AUCKLAND COLLRGE AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7552, 3 February 1886, Page 5

AUCKLAND COLLRGE AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

The Rev. W. J. Habens, Inspector-General of Schools, who inspected the Auckland College and Grammar School on October 14, reports ae follows to the Board of Governors :—" This continues to be one of the largest and most highly-classified schools. Most of the boys enter rather too late, and leave too early, for their own advantage and for tbe credit of the school. One result is that the headmaster (wisely, I think) has no form above the Upper Fifth. I have inspeoted the school for several years, and I am of opinion that, notwithstanding some weak points, it in in better condition now, as to teaching power and as to tone, than it has been in any former year. That 1 should be able to «ay this ia the more remarkable because of the really severe loss sustained by the school in the removal of so able a master as Mr. Sloman, who resigned on being appointed Principal of the Girls' High School. Greek is not taught in the sohool, but—alongside of Latin and mathematics —French, drawing, chemistry, (with laboratory work), physics, and military and calisthenic drill, are prominent subjects of instruction ; and two large classes of boys are learning the use of tools in a workshop fitted with all the necessary appliances, including four lathes. I think that the recent determination of the Auckland Kduoation Board to offer some scholarships to boya under the age of thirteen is likely to have tho effect of drafting off not only the successful candidate, but also some of their rivals and sohoolfellowe, from the primary schools to the high sohool at an earlier age thau has been the common rule in this district, aud so to improve the school and the boys for whose benefit it exists, and make it a feeder for the University College. At the same time, I fear that eome of the masters may sock and obtain some higher remuneration in spheres of greater responsibility than those which they now occupy, and that it may not be easy to fill their placos. The school year in this institution onds in August, so that my visit occurred In tho first term of the year, instead of in the last, as, according' to my usual custom, I designed, and consequently I saw the eohool in the worst condition for display."