THE COLONY'S SCHOOLS.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 49, 26 August 1904, Page 5

THE COLONY'S SCHOOLS.

ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT. AN ALL-ROUND ADVANCE. The annual report on the condition of public education was laid on the table of tho House yesterday afternoon. The report treats of tho year ending 31st December lust, and skowa thnt the, average attendance nt tho schools declined from 113,711 in 1902 (a record) to 113,047 in 1903, although tho number on tho roll last year, 133,568, was 1306 more than in tho previous year. The attendance percentage for the year was 83,9, or 1 per cent, lower than in 1902, and considerably higher than tho standard of attendance in Britain or Australia. In. the North Maud the average attendance increased by 1024, but tho South Island shows a decrease of 1688. Tho gicatest increase (443) was in Auckland, and the greatest decreases were. Otugo 550, and North Canterbury 609. Auckland was also tho only district which did not show a falling-off in the regularity of attendance. The best percentage is shown by Otago «(86.8), with Southland (85) second, and North Canterbury (82.1) last. Tho South Island is superior to the North in tho matter of regularity. Tho number of children of Maori and mixed race attending public schools has increased from 3028 to 3209 ; the number in Maori village schools decreased by 81, and in Maori boarding schools increased by 28, the aggregate being 6754 in 1903, and 6626 in 1902. Tho proportion of boys to girls in the schools is almost the same as for tho last three years— viz., 62 to 48 per cent. Tho proportion of pupils in tho preparatory classes and first three standards has increased, while the other classes show' a slight decrease. Of those- who were present at tie inspecors' annual visit* 85.4 per ceut. passed, as compared with 94.2 per cent, in 1902. Marlborough, with 91.7 per cent, of passes, bikes h'rst place, Auckland being second with 89.3 per cent. Tho number of schools open in 1906 was 1741, or 33 more than in 1902. Wanganui (11) and Auckland (8) show tho largest increases, and Nelson (5) the greatest falling-otf. During tho year 42 schoods were closed, many being re-opened in another form or amalgamated, to suit the movements of population. Last yoar there were- 3695 teachers (2996 adults and 699 pupil-teachers), while iv 1902 tho number of teachers was 3704 (2957 and 747). In 1903 there we-ro 1417 males and 2278 females in the service, and tho average number of children per teacher was 30.6 A table shows tliat teachers in the Australian States, with the exception of Tasmania and South Australia, receive- on an average better pay than their fellows in this colony, Now Zealand's £133 averago salary contrasting with £153 12s in V ictoria. Tho operation of the l'ublic School Teachers' Salaries Act ia stated to have strengthened the staffing by reducing the proportion of pupil-teachers to adults, and in this respect Now Zealand, with a proportion of 1 to 4.29, compares favourably with the "other side." Tho proportion of male pupil-teachers to female rose- slightly last year. Tho total salaries and allowances pnid last year was £417,474. Of tho 2996 adult teachers, 2450 were holders of certificates, 10 had passed the certificate examination, 161 had gained a partial pass, and '375 had either failed or never been examined. Tho sum of £52,457 was distributed among the Boards for school buildings, . Auckland receiving £12,917, " Otaco I £7523, Wellington £5300, and Southland £3569. Special grants for buildings in newly settled districts and for additions accounted for another £12,936. It is stated that in approaching tho Government Boards do not pay the regard to economy that they would if they were dealing with their own funds. The payment for teachers' salaries and pupil teachers' lodging allowances shows an increase of about £10,000. For financial and technical instruction there was an increase of £1876, to which i should bo added £13,132 spent on build- ' ings and apparatus, a total increase of 125 per cent. The item "scholarships -and secondary education" also reveals an increase- of £2584. Since tho Salaries Act came- into operation all tho> Boards except Auckland, Hawkes Bay, and Grey nave bettered i their positions, the not improvement be- ! ing £5727 for the two yeaas. The cost of tho native schools was £28,719. In 1903 there' were 1909 in the Industrial Schools, 62 more than in 1902. Eleven girls were, maintained in correo tivo institutions, 8 boys and girls in or« phan homes, and 2 boys in the School for Deaf Mutes. There were six Govern* ment Industrial Schools in 1903 with 1366 on the rolls. Of those admitted last year 124 were to bo brought up in tho English denomination, 62 in the Catholic,** and 25 in the Presbyterian. At the end of the year there was £12,070 in tho Post Office Savings Bank on -account of the earnings of inmates, and £2721 on account of inmates. The cost of tho Government, Schools was £29,998. Last year 247 additional classes in manual and technical instructiou were recognised, making a total of 2227. In regard to secondary education, all schools except four adopted the Government free place regulations, and the number of pupils holding free places was 1605. Thorowere 209 holders of scholarships, and 1709 pupils received secondary education in the District High Schools, or a total of 3523 against 963 in 1901. If it should appear that the concessions erred on the side of liberality the conditions would be made more stringeut. As to tho University, the number of graduates admitted or qualified for admission is now 940, and there 81 degrees conferred last year.

A case on appeal under the Deceased Persons' Estate* Duties Act and the Stamp Act was before the Chief Justice to-doy. It related to the estate of the late *Mi. J. A. .Edmondson, merchant. Mr. Edmondson died in Sydney in October, 1902, at which time Ke was in partnership with C. H. Dickorson. After his partner's death, Mr. Dickerson elected not to take advantage of a'- option of taking over his late partner's share, but entered into an arrangement with the widow and trustees, under which the sharo was to remain in the business nt tho rate of 8 per cent, interest.' In filing tho statement required by the Act, the trustees did not include any amount for goodwill or for the valuo of any right conferred by the deed of partnership, now shown to be returning a per cent. Tho Deputy Commissioner of Stamps held that this was a beneficial right, and valued it at £5620, assessing duty upon thnt sum. Tho Commissioner upheld the assessment. The questions of law stated for tho opinion of the Court are : — (1) Is the assessment of duty by the Commissioner valid at law? (2) Was there any goodwill, beneficial right, or other right, conferred upon the trustees under the deed of partnership liable to duty under the Act? (3) If so, has the value of tho goodwill, beneficial right-, or other right been rightiy estimated? and if not, at what value should tho same bo estimated. Mr. Myers argued tho case for the Commissioner, and Mr. Canfpbell for the appellants. His Honour held that there was no equitable right under the will by the arrangement entered inlo by the trustees, and the appeal must- be. alJlawed with £10 lss cpstg*