xxv

The greater part of a large consignment from England has been arranged, together with the stock in the Depot. I propose, upon the completion of examining this consignment, to present some additional memoranda as to the manner in which the order has been executed.

OF THE SCHOOLS EXAMINED—

Arowhenua ... ... ... October 29 ... Present 28 ... Unsatisfactory as per special report.

Timaru ... ... ... October 30 ... " 87 ... Highly creditable as to the attainments of the children; but there is a great want of at least six new desks. There is not proper desk accommodation for more than about 25 children.

Waimate School buildings, &c., October 30 and 31.

Heathcote Valley ... ... November 12 ... Present 31 ... Moderate. The teacher will leave at Christmas.

St. Andrew’s ... ... November 13 ... Present 48 ... Highly commendable for the generally good order, cleanliness, and satisfactory attainments.

Avonside ... ... November 16 ... Present 37 ... The attendance has fallen off since the interruption at Stanmore Bridge; the commencement of out-door work may have also affected it. The school has creditably improved in discipline and attainments.

North Road ... ... November 19 ... Present 17 ... Moderate.

Harewood Road ... ... November 19 ... Present 30 ... Satisfactory. The spelling of several children, not above nine years of age, was unusually good.

Lower Heathcote ... ... November 20 ... Present 38 ... Satisfactory. The premises have been fenced and improved, chiefly on account of the energy of the master. There is a great want of furniture, &c. No clock, no fender, no maps.

Christchurch Wesleyan ... November 21 ... Present 135 ... The excellent order and satisfactory attainments are highly creditable to the several teachers.

Christchurch St. Luke’s ... November 22 ... Present 92 ... The efficiency of this school has been steadily improving since the appointment of Mr. Hampton. I shall much regret the discontinuance of a master for want of sufficient salary to maintain one.

Christchurch St. Michael’s ... November 23 ... Present 136 ... Satisfactory.

Papanui Wesleyan ... ... November 26 ... Present 95 ... Satisfactory, except as to irregularity in keeping registers, and carelessness as to “loss” of them.

St. Alban’s ... ... November 25 ... Present 56 ... This school is steadily increasing in efficiency under the master recently appointed.

The details of each examination may be found in the Journal.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

J. P. RESTELL,
Inspector of Schools.

SPECIAL REPORT ON THE AROWHENUA SCHOOL.

EXAMINED OCTOBER 29—PRESENT 28.

The extra windows in the school-room have not been boarded up; the paint on them sufficiently deadens the glare, for the present, except when the windows are set open.

The premises are not fenced.

There is a good supply of books and apparatus.

As regards the Organization and Discipline.—The school-hours are short, 10 to 12 in the morning, and two hours in the afternoon. I pointed this out to the School Committee who intend to rectify the error, which they find to be in contravention of the regulations of the Board. The school-fees are too high, ranging from 16s. to 2½ guineas per quarter. The school-room does not appear to be regularly swept; it was in an untidy state when the school came in at 10 a.m. on this Monday morning, (October 29). The method of teaching is very systematic, and should have led to a much more sound knowledge of the very rudiments; but the children are quite ignorant of Bible knowledge, very deficient in Arithmetic, of which the elder pupils have a very imperfect knowledge, extending from Numeration to Simple Long Division, and Addition of Money. They have also a very imperfect knowledge of what History, Geography, and Grammar they have gone through.