178

that, so far as I could ascertain, the Committee do not desire the removal of the master; but, possibly, of the influences which have disturbed the efficient discharge of his duties.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,

J. P. RESTELL,
Inspector of Schools.

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

(Quarter ending December, 1865.)

SUMMARY REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS.

To the Honorable H. J. Tancred,
Chairman.

Sir,—I have the honor, in obedience to your instructions, to submit a tabular summary of the quarterly returns as to attendance and payment, and a schedule as to the efficiency of the schools examined, both for the quarter ending December, 1865.

An abstract of the teachers’ annual returns as to attendance and school fees, is also annexed.

It will be seen from the tabular summary that during the quarter the number of attendants has been 2080, an increase of 272 upon the corresponding quarter of 1864.

The average daily attendance 1399, an increase of 179.

The amount of school fees £735 11s. 10d., an increase of £110 12s. 1d.

From the abstract of the teacher’s annual returns, it will be seen that the gross number of attendants for 1865, amounts to 3054; an increase of 356 upon the former year.

The average daily attendance for 1865 has been 1317, (a less average than that for the December quarter, that in which efficient schools usually attain their highest averages,) but an increase of 187 on the year 1864.

The amount of school fees for the year 1865 has been £2432 13s., an increase of £222 17s. 10d. on the year 1864.

It will be seen from the schedule as to efficiency, that the number of schools examined during the quarter has been 30; the number of children attending these examinations amounting to 1382.

The highest marks assigned for efficiency, have been to the following schools:—

Pigeon Bay Academy,
St. Michael’s school, Christchurch.
Rangiora school.
Akaroa school.

The lowest marks, to certain schools, which have already been the subject of special report.

The efficiency has been estimated much more with reference to the steady and equable progress throughout the schools, than with reference to the attainments of the children in the higher classes of them.

The following children are commended for good conduct and diligence during the year, and in some instances for their attention to, or attainments in a particular subject:—

Pigeon Bay Academy.—Marjory Buchanan, Marion Hay.

St. Michael’s school, Christchurch.—James Milsom, Emily Feather, Ernest Lowther.

Rangiora school.—Edward Deacon, George Merton.

Akaroa school.—Rebecca Newton, Catherine Pigeon, also for regularity of attendance, Richard Rowe.

Leithfield school.—Edward Rowland, Eliza M. Moore.

Wesleyan school, Christchurch.—Thomas Ambrose, Thomas Jamieson, Mary Hudson.

St. Luke’s school, Christchurch.—Jane Young, Robert Ball.

Lyttelton Church of England school.—John Carell, John R. Willcox.

St. Andrew’s school, Christchurch.—Elizabeth Allen.

Papanui St. Paul’s school.—Jane Jennings, Elizabeth Payne, Bible knowledge; Robert Triggs, Mary Jennings.

Saltwater Creek school.—Agnes Dodd, William Scott, and for regular attendance.

Woodend school.—Elizabeth Wooding, Thomas Booth.

Upper Heathcote school.—William Harrington.

Okain Bay school.—William Moore, Robert Thacker, arithmetic.

I have much satisfaction in observing that several schools which were brought under the salutary notice of the Board are now making fair progress; and that on the whole the schools are in a fair state of efficiency.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,

J. P. RESTELL,
Inspector of Schools.