W. EMPSON.j

153

G.—s.

180. During the years you have been in charge of the school it has gradually increased in numbers and importance? —We have now 142 boarders and forty-five day-boys, the reduction in day-boys being accounted for by the establishment of the District High School here. 181. Bow many boys can you accommodate at the school?—We have 142 boarders now-—that is our full number. 182. I understand that in 1891 it was found necessary to put up another building to meet the increased applications that were coming in for admission to the school, and you took a lease from the trustees of what is known as Shield's house ?—Yes. 183. You took that on lease for twenty-one years, and you put up the building at your own expense?— Yes, it cost £1,200. That was no profit to us in any way. 184. It was put up at your own expense?— Yes. 185. And under the lease, as long as you remain headmaster you get the land at a peppercorn rent? —Yes. 186. That money has not been repaid by the trustees?— The money is repaid to me in the form of rent. Mr. Watson, the present occupier of the house, pays me. So that in 1912, when the lease expires, I reckon that I shall just about have received back the £1,200. 187. How many boys will the house accommodate?— Thirty-three. 188. There is another house on the other side of the school: you have nothing to do with that? —No. 189. Some boys used to be boarded there by Mr. Watson?— Yes. 190. How many boys did. that house accommodate?—l suppose from fifteen to twenty. 191. Am I right in saying that the school with the two houses is full? —Quite full. I had to refuse several applications last term. 192. Do you produce the form of application for admission?—Y'es, and a copy of prospectus [Exhibits Nos. 51 and 52]. I also produce samples of accounts [Exhibit No. 53]. 193. These forms were prepared by you? —I drafted them, and the trustees approved of them. 194. What are the qualifications or disqualifications with respect to applicants for admission? —The only qualification is that a good character is required in the case of day-boys. As regards boarders, the qualifications are good character, and they must, in accordance with the prospectus, attend our chapel services. 195. Every boar der ?—Yes. 196. No matter of what denomination they may be?— Yes. 197. In other words, you will not admit any boy into the school who will not attend the Church of England service?—l would not admit any boys who did not attend. 198. Boys of other denominations agree to attend, and thus comply with the rule?— Yes. 199. If a boy's parents said they did not want their boy to go to any church at all, would you take him as a boarder? —No. 200. If he said he wanted to go to a Presbyterian, Wesleyan, or to a Roman Catholic Church you would not take him I —No We have three Roman Catholics who attend our services. 201. Those are your instructions from the trustees?- —The trustees agreed to the prospectus that I drew out. It always has been the rule. 202. Religious education is given? —Yes. 203. In the divinity class?— Yes. 204. You also have a chapel ?—Yes; we have services in the College twice a week and twice on Sundays. 205. Supposing boys are sent from a distance, and they are boarded in the town, are they treated as day-scholars ?—No; we ought to have a regulation about that, but it has been overlooked. A boy is not allowed to board in the town unless he has relations here. 206. Must those boys attend the religious services?—No; they attend the school as day-boys. 207. Do those boys attend any of the religious services?— Not if their parents have any conscientious objections. 208. So that the clause as to religious services only applies to the boarders?— Yes. 209. The trustees gave £200 towards the erection of the chapel building, and therest of the money was given by subscriptions?— Yes. 210. Were the swimming-baths made by subscriptions?— The boys themselves dug out the place for the baths, and the baths themselves were made by money obtained in the way of subscriptions. 211. Have you yourself given anything in the shape of money or equivalent of money to the school? —I hay good deal at odd times. 212. You have given free scholarships?— Free scholarships and buildings, and the remittance of boarding-fees. 213. Can you say to what amount?— The average up to the end of 1901 in free board and tuition was £400 a year. In 1902 the trustees decided to take all the tuition fees and pay the masters' salaries themselves. Up to that time I received and paid everything. After that time the trustees received all tuition fees and paid the masters. Since 1902 the remission of tuition fees has been £117 per annum—that is given by the trustees —and there has been the remission of board-ing-fees, which is given by myself—£23o per annum on the average. 214. What is the existing arrangement: the trustees get all the tuition fees?— Yes; I pay £6 a year capitation for every boarder, and £12.a year as tuition fees. The whole of that money goes to the trustees. I pay them £600 a year capitation for 100 boys. 215. You get £500 a year salary— Yes. 216. You undertake the boarding?— Yes, all the boarding in my own house. Mr. Watson attends to the boarding in his house. ' 217. He takes their boarding-fees?— Yes. The boys who board with him do not pay capitation.. He pays rent, rates, and repairs. I have expended a good deal of other money in connection with the school. At the start we paid £700 for the house in which Aye live. Then we added

20— G. 5.