REPORT ON EDUCATION IN PATEA.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 322, 18 May 1878, Page 4

REPORT ON EDUCATION IN PATEA.

The fourth and final report of the Education Board of the Patea District, compiled by the' Secretary, Mr W. Co’wern, has been printed for circulation. It includes a number of useful tables as to reserves, appointments, schools, number of ■■scholars,, and results, which cannot fail to be of use to. all interested in educational matters. The last report of the Inspector (Mr IfLee) is also reprinted together with a balance sheet to 30th March. We reprint,the following opening and concluding remarks by the Secretary;— Education Board Office, ■■■■'' Patea, April 26th, 1878. The Honorable the Minister of Education, Wellington. . , . Sir,—ln accordance with Clause 102 of “The Education Act, 1877,” and special authority from the Secretary of Education to extend the time to 31st March, 1878. The Board of the Education District of Patea for the fourth time has the honor to present you with its report for the .year ending-31st March, 1878, when by the. Education Act of 1877 it: lapses and becomes merged in Wanganui and other counties, a measure which the Board, in the interests of the particular district under its control, felt compelled to demur to when appealed to for its opinion by the Govern-’ merit, and suggested that the district should not be extended beyond the County boundaries. During the past four years this district has made rapid advancement in population, and is ever increasing. At the present time the Board has much pleasure in reporting that the district throughout is amply provided with schools, which are well appointed in all respects. The properties are of the very best description,, comprising the more recent suggestions for school accommodation from the best authorities, together with architectural design to add to the adornment of the building. In the vicinity of each school is the Master’s residence, with suitable ’ outbuildings, and the whole enclosed in paddocks of varying sixes, with play-grounds in some instances divided oft. The Board had hoped to have had the grounds planted with trees and shrubs for ornament and shelter, which latter is very requisite. One feature of great importance to the district, which was shadowed ■ forth in the last return, is that a District High School should be established, and from the rapidly increasing population, and the advancement of the scholars already accomplished, readers an absolute necessity. This.matter will, no.doubt, he duly considered by Hie new-Board. It is a noticeable feature, and one tiro Board has watched with peculiar jealousy—“that of Deserves.” . The reserves have received the most careful attention, and the whole' of them arc lot for periods suitable to the locality in which they arc situated, and' .for unprecedented amounts, thus deriving a revenue which, it admits: —together with the liberality of the Provincial and General Governments —has 1 jeon mainly coritributable to the successful accomplishment of placing education in this district second to no other country'district in New Zealand. Now That the -reserves will be vested in commissioners,. and the income derived therefrom be devoted to' specific purposes, and ■ ns a set-off against tire payment per head, this district would suffer from '(of necessity) the smallness of tire average daily attendance for a year or two, as against those schools, in large towns, where the numerical strength creates a fund in excess of thte reqirir.chi.ent'.,' -The. Board here recognises the justice of the whole payment going into one Board fund, and being ro-‘ imbursed -accordingly to the requirements of the various school committees. Every in formation that it is thought may bo useful to the Government is in tables of returns. The Board, in offering this (its final) report to the Government, would beg to submit that its efforts .have been directed throughout its term of office to place education as .one of the, if not the, leading institutions'of this - district, and in, this feels assured it will be acknowledged has been ? successful. —I have the honor to he, Sir, your obedient servant, (by order), \V. Cowers. Secretary and Treasurer, Education Board of the District of’Patea. ■