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received an application from the Governors of the College for a sum of £2,500 or £3,000 in order to provide that institution with furniture and fittings, and to make improvements in the grounds; the Governors stating that with the most rigid economy the sum of £8,000 would not be sufficient to do more than finish the building, leaving furniture and many other things necessary for the efficiency of the establishment unprovided for. Your Trustees looking upon the College as one of the most important objects of the Trust, and seeing a building advancing to completion at once well suited to its purpose and an ornament to the place, after careful deliberation considered that they would be justified in affording further assistance, and they accordingly handed over to the Governors the smaller sum applied for, viz. £2,500. With this sum the Governors assure them that they will be able to furnish the building, to provide efficient drainage and piping, to embellish and plant the grounds, and do several things required both for the preservation of the building itself, and the health and comfort of its inmates.

A sum of £500 has been advanced without interest to the Trustees of the Nelson Institute, for the purpose of purchasing a library and museum, on the condition that the expenditure of the above grant be first submitted to the Trustees for their approval, and also that the Trustees of the Institute mortgage the building as security for the above sum and the sum of £300 before lent.

The Trustees are happy to say that the philosophical apparatus and minerals ordered from England have arrived in good order. The chemical instruments will no doubt afford frequent occasions of instruction and scientific interest, and enable the youth of the Province to observe with their eyes experiments and results of which otherwise they could only form an indistinct idea by reading. For the care, trouble, and judgment shown in the selection of this apparatus they wish to express their acknowledgments to Mr. Heppel, the principal of the Nelson College. The collection of specimens illustrative of Geology and Mineralogy is now being unpacked and arranged on appropriate shelves. It is of a most complete and interesting character, presenting specimens of the chief European formations with their characteristic fossils where fossiliferous, and containing also typical specimens of minerals. A collection such as this cannot fail to give a great impetus to geological research, by affording the best and most valuable aid and instruction. The gentleman through whose instrumentality this collection was obtained, W. I. Hamilton, Esq., Secretary to the Geological Society of London, has laid upon all the people of Nelson, who take any interest in science, or the development of our mineral resources, a considerable burden of obligation.

The Trustees regret to say that there has not been for some time past that public accommodation by means of steamers which the people of this place have a right to expect. The Nelson Coast Steam Association finding no prospect of being able to place the Tasmanian Maid on the berth again offered to repay the money advanced to them; they have accordingly already paid £3,000 and are to pay the balance £4,000 on the first of May. The Trustees have made attempts in various quarters to supply the want but hitherto without success, and have at present under consideration the propriety of ordering a steam vessel direct from England, suitable in all respects for the traffic of the place. In the meantime, with the view of bettering the communication with Motueka, the Trustees have lent a sum of £400 to our enterprising fellow-citizen, Mr. Stock, to assist him in building a small steamer, which cannot fail to be a great accommodation to parties wishing to cross the Bay.

During the past year £300 has been paid to the Church of England to be applied in the Wairau, and £150 to the same denomination to be applied in Golden Bay. The Presbyterians of the Wairau have also received the sum of £150. These payments have been made out of the interest of the sum of £1,000 which, in 1854, was invested in the terms of the Report of that year as a "further provision for the spiritual wants of the Province, and more especially of its remoter districts." The published accounts show that the principal sum is still intact.

Subjoined is the annual financial statement.

By order of the Council of Governors,

A. G. JENKINS,

Secretary.