PUBLIC SCHOOL REPORT.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 776, 8 January 1853, Page 4

PUBLIC SCHOOL REPORT.

New Plymouth, 2nd August, 1852. 1. Having been appointed by his Excellency the Goveraor-i<i-Chief to the office of inspecting the Public Schools of this district, we have the honor to state now, and in conformity thereto, that we visited, on the 13th of the past month, the only establishment falling unddr 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 Turton, who, for several years pas.t has been the Wesleyaa Missionary Minister of the district. 2. Ihe 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 I fully exposed to uninterrupted perflation 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 operation?, 3. The style of the building is somewhat in imitation of 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 floor is elevated about eighteen inches above the level of the ground, thus permitting free ventilation. 4. The fagade 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 landmark. 5. One of the four sketches which accompanies this .Report (No. 1) shows the accommodation which the ground floor of the building affords. As is pourtrayed in the side view sketch, (No. 3) no other part thereof has an attic story, excepting that which includes the schoolroom, 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 eighteen to twenty in ! breadth, cannot conveniently admit more than twenty beds : 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 are twenty feet by twelve only, and this breadth 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 be to maintain from thirty to fifty pupils, that an excess of dormitory space be appended thereto. Moreover as dining- hall space is about as much a desideratum, 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 has reference to the now suggested enlargement of both these apartments the execution would not be greatly more expensive, than if restricted to the alteration of only one. Indeed it is our opinion that these improvements might be conjointly accomplished at no great cost, and not disturb, but give a rather greater external unity of character to the body of the building, while it would add to the ininterior 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 dme 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 be removed, and rebuilt ; but as the same materials for this would serve for the purpose, this part of the alteration would not incur much expense, 6. We have particularly^ recommend that the eaves of the building be fitted with waterchannels, and that casks of adequate number and size be adapted to the spouts thereof. As these will not only tend, when wet weather prevails, to keep the immediate environs of the building in a comparatively comfortable state, but 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. The number of scholars has varied very considerably in the interval of the school's commencement in 1846, and the present time. At and about the former date, twenty-five Maori children were educated as day-sqholars, 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 the last eighteen months. The number of scholars on the commons of the institution at the recent period of our visit was, Maoria, twenty-eight ; Half-caste, one ; European, three ; or thirty-two in aggregate, and whose ages varied from seven years to seventeen. 8. When the school was first established, .there were 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 i farther thought occurred to Mr. Turton of erecting permanent school buildings, and receiving therein scholars only as boarders. This was realized in 1848. The cost of building was conjointly defrayed by the Colonial Government and the Wesleyan Missionary Society. The boarding and clothing of the scholars, together with the concurrent expenses of the in■stitution have been about equally provided by the above two public bodies for one 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 or 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 un-

avoidably 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 Colonial Government. 10. The yearly cost incurred for the education and maintenance of each pupil has been found so difficult to airive 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 be 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 stiil 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 have 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 be set apart for arable purposes, the profits of which are to be appropriated to the maintenance of the scholars, a separate account thereof to be kept. 2.^ That when such profit is less than £100, or at the rate of £2 each, the deficiency is to be supplied by Mr. Turton, and charged tn the debit of the general agricultural fund. But if it should exceed that sum, or according to that rate, that the surplus should be handed over to the credit of the said fund. Note — The effect of this arrangement would be 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, theie being simply a transfer in the accounts : in other words, it would only take a rather longer or shorter time jn which to. extinguish the present debt on tße property. 3. That all extras and salaries allowed be paid by the Sub-Trea>urer in equal quarterly instalments. 4. That the allowance due on behalf of the pupils be also paid quarterly at the rate of £7 10s. each, per annum ; and that previous to each 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-Trea-surer. 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 have permission to allow for the same in their certificates. 6. That the above allowance may be made irrespective of any holidays which may be required for the encouragement of the bo\s, 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 be audited by the Inspectors, who should see that a proper balance be 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 i 3 conducted as 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 three till six in the afternoon of the week days. The schoolmaster, Mr. Thomas Skinner, has every requisite qualification for his atduous office, and i 3 devoted to, and indefatigable in, his endeavours to improve the minds of his pupils. 12. On weekdays the boys are engaged duling 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 j 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 spelling 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, fiom 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 curriculum. The boys who are now in. the Institution have

made, we consider, very remarkable progress in reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and in knowledge of the English language. Consi- ! dering how short the time was, at the date of our visitation, that the boys had been under , tuition, their acquirements far surpassed our anticipations, though from previous hearsay we 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 of notice and encomium. The dietetic, and other domestic arrangements under the care of the j Matron are excellent ; and the farm operations j are managed judiciously by the overseer, 15. 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, fiist, a continuance of the system now under operation; secondly, that the Government bestows 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 their boys to, and to allow them to remain at the school. For it must be obvious to every one who has given any consideration to the subject, that all such establishments as the Grey Institution, must, under Divine Provij dence, prove a powerful means of civilization ; | and tend efficiently to make good British subI jects of those so educated, as likewise to extend a similar beneficial bearing over those with whom they associate, when they return to their homes. Josiah Flight, P. Wilson, Inspectors of Public Schools.

CoKitrsroNDENCE relative to land forming part of the town site of Akaroa, and selected by persons in pursuance of land orders from the Canterbury Association. Wellington, November 18th, 1852. His Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Governor-in-Chief, &c, &c &c. I am compelled to entreat your Excellency's consideration to the difficult and distressing circumstances of the following case : I purchased in England a land order for 50 acres of land from the Canterbury Association, 1 and came with a numerous family, as well as I farm servants to New Zealand in September, ISSI. la pursuance of my land order, I selected my 50 acres immediately adjoining the town of Akaroa, and behind a section which I had been bought by Mr. Robinson, as rural land, in a place which had been squatted on for many years by parties who did not profess to have any legal title, and to which no person in Akaroa knew that any claim existed. The land was conveyed td me by the Association, their Agent personally as well as by a clause in the deed disclaiming all guarantee for the title oi the land ; however, as after every possible enquiry, (and having remunerated the squatters) hearing of no claim to it, I accepted the conveyance in satisfaction of my land order, and set to^epik upon the land. In the yeai* which has elapsed, I have spent nearly £1000 ujtan it,^s can be testified to your Excellency {if necesssary) by any person resident at Akaroa, indeed your Excellency has personally seen a great portion of my works in progress. My house, a large and expensfre one, is more than half finished, and the materials of every kind for its full completion are prepared and on the spot. The greater part of the money has been spent in clearing bush land, and other permanent improvements. About six weeks ago, ! however, I was informed (though not officially) for the first time, that a portion of the land occupied by me (from 12 to 14 acres) and upjon which portion, almost the whole of my money has been expended, is comprised in a block given in exchange by Mr. Belligny to the New Zealand Company, and reserved by the Canterbury Act to her Majesty. Upon enquiry, I find there is good reason for believing that this is the case, and I am therefore altogether at the mercy of the Crown. If the Crown insists on its strict rights, I shall be in a measure ruined in consequence of the J Association's refusal to guarantee the title, and forcing the purchaser to select at his own risk. ] have no remedy against them and must be the only sufferer. On the other hand I cannot think the Crown has any interest in reserving the land for any other purpose, than to dispose of it to " bona fide" settlers, and no one, I am sure, could have gone to work with more zeal and industry than myself as a settler. Still less, can I suppose that the Crown will take advantage of the expenditure which I have made in ignorance, or of my defenceless position to ruin me. I have made a Vineyard and Garden, I have imported Seeds, Plants and Trees, and put them in ike ground. All my arrangements have been made in the, belief, and with the full intention of ending my days on the land in question, and if I am driven from it, I do not know where I shall go to, or what I shall do. I anxiously and respectfully, therefore, submit my case to your Excellency, fully convinced that you will under the peculiar circumstances, make such an arrangement with respect to the land, as may enable me to enjoy the fruits of my labour and expenditure. T am naturally so anxious about this matter, and as delay and expense are so ruinous to my interests, that I have come to Wellington, in the hope of receiving your Excellency's ai»swer with as little delay as possible. I am, &c (Signed.) William Aylmbr.

Coloniat Secretary's Office. Wellington, 20th November, 1852. Sir, — The Governor-m-Chief having laid before the Executive Council your communication of the 18tb inst., upon the subject of your title to certain land situated at Akaroa and purchased by you of the Canterbury Association's Agent, a part of which you state you have lately ascertained to be Crown property ; I am instructed by his Excellency to inform you that the Council are of opinion that, under the circumstances of your case, the value of the land,

which belongs to the Crown, should be assessed as Town land (but without any reference to the improvements thereon) by persons appointed by Government,, and that upon the Agent of the Association paying to the Crown the assessed value of the land in question, a Crown grant should thereupon be issued to you, or to him as may be desired. I am further to acquaint you that in arriving at this decision, the Council have been influenced by the consideration that the land alluded to forms a portion of a block, which, from its position was purchased by the New Zealand Company from M. de Belligny, for the special purpose of forming a Town site,' and that therefore they could not legally or equitably recommend that such valuable public property should be transferred to the Agent of the Canterbury Association, or to persons purchasing from him, without some compensation being secured for the loss the public would sustain from such land having been sold as rural land. I have &c, (Signed.) Alfred Domett, Colonial Secietary. The Re» William Aylraer, &c, &c, &c.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington 20th November, 1852. Sir. — The Keverend W. Aylmer having applied to Government respecting a portion of land at Akaroa comprising about 14 acres, which it appears has been sold to him by the Canterbury Association, and which there is reason to think i« the property of the Crown, the Governor-in- Chief with the advice of the Executive Council directs me to make the following proposition to you, with the view of arranging this matter in such a manner as to secure the public and private interests concerned from detriment. It seems that Mr. Aylmer has already expended about a thousand pounds in improving the land in question. But from information lately received by Government, the Land appears to be a portion of a block purchased by the New Zealand Company for the special purpose of forming an addition to the Town site of Akaroa. Government could not then, either legally or equitably, give up such valuable public property to the Canterbury Association without securing some compensation from the latter, for the loss the public interests incur from the sale of Town land by it as rural land. The only course open then to the Government is, to cause the value of the land to be assessed by persons appointed by itself without reference to the improvements thereon, and upon 'payment by yourself on behalf of the Association of the price so ascertained, to issue a Crown grant for the same either to Mr. Aylmer or to yourself as may be desired. I have the honor to request you will be good enough to state at your earliest convenience whether this mode of arrangement meets your approval. I 'have &c, (Signed.) Alfred Domett. Colonial Secretary. The Agent of the Canterbury Association, &c, &c, &c.

* December 16, 1552. Sir. — I have received your letter of the 20th November, making on behalf of the Government certain proposals to me with respect to land stated to have been improperly conveyed by the Canterbury Association to Mr. Aylmer. In reply I regret to inform you that it is impossible for the Association to accept and act upon the proposals to which I have leferred. I have &c, (Signed.) John Robt. Godlet. | , Agent Cant. Ass. The Honorable Colonial Secretary.

Colonial Secretary's Office. "Wellington. 22nd November, 1852. Sir, — It having been represented to the Governor-in-Chief by persons who have purchased land at Akaroa from the Canterbury Association, and by other purchasers of Town property there, that great injury is likely to result to them from the uncertainty presumed to exist with respect to their title to the lands .sold them in that District, I have the honor, by direction of his Excellency, to request that you will be good enough to state for his information whether it is correct that you have sold land at Akaroa which was not placed at the disposal of the Association to purchasers from that body, and if so, to what extent such sales have been made, and to what individuals. I am further to request you will inform the Government- what proceedings you propose to adopt to relieve the persons who may have suffered from such unauthorized sales, in order that Government, when made acquainted with these and the foregoing particulars, may be enabled to decide as to the course it should pursue with regard to them. The case of Mr. Aylmer has been made the subject of a separate communication. I have &c, (Signed.) Alfred Domett, Colonial Secretary.

Lyttelton, December 17, 1852. Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd November, in which ! you request me to inform his Excellency whether I have sold land at Akaroa, which vras not placed at the disposal of the Canterbury Association, and what proceedings I propose to* adopt with reference to such sales. In reply I beg to state that I must decline answering the above questions, but that a list shall be sent to his Excellency, if he require it, of all the sections sold by the Association in the neighbourhood of Akaroa with plans showing their situations with respect to the Town. His Excellency will then be able to judge for himself, whether I have sold land which was not placed at the disposal of the Association. I am, &c, (Signed.) John Robert Goblet, Agent Cant. Ass. The Honorable Colonial Secretary.

£ s. d. Clothing, Boarding and educating 50 Pupils at £7 10s. eech, per annum.. Extras Farm Overseer's Salary Housekeeper, or Matron 375 0 0 50 0 0 52 0 0 35 0 0 Total ; £512 0 0