59

REPORT OF THE CENTRAL BOARD OF EDUCATION.

SIR,

In forwarding the Education Accounts for the Year 1862, and in laying before your Honor, an Estimate for the year 1863-64, the Board desires to accompany these Returns with a few explanations and remarks.

The apparent difference in the amount of the two half-yearly accounts, arises from the closing of the educational year on the 30th June; the payment for that month being necessarily made in July, and brought to account before the Board retires from office. Taken together, the two accounts show the expenditure of the year.

The balance in hand still remains applicable to the purposes enumerated in the last year's report of the Board; viz., to the erection of new School-houses, and the enlargement of those which have become insufficient to accommodate the increasing population. The Board has already pledged itself to provide new School-buildings in the City of Nelson and at Rauzau, and has under its consideration applications for increased accommodation in several other Districts.

The Estimate for the present year, is based upon the ordinary current expenditure of the Board. The Salaries are those now paid.

The increase recommended in the former of the two Resolutions transmitted to your Honor, would require a corresponding addition to the Estimate; whilst in the event of the plan being adopted, which is suggested in the latter, the sum of £500 for the maintenance and repairs of the School property, which is here estimated for, would be provided from other sources.

I have, &c.,

DONALD SINCLAIR,
Chairman of Board.

Central Board of Education, April 21st, 1863.

Nelson, April 21, 1863.

To DONALD SINCLAIR, Chairman of the Central Board of Education.

SIR—The accompanying Returns have been delayed beyond the usual period, by some irregularities and delays in forwarding the reports from the District Schools. These now require the signature of the Chairman of the Local Committee, for the double purpose of certifying to their correctness, and of authorising the issue of the various School books, which are required from time to time.

The Returns require but little remark, further than to observe that they are more than usually satisfactory, both as regards the increase of numbers, and the regularity of attendance. In my last quarterly returns the numbers were respectively 1,395 and 1,370; the daily attendance 870 and 817. In those I now lay before the Board, the numbers are 1,501 and 1,593; and the attendance 949 and 1,100. The schools have thus not only recovered from the depression which I noticed in my last report, but show more than the average increase during the year. The improvement in the attendance is still more gratifying: for whilst the numbers have increased by 200 (speaking in round numbers), there is an increased attendance of nearly 300. It must, however, be borne in mind, that the December Quarter is always that which gives the most favorable returns; but still, after making all necessary allowances, the result is sufficiently satisfactory; and the average attendance of 69 children daily out of every 100 on the School Books, could not be attained unless the Masters were attentive to their duties, and the parents were convinced that their children were well taught and attended to.

The regulations of the Board, which makes any increase of the guaranteed salary dependent in a great measure upon the exertions and acceptability of the Teachers, has certainly had a considerable share in producing this result; and in any further additions it may be enabled to make to their very moderate incomes, I trust the same principle may still be kept in view.

As one mode of making such increase, I would suggest that the length of service, combined with satisfactory performance of duty, should be considered as giving a pre-able claim to augmentation of salary. This might not form any great inducement for more highly qualified masters to enter upon the duty, but it would assuredly be estimated at its full value by those we now have; and would assist in retaining them in the posts which they already fill so much to the general satisfaction and advantage.

There is however one tendency which should not be lost sight of, I refer to the subdivision of schools, which it is very possible to carry too far, and to the injury of rather than the advantage of both masters and scholars.

Where all the expenses are paid out of a general fund there will always be a tendency to press for changes, which appear at the moment desirable, without such reference to their attendant expenses, or their ultimate advantage. I have before remarked