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INSPECTORAL DISTRICT, No. 4.

J. R. INCH, Esq., LL. D.,

Acting Inspector Whelpley.

Chief Supt. of Education,

Fredericton, N. B.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report for the year ended December 31st, A. D. 1892.

BOUNDARIES OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

It is my opinion there is pressing need for a thorough revision of the Boundaries of School Districts as at present established. I know it is true of this Inspectoral District, and I have no doubt it is the same throughout the Province. Assuming the boundaries were the best that could be established at the time, changed conditions of settlements have rendered them inequable, and, in many cases, manifestly unjust. Were an Inspector to investigate, on the spot, each complaint as it should be, I believe his whole time would be taken up in this single duty. While it is probably beyond my province to make any suggestion, I believe the service requires nothing more strongly than a District to District revision of boundaries.

GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.

While there is no question as to the ability and zeal of the Teachers of the Grammar School in this Inspectorate, yet there is scarcely more advanced work taken up in them than is carried on in any of the Superior Schools. This is true even in respect of the classical part of the programme.

SCHOOL TERMS.

Owing to the fact that the greater part of the vacation occurs in the Summer Term, the number of teaching days is not fairly apportioned. Trustees take advantage of this and reduce the teacher's salary to a mere pittance for the Summer Term. At the same time the Trustees claim, other things being equal, an equal amount from the County Fund. Why not do away with the division of the School Year into set terms as at present; and enact that all contracts should run for the School Year. Full returns could be sent in but once during the year. If necessary that Teachers should be paid from the Province more than once per annum, a return of the time taught, duly attested, could be made, say, at the mid-summer vacation; and payment made thereon.

Hampton. In No. 2, Superior School, Mr. A. H. Sherwood retires, and is succeeded by Mr. M. E. Harrington. The Trustees of No. 3, Hampton Village, have made extensive improvements. Both departments will now be in the same building. On the ground, I assume, of economy, they have engaged a teacher of the second class as Principal. No. 5 is maintaining a school on its own account. It would he advantageous to both 5 and 9 to unite. The building in No. 6 should be repaired. I have pressed the matter upon the attention of the Trustees, but so far without success.

Norton. Mr. J. W. Richardson remains in charge of the Superior School. Through the efforts of the Teachers a tine library has been obtained.

Springfield.-No. 4 had a regularly licensed Teacher. It is without suitable apparatus, etc. No. 1, which was last year rated as a Superior School does not show a disposition to retain it, although in every way qualified. Much improvement has been made to the building by the Trustees in No. 2. This district for a long time maintained the Superior School of the Parish. No. 8, building repaired; have recommended necessary apparatus and a better grade of furniture. In No. 21 some trouble arose because of Trustees refusing or neglecting to employ a Teacher. I believe the matter was satisfactorily arranged.

Studholm. No. 15 has a large attendance, and, agreeably to the regulation, regularly employs a class-room assistant. No. 16 is eminently satisfactory. The Teacher, Miss Mabel Folkins, leaves to take a course at the Normal School for advancement of class. Mr. W. N. Biggar continues to give satisfaction in No. 5. The success which has attended Miss Annie L. Darling's teaching in No. 10 answers the objection often heard, that a course of instruction cannot be satisfactorily followed in country districts. The work done by Mr. W. C. Kierstead in No. 8, Newtown, was up to the standard of a Superior School. Mr. Kierstead leaves to take a course of study at the Seminary at St. Martins. His work was always highly satisfactory to me. I regret to say a class-room has not yet been provided. Many efforts have been made by me to have a school operated in No. 26. A want of co-operation among the Ratepayers has thus far prevented.

Sussex. By the establishment of an additional department, the Trustees of No. 2, Grammar School, have 1elieved all the grades. All the departments are giving satisfaction. Mr. R. D. Hanson continues as Principal. As before pointed out by me suitable accommodation has not yet been provided for the Primary Department at Apohaqui Station. This is the Superior School. Mr. Goodwin continues here.

Waterford.-No. 3 did not succeed in securing a licensed teacher this term. The enrollment is small. Steps have not yet been taken to rebuild the School House, destroyed by fire, in Chambers' Settlement, No. 2. There has been no school for nearly two years. I visited the District the last term to endeavor to get the Ratepayers to make some arrangement. Nothing has yet been done. No. 8 is to enlarge and alter the present building to properly accommodate the large and increasing attendance.

Hammond.-All the Schools in this Parish were in operation last term except Shepody Road. The attendance in No. 6 was large. The School was efficiently conducted by Miss Lizzie M. Hicks.

Upham.-The Schools in this parish are not well equipped. In all cases I have called the attention of the Trustees to the needs.

Rothesay.-No. 2. I have asked the Trustees to consider whether it would not be desirable to move the School House to a more central location. I believe such will be done. In which event the building would, no doubt, be suitably repaired or rebuilt.

Kingston.-No. 1 was referred to by me in my last report. I think it would be in the interest of the District if no attempt was made to run a graded school. There are not pupils enough. I believe it is the intention to do away with the Primary Department, No. 13. Repairs to building have been recommended by me.

Kars.-There are but few schools in this Parish. Though small, all are efficiently carried on. Constant efforts are put forth by the teacher, Miss W. A. Toole, in No. 5 to improve the school grounds. A flag-pole and flag and out-door play house have been provided.

Gladstone.-Important changes have been made in the boundaries of Nos. 4 and 5. I have no doubt the present establishment will give greater satisfaction to all. No. 5 has procured improved furniture.

Burton. The School in No. 4, Oromocto, was more satisfactory than it has been for some time. Much remains to be done in the line of improvement of building and supply of needed apparatus. The school was closed in Shirley Settlement, the first term, to enable extensive repairs to the building to be made, as recommended by me. I visited Woodside, No. 7, for the purpose of settling the question of site. I was informed a contract had been entered into for building.

Lincoln.-No. 3, the Trustees carried out my recommendation in the matter of the repair of the building. Miss Bessie M. Williamson has charge of the school in No. 1.

Maugerville.-Very satisfactory work was done by Miss J. L. Cadwallader in No. 1. Miss H. L. Barker, who taught the Superior School with much success, severed her connection with the district. Miss Barker has, I believe, left the service. Mr. H. T. Smith continues in No. 3.

Sheffield.--No. 1, the building, partially destroyed by fire, has been repaired. The Grammar School is now in charge of Miss McNaughton, Mr. Lawson having resigned to engage in the study of law. No. 6 has not provided apparatus, etc., recommended by me.

Northfield. No school was in operation in New Zion because of the unsettled state of its boundary. A description of boundary was submitted, which, I trust, will be found practicable. No. 1 A, now has a class-room assistant each term.

Wickham.-No. 2, apparatus, etc., recommended by me, has not yet been provided. Neither building, furniture, nor apparatus is suitable in No. 4. A like state of affairs prevails in No. 11.

Johnston.-In No. 2, I recommended that a better grade of furniture be provided. No. 3 has not yet provided a more suitable building. I have succeeded in No. 14 in inducing the district to build a new house. Repairs have been made, as ordered, to the building of No. 5.

Brunswick.—I visited each District in this Parish in September, and found but three schools in operation.'

Waterborough.-No. 5, Miss Mary Orchard, was doing good work, despite many drawbacks through lack of needed apparatus. As a result of an urgent note to the Trustees, they have consented to carry out my recommendation in No. 6. Steps taken by some of the Ratepayers in No. 8, and not always solely in the interest of education, have produced a condition of strife that is to be regretted.

Cambridge. The large enrollment of No. 2, each term, requires that a class-room assistant be regularly employed. Thus far I have been unable to get the Trustees to do SO. The boundary of No. 7 was re-arranged. A new building is required in No. 6, (Cambridge and Waterboro.)

Chipman.-In No. 11, a class-room has been added as ordered, and a class-room assistant employed. I am sorry to learn that Mr. C. D. Strong has retired. Mrs. Cox remains in charge of the Superior School and is doing much advanced work. School was begun last term in the new District, Castaway Brook. Nearly all the schools were in operation.

Canning. All the Schools in this Parish were in operation during some portion of the year.

Gagetown. -Miss M. K. Tibbets continues as Principal of the Grammar School. The attendance is steadily increasing. The building used as quarters for the Primary Department has outlived its usefulness. Mr. R. B. Wallace takes Mr. S. C. Weston's place at Upper Gagetown. The appointments here are excellent. The attendance in No. 8 A is very small, owing mainly, no doubt, to its nearness to the Grammar School. Hampstead. The School House in No. 1 has been greatly improved. New furniture has been provided. Mr. J. L. Allingham has charge in Little River. No. 9 was not satisfactory. A number of the Ratepayers desire a teacher of a higher class of license than is usually engaged by the Trustees. Extensive repairs have been made to the building in No. 4. No. 10, African Settlement, continues in charge of Mr. Gosman.

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Petersville.-In No. 6 there is a movement in favor of a new building. I have no doubt the District will be able to build a new house. Nos. 13 and 14 had schools last term. The enrolment is low in each. The building in No. 15 was destroyed by fire. There is some agitation to unite with Hampstead, No. 5. This has probably delayed the work of rebuilding.

1 have the honor to be,

Your obedient servant,

F. E. WHELPLEY.

INSPECTORAL DISTRICT, No. 5.

W. S. Carter, A. M., Inspector, St. John, N. B.

This District embraces the Counties of St. John and Charlotte, and the Parishes of Westfield aud Greenwich, in Kings County.

J. R. INCH, Esq., LL. D.,

Chief Supt. of Education,

Fredericton, N. B.

SIR: 1 beg to submit the following report for the year ended December 31st, 1892

Clarendon.-There are three organized Districts in this Parish, and one, Fairy Bank, which is partly in Sunbury County. McLeod District has maintained a school

during a portion of the year. Floyd has a new School House and has had a school in operation for one term. No. 2 has as yet taken no steps to rebuild. There is no School House as yet in Fairy Bank, No. 9, but a School is kept in operation quite regularly. I am in doubt as to whether this district is in my territory or not.

Owing to the prevalence of diphtheria, which closed some of the Schools in this Parish last autumn, I did not make my visit as usual.

Lepreaux.-No. 1, Little Lepreaux, had a school in operation during the second term. New furniture has been 'procured for this District. No. 2, Lepreaux Village, is fairly well equipped except as to its house, which is a very poor one. The Trustees were not prompt enough in opening the School for the second term. This also applies to the Trustees of No. 3, Mace's Bay. In these Districts the attendance is poor in the cranberry and dulse season, but there is always a number of the smaller children who could attend. No. 5, New River Mills, maintained a school during the first term.

Pennfield. The attendance at the schools in this Parish is very poor during the berry season, and in consequence some of the schools do not open until October in the second terin. It almost seems as if they should be permitted to have the summer vacation later. With the exception above noted, all the schools in this Parish were regularly maintained. Miss Annie Prescott has retired from No. 3, to the regret of

all. The Trustees of No. 2, Beaver Harbor, discouraged by the irregularity of the attendance during the second term, contemplate the maintenance of but one department for that term. I hope this plan will not be followed, as there is but little reason for poor attendance in Beaver Harbor.

A fine lot of

been painted No. Sand As it was not

St. George. The Village Schools, No. 1, are progressing as usual. trees were planted Arbor day. The house in No. 2, Head of Letang, has and repaired. Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 have supported good schools, as usual. 10, Piscahegan, have had schools in operation during part of the year. possible to obtain licensed Teachers for these Districts, local licenses were granted. The house in No. 13 is poor. A school flag was procured for Mascarene, No. 12, by the exertions of the Teacher, Miss McVicar. The attendance at Back Bay, No. 14, is very irregular and the enrollmeut very large-too large for one Teacher. The Trustees propose to engage a male Teacher. The houses in Nos. 15 and 16 have been repaired. The house in Roix, No. 9, has been painted, and now furnishes an attractive appearance. All the Schools in this large Parish have been in operation during a portion of the year.

Dunbarton.-No. 1, Pleasant Ridge, has maintained a school as usual. No. 3, Flume Ridge, could not procure a Teacher for the first term. No. 4, Tryon Settlement, though small and poor, supports a school half the time. School matters are moving along much more harmoniously in No. 5 than during the previous year. A good school is in operation. The school in Rolling Dam, No. 6, is more efficient than it has ever been, and the house and its surroundings are satisfactory in every respect. No 7, Greenock, has been provided with new furniture. No. 7, Mooney's Corner, is well equipped in every way.

St. Patrick.-No. 1, Bocabec Lake, should support a more regular school. The

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