SCHOOL INSPECTOR'S REPORT.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 336, 6 July 1878, Page 2

SCHOOL INSPECTOR'S REPORT.

At the last meeting of the Wanganui Education Board R. Foulis, Esq., Inspector, reported on schools in the Patea County, and as will be seen from following reprint, at considerable length. The reports will be of great value in. every way. There appears to be a thoroughness in Mr Eoulis’ inspections which cannot fail to stimulate school committees, teachers, and scholars, and to the advantage of all. The following are the rejaorts : CARLYLE. The proximity of the Patea Medical Hospital to this School is objectionable. The Surgeon, Dr Warren, assured me that at the time of my visit, there was no patient in the hospital from infectious disease, but if application for admission were made on behalf of such a patient, it would have to be granted. Were such an unfortunate occurrence to happen, parents would be justified in withdrawing their children from school for a time, the “ Compulsory Clause” would be inoperative, and thereby the revenue of the school would be considerably affected. But not to speak of that, the present proximity of the hospital assumes a far more serious aspect, when viewed in the light of the moral training of the children. The oaths, imprecations, and foul, disgusting language that are constant!} 7 falling on the young susceptible ears of the children (from the lips of a certain patient), are enough to make angels weep. The only remedy I can suggest for this demoralising agency, is either the discontinuance of the present unsuitable hospital, and the erection of another on a more eligible site, and one more in accordance with the advancement of medical science, and the refinement, proprieties, and decencies of civilised society, or the removal of the schoolhouso beyond the range of the degrading sights and sounds which parents have so often bitterly complained about. Perhaps if the Chairman of the School Committee were to put himself in communication with the Chairman of the County Council, in reference to this matter, something might be devised either to remove, or at least to mitigate the evil complained of. There is no playground supervision of the children at present. The Committee are quite alive to this, and will adopt measures to secure its being properly attended to. The outdoor arrangements are being looked after, such as the erection of a dividing fence between the boys’ and girls’ play ground, better position of gymnasium, gravelling of gymnasium site, and footpath round and leading to school, spouting and tank, conveniences and fencing. The entrance room

for the girls is the largest and most com* 'modious in the Wanganui District, and has ample accommodation for bonnets, cloaks, shawls, and rests for saddles. It Iras also a good lavatory.. Internal fittings of a miscellaneous kind are much needed ; they are to "be furnished. Indoor and outdoor improvements will cost from £65 to £7O. The teaching power of this school is weak. The master and a female assistant have 95 pupils to teach and superintend. Miss Williams, the assistant, has been absent for some time from indisposition, contracted mainly from overwork, and defective ventilation. During her absence her sister ' has very efficiently discharged her duties. Entered in the “ Log” :—Pound no. entry in Log since 20th March ; but ranch pleased with the general appearance of the scholars and their orderly behaviour in classroom.—■ June 7th,1878. . NORMANBY. The L. S. Committee propose to acquire sections 250, 253, and 254, block 18, township of Normanby. The present school building is erected on sections 251 and 259 of said block, and the Committee wish to . acquire the whole block as school property. To meet the necessary outlay, it is proposed that the present residence, and the section on which it stands, should be sold for £350, either by private bargain, or bycalling for tenders. With this stun, the committee '"would be able to buy- said sections for £llO, and to erect a fourrootnod cottage on the block, so as to have schoolhouse and residence in proper proximity. This is A 7 ery desirable on various grounds ; the present residence being fully half a mile distant from the school. Personal supervision of the pupils in the play ground is to be insistSG upon, and it is evident that the residence should be so situated as to admit of it. If the three sections of block 18, referred to, can be secured at a reasonable figure, my- impression is the transaction should bo closed. Section 253 lias already been secured, and if sections 253 and 254 can’t be got for £BO. Messrs Thomson and McGuire of Hawera are willing to take the school master’s residence, and the section on which it stands, and give in exchange land on their block nearest, to the school, to the extent of that which the School Committee wish to dispose of, and a quantity of laud of value equal to the building (Schoolmaster’s residence). Before considering Ibis proposal, •it would be well to have a plan of Normanby, showing the sections referred to. Messrs Thomson and McGuire are to forward one as soon as completed. After looking at the Committee’s proposal in all its bearings, I am of opinion that it is a fair and reasonable one. I have to thank Mr Gibson, Chairman,for the care and trouble,, lie took in putting me in possession of all facts. The play ground (at present) requires levelling, and a dividing fence between boys and girls during play hours. Closets and gymnasium are in too close proximity, and directly in the line of each other ; tin’s is objectionable, and should be altered. When the proposed alterations are carried into effect, these improvements can be more cheaply executed. Desk accommodation is needed for ,twenty scholars, two easels for blackboards, and an additional blackboard are required. The present desks are sadly defaced and soiled. The dual desks are neither neatly in rule nor firmly ‘put A. sufficient supply of ink-wells should be got and properly 7 fixed. There is a total want of ventilation, no pure air being admitted except by the door, when some considerate pupil leaves it ajar. Inside comfort is much required. Spouting needs attention, to prevent the accumulation of water around the school. There is no outlet for surface water at present but • this will he provided for in due course. The porch is too small, and should be enlarged to afford bonnet, cap, and cloak accommodation for fifty- children. Hand-bell, map of Australia, North and South America, Africa, and County map of New Zealand should be got. The schoolroom was verydirty, and several of the children far from being’ tidy. The conduct of the pupils during play hours was very 7 unbecoming, and ought to be carefully looked after.— 7th June, 1878. HAWERA. Had interview with Mr Middlemas (Qhainnan), and the Rev Mr Torry 7 , and Messrs Middlemas and McFarlane, members of committee. Suggested attention to spouting and tanky levelling and clearing of playground,-removal of boy's’ privy 7, erection of urinal, graduation of seats in privies, dividing fence between boys’ and girls’ playground, repairs to gymnasium, ■ filling up of Maori*pits and other sundries. The indoor arrangements might be greatly improved. These wese pointed out to Mr Thomson, teacher, who readily consented to have them carried out. The room was very untidy, and the floor and benches were covered with offensive dust. The desks were much soiled and defaced-; the slates were of all sizes, framed and framekss. Ventilation was nowhere. The air was exhausted and depressing. This accounted for the dull, listless attitude of the scholars. I urged upon the teacher the importance of good ventilation, as a help to mental development. “A dog had torn the window blinds. It was shut in one night fay' mistake.”’ Greater - order, neatness and urulhod in the whole • arrangements are much to bo desired. The teaching power was unequally 7 divided, and without any time-table to show it. Requested time-table and Government regulations to be posted up in class room. School records and log require to he kept with far more care and accuracy than they appear to have been hitherto. Mr Thomson assured me they would have his best attention. The whole revenue of the .Education District depends, now, on the accuracy with which the school records are kept, and the returns made to the Board. The committees would do well to look into this matter very carefully, and see that the returns are forwaided at the end of every 7 quarter to the Secretary 7, in sufficient time to enable .him to make up his returns to the Government. To secure accuracy in the returns, I would suggest hereto the chairmen of all theschool committees that, before signing the re- , turns, they should call for the school records, and take an entry or two at a venture, to test their correctness. —Ilth June, 1878. -- I found in all the Patea schools a great deficiency of school books. The following letter from the late Secretary of the Patea Education Board explains the cause:- , Education Office, Patea, June 13th, 1878

Robert Foulis, Esq., Inspector of Schools. Dear sir, —In reply to your queries re the delay in distribution of books, I have to inform yob that it was impossible to make the division until such time as they were all collected from the different schools, •and;'l’had'repeatedly to write to the teachers and chairmen, of committees before 1' could get the books collected together. They are now, I may inform you, ail packed up, and will be forwarded by the first conveyance.—l an*, &c., your obedient servant, IV. Cowern. WHENUAKURA. When I called at 3.30., the school was : sbut for the day. On the Bth June, met Mr Horner, Chairman, and Messrs Contts, ■&c., members of the Committee.' Was •assured all, necessary repairs and alterations should be seen to, such as chimney, spouting and tank, gravelling of footpath, dividing fence, separation of privies, scrub ■cutting, better adjustment of gymnasium and surroundings, on funds being placed ■at their disposal for doing so. Instead of a shed for shelter, the present porch, if enlarged and properly equipped, would meet present requirements. KAKARAMEA. Mr Brown, Teacher ; position of gymnasium very objectionable, also that of •closets, a proper receptacle for spoutwater should be provided, footpath round school should be gravelled, as well as front bf Master's residence, chimney should be repaired or rebuilt, enlargement of porch needed to receive bonnets, cloaks,ccan,p n , <&c., for they should on noaecout whatever bo hung lip in the class-room. A lean-to for Teacher’s residence is much required. In-door arrangements good, various sundries required, a list of which I forwarded Chairman.—Bth, 10th, and 13th June. MANDTAHI. Mr Lee, Teacher ; No. of pupils present 14, out of a roll of 22. All available ventilation is hermetically scaled, the •cause assigned being that parents complain of their children catching cold when a window or door is opened to admit pure air. Here chimney, spouting, gravelling, fencing, gymnasium need immediate attention as in most of the other schools. ■Called upon Mr Hamilton,. Chairman, who informed me gates for the schoolground were reacly'and lying in Patea, and ■that they would be brought out and hung •as speedily as possible.—7th June, 1878.