 3 8 £23,459 3 8 Wμ. B. Howell, Chairman. J. H. Bamfield, Secretary. Examined and found correct. — J. K. Warbueton, Controller and Auditor-General.