SPRING GROVE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIII, 15 November 1854, Page 3

SPRING GROVE.

Mr. Rbnnell, Schoolmaster.

Boys, 20; girls, 18. Average attendance, 30 actual attendance, 30th October, 38. The eldest boy under 12 years of age, the youngest under 5 ; the eldest girl under 13, the youngest under 5. Reading— ln National Fourth Class Book, 7 boys ; in New Testament, 11 girls, and 6 boys; in First Class Book, 7 boys ; in Second Class Book, 5 girls : in Alphabet, 2 girls. Writing— ln Copy Books, 20 ; on slates only, 4. Arithmetic, Mental and Written — In four first rules, simple and compound, 7 boys ; in four first rules, simple, 10 girls ; the most advanced boy in Practice. English Grammar, Geography, and Scripture His. tory — Boys, 7. Their knowledge was tested by numerous questions, and' the answers received testified alike to the attention of the pupils and the diligence of the master.

Upou the whole, we hesitate not to say, that the examination at Spring Grove was satisfactory ; here, at least, it can be said that a plain, useful, and scriptural education can be obtained, and at a price within the reach of all. The Teacher here is a model of a quiet, inoffensive,, and laborious man. " "."'

There is an Evening School, 12 in attendance ; the eldest under 18, the youngest under 11. Only one parent present at the- examination. The number of children in this district who do not attend school is about 15. It will be rather a matter of surprise when we state, that in this numerously ' attended school the school fees only average £24 per annum. The cause can be partly explained by stating- that a lower rate of fees than in. the other schools is charged here, and strange, though true, the school fees are not paid in advance, and with some few .exceptions, they are paid slowly, as if reluctantly, sometimes six, and sometimes even twelve months after they are due. To cure the evil we recommend both payments in advance, and payments enhanced — made equal to the other schools : good things retain their value, why not education ? and why cheapen it in our market? By doing so we shall assuredly hurt ths sale of this precious article. Tell the people that, like other good, useful, sound, substantial, and abiding things, education is up in the market, and they will buy it. The Teacher receives from the Society £30 ; if he received £50, surely it would not be too much for a laborious instructor of rebellious youth: A grant of £10 is required for the- repair and enlargement of the School buildings.