26

E.—IB.

The expression quoted seems (if I understand it properly) to advocate a relaxation of the requirements in all subjects in proportion to the number of subjects demanded ; and it appears to me that such a course would be likely to discourage thoroughness in what I cannot but regard as the more important subjects of a primary school course for the sake of acquiring a smattering ol all-" and to carry out the principle to its logical conclusion the addition of half a dozen Iresn subiects to the present syllabus would so far relax the requirements of the examiner as to render the examination a mere matter of form, or what the late Inspector O'Sulhvan styled " an organised hypocrisy." In large schools, with several adult teachers on the staff, the whole requirements of the programme can be satisfied without any relaxation of the examiner's demands in the passsubjects and in such schools "fair to good" work can be and is accomplished in the class and additional subjects; but in all small schools, with only one or two teachers, and with the full complement of classes, I believe it is, under ordinary circumstances, impossible. Of course when, as sometimes happens, a teacher of a small school is an enthusiast in science or music or any other subject, that subject will be successfully treated, but very few men can ride more than one hobby. In the majority of small country schools the teaching of elementary science consists m causing the children to commit to memory the contents of some text-book, and, in this district, at any rate, is seldom supplemented or illustrated by experiment. The course I have always followed had for its end, first, the encouragement of good sound teaching in the pass-subjects, with sufficient encouragement for the teaching of the class, and additional subjects, in the shape of the annual examination reports, where the actual achievement of each school in those subjects is carefully recorded. It is only when a school has failed to give satisfactory proof of proficiency in the pass-subjects that the deficiency m any of the class or additional subjects has been made a ground of complaint against a teacher. On the other hand, a rather poor percentage of passes in the former is always condoned for a satisfactory performance ot the latter thus doing away with any temptation to neglect the class-subjects for the purpose ot erammins for " passes." It is with very great diffidence that I have ventured to express an opinion opposed to that of a gentleman of such acknowledged ability and long experience as is the Writer referred to; but I felt called upon to show why my own practice has been so different from that which appears to me to be recommended in the passage quoted. School Buildings, eto. Most of the school buildings belonging to the Board are in a fair state of repair. The worst is undoubtedly the Kumara School, which, notwithstanding the constantly-recurring expenditure in petty repairs is still in a very unsatisfactory condition. This is in a great measure due to the faulty construction of the building in the first instance—much of the timber used was growing m the forest a day or two before it was worked up, and signs of premature decay are visible in all parts of the structure. I believe the Board would find it more satisfactory and economical to take the execution of all but the most trifling repairs into its own hands, as is done in some other districts ; the emplyment of a trustworthy clerk of works to examine, report upon, and, if necessary, superintend the execution of such works would really be less costly in the end than the system at present followed, as much unnecessary and even useless expenditure might thus be avoided. Some of the small schools are in want of maps, and many of those supplied to the larger schools from twelve to fifteen years ago are nearly worn out, so that a new supply should be procured to replace them as soon as possible. The admission and attendance registers are too often used by teachers as portfolios, a practice which considerably hastens their destruction. This indicates a want which I have" more than once mentioned ; and I would again suggest that every school should be supplied with a portfolio or letter-book—the latter preferably—in which could be fastened ail circulars printed regulations of the Board and the department, and any correspondence addressed to the head teacher, as such, which it might be necessary to preserve for future reference, or to hand down from a retiring teacher to his successor. The attempt to foster habits of thrift amongst the rising generation by means ot school savings-banks has not in this district been attended with success, possibly on account of the facilities offered with the same object by the post office savings-banks. There is, as far as I know, but one school savings-bank in Westland and that is at Okarito; and this is entirely due to the voluntary efforts of the teacher. In many other respects this gentleman's mflence for good, both by precept and example, has been of inestimable value to the inhabitants, both old and young, of the district in which he has so long lived and worked ; and, though his name is absent from the classified list of teachers, he has probably done as much for the cause of true education as if he had been entitled to write A B or C after his name. Before concluding this, my last, official communication to your Board I desire publicly to tender my hearty thanks to the present and former members of the Boards that have had the control of educational affairs in Westland since 1875, for their uniform courtesy and kindly consideration, as well as for many acts of special kindness. I also wish to express in the same manner my thanks to the teaching staff of Westland for (as a rule) their prompt attention to my official communications, and for the readiness with which they have received and acted upon any recommendations and instructions, having for their object the improvement of school work and the general welfare of primary education in the district. I have, &c, The Chairman, Education Board, Westland. John Smith.