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CANTERBURY. Sir, — Government Buildings, Christchurch, 25th January, 1906. In accordance with Order in Council of date 17th September, 1878, I have the honour to forward the report of the School Commissioners for the Canterbury Provincial District for the year ending the 31st December, 1905, together with a copy of its accounts duly audited. The total area of the primary education estate under lease on the 31st December, 1905, was 67,170|- acres, producing an annual rental of £18,544 Is. 6d. Of this area, 23,315 acres is contained in what is known as " Pastoral Run No. 5." The fixed deposit of £163 3s. 5d., which matured on the 22nd December last (and is only available for the purchase of land), has been renewed for one year. During the year three reserves were relet; two of these by arbitration under clause 244 of " The Land Act, 1892," and the other, containing 49-i acres, was let by public tender. I -'-,:■ I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. John Rennie, Chairman.

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the 31st December, 1905.

Primary Education Estate. Total. Receipts. 'o Balance brought down from 31st December, 1904 Arrears of rent from last account collected ... ... ... Moneys payable within the year 1905, and collected— On account of half-year's rent payable in advance on the 1st May, 1905 ... On account of half-year's rent payable in advance on the 1st November, 1905 £ s. d. £ s. d2,683 7 2 1,798 1 1 9,222 12 6 7,227 15 4 16,450 7 10 Other receipts : Bank of New Zealand—Interest on £163 3s. 5d. placed on deposit for one year (see statement of 31st December, 1904) 5 14 1 Total receipts 20,937 10 2 Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. aly Office expenses and management— Salary of steward (inclusive of all travelling-expenses) Stationery and postage School Commissioners, railage and expenses Bank exchange on cheques Bank exchange on remittances to the South Canterbury Education Board, Timaru 540 0 7 1 13 16 0 7 0 8 0 0 4 6 0 Expenses of leasing— Advertising and printing ... ... .... Share of arbitrators' fees for assessing rental of reserves 1241 and 1329 ... Share of cost of arbitration deeds 565 10 8 5 9 0 3 2 3 7 0 0 10 19 0 Special expenditure— Cost of field-pipes supplied to lessees of Beserve 1197 and Lots 1 and 2 of Beserve 1191 ... Contribution towards repair of culverts at Lake Taumutu Contribution to Kowai Boad Board towards protective work on north bank of Biver Ashley... 24 20 5 0 0 0 54 5 0 10 0 0 Payments to Education Boards— North Canterbury ... ... ... ... South Canterbury ... ... ... ... 14,357 10 3,392 9 7 5 17,750 0 0 Balance in Bank of New Zealand, 31st December, 1905— At credit of current account On fixed deposit ... 18,380 14 8 2,393 12 1 163 3 5 2,556 15 6 Total expenditure ... 20,937 10 2