B.—l.

Liabilities. £ s. d. Outstanding cheques ... ... ... ... ... 10 1 0 Trust account ... ... ... ... ... ... 13 7 11 Total liabilities ... ... ... ... £23 8 11 James Wade, Chairman. New Plymouth, 11th May, 1908. F. P. Coekill, Treasurer. Examined and found correct. Attention is, however, called to the increase in the outstanding rents over those of the previous year, the ratio now being 27 per cent, of the annual income, and to the payment of sums amounting to £252 3s. 3d. without the previous approval of the Commissioners.— J. K. Warburton, Controller and Auditor-General.

WELLINGTON. Sir, — Office of the School Commissioners, Wellington, 24th February, 1908. I have the honour to forward herewith the report and statement of receipts and expenditure of the School Commissioners for the Wellington Provincial District for the year ended 31st December last. The following are the members of the Board of Commissioners : Mr. J. R. Blair (Chairman), Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.P., Mr. F. Y. Lethbridge, M.P., and Mr. John Strauchon (Commissioner of Crown Lands). During the year five reserves were added to the area vested in the Commissioners, comprising 2,701 acres 3 roods. The total area now included in the educational reserve estate in this Provincial District is 106,342 acres 0 roods 13 perches, of which 6,659 acres 3 roods 13 perches (consisting mainly of rough and inferior country) are at present unlet. The reserves leased during the year numbered thirteen, containing 2,007 acres 0 roods 18 perches, their annual rental being £325 Is. 5d., which makes the total number of leases now on the books 480, comprising an area of 99,682 acres 1 rood, on which is payable an annual rental of £8,104 16s. 9d., as against £6,511 13s. 4d. last year, the increase in the amount being largely due to renewals of expiring leases at higher rentals fixed by arbitration. I have &c, The Hon. the Minister of Education, Wellington. J. B. Blaie, Chairman.

General Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending the 31st December, 1907.

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Primary. Secondary. Total. Receipts. Balance on the 31st December, 1906 ient paid on account of previous years Jent paid on account of year 1907 Jent paid on account of year 1908 Preparation and registration of leases interest and sinking fund on improvements Adjustment of stock ... £ s. d. 585 5 9 161 7 7 5,913 2 8 281 19 2 32 10 0 80 2 6 2 8 0 £ s. 93 15 965 5 d. 3 2 £ a. d. 679 1 0 161 7 7 6,878 7 10 281 19 2 32 10 0 80 2 6 2 8 0 Total receipts ... 7,056 15 8 1,059 0 5 8,115 16 1