E.—l.

WELLINGTON. Sir, — Wellington School Commissioners, Wellington, sth April, 1904. I have the honour to forward the report and statement of receipts and expenditure of the School Commissioners for the Provincial District of Wellington for the year ended 31st December, 1903. The following gentlemen are members of the Board of Commissioners : Mr. J. R. Blair (Chairman), Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., Mr. F. Y. Lethbridge, M.H.R., Mr. F. Pirani, and Mr. John Strauchon, Commissioner of Crown Lands. The total number of tenants now on the rent-roll is 445. During the year eight reserves set apart during former years, and comprising a total area of 1,481 acres 3 roods, were leased at annual rentals amounting in all to £47 lis. Bd. There were no reserves vested in the Commissioners during the year, owing to the reservations being approved by Parliament somewhat later than usual, but reserves amounting in area to 8,977 acres 1 rood 21 perches, comprising seventeen sections, appear in Gazette No. 1 of 6th January, 1904, as endowments for primary education, and these will be offered at auction for leasing during April, 1904. The Commissioners wish again to draw attention to the fact that they are still prevented by law from subdividing valuable endowments comprised in leases falling in from time to time—and which, if so dealt with, would produce a greatly increased revenue—through being barred by section 21 of " The Education Reserves Act, 1877," from spending any of the funds at their disposal on the making of roads required by "The Public Works Acts Amendment Act, 1900," and to point out that it is very desirable in the interests of the educational bodies for whom they act as trustees that they should have power to expend moneys at their disposal upon such works when they consider it necessary. With regard to the distribution of the revenue, it may be mentioned that up to November last a proportion of the funds derived from secondary education reserves was paid to district high schools for secondary educational purposes in response to applications made, but owing to the provisions of "The Secondary Schools Act, 1903," the Commissioners have since the passing of that Act apportioned those moneys to high schools only. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington, J. R. Blair, Chairman,

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the 31st December, 1903.

107

Primary. Seconaary. Total. Receipts. Y> Balance on the 1st January, 1903 Receipts on account of previous years ... Receipts on account of year 1903 Receipts on account of year 1904 Receipts on account of year 1905 Preparation and registration of leases ... Legal expenses Discount on office supplies Interest and sinking fund on improvements £ s. a. 486 14 1 104 15 0 4,216 9 9 239 17 1 0 5 0 20 0 0 13 4 0 3 0 98 2 5 £ s. 9 17 773 18 0 0 d. 2 1 3 £ s. d. 496 11 3 104 15 0 4,990 7 10 239 17 4 0 5 0 20 0 0 13 4 0 3 0 98 2 5 Total receipts ... 5,167 9 8 783 15 6 5,951 5 2 Expenditw, ly Payments to educational bodies— Wellington Education Board Wanganui Education Board Wellington College Wellington Girls' High School Wanganui Girls'High School Palmerston District High School Masterton District High School Napier Boys' High School ... Salaries of officers ... Printing, stationery, and office contingencies Commissioners' travelling-expenses Commission on sales of leases Advertising sales of leases Fencing Preparation and registration of leases ... Crown-grant fees Travelling-expenses of Secretary Arbitration ... Law Surveys Bank balance ... ... £564 11 4) Cash in hand ... ... 5 1 11 j £ s. 2,757 1 1,492 18 260 7 101 0 18 6 2 2 50 12 66 16 7 10 34 2 5 16 11 14 1 3 17 2 a. 9 3 9 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 6 £ s. d. 1 - 107 19 101 107 19 10 87 11 6 87 11 6f 107 19 10 0 17 6J 39 12 3 15 7 4 £ s. a. 4,250 0 0 500 0 0 300 0 0 116 7 11 18 6 0 2 2 0 50 12 0 66 16 0 7 10 0 34 2 0 5 16 2 11 14 0 13 4 17 2 6 340 17 4 228 15 11 569 13 3 Total expenditure ... 5,167 9 8 783 15 6 5,951 5 2