EDUCATIONAL.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1198, 31 July 1874, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL.

Wo extract the following paragraphs from the Annual Report on the schools of tli3 Province by Mr Inspector Hodgson : WESTPOBT. Mr Larchin, master; Mrs Larchiu, mistress ; Miss Blaxall, assistant. At examination 131 pupils were present. A thorough reformation has taken place in this school since the appointment of an efficient staff of teachers. It is only to be regretted, for tho sake of the children of Westport, that my plain and repeated representations as to the necessity for a change were so long disregarded. The number of good readers and writers has trebled during the last year, and a proportionate advance has been made in every branch except arithmetic, in which improvement is of usually slow growth. Great intellectual activity prevails throughout the school, which is remarkably well organised. The reproach of backwardness in educational matters will not, however, be entirely retrieved from Westport until many times more than four children are allowed to remain at school beyond their twcllth year. The parents here

arc more to blame in this respect even thau those in the neighborhood of Haven road school, for it seems thai out of 172 scholars, 2i< only have attained their ninth year. Cpbdcn school undoubtedly owes no small sharo of its success to the fact that a large proportion of the children remain with their master longer than is usual at the other West Const schools. This year, out of a total of (SO at Cobdcu 22 had attained their Oth, 15 their 12th year,

addison's plat subsidised school. Miss Gibbs, mistress; 29 children in attendance Although this school has suffered from the illness and consequent resignation of the late teacher, much has been done by the present mistress to make up for lost time. The reading is generally very distinct, the spelling correct, and the geography fair. Few, however, can do much in arithmetic The children generally are well mannered and orderly. BLACKETT ST., CHARLESTON". Mr and Mrs Moore, teachers. At examination 53 children were present Tho division of labor the employment of two teachers has rendered possible is beginning to tell favorably upon this school. The upper classes read distinctly "with good emphasis, some of tho older scholars displaying a very creditable acquaintance with tho outlinos of history and geography. The handwriting of the first class is excellent, their exercise and accountbooks being neatly kept and well arranged. The gradation of classes is carefully preserved and tho discipline is good. st. Patrick's Charleston. Mr Delany, teacher. At examination 64 children were present. It. is no reflection on Mr Delany's powers of instruction, which are considerable, to say that he has failed to teach efficiently a large proportion of the 61 scholars who presented themselves at my last examination. I foresaw, and pointed out last year that some* thing of this sort must inevitably happen unless the teaching power were increased. The three upper classes, including about one half of the scholars are very fairly taught. They read and write better than they did, and most of the first class acquit themselves creditably in dictation and grammar. But between the third and fourth classes there is a gap which will hardly be bridged in two years, the third class being able to read the 4th Irish book fluently, while the fourth class can just stumble through the Ist sequel in the same series. BRIGHTON. Mrs Murphy, teacher. 34 pupils, or nearly twice as many children,appeared at this inspection as were present last year. As the school life of the children does not extend beyond a few months, much cannot be expected yet. I found, however, the first class fairly proficient in arithmetic, while the geography of the first and second classes was unusually ready and accurate. Good order is kept, mainly due to the excellent understanding that exists between teacher and scholars.