ARRIVAL OF THE ESCORT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 271, 1 November 1862, Page 4

ARRIVAL OF THE ESCORT.

The Escort from the gold fields arrived in town yesterday afternoon, bringing the following quantities of gold :— oz. dwt. gr. Dunstan 8967 0 0 Teviot 86 5 0 Tuapeka 43 58 0 0 Waitahuna 1389 5 q Woolshed G74 13 20 15.505 3 20

THE CENTRAL DISTRICT SCHOOL" The Central District School, generally known and distinguished as the High School, situated in the vicinity of the New Custom House, near the beach, has been closed within the last day or two in order to its enlargement. The building in which the school is held is also used as a Presbyterian Church under the Ministry of Dr Burns, and having been found too small for a rapidly increasing congregation is the reason for so suddenly closing it, tliat it may be enlarged with as little delay as possible. The extension is, however intended to serve a double purpose—increase of church accommodation, as also additional school room. The subjoined particulars respecting the present position and progress of the school, may probably be of interest to many of our readers. The school is managed by a committee of nine persons selected from the ratepayers, who are responsible for the general supervision, management, and control of the school. It has at present about three hundred children on the books as regular attendants—ninety girls, and over two hundred boys. The school fees which a few weeks back ranged from eight shillings to twenty shillings per quarter, according to the nature and amount of instruction given, have since been reduced to four shillings and six shillings, the larger amount including, besides reading, spelling, arithmetic, and the ordinary branches of early education, instruction in writing, drawing, singing, and drilling. There are but three teachers for the three hundred children—Mr Hailiwell, late of Geelong, being head master, with but oue assistant under him, and a governess for the girls. Three teachers for three hundred pupils, as those possessing the most superficial knowledge of school training and discipl ne must be aware, are too few. This very serious drawback to' the progress of the school will shortly be remedied. Additional assistant teachers are to be engaged. A branch establishment of the school has been lately opened in Georgestreet. It contains one hundred boys and girls, and has but one teacher. The branch of the High School is under the control and management of a local committee. The Government is now about erecting a third school at the extreme south end of the city. There will be then three schools, under three committees : but an alteration is proposed in this respect, which is likely to be carried into effect. A public meeting ol the ratepayers ia called for the 21st November, when a committee will be appointed from the general body, who are to have joint control over all the schools. Their powers will extend to fixing the scale of school fees to be charged, raising a rale under the Educational Ordinance, and appointing the masters and instructresses. The duties of a member of committee are, therefore, somewhat onerous and responsible, and there is no doubt that due care will be taken that efficient men are selected for the office. At present the Government provides all school buildings, and subsidises each duly appointed master with £50 towards his salary; the remainder is made up from the school fees, and if in futare time, from the low scale of charges, this source should be found insufficient, it will be supplemented from the educational rate. Provided with so few teachers for so large a number of scholars, it can scarcely be expected that the proper amount of attention can be paid to pupils which should be the case; still the progress made among the scholars gives very general satisfaction to the parents, and the description of teaching is fully up to : many others of the National and -Denominational educational institutions in the neighbouring colonies. The senior boys receive instruction in Latin, geometry, algebra and drawing, in which many of them evince a degree of proficiency which must be deemed very satisfactory, considering the short time the classes have been formed. '- uS e *™e lost hy the closing of the school buildings for a month will be made up by not having a vacation during the Christmi recess. While the scale of school fees has been reduced to a minimum rate, the head master has instructions to enter all who apply for admission on his books, without any charge whatever, where parents or guardians show they have not the means to pay. This is as it should be. There will be found very few who are unable to comply with the very moderate demand of four or six shillings per quarter for so important. a matter 4 their chddren's education, while those who:jeally are unable will not be;;deprived of a benefit . the .value of which 1, in. a pecuniary point of view^ cannot be estimated.. ~ . "