PAPERS LAID BEFORE THE GENERAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND-January, 1853.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 715, 19 February 1853, Page 3

PAPERS LAID BEFORE THE GENERAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND- January, 1853.

REPORTS OF INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS

Wellington.

Wellington, December 7th, 1852. To His Excellency the Governor-in-Ciiief

Sir, —We, the undersigned, have the honour to report to your Excellency, that, according to your desire, wo have visited and carefully inspected St. Joseph’s Providence, erected by order of your Excellency for the education and industrial training of girls of the native and half-caste race, and granted to his Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Viard, Catholic Bishop, and his successors. The site, consisting of one acre, is most desirably chosen, and although in the centre of the town, it may be said to enjoy the comfort and advantages of a pleasant and picturesque country.

The house, which is built (on a brick foundation) of red pine timber, well painted on the outside, .and lined throughout inside with wrought white pine boards, faces the East, and consists of a centre part about forty feet long and twenty feet wide, with one wing on the North side, twenty feet in width, and projecting fifteen feet from the main building, which makes the total present length of the building about sixty feet. But when the design is completed by the addition of a wing on the South side, the total length will be increased to about eighty feet. And this addition, which is greatly to be desired, can, we perceive from the plan, be made without interfering in any way with the pupils at present in the Institution, the number of which, on its completion, can be doubled or increased from sixteen to thirtytwo. The rooms on the ground floor arc about ten feet in height, and the sleeping rooms about eight and a half feet high. The ground floor consists of an entrance hall, school room, a recreation room, a refectory, kitchen and store room.

The upper floor contains the chapel in the wing and thedormitory extending the whole length of the building and divided into eighteen well-lighted and ventilated bed-rooms, now accommodating sixteen pupils and two schoolmistresses. It was pointed out to us that by the addition of the other wing, the dormitory could he made capable of holding the further number of sixteen girls and one schoolmistress; and as the chapel, schoolroom, recreation room, refectory and kitchen are capable of accommodating forty pupilsthe workingvalue of (lie Institution would be thus doubled at a comparatively small cost. It is proposed to divide the ground floor of this wing into infirmary and laundry,both ofparamountimportance to the Institution. The out houses consist of a bath room, a washing and drying room, sheds for firewood, a place to hang up clothes, together with a good well and pumps, all in perfect order. There is also a kitchen and flower garden in front of the house with a grass plot and well gravelled space for playing. These are all well laid out and arranged, and present a pleasing appearance in front of the building. The whole of this part of the acre is enclosed by a strong and substantial boarded fence which, joining at right angles with the building, forms a perfect square of about two-fifths of an acre. The remaining portion of the acre will be very soon enclosed by a live fence and laid out as a kitchen garden and orchard. Wo have to express our gratification with the interior arrangement of St. Joseph’s Providence, and the perfect order and excellent management with which everything is apparently conducted, and which we understand lias afforded much satisfaction to numerous visitors. The time of the girls is divided between exercises of piety, study, manual work of a nature to make them* useful servants, and necessary recreation. It is only two months since the Institution lias been opened, and already the girls, by their modest and good behaviour, form a striking contrast with their old companions, and convey the idea of being children of a much superior class, Wc must here also beg to record our opinion of the great merit which is due to the lady who presides over the establishment. We believe the operation of St. Joseph’s Providence cannot fail to make a deep and lasting impression on the native mind, and must be productive of the happiest results. We cannot conclude without allowing ourselves to express that the erection of this most useful institution reflects great credit on your Excellency, and on the Catholic prelate who has so efficiently adopted and carried out your plans. Adjoining this establishment arc a boys’ school and a girls’ school under the management of the Catholic mission, but as they are in no way assisted by public funds, it forms no part of our duty to report upon them further than that they appear to be very efficiently managed, and with tlie church, convent, and Bishop’s residence, are an ornament to the town, and form one of the most perfect establishments in the colony. Wc have the honour to he, Your Excellency’s most obedient servants, Ciias. Clifford, J.P., John Johnston, J.P., Inspectors of Catholic Schools for the district of Wellington. Wellington, Dec. Tib, 1032.

Nelson. Superintendent’s Office, Nelson, 9th October, 1052. Sin, —I do myself the honour to transmit for the information of In's Excellency flic Govemor-in-Chief the Report on the School at Motueka, which his Excellency called for when he was at Nelson. I have the honour to he, Sir, Your most obedient servant, M. Richmond, Superintendent. The Honourable The Colonial Secretary, &c., &c., &c. Wellington. Motueka Schools. (Church ox- England.) Day School. English Boys 14 I ])laori Boys G English Girls 18 j Maori Girls 12 Night School for Adults. Males 8 | Maori CO Total English 34 Total Maori 48 Funds, —The Day School is supported by payments from the children of 3d. per week ; which in the case of the Maories have been commuted by the Board of Native Trustees for a sum of ,115 per annum to the Master. A mistress gives instruction for two hours daily, besides lessons in domestic management, and is paid £l2 10s. per annum by the Board of Native Trustees, The night school is supported by payments of Gd. per week form the English scholars; and 3d. only from the Maories in consideration of the payment above-mentioned of £ls per annum from the Board. A Maori assistant in the adult school is paid £l2 10s. per annum, also by the Board of Native Trustees. SALARIES.

Remarks, —There are many circumstances connected with this school highly interesting, and deserving of notice. The School-room, a wellconstructed building, 24 feet by 1G feet, was erected about fifteen months ago by voluntary contributions of the settlers, assisted from the Nelson Archdeaconry Fund. Shortly after it was opened, three native girls were admitted, and care being taken that they were always sent clean and decently clothed, no objection was made by the parents of the other children to their admission. The number of native children has since been gradually increased under the careful superintendence of the Rev. T. L. Tudor, until they now amount to 18 : and it is very pleasing to witness the good effects of this association in their modest and quiet behaviour, their rapid progress in acquiring the English language, and in the thoroughly good understanding which exist between them and the English children, which is particularly striking during their play-hours. Wc arc assured by the Rev. Mr. Tudor that the results of this experiment have so completely answered his expectations that he should feel no hesitation or difficulty in at once more than doubling the number of Maori scholars, if the school accommodation and the funds for providing additional assistance, admitted of his doing so. In order to provide such increased aceommodatityi, the Board of Maori Trustees has voted a sum of GO/. towards a new school-room, which is to he commenced immediately, (in addition to the annual grant of 40/.) This will afford the means of dividing the children into two schools, a measure which is frequently desirable. In order, however, to obtain the full

benefit, of this arrangement, it would he necessary to secure the entire and permanent services of the school mistress by an adequate salary, and it. would farther he very advantageous, especially with reference to the instruction of the female children in many branches of domestic economy such as washing, house cleaning, cooking, &c. that, if possible, a suitable residence should be provided for her use. But whatever may be found practicable in this respect, wo would strongly recommend that the peculiar character of the school, that is, the free intercourse between the children of both races, and their instruction in common, should be carefully preserved ; so far as we can learn, this school is the only one where such a system exists, and its good effects during the short time it has fc> . been m operation, justify us not only in recommending its continuance, but in looking forward with much hope and interest to its further devclopcnient.

The improvement in the females scholars during 1 the short time the school mistress lias been engaged, speaks well for her attention and care, and the general discipline of the schools, conducted by Mr. Sutcliffe, is very creditable to his management ; the more so, as his remuneration, looking at the high rate of labour, and the double duties in the night and day schools which he has to perform, gives a very inadequate return for his exertions.

Our examination of the adult school was also very satisfactory. The progress of the Natives in learning the English language is necessarily slow, from its complex structure, and the many now sounds to he acquired ; but their good-humoured patience and steady perseverance are very remarkable, as well as their docility; grown up men not only readily hut eagerly availing themselves of the help of mere children for the purpose of instruction. But if they cannot compete with the younger branches of their families in acquiring a new and difficult tongue,, their native intelligence is strikingly shown in all that relates to the science of numbers. Almost all arc well acquainted with the four first simple rules of arithmetic; many are able to apply them to all kinds ol money transactions ; and we found some ol them busily engaged in calculating the value of money for terms of years at varying rates of interests. They write fairly, and have begun to receive instruction in geography. There is no industrial establishment connected with this school, although wc think it might be added with advantage, and there are already some facilities for its introduction. Wc believe that the materials exist for such an establishment on a considerable scale, especially if wc take into account the districts connected withMotucka,where a disposition has already shewn itself to profit oy the advantages now held out to thorn. We are assured of the readiness ol the Rev. T. L. Tudor to enter upon this new field of duty by taking the active superintendence of any such institution, and wc have also to acknowledge his friendly cooperation and assistance in preparing the present report. We have the honour to ho, Your Excellency’s very obedient servants, M. Richmond, Superintendent. J. I>. Greenwood, Sa MU EL StEI’IIENS. To his Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.R, Governor-iu-Chiof, &c., &c., &c. New Plymouth. New Plymouth, ;JOih August, 3G52. Srhave the honour to request you to lay

before his Excellency the Governor-in-Chicf the accompanying Report of the Inspectors of Public Schools received two days ago. The Plans referred to in the above report are enclosed in a tin case, and sent by the Gwalior, addressed to you. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant. Josiaii Flight, Rcsidont Magistrate. Alfred Domett, Esq., Civil Secretary, &c., &c., Wellington. Public School Report. Now Plymouth, 2nd August, 1852. 1. Having been appointed by his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief to the office of Inspecting the Public Schools of-this district, we have the honour to state now, and in conformity thereto that we visited, on the 13th of the past month’ the only establishment falling under the denomination which is, as yet, within the bounds of Taranaki, This is known by the name of the “ Grey Institution,” and is, as it has been from the date of its foundation, under the immediate direction and superintendence of the Rev. Henry Hanson Tin-ton, who, for several years past has been the Wesleyan Missionary Minister of the district. 2. The site of this establishment is distant somewhat more than a mile to the South-west of this town ; and has been selected very judiciously, whether as for its appointed purpose, an industrial school, or as regards the maintenance or the improvement of health among its occupants; as it stands on the crown of an eminence which is dry under foot, and fully exposed to uninterrupted perllation from whatever quarter the wind may happen to blow; and, in so far it combines convenience, that it overlooks on all sides the land which forms the scene of the school’s agricultural operations. 3. The style of the building is somewhat in imitation ot simple, or plain gothic architecture, and the ground plan, including that of body and wings, exhibits the crucial form, which, however, is not followed out in the superstructure. Excepting the chimneys, which are built of brick and stone material, the building is entirely constructed of Rimu or Red Pine—a very durable, and probably the best timber our forests’ afford for architectural purposes, as from the resinous, or preservative principle it contains, it is found to be much less affected by time, and exposure to the vicissitudes of weather, than any other of the native woods which our artizans have yet subjected to such experiment. The building rests on piles of Puriri wood, and so that the lower iloor is elevated about eighteen inches above the level of the ground, thus permitting free ventilation. 4. The facade of the building presents to the town, and is an obvious, and pleasingly picturesque object thencefrom ; while, to vessels approaching the anchorage of our bay, it proves no less a very useful and conspicuous land mark. 5. One ot the tour sketches which accompanies this Report (No. 1) shows the accommodation which the ground floor of flic building affords. As is pourtrayed in the side view sketch, (No. 3) no other part thereof has an attic story, excepting that which inchuls the school-room, the Matron’s apartment, the staircase and the lobby, and that is appropriated as the principal dormitory, exhibited in sketch (No. 4.) This apartment, about thirty-eight feet in length, and from cigh-’ teciy to twenty in breadth, cannot conveniently admit more than twenty hods; so that, as there is no other part of the establishment eligible as a sleeping apartment, excepting that formed by the left wing whose dimensions arc twenty feet by twelve only, and this bread til being inadequate for a double bank of beds, hence insufficient without unseemly crowding, to hold more than five, it becomes somewhat imperative—if the school ho to maintain from thirty to fifty pupils that an excess of dormitory space he appended thereto. Moreover as dining-hall space is about as much a desiclei-atuni, as that now mentioned, the room so appropriated being inadequate to the convenient accommodation of even the existing number of pupils at meals, we would invite attention to the extending of this also. And as the same portion of the building lias reference to the now suggested enlargement of both these apartments the'execution would not he greatly more expensive, than if restricted to the alteration of only one. Indeed it is our opinion that those improvements might be conjoin! ly accomplished at no great cost, and not disturb, hut give a rather greater external unity of character to the body of the building, while it would add to the interior a clear attic space thirty-two feet long, or accommodation for sixteen more beds to the establishment, and allow a like space below, within the walls of which when required, the maximum number of pupils could dine at one table together. 'Were this suggestion adopted, of course a new kitchen would have to be attached to the rear of the building and the present chimney would have both to he removed, and rebuilt; hut as the same materials for this would servo for the purpose, this part of the alteration would not incur much expense. 0. Wo have particularly to recommend that the caves of the building ho fitted with water-chan-nels, and that casks of adequate number and size he adapted to the spouts thereof. As these will not only tend, when wot weather prevails, to keep the immediate environs of the building in a comparatively comfortable state, hut will afford generally a convenient supply of soft water for domestic purposes and likewise prove of ready access when fire or other exigency may so demand.

7. Tiro number of scholars has varied very considerably in the interval of the school’s commencement in 11Gb, and tiro present time. At and about the former date, twenty-five Maori children were educated as day-scholars, and about the same number of Maori adults as evening pupils. From August, 1848, to March, 1852, the numbers averaged from eight to twenty-nine, including four European boys during tire last eighteen months. The number of scholars on the commons of the institution at the recent period of our visit was, Maori, twenty-eight; Halfcaste, one ; European, three ; or thirty-two in aggregate, and whose ages varied from seven year's to seventeen.

8. When the school was first established there wore no funds provided for its support hence originated the idea of farming a portion of the land appertaining to the Mission for the purpose. As the School went on, its utility became more and more manifest, and as, with that, cultivation became more extended, the farther thought occurred to Mr. Turton of erecting permanent school buildings, and receiving therein scholars only as hoarders. This was realised in 1848. The cost of building was conjointly defrayed by the Colonial Government and the Wesleyan Missionary Society. The hoarding and clothing of the scholars, together with the concurrent expenses of the institution have been about equally provided by the above two public bodies for oue year, and by the Mission alone for the remaining time. The farm of one hundred acres belonging thereto, has been chiefly cultivated in the first instance, i.c., in the breaking-up stage, by European labour at the expense of Mr. Turton, he having stocked it also with sheep and cattle and obtained from England, at considerable cost, several of the most improved implements of modern agriculture ; thus laying a most promising basis for the successful progress, and future independence of the Institution, but unavoidably leaving, for the time being, a heavy debt on the estate. 9. The stipends of the Superintendent, the Teacher, and his wife, are paid by the Missionary Society, and those of the Farm Overseer and Matron by the Colon al Government. 10. The yearly cost incurred for the education and maintenance of each pupil has been found so difficult to arrive at, that only a probable approximate to a correct estimate can be calculated.

We have examined attentively and considered carefully Mr. Turton’s calculation and estimate which is as follows, and we regard it as about as near an approach to what is likely to be the fact, as can at present be arrived at.

which sum he proposes should be paid over to him by the Colonial Government. Of course the expenditure of this amount will depend entirely on the number of scholars—fifty being the maximum. But it may he anticipated that the amount of pupils will fluctuate, say between thirty and fifty; or, again, some may enter at the half or quarter year, or at still more broken periods ; while, on the other hand, some through caprice, or other unavoidable contingency, may not continue as alumni beyond a few months. By such an annual grant as we liave stated, Mr. Turton presumes that in four or five years, the debt now on the estate would be paid off, and the income then derived from it, would be found probably more than sufficient to maintain the Institution. The details of Mr. Turton’s plan are as follows : 1. That thirty acres of land he sot apart for arable purposes, the profits of which are to he appropriated to the maintenance of the scholars, a separate account thereof to be kept. 2. That when such profit is less than £IOO, or at the rate of .£2 each, the deficiency is to he supplied by Mr. Turton, and charged to the debit of the general agricultural fund. But if it should exceed that sum, or according to that rate, that the surplus should he handed over to the credit of the said fund. Note. —The effect of this arrangement would he to prevent any personal gain, or loss, in case the produce of the farm should be more or less than estimated. No money, would pass, there being simply a transfer in the accounts: in other words, it would only take a rather longer or shorter time in which to extinguish the present debt on the property. 3. That all extras and salaries allowed he paid by the Sub-Treasurer in equal quarterly instalments. 4. That the alio wan re due on behalf of the pupils be also paid quarterly at the rate of £7 10s. each, per annum ; and that previous t> cadi quarter day the exact number of pupils during the past quarter be ascertained by the Inspectors from the regular books of the school, and certified to the Sub-Treasurer. 5. That in case of boys running away from the Institution with their clothes, and which it is impossible to recover again, that the Inspectors liave permission to allow for the same in their certificates. Ci. That the above allowance may be made irrespective of any holidays which may be required for the encouragement of the boys and the satisfaction of the parents; since what might be saved in food would be lost in clothing, and other expenses. 7. That the special farm account referred to ho audited by the Inspectors, who should see that a proper balance he struck, and carried over to • the general agricultural account at the end of the year. 8. That a certain sum be allowed for extras. 11. The school is conducted ns closely as possible on the Glasgow system of education, and the hours for teaching are from eight to eleven o’clock in the morning; and from throe till Six in the afternoon of the week days. The schoolmaster, Mr. Thomas Skinner, has every requisite qualification for his arduous office, and is devoted to, and indefatigable in his endeavours to improve the minds of his pupils. 12. On week days the hoys arc’engaged during the intervals of school hours, viz., from eleven till half-past twelve, and from half-past one till three, in giving assistance at every operation of the farm, excepting only that of sowing grain, which, as yet, it has not been thought prudent to entrust to them. These labours,in conducting which some few of the pupils have become quite as efficient as the generality of European lads of their own age, consist of ploughing, grubbing, harrowing, and rolling the ground with teams both of oxen and horses ;in planting, ploughing.in, and taking up potatoes ; in mowing, harvesting and stacking the cereal crops ; thrashing and winnowing grain; in carting firewood and other requisite farm timber from the forest; in preparing and erecting post and rail fencing; in carting out and spreading manure ; in milking cows, feeding horses and cattle, and. in short, partaking in the performance of all the ordinary work of a farm. As connected with this head of our Report, we have to remark that a piece of ground has been allotted for horticultural purposes, and that it is Mr. Turton’s intention to commence shortly to have the boys instructed in this important branch of culture also. 13. Of the number of lads who.had left the Institution previous to March last, nearly all could read their own language well, and some could read the English Primer and New Testament with ease, though not quite perfectly. They were apt at spoiling and translating exercises. In arithmetic, two of the number proceeded as far as interest, going twice through the whole of the single and compound rules, rule of three, practice, barter, &c. Others,.,-however, could only pass compound division, 'and there were a few who never got over, or could retain in memory, the multiplication table. In writing their progress was about on a par with that ordinarily to be observed among English lads of like age; but in geography from the circumstance of the Institution being unprovided with maps till the latter period of their attendance they were necessarily deficient. Moral and religious instruction, were, of course, sedulously attended to throughout the cmrieulum. The boys who arc now in the Institution have made, wc consider, very remarkable progress in reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and in knowledge of the English language. Considering how short the time was, at .the date of our visitation, that the hoys had been under tuition, their acquirements farsurpassed our anticipations, though from previous hearsay wc had been led to expect that we should witness a gratifying degree of progress. ' 14. But the scholastic is not the only department of the establishment deserving ot notice and encomium. The dietetic, and other domestic arrangements under the care of the Matron are excellent; and the farm operations are managed judiciously by the overseer. Id. Finally, it is with much pleasure we observe that the tenor of the scholars’ behaviour is reported to us as docile, teachable, and generally obedient. It would seem therefore, that the only' further requirements are, first, a continuance ot the system now under operation; secondly, that the Government bestow the continuance of its patronage and pecuniary assistance ; and, thirdly, that Missionary gentlemen and others, whose residences are among the natives on the coast, or in the country, use a willing influence in endeavouring to uproot any existing prejudices, and in persuading them to send 4hoir boys to, and to allow them to remain at the school. For it must he obvious to everyone who has given *any consideration to the subject, that all such establishments as tiic Grey Institution, must, under Divine Providence, prove a powerful means of civilization ; and tend efficiently to make good British subjects of those so educated, as likewise to extend a similar beneficial hearing over those with whom they associate, when they return to their homes. Josiah Flight, I’. Wilson, Inspec tors of Public Schools*

£ ft. d The Master, from Nelson Archdeaconary Fund 20 0 0 Ditto, from Board of Native Trustees Id 0 0 Ditto, Children’s Fence, about 20 0 0 £55 0 0 The Mistress, from Board of Native Trustees 12 10 0 The Maori Assistant, from ditto .12 10 0 £80 0 0

£. S. d. Clothing’, Boarding anil educating 50 Pupils at £7 1 Os. each, per annum .. 375 0 0 50 0 0 Farm Overseer’s Salary 52 0 0 Ilousekiejter, or Matron,. 35 0 0 Total £512 0 0