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Cadet Movement.—This movement has made considerable progress during the year, and is having a very beneficial effect on the schools and tea.chers. It may be mentioned that of' all the teachers' classes, that for drill, under Colour-Sergeant Armitage, of the Taranaki Rifles, was the most popular, and had the best attendance of both male and female teachers. Promised Legislation.—The promised legislation dealing with the making provision for the much-needed Superannuation Fund for aged and infirm teachers, and that dealing with the funds of the Opaku Reserve, has not yet been introduced. These are both matters of very great importance, and require urgent attention. Alteration op Boundaries.—There is a growing feeling that the time is ripe for the consideration of question of making the boundaries of the Education District coterminous with those of the provincial district. Besides many advantages, it would mean much greater economy in administration. Conference of Boards.—The changes in the administration of the Education Department, together with the changed conditions since the introduction of the present system of education, makes it very desirable that the Minister should invite the Boards to meet and confer with him and his permanent officers. Such a conference would undoubtedly lead to a better realisation on the part of the Boards of the aims and objects of the Department and a better understanding on the part of the Department of the many difficulties which the Boards have to contend with. Conclusion.—The relations of the Board with the Education Department, its own official and teaching staff, and the School Committees, have been most cordial and pleasant throughout the y ear - E. G. Allsworth, Chairman. The Right Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1903. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 1,713 13 0 Staff salaries and clerical assistance .. 925 13 4 Grants from Government for— Office contingencies .. .. .. 587 11 5 Teachers' and pupil-teachers' salaries, Teachers' and pupil-teachers' salaries and and allowances to pupil-teachers .. 12,995 17 5 allowances to pupil-teachers .. .. 15,188 1110 Reserves revenue for primary education.. 2,118 17 6 Incidental expenses of schools .. .. 1,137 310 Capitation at lis. 3d. and grant of £250 2,465 5 4 Scholarships and expenses of examination '244 3 4 Capitation for relieving-teachers .. 98 9 2 Salaries of staffs of District High Schools, Receipts from other sources—Contractors' paid out of special receipts .. .. 167 18 9 deposits forfeited, £15; refund hearth Bonus to teachers .. .. .. 186 18 9 blocks, £3 lis.; half-cost offence, £1 Other expenses—Secretary, Mr. T. H. Penn', 17s. 6d.; Opunake residence, £110s. ; old £5; stationery, £2 lis. .. .. 711 0 iron, £1 155... .. .. .. 23 13 6 Manual and teohnical instructionGrants from Government for— Instructors' salaries and travelling-ex-Scholarships.. .. .. .. 333 14 10 penses .. .. .. .. 89 11 7 District High Sohools .. .. 263 0 0 School classes .. .. .. 91 16 9 District High School fees .. .. 104 13 3 Special classes .. .. .. 29 1 7 Grants from Government lor manual and Other expenses—Sundries, £7 os. 5d.; technical instruction— refund, 10s. .. .. .. 7 10 5 Capitation on attendance .. .. 130 811 Maintenance of school buildings, &o. .. 1,228 11 4 Material for class-work .. .. 28 10 0 House-allowances .. .. .. '304 12 5 Instruction of teachers .. .. 100 0 0 New schools, additions, sites, &c. .. 1,509 3 6 Receipts from other sources—Pees, £43 Buildings, class-rooms, furniture, &c, for 10s. ; voluntary contributions, £1 10s. .. 45 0 0 manual and technical purposesGrants from Government for— School classes .. .. .. 894 10 2 Maintenance of school buildings .. 946 2 4 Special classes .. .. .. 21 18 5 House-allowances .. .. .. 319 13 4 Balance at end of year .. .. .. 524 1 9 New school buildings, furniture, &c. .. 873 11 9 Technical-school buildings, fittings, &c.. 532 12 4 Other receipts— Rents, school-sites .. .. .. 50 3 6 Truantage fines .. .. .. 2 3 0 Lease, 14s. ; Reeke's refund railage, 75... 110 £23,146 10 2 £23,146 10 2 E. G. Allsworth, Chairman. 9th April, 1904. P. S. Whitcombe, Secretary.

WANGANUI. Sir,— Education Office, Wanganui, 31st March, 1904. In accordance with the provisions of section 102 of " The Education Act, 1877," I have the honour to present the following report of the proceedings of the Wanganui Education Board for the year 1903 : —

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