H.—l.

BALANCE SHEET of RECEIPTS and EXPENDITURE in respect of EDUCATION RESERES for the Year ended 31st December, 1877.

WELLINGTON. Sir, — Education Board Office, Wellington, 27th March, 1878. Iv compliance with clause 102 of "The Education Act 1877," the Board of the Education District of Wellington present to tho Hon. the Minister of Education the following report of their proceedings for the year ended 31st December last. In this report the instructions contained in a circular letter, No. 4, from the Education Department, dated February 25, 1878, are, as far as possible, complied with ; and the information asked for is given in the form prescribed. The Board has held eighteen meetings during the year 1877, of which there were twelve regular meetings held on the third Wednesday in each month. 1. Attendance and Teaching Staff. At the close of the year 1877 there were 80 schools in operation under this Board, containing 5,240 children. The teaching staff consisted of 56 certificated teachers, 41 uncertificated teachers and assistants, 42 pupil-teachers, and 8 monitors. At the end of* 1876 there were 70 schools in operation, containing 4,080 children, taught by 49 certificated teachers, 44 uncertificated teachers and assistants, 26 pupil-teachers, and 17 monitors. The numerical increase in the teaching staff is only eleven ; but there are seven more certificated teachers, sixteen more pupil-teachers, and nine less monitors. We are gratified to say the increase in the attendance is very large, there being no less than 1,160 more children attending at the end of the year than at the beginning. The pupil-teacher system is largely developing, and the number of uncertificated teachers shows that the want of a Normal School is beginning to be seriously felt. Attached to this report is an alphabetical list of all the head teachers and assistant teachers in the service of the Board, stating their charge, standing, and classification ; and a list of all the pupil-teachers and monitors, stating the school in which they are employed, and their year of service as determined by examination last July. A list of the public schools in the Education District of Wellington, with the names and official incomes of the several teachers and the attendance and age of the pupils for tho year 1577, is attached. 2. New School Buildings Erected. During the past year two large schools have been built in the City of Wellington—one for boys only, and one for infants. The boys' school will accommodate 500, aud the infants' 400. They are built on portions of the Mount Cook Eeserve, given to the Board by the General Government for the purpose. New schools have also been erected at Taonui, Stony Creek, Moutoa, Awahuri, Crofton, Karere, Halcombe, Matarawa by Wanganui, and at Matarawa by Greytown. Teachers' residences have been built at Goat A 7alley, Greatford, Mauriceville, and the Hutt; and considerable additions have been made to those at Marton, Palmerston, and Eeatherston. 3. New School Buildings Required. It has already been stated that there is an increase in the attendance of 25 per cent, on last year's numbers. There is every reason to believe that the increase next year will be quite as great. Except in Wellington and Wanganui, and in one or two country schools, the Board had made due provision for the increased accommodation required. In a short time, however, larger additions must be made to existing schools; and in the larger centres of population much more commodious buildings are already required. This is particularly the case at the Thorndon end of the City of Wellington, and in the Town of Wanganui. The large new schools which your Board has fortunately been able to provide in time for the increased wants of the Te Aro end of the City of Wellington will do no more than relieve the immediate pressure upon the Board for school accommodation in that quarter. So rapid has been the growth of the city, that, although the Terrace School is about to be enlarged, there will not be nearly sufficient accommodation at Thorndon. A deputation from tho Board has already had the honor of representing to you the urgent need of large new schools for boys, girls, and infants in separate buildings at Thorndon. As soon as the Board can be assured by the Government that a sufficient site is available, they trust to be able to put up the buildings required without further delay. New schools are also required for Opaki, Tawa Elat, and Kaiwara ; and larger additions for Masterton and the Upper Hutt. Teachers' residences will be required for Ohariu, Fern Eidge, Clareville, Waingawa, Tawa Flat, and Makara. Additions are also needed to those at Greytown and Taita. The Board do not consider it desirable to make suggestions for increased accommodation in the Wanganui District further than to state that plans have been prepared for a new boys' school for

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Receipts. 'own Lands — To rents collected for year current iuburban and Rural Land—To rents collected for year current tents in Arrear — To amounts collected on account of town lands To amounts collected on account of suburban and rural lands ... £ s. d. 257 10 6 133 13 3 108 1 6 5 7 3 Expenditure. £ s. dFees for Crown grants ... ... ... 62 5 0 Printing and advertising... ... ... 7 4 9 Petty cash and stamps ... ... ... 300 Licenses—auctioneers' fees ... ... 4 4 0 Total Expenditure ... ... ... 76 13 9 Balance carried to Education Fund Account... 427 18 9 Total £504 12 6 Total ... ... ... ... £504 12 6 Geo. Thos. Fannin, Secretary, pro Chairman of the Board.