APPENDIX C. (CONTINUED).

Remarks on the Schools referred to in the foregoing table.

All Saints School, St. Mary’s School, Hokitika Academy, and St. Patrick’s School, Greymouth.—Information as to the Religious Instruction given in these Schools will be found on reference to the Report of the Members inspecting them.

Waimea School.—The children at this School are Roman Catholics.

St. Patrick’s School, Stafford Town.—The Report on this School is furnished by the present Teacher. Miss Reagh, the late Teacher, has made a statement to the Board as to her dismissal by the Patron of the School (Rev. W. J. Larkin), and, also, that the money granted by the Board in augmentation of the Teacher’s salary (£50) had not been paid to her. Enquiry into this matter is now pending. Vide, also, the Report of the Members—Messrs. Mowat and Collyer—who inspected the School.

Okarito School.—For full information as to the position and prospects of this School vide Report furnished by Mr. Price.

REPORT OF MEMBERS

Of the Westland Board of Education who inspected the schools receiving aid in Hokitika and at Kanieri.

Inspecting members, Messrs Reid, Alcorn, and Byrne.

Date of inspection 18th May, 1868.

The first school visited was All Saints School, which is situated in Fitzherbert-street, and is managed by a committee of members of the Church of England, of which the Venerable the Archdeacon is chairman. The school building is large and sufficiently commodious for the number of scholars in attendance; separate conveniences exist for the different sexes, and the playground is moderately dry, but improvements in the way of additions and drainage are contemplated by the committee. The portion of the playground now in use, however, has a good exposure to the sun.

There is a fireplace in the building, and it is intended to use the same in winter months.

The school is primary, the age of the pupils averaging from four to ten years, with occasional exceptions.

The subjects taught are:—

1. Reading.
2. Writing.
3. Dictation.
4. Such geography as is contained in the Irish national school books, which are used in the school.
5. Arithmetic.

The girls are taught plain needlework, for which a small charge is made.

The fees payable are:—For a single child, 2s per week; for two or more in a family, each, 1s 6d.

The children appear to be healthy, and well under the control of their teachers.

Time did not permit us to do more than inspect the writing of the boys, which on the whole was good; their writing from dictation, as to the orthography, was also good. A sufficient supply of books, maps, &c., exists for all present purposes. The denominational instruction given is reading from the Bible and catechism. Prayers are also read daily by the Venerable Archdeacon Harper.

The number of children on the roll is 96.

Daily average attendance is from 65 to 70.

All Saints School has been in existence about two years, and during that period has been under the immediate management of Mr. L. Tindall. This gentleman is well spoken of by the committee, and although not previously engaged in teaching he appears to have given every satisfaction.

The salary paid to him is £250 per annum, with residence.

The female teacher (Miss Johnston) receives £100 per annum, without residence.

Hereto annexed (marked A) is the statement of the treasurer to the school fund, showing the disposal of the grants in aid received from the Board.

The inspecting members have to express their satisfaction at the manner in which this school is conducted, and also with the appearance of the children. They also desire to express their thanks to the Venerable Archdeacon, who takes a personal interest in the school, and gave the members every assistance in their enquiries.

SAINT MARY’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

Stafford-street, Hokitika.

Date of inspection, 18th May, 1868.

Is also a primary school, and is managed by a committee of members of the Church of Rome, of which the resident clergyman (at present Father M’Donough) is ex officio chairman.

The statement of the chairman of committee as to the mode in which the grants received from the Board have been expended is hereto annexed (marked B).

It will be noticed that the debt existing for the erection, &c., of this school is very large, amounting to £221 1s 8d, and it does not appear that any efforts have been made by the committee to make up the deficiency.

The school-building is large and well lighted; there are two rooms, one for boys, and the other for girls, and in these it is intended shortly to erect fire-places. The conveniences outside are at too great a distance from the school-house, but this will soon be altered.

The playground is wet and requires to be well drained, while the approaches from...