EDUCATION: RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS (RETURN RELATIVE TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1893 Session I, E-01f

E.—lf

1893. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS (RETURN RELATIVE TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated 28th June, 1893. Ordered, " That a return be laid before this House setting forth the number of primary schools in the colony in which advantage is taken of the provision of the Education Act allowing the use of school-buildings prior to or after school-hours for the purpose of religious instruction ; such return to show the denominations to which officiating ministers availing themselves of such privilege belong, and the number of schools so used in each education and school district."—(Mr. Sabdfop.d.)

The number of primary schools in which religious instruction is given before or after school-hours is ninety-six. These schools are situated in eighty-nine different school-districts, the school-districts having more than one each being Nelson with five, Palmerston North with three, and Bichmond with two. The numbers of schools in the several education districts are as follows:— Auckland, 16 ; Taranaki, 2 ; Wanganui, 5 ; Wellington, nil; Hawke's Bay, 4 ; Marlborough, 2 ; Nelson, 9; Grey, 3; Westland, nil; North Canterbury, 26; South Canterbury, 4; Otago, 18; Southland, 7. Fifteen of the smaller schools in Auckland have not sent in returns. In fourteen schools the instruction is given by the teachers (T) only, in forty by the Church of England (E) only, in fifteen by Presbyterians (P) only, in thirteen by Boman Catholics (C) only, in two by Wesleyans (W) only, in one by Baptists (B) only, in one by all Protestant denominations in rotation, in four by the Church of England and Wesleyans, in two by the Church of England and Presbyterians, in one by the Church of England and Boman Catholics, in one by the Presbyterians, Wesleyans, and Congregationalists (I), and in one by the Church of England, Presbyterians, and Wesleyans, and by the teachers ; and for one school the instruction is described simply as " Christian." In the following list the abbreviations indicated in this paragraph are employed :— Auckland. —Kauaeranga Girls', E; Eaitaia, E; Brookside, E ; Kariaotahi, E; Mauku West, E; Patumahoe, E ; Waitangi, E ; Waiuku, E ; Drury, P ; Maketu, P ; Ness Valley, P; Papakura, P ; Bemuera, P ; Otahuhu, P ; Waipu Central, P ; Ponsonby, B. Taranaki. —Tikorangi, E ; Tariki, C. Wanganui. —Palmerston North (three schools): College Street, E ; Terrace End, E; Campbell Street, E. Parawanui, P; Glen Nevis, P. Hawke's Bay. —Napier, E ; Taradale, E ; Matawhero, " Christian " ; Makaretu, [T]. Marlborough. —Benwick, C ; Fairhall, C. Nelson. —Nelson: Bridge Street, E; Brook Street, E; Haven Boad, E ; Toitoi Valley, E; Hardy Street, W. Bichmond : Boys', E, W; Girls', E, W. Lower Takaka, E ; Capleston, C. Grey.— Paroa, C ; Totara Flat, C ; Westbrook, C. North Canterbury. —Ashley, E ; Burnham, E ; Carleton, E ; Courtenay, E ; Fendalton, E ; Flaxton, E; Greenpark, E ; Hampstead, E ; Kaiapoi, E ; Eaiapoi Island, E ; Eirwee, E; Leeston, E ; Lyttelton, E ; Okain's Bay, E; Biccarton, E; Tai-Tapu, E; View Hill, E ; West Melton, E ; Woodside, E ; Lakeside, P; Stoke, P ; Waiau, P ; Ferry Eoad, W ; Lincoln, E, P; Springston, E, W ; Marshland, E, C. So-ttth Canterbury. —Winchester, E ; Scotsburn, E ; Pleasant Valley, C; Temuka, E, W. Otago. —Broad Bay, [T] ; Galloway, [T] ; Goodwood, [T] ; Kaitangata, [T]; Lawrence, [T]; Matau, [T]; MosgieL [T]; Moutere, [T]; Mount Stuart, [T]; North Taieri, [T]; Waitahuna Gully, [TJ ; Waitepeka, [T] ; Wangaloa, [T] ; Adam's Flat, C; Ida Valley, C ; Matakanui, C; Port Chalmers, P, W, I; Tokomairiro, E, P, W, [T]. Southland. —Invercargill South, P ; Longbush, P ; Eiverside, P; West Plains, C ; Makarewa, C ; Woodlands, E, P ; Invercarcargill Middle, all Protestant denominations. Wm. Jas. Habens, 22nd September, 1893. Secretary for Education. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,250 copies), 17s.

Authority: Samubl Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB93.

Price 3d.]