iv

18,000 acres had already been reserved, as well as 317 town sections, and that further application had been made for the due proportion of land in townships and rural blocks in which reserves had not previously been set apart. From further information, it appears that the income which is already obtained from the Otago Educational Reserves amounts to about £1600 per annum.

SCHOLARSHIPS.

The examination of candidates for the six Government Scholarships of 1867 took place in the month of June.

The names of nine competitors for the Open Scholarships were received, seven of whom were being educated at the Christ’s College Grammar School, and the remaining two at the High School, Christchurch.

With regard to the Scholarships open only to boys attending District Schools aided by the Board, a preliminary examination was held, with the view of ascertaining how far the candidates were qualified to compete.

The names of thirty-four boys were entered as competitors, viz.:

Ten from St. Michael’s School.
Four from Christchurch Wesleyan School.
Four from Papanui Church School.
Four from Rangiora Boys’ School.
Three from Kaiapoi Church School.
Two from St. Luke’s School.
Two from St. Albans School.
Two from Ashley Bank School,
One from Woodend School.
One from Lower Heathcote School.
One from Lyttelton Church School.

Of these candidates, three were disqualified from the fact of their being above the specified age, and thirteen others did not possess attainments sufficient, in the opinion of the Board, to justify any further competition on their part. The candidates for the Junior Scholarships were thus reduced to eighteen.

The examinations for both classes of scholarships took place in a room adjoining the Immigration Barracks, and resulted as follows:

The two Open Scholarships were awarded to—

1. William H. Atack, High School, Christchurch.
2. William P. Reeves, Christ’s College Grammar School.

The four other scholarships to—

1. John A. Caygill, Christchurch Wesleyan School.
2. Charles E. Jennings, Papanui Church School.
3. Robert Triggs, Papanui Church School.
4. H. A. Ladbrook, Lower Heathcote School.

The Board also awarded prizes in books to Walter Bean, William Heney, and W. Charles Bean, for the very creditable manner in which they passed their examination.

The results from the establishment of Government Scholarships appear to be eminently satisfactory. Three of the Junior Scholars of 1866 and one of 1867 having been placed at one of the best of the district schools, it was found that they were so much in advance of the rest of the children receiving instruction there as to make it desirable, for the purpose of providing them with a course of instruction suitable to their attainments, as well as with a view of subjecting them to some competition, that they should be removed to a higher class of school.

The Board accordingly directed that letters should be addressed to the authorities of Christ College Grammar School, Christchurch and Lyttelton High Schools, and Pigeon Bay School, to ascertain whether board, lodging, and tuition would be provided at these institutions, or any of them, for the sum payable on account of the Scholarships, viz., £40.

The authorities of the Christ College Grammar School very liberally offered to take two