96

NELSON GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

neat throughout, the gradation of classes carefully preserved, and the order excellent.

Westport: MR. AND MRS. FRASER.—I regret to have to report that this large and important school has actually retrograded during the last twelvemonths, the present 1st class being barely as good as last year's 2nd, and so on throughout. Though 64 scholars were present when I last examined the school, I did not find a single child whom I could enter as a good reader, or as having even a tolerable knowledge of arithmetic, while the penmanship was, without exception, execrable. It is only fair to add, in part explanation of this very unsatisfactory state of things, that, out of the 143 children who have attended during the year, only 31 have attained their 9th, and 7 their 12th year. But, after making every allowance for this drawback, it appears to me that a reformation is urgently needed.

Addison's Flat: MRS. DUFFY.—This, which is one of the subsidised schools on the West Coast not included in any education district, has not been opened many months, and has hitherto labored under great difficulties from want of proper books and school appliances. The children have almost everything to learn, but I feel assured that, under the energetic management of the present mistress, who evidently has the gift of teaching, the school will improve rapidly.

Charleston: MR. MITCHELL, assisted by MISS MITCHELL.—This is one of two schools at Charleston subsidised by the Central Board, and partly supported by school fees, as at Addison's Flat. Very few of the children remain at school until they are 12 years old, the average age of the first class being only ten and a half when I last inspected the school. I found both the writing and the arithmetic indifferent, but the reading of the upper classes was quite up to the average standard of merit, and the meanings of the more difficult words were exceedingly well explained. Order was also fairly preserved, though the schoolroom was small and ill-arranged.

Charleston: MR. MOORE.—The first class, the majority of whom have not yet attained their twelfth year, read very well, and can give a good account of what they are reading. The arithmetic is moderately good, the writing with two or three exceptions, indifferent. The schoolroom is large and lofty, and the children are remarkably well disciplined. One serious defect in the management ought not to pass unnoticed. The girls and boys, instead of coming up together, as is the practice in our mixed schools, are taught in separate classes, whereby much time is lost, especially where the school has only one teacher, as is the case here. Were the scholars more numerous, it would be impossible to carry out this system of teaching.

Brighton: MRS. WEST.—The few children who attend this school are carefully taught and forward for their age, but only 7 put in an appearance at my examination, and the daily attendance for the last year only averages 9, the average of the last quarter being 6. I fear that this is one of those cases in which the assistance of the Board has been given rather prematurely, and that the subsidy ought not to be continued.

Brunnerton: MR. A. YOUNG.—This school has only been opened since the March quarter, and was urgently needed, 34 children being present when I visited the school, which was built by the inhabitants, who at that time were receiving no help whether from the Board. The children, though backward, were being carefully taught, and the master appears to possess the confidence of the parents.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
W. C. HODGSON,
Inspector of Schools.