NELSON GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
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junior classes do not appear to have been equally well taught; and the handwriting is, on the whole, of barely average merit. But in a most important point this school deserves special commendation; I refer to the courteous manners of the boys, which offer a marked contrast to those of the majority of the scholars who attend our town schools. There is unfortunately no column for "deportment" in our annual returns, and I know well to what extent the amenities of life are disregarded in too many colonial homes; but, after making every allowance for parental neglect, no stranger, who has occasion to enter one of the town schools, or who may be present at the annual distribution of prizes at the Provincial Hall, can fail to be painfully impressed with the deficiency of the great bulk of our scholars in the very rudiments of good breeding.

St. Mary's (Girls): MISS SMITH, assisted by MISS LAND.—A perceptible advance has been made in this school since the appointment of a competent assistant, the school having quite outgrown the teaching capacity of a single mistress. The children generally not only read well, but are able to give a clear account of what they have been reading. The arithmetic is also much better than it was, but there are still comparatively few of the scholars who write well.

Clifton Terrace: MR. GILBERT.—The proportion of scholars above 12 years old who attend this school with anything like regularity is exceedingly small; the master has therefore judiciously contented himself with aiming at a moderate standard, which has been attained in every respect. Whatever is attempted is taught thoroughly. The school is a pattern of neatness and order, and it may be said without exaggeration that if all our teachers were as careful of the books and maps entrusted to them as the master of Clifton Terrace, the annual expenditure under this head might be reduced by at least a third.

Hillside: MR. COLLINS.—Though by no means equal to what it was some years ago, Hillside continues to hold a respectable place among our Provincial Schools. The reading of the upper classes is good, the arithmetic ready and accurate, and the handwriting throughout the school neat. The first class can also reproduce a narrative, in language of their own, very creditably.

Stoke: MR. and MRS. SMITH.—I am glad to be able to record that the reading here, to which I have formerly made unfavorable reference more than once, has improved so much of late that the number of scholars above 12 has slightly diminished during the past year, the number of readers marked "good" has increased from 7 to 17, great pains having evidently been taken by the tester to cure the children of a monotonous drawl with which they were afflicted, and which at one time seemed incurable. In other respects but little progress has been made.

Richmond (Boys): MR. and MRS. HARRINGTON.—Under the present able management this is rapidly taking its natural and proper position at the head of our country schools. In every respect, but more especially in reading and writing, a great stride has been made since last year, while the discipline of the school continues to be excellent.

Richmond (Girls): MISS SPENCER, assisted by MONITORS.—Were I called upon by a stranger to point out two specimens of thoroughly efficient and well conducted country schools, I should unhesitatingly select the Richmond girls' and boys' schools, as exemplifying what can be done by really zealous and experienced teachers. The spirit of order that prevails throughout, the intelligent system of teaching followed, and the quiet and respectful demeanor of the children are all that can be desired. The large proportion of scholars who figure in the more advanced columns of this year's Annual Return shows clearly the high comparative standing of both these schools.

Appleby: MRS. DESAUNAIS.—The experience of the last two years has gone far towards demonstrating the soundness of an opinion that I formerly expressed as to the desirability of closing Appleby school, which I advocated on the double grounds of economy and efficiency. The attendance has dwindled down to less than 10 daily, while the children, as compared with those attending the larger schools in the neighborhood, are lamentably backward. Local influence will always be exerted, naturally enough, to retain even a small and unprogressive school in a neighborhood, but it is difficult to see how any system of education can long sustain the burden of such skeletons of schools as this, and others to be mentioned hereafter, which, at a considerable cost per head, give but a sorry education to a mere handful of children.

Ranzau: MR. COMBE, assisted by MISS KEARNS.—For some years Ranzau, though one of the largest of our country schools, has ranked very low educationally. The frequent changes of masters of whom there have been no less than five during the last seven years, partly account for this. But as two of our most successful teachers—the present masters of Lower Wakefield and Richmond schools—have failed to leave their mark on the school, by raising the standard of attainment to any appreciable degree, another explanation of this general failure must be sought. The fact is that the majority of the children in the upper classes, who are Germans, leave the school annually for several months, in order that they may be prepared for confirmation by their pastor. As whatever instruction they receive during this interval is given in German, it is not difficult to conceive what the effect must be upon the scholars, so far as their English studies are concerned. Excellent reasons may no doubt be given for the periodical removal of the most advanced scholars, just at the time when they are likely to profit most from their schooling, but, as this is a matter altogether beyond my province, I have contented myself with simply recording the actual state of the school, and with showing, in justice to the present painstaking master, how little he is to blame for the backwardness of his scholars.

Hope: MR. LADLEY.—The upper classes read fairly, and show very careful training in geography and grammar, but the writing and arithmetic throughout are of less than average merit, the spelling being very indifferent. On the whole but little progress has been made during the past year.

River Terrace: MR. and MRS. BRYANT.—The numbers in this school increased so much lately that it