REPORT OF THE INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS, 1885.

Kumara Times, Issue 2824, 9 October 1885, Page 2

REPORT OF THE INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS, 1885.

Mr J. Smith, the School Inspector for the Education District of Grey, reports upon the Westbrook and Greenstone Schools as follows : WESTBROOKE. Thursday, July 30tb.—Weather, fine. Number on the roll, 30; present, 26. Condition of school, satisfactory in spite of disadvantages. The teacher holds no certificate, but is preparing for next examination for Class E. The building itself can only be regarded as a makeshift; and its position is decidedly bad. The school is situated on the northern side of the Greenstone Road ; and the ground on the southern side having been gradually raised by the deposit of tailings from the terrace, the locality of the school has become quite a swamp. As the miners have discontinued working the terrace opposite the school, I would advise the Commissioners to apply for a reserve on the southern side, and to build thereon a school-house suitable to the reqirements. The present school building could be removed to the new reserve, and with some slight alteration would be suitable for the teacher’s residence. The teacher is at present living in a hut in the immediate vicinity of the school. The hut was purchased by him for £ l, and he has expended upon ib the sum of £2 10s, in procuring tongued and grooved timber for lining. The necessary labour was performed by himself. He has also made a very good swing for the children and an easel for the school. As he has shown a disposition to make the best of circumstances, I beg to recommend that the Commissioners refund the sum of £3 10s, expended by him upon the hut. If my previous suggestions be agreed to, the hub will be handy as a fowlhouse—a purpose for which ib is much more suitable than for a dwelling. The blackboard at present in use is too small. Another one is required. GREENSTONE. Friday, July 31st. Weather, fine. Roll number, 26 ; present, 20. Condition of school, satisfactory, notwithstanding the makeshift character of the schoolroom. The teacher holds no certificate, but is preparing for next examination for Class E. I advise that an inexpensive building be erected on the high ground at the back of the school, and that the present building he made suitable for a residence. The teacher at present occupies the back portion of the building, hut the place is much too small. The last addition to the present binding was put up by the teacher ; the limber was supplied by the late Board. The new front door, not having been painted, was shrinking and cracking under the heat of the sun. The teacher had covered it with bags, and be offered to paint it if I would send him the material. I therefore sent him a small tin of mixed paint. The closets have been placed on the high ground immediately at the back of the school ; and the probability is that some drainage from them may be found unpleasantly near the surface of the ground upon which the building stands. This Committee has insiituted the charge for school requisites, but very few parents have paid.