TARANAKI GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

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school for the maintenance of proper discipline, and it will be necessary for the Board to decide whether it shall become an infant’s school or a girl’s school. The school has no maps or black-board, and but few books. Window blinds are sadly needed to exclude the sun on the north side of the building. The hours of this school are from 9 till 12 and from 2 till 4.

Sub-district No. 3.—The Town School, East, conducted by Mr. O’Connell.—I found thirty boys present at this school. The eldest was fourteen years of age, and the youngest five. The writing I found to be mediocre, the reading, spelling, and dictation commendable. The boys were very expert in their arithmetical tables, and according to their ages were fairly proficient in elementary arithmetic so far as the rule of three and practice. Their knowledge of fractions was very limited. The senior class showed a very commendable acquaintance with British History, but its knowledge of geography and grammar was very limited. Mr. O’Connell appears to be an industrious and successful teacher. The hours of this school are from 9.30 till 11, from 11.30 till 12.30, and from 1.30 till 3.30.

Sub-district No. 4.—The Mangorei School, conducted by Miss Reeves.—This school is at present taught in a cottage at the Lower Mangorei, lent for the purpose. It is not sufficiently central for the accommodation of the whole district. Seven children were present at this school—three girls and four boys. The eldest child was eleven years of age, and the youngest six. All but one wrote fairly in copy books. The reading and spelling I found to be tolerable, and the dictation good. The eldest child worked a sum in compound multiplication, the rest possessed a fair knowledge of arithmetic for their ages, and most of the children were acquainted with the arithmetical tables. One boy showed a reasonable acquaintance with English History, but all were deficient in geographical and grammatical knowledge. The hours of this school are from 10 till 12, and from 1 till 3. The school has no black-board and no maps.

Sub-district No. 5.—The Kent Road School, conducted by Mr. Earl.—This school was for some time taught in the teacher’s cottage, but family matters have necessitated its discontinuance there, and it remains in abeyance until the completion of the district school-house. I have consequently been unable to inspect this school.

Sub-district No. 6.—The Hua or Bell Block School, conducted by Mr. Bennett.—At my first visit to this school I found sixteen children present; at a second visit, by appointment, I found thirty present. The eldest child was fourteen years of age, and the youngest five. The writing and reading I found to be tolerable, and the spelling imperfect. Some of the elder boys were acquainted with fractions, but the majority were only conversant with the simple rules of arithmetic. The knowledge of geography I found to be very imperfect. Of history nothing was known, and of grammar the elder children could merely give the names of the parts of speech. No dictation exercises are given. The school possesses some good maps and a black-board. The school hours are from 9 till 12, and from half-past 1 till half-past 3.

Sub-district No. 7.—The Waitara School, conducted by Miss C. Lawrence.—At this school I found nine children present—six girls and three boys. The eldest was eleven years of age, and the youngest three. The writing I found to be mediocre, the easy reading tolerable, and the spelling imperfect. The children possessed some knowledge of the simple rules of arithmetic. Little Arthur’s History of England is read by some of the elder children. Geographical and grammatical primers are also read in the school, but the knowledge of these subjects possessed by those present was but small. The elder children are exercised in dictation, but I had no opportunity of testing their proficiency by reason of their absence. There are too many infants in this school to permit its being conducted with comfort to the teacher or benefit to the elder children. There is a harmonium in the building, and the children are pleasantly exercised in singing to its accompaniment. The school hours are from 10 till 12, and from 1 till 3.

Sub-district No. 8.—The Manutahi School, conducted by Mrs. Joll.—The teacher in this school is assisted by her husband, who has for a long time been an invalid. I found nine children present, all of whom appeared to be under twelve years of age. The writing, reading, and spelling I found to be mediocre. One child could not read. The arithmetical tables had not been