The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 334, 29 June 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1878.

■\Fa acknowledge receipt of report on thirty-seven schools within the Wanganui Education District, presented by the School Inspector (11. Fonlis, Esq.) to the Board meeting held at the end of the month of May. The Patca schools had not then been visited. The report is of very different stamp to what wo, on this coast, have been accustomed to. It is startlingly plain, ami as regards Inspection Reports, very laconic. For example ;

Palmerston North—Out-door arrangements very defective, privies disgraceful, playground too small, dangerous from close proximity to railway, pupils should not be allowed outside tho ground for recreation for fear'of accidents. In-door arrangements good, desks sadly defaced towards back part of room, infant room ill adapted for infants, no backs to seats, seats too high, should have freer passage in front, entrance room required for principal room, with pegs for caps, &c., and lavatory. Proper drinking places should be provided, water contaminated, no singing appliances, school requisites delicient, number on books 103. Mr Locke baa only been in charge for a short time. —9th May. Aw-ibmi —New school, and-well ventilated, piping and tank should Refurnished for drinking purposes, no pegs in lobby foV caps, when got they should be numbered, entrance tray should be gravelled, a lavatory would be an improvement, fencing where necessary.—loth May.

Waverlcy—lncreased accommodation, spouting and tank, fencing, cupboard and handbell, Nelson’s primer, wall cards, and porch to teacher’s residence much needed. Children neat and tidy. Number on roll '.)S, average 80. No cap-room, lavatory, gymnastic apparatus, or saddle shed- — should be provided.—lst May. Maxwell town —Found children at luncheon, new school, a comfortable substantial building, de r ;k.s required, old desks are used rill new ones are supplied, dual desks would suit schoolroom, they arc recommended, cuv-board for books and copies’or a press required, all the out-door arrangements need to bo attended to, spouting and tanks, closets, and separation by dividing fence of sexes in play ground. Teacher’s resilience requires enlargement, will cost about S’ 100.—Tend May.

Kohi (Waverlcy)—At least £l5O will bo required to piit this school into failworking condition, almost ail the indoor fittings arc useless for teaching purposes bring the old register desks and forms of Waverlcy. The old store will prove serviceable. However, all out-door arrangements are very primitive and need overhauling. Fencing "and drinking appliances much wanted.—23rd Ma y.

VVaitotara —Found only 8 pupils present. Teacher explained “ that next day being a holiday’ (Queen’s Birthday) 12 of the pupils had not returned in the afternoon.” Echool. destitute of almost all school requisites. A proper supply’ of wall maps and lesson sheets wanted. I earnestly urge on the Committee the propriety of attending to the state of the play ground, conveniences, and drinking places without delay. Called upon Mr Kells, Chairman, who kindly’ promised to attend to such mat ters. A Teacher’s rosidouce should be provided, for the Board’s allowance of £2l) does not pay’rent of house lie re.

There is greet economy in the nse of words. 'Without circumlocution, the Inspector states the condition and rc•fjuireniGnts of each school visited. The report shows that the Inspector travelled with his eyes open. Nothing appears to have escaped his attention. Each day throughout the month, he turned up in soma unexpected quarter. There could thou be no preparations for his visits, and he was enabled to judge of schools, scholars, and touchers in their ordinary aspects. The Inspector appears to he great on details, but does not think it necessary to cucumber his report with many, or the Hoard, as details “ enu bo ■ more competently dealt with by local committees.” Ho. says, li Having regard for the. valuable time of your Board, I shall not trouble you here with details, although it is only by attention to details in such.a subject (or in any subject connected, with school matters) that success can be attained.” Mr Foulis does not appear to have been satisfied with an inspection of schools and scholars, but has also been ready and anxious to confer with committees, on whom devolves tho responsibility of carrying out the details. Earnest regard for the well-being ■of the children—moral and physical, without which little of intellectual progress can be hoped for—are the marked characteristics of the report. Referring to ventilation, ho says, “Tiro air that met me in the face ou entering many ofthe schools was vitatod and stilling in no ordinary degree, I could not fail to be impressed with the fact, that all parties working in such an atmosphere must suffer, that work mast bo listlessly clone, and that discipline, from mere nervous restlessness, must be either defective, or shall I say, too severe. The exhaustion I have felt during: a short stay in some of the schools, even with a 'small attendance, has been very great. I can assure yon, it is dreadful to enter many ‘ stuffy clous’ in which there is no available ventilation, and where the sight of landscape and cloud is shut out by tho ‘ condensed evil steam ’ on the panes, while tho nervousness of the teacher is too plainly the effect of such a system.” Calling attention again. to -fittings, the Inspector says, “ I held that every seat .should have a back for .all children, with their tender, soft, and growing frames. Exhaustion, spinal disease, curved spine, stooping shoulders, contracted chests, and many other physical evils, have unquestionably been caused by the want of this. For .girls and infants it is simply indispensable.” Mr Foulis considers that the moral education of the children should claim the first attention of the Board. " The whole out-door arrangements ol the schools I have visited, are entirely subversive of systematic moral training.” Pure thought and action cannot come of filthy surroundings and indiscriminate association of boys ‘ and girls of all ages, and,without > 'ivatchful supervision. Mr Foulis speaks pointedly on this matter, and in a way that should claim consideration at the hands of both the Board and of School Committees. It may be thought that tho Inspector has assumed too high a position, and that he should be satisfied to report, without attempting to direct the Board. It must, however, be recollected That special training is required for tbe important office of school inspection. Members of tbe Board cannot be possessed of the requisite technical knowledge. Mr Foulis has credentials testifying to Ins high ability as an educationist, and as an earnest worker. What he has to say, should be carefully pondered, and, where possible, acted upon. We are rather pleased with the straight-forwardness of the first report, and shall look anxiously forward to what may be said in regal'd to schools in this County.