The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1866.

North Otago Times, Volume VII, Issue 167, 28 December 1866, Page 2

The Oamaru Times, AND WAITAKI REPORTER. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1866.

At the late examination of the pupils attending the Dunedin High School, a general compliment was paid to the state of education in this Province, including of course the district schools. From all we have ascertained, and also from what may be gathered from the annual report* of the Inspector of Schools, the compliment is well deserved ; and it must be said that that the provincial legislation, and subsequent action and management have, in this particular instance, been highly effective and successful. It is to be hoped that the Oamaru District School is not to be allowed to retrograde, but in one or two particulars there are symptoms of it. Not long since, the School Committee appointed a Teacher, possessing most flattering testimonials as to general fitness to fill the appointment; they have also reported a deficiency in their funds, and have more than hinted at the necessity for dispensing with the services of the female teacher, chiefly on this account we presume. This state of things is not creditable to the district. The subject of female education is a most important one, and one, by the way, which is attracting considerable attention in Dunedin. It was supposed, that our last School Committee had settled the principle, that to be effective the district school required a female as well as a male teacher, and if this were considered to be the case at the time the first female teacher was appointed, it is reasonable to suppose that it is much more so now, seeing that the number of scholars has greatly inoreased. It should

always be borne in mind, too, that the Education Board largely supplements the female teacher's salary ; the district, therefore, should come forward and supply with a willing hand the balance required. We need not discuss the question of how many children can be taught by one master, and taught effectively, but we consider it will be nothing less than a misfortune to the district should the girls attending the district school be deprived of female supervision and training. The subject is of vast importance to the community, and should be seriously considered and discussed at the Annual Meeting to be held on an early day in the new year. Young and old are interested, but especially the young, and we must see to it that the best, the most complete, system of education within, our reach is called, into operation, unless we would be failing in one of our first duties. To enable the School to be maintained in a state of efficiency, a certain amount of lunds is annually required. This year, which is now near its close, see the Committee deficient in funds to meet their expenses to the extent of about L40. This is not a large sum, certainly, but unless it is cleared off before tht appointment of a new Committee, it is a legacy which will undoubtedly (not merely on account of its amount, but also the bad example it affords) tell injuriously on the contributions for educational purposes in the coming year. We hope to see this small millstone removed at once, so that the new Committee may go to work unfettered in any way by debt or difficulty.