GREYMOUTH SCHOOLS.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 385, 2 July 1868, Page 3

GREYMOUTH SCHOOLS.

We take the following Report on the Schools in Greymouth, receiving aid from the Westland Board of Education, from the Westland Gazette : — The only schools in Greymouth which have been assisted by the Board of Education are St. Patrick's Catholic School, conducted \mder the management of the Rev. E. Royer, and the Mackay Street School, conducted by the Misses Heaphy. To St. Patrick's School, a sum of £100 has been granted by the Board, and £20 to the Mackay Street School. With regard to the appropriation of the money so granted we find that in the c-iso of St. Patrick's School, £50 was applied towards the cost of school buildings. The remaining £50 intended, we understand, towards the augmentation of the teacher's salary has not all been expended. We are informed by the Rev. Mr. Royer, that, at the time the money was paid over to him, the teacher (Mr Beaupre') had re • ceiveel the sum of ,£l2 10s., being one quarter's allowance at the rate of £50 per annum. The balance, we are informed remains in the bank, but we are of opinion that xinder the circumstances it should be allowed to remain at the disposal of the Rev. Mr. Royer, for this reason, that up to the period of the receipt of the money from the Board, the stipend of the teacher had been paid out of the Rev. Mr Royer's pocket. In our inspection of the school, we did not enter into all the minutice of an examination. Our object being to gain a general idea of tho character of the school and the course of education pursued, we requested the teacher to call up hia various classes and put them through their ordinary exercises. The school comprised children of ages varying from five to twelve years. The teacher first examined the third class, consisting of boys from nine to twelve years of age. Their reading we considered very good, their spelling also was creditable, and they showed a fair knowledge of grammer. The first and second classes included boys of from ten to thirteen years of age. Their reading and spelling was really excellent, and some of the pupils displayed great aptitude for history, which branch of instruction the class have only been taught a short time. In Geography, the scholars in these classes evinced considerable proficiency. In Grammar there were only two pupils who appeared to be acquaintad with this branch of education. The teacher informed us that Arithmetic had only been taught to the pupils since he took charge of the school three months ago and that they were entirely ignorant of it when he commenced to teach it. Bearing this fact, in mind we must consider the progress they have made to be satisfactory. Our general impression of the school was a favourable one, the teacher appears to be a person of considerable intelligence and skill in teaching. The behaviour of the boys was perfectly respectful and orderly. The average attendance at the school for the last three months was twenty-nine. The average age of the scholara is ten to eleven, the youngest being six and the eldest fifteen. The branches of education taught in the school are Reading, Writing Orthography, Grammer, History, and Geography. The children are no*, all of Catholic parents but are denominationally about equal. No religious instruction is imparted except twice a week when the Protestant children are dismissed. The fees charged are 2s. 6d. per week for the elder children and 2s. for the younger. The amount of fees actually received averages about L 3 per week. N THE MACKAY STREET SCHOOL. This school had the sum of .£2O granted as augmentation of teacher's income ; and this sum has so been appropriated. The school contains about twenty-five pupils of ages from four to ten years. The course of instruction is quite of a prepa ratory kind, and we found that many of

tho scholars displayed considerable excellence in reading, writing and spelling. Tho instruction books used both in the St. Patrick's School and in this, are those of the Irish National Schools. In conclusion, we may express the opinion that so long as the present system of apportioning aid to schools is' continued, the two schools reported on aro each entitled to the consideration of the Board. ( W. 11. Harrison. (Signed) | G. W. Moss.