e.—i.

year with twenty-four students. A similar class was instituted in October in connection with the Hokitika District High School, and a good beginning was made by the two divisions, which have an aggregate roll-number of thirty-eight. Drill.—The course adopted in drill and physical exercises has been similar to that of the previous year, as described in last year's report. No increase in the number of small schools including the subject in the programme of instruction is to be recorded. Finance.—ln the General Account, apart from special grants for instruction of teachers, the Dr. balance has been reduced from £81 2s. 9d. to £65 16s. Id. The actual Dr. balance is £71 Bs. 2d., including £5 12s. Id. expended in anticipation of a grant promised for the support of classes instituted for the instruction of teachers in science. Owing to the anticipation in the previous year of the ordinary vote for buildings for 1903, the amount received was only £500. In addition £100 was received for new works, and an advance of £100 was obtained from the vote for 1904. With the credit balance of £45 7s. sd. at the beginning of the year and other small sums the total receipts were £781 7s. sd. The expenditure was £759 os. 5d., leaving a credit balance of £22 7s. Contracts have been let, however, for a further expenditure of £33 18s. In August the Lower Otira School building was burnt down. Although a grant for rebuilding is available, the Board has deferred action until further information is obtained as to the development of the district. There is one work that is acknowledged by the Board to be of great urgency, but for which the available funds are quite inadequate, that is, the re-erection of the residence of the headmaster of the Hokitika District High School. The building was built in 1867, and is too dilapidated for repair. Unless a special grant is allowed for rebuilding, the Board considers the building should be sold and house-allowance provided in its place. In conclusion, I desire to add that, while the Board has already taken an opportunity to express its pleasure in connection with your appointment 'as Minister of Education, it now desires to record here its gratification that one so well acquainted with the needs of the various districts is willing to undertake with other onerous duties the direction of education in the colony. At the same time the Board has to express its deep regret at the retirement and recent death of the Hon. W. C. Walker, and to acknowledge the many valuable services he rendered during a long course of years. I have, &c, Joseph Grimmond, Chairman. The Right Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington.

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st December, 1903. Receipts. £ a. d. Expenditure. £ a. d. Balance at beginning of year .. .. 69 14 9 Staff salaries and clerical assistance .. 482 0 0 Grants from Government for— Office contingencies .. .. .. 114 1 7 Teachers'and pupil-teachers'salaries, and Teachers' and pupil-teachers' salaries, and allowances to pupil-teachers.. .. 4,187 18 5 allowances to pupil-teachers .. .. 4,216 13 0 Capitation at lis. 3d. and grant of £250 785 7 4 Relieving-teachers' salaries .. .. 24 18 7 Capitation at 6d. for relieving-teachers .. 23 15 6 Incidental expenses of schools .. .. 180 16 7 Rent of residences .. .. .. 24 12 0 Scholarships and examination expenses .. 76 17 6 Grants from Government for— Salaries of staffs of District High Schools, Scholarships .. .. .. 55 810 paid out of special receipts .. .. 350 0 0 District High Schools ~ .. 20.1 14 11 Manual and technical instructionSubsidy from High School Board .. 200 0 0 Instructors' salaries and travelling-ex-Grants from Government for manual and penses .. .. .. .. 22 15 0 technical instruction — Capitation on Students' travelling-expenses .. .. 45 17 4 attendance at classes .. .. .. 84 17 0 Special classes .. .. .. 71 2 1 Grants from Government for— Maintenance of school buildings.. .. 748 7 8 Maintenance of school buildings, &o. .. 600 0 0 House-allowances .. .. .. 20 0 0 House-allowances .. .. .. 20 0 0 Buildings, class-rooms, furniture, &c, for New sohools, additions, furniture, &c. .. 100 0 0 manual and teohnical purposes— Technical-school buildings, fittings, &c. 110 15 0 School classes .. .. .. 121 5 9 Balanoe at end of year .. .. .. 53 1 2 Special classes .. .. ~ 42 910 £6,517 4 11 £6,517 4 11 Joseph Grimmond, Chairman. 15th Maroh, 1904. A. J. Morton, Secretary.

NORTH CANTERBURY. Sir,— Christchurch, 13th April, 1904. I have the honour to present the following report of the proceedings of the Education Board of the District of North Canterbury for the year ending the 31st December, 1903 :— The Board.—The three members who retired in August, 1903, were Mr. D. Buddo, Mr. D. McMillan, and Mr. J. Rennie, all of whom were re-elected at the election technically held on the 27th of the preceding month but not completed until the 11th August. On the 12th August Dr. Charles Chilton, M.A., was elected to fill the extraordinary vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. J. L. Scott on the 24th June. At a meeting held on the 26th August Mr. H. W. Peryman was elected Chairman of the Board. The Board held eighteen meetings during the year. The Buildings Committee met seventeen times, the Appointments Committee thirty-five times, and the Normal School and Technical Committee twenty-one times.

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