THE SCHOOLS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 74, 27 March 1912, Page 11

THE SCHOOLS.

INSPECTORS' ANNUAL REPORT, GOOD WORK FOR, THE YEAR. The annual report of the inspectors under the Wellington Education Board was submitted to the board meeting yesterday. Inter alia, it states that the total number of schools in operation during 1911 wa6 169 — an increase of six on the previous year. There were 18,089 children'on the rolls, and 1453 on the roll* of the Catholic schools. The report adds : — "One feature, howevei', of the local distribution of our numbers calls, for some remark. Though the steady annual increase in the roll number for the district as a whole is maintained, the increase ie practically confined to city and suburban schools and the schools on the Hanawatu line. In fact, if the Maeterton town schools are included with the city schools, there is a marked decrease in the roll numbers of the rest of the district. Omitting the two Masterton schools, the rolls of the schools north of the Biinutaka and south of the Hawkes Bay line show a decrease of 9 per cent, in ten years, although, the actual number of schools has in the same period increased from 92 to 103." MATTER OF EFFICIENCY. A summary of details contained in the examination and inspection reports showed the following results for 1911, as compared with 1910: — 1911. 1910. Satisfactory to good .... 151 135 Fair 12 18 Inferior 6 10 According .to the report,; this showed a most commendable improvement. "The fact that 90 per cent, of the' schools are in a satisfactory condition l is a matter of congratulation to' all:concerned. The unsatisfactory condition of small rural schools and the disabilities under which they work have been specially commented on by the Parliamentary Education Committee and various remedies have been suggested by educational authorities. We have recognised that the problem ie one most difficult •to deal with in a sparsely settled country. Whatever else might bo done, our duty in the* matter was obvious, and with practically no exceptions we have given the maximum amount of time to the lower grade schools, in every case carefully examining and classifying .all pupik, and, where necessary, paying a third visit. We have been gratified at the response made by our country teachers. The weakness of the school has< often been the result simply of the teach er'p want of experience. The advice willingly received and acted on has resulted in immediate improvement ; for example, in the Pongaroa district, where backblock disadvantages certainly reach their maximum,' we have this year been able co report that fifteen schools out <of the total of sixteen are classified as satisfactory to good." The chief points of the comment on the individual subjects were that history Avas still the least satisfactory of subjects, and that there had been a great improvement in the teaching of geography. The report, which was characterised by the chairman of the board (Mr. R. Lee) as a- " full, complete, and satisfactory," concluded with a word of; praise for the teachers in the following terms : — . "In concluding this report we wjould again express our appreciation of the whole-hearted and spontaneous support afforded to us in the .performance of our ordinary duties by our teachers as a whole. We have every reason ,to know that the board is fortunate in having in its service a body of men and women whose character and professional attainments are without question, and on our own part we feel we have eveiy reason to congratulate ourselves on our association with fellow-workers whose loyal co-operation and strenuous- endeavour have been the chief factors in maintaining the' high educational efficiency of the district." The board deferred consideration of the report till a future meeting. GRAIN AND PRODUCE. ,: fBY lELEGBAPH — PHESS ASSOCIATION. J CHRISTCHURCH, 26th March. ■ There is a larger quantity of wheat now offering, and the condition is somewhat botter than that which previously oamo on tho market. Tho demand is quieter, and with more samp.lcß to choose from buyers aro exorcising more discrimination in making, their purchases. Prices remaiu tho same, prime samples making 3s 4d to 6<i sd, and inferior i>.rid seconds 5s to '6& 3d. Oats are, not coining in demand so freely as wheat, but there is still a good dons aid ab la to rates. Tho shipments of oats to Australia have this season boon on a much more liberal scale than laßt year. Sinco let January to a fortuigiit ago 14,029 sacks hud boon received ct Melbourne, as against tiorie for Iho saino period last year, and there have also been considerable shipments to Svclney. 'fliero is no change in oat&hoaf ohafl" or potatoes. ' | Onions are firmer, there being a good demand, and tho price is now £6 per ton at ttations.