55. TABLE showing the Number of Pupils on the Rolls on 31st December, 1903, arranged according to Standards, who were under Instruction in the various Subjects of the Programme. Books and requisites. Books and Requisites. 56. The approved general list now includes 53 sets of Readers, comprising 380 books. The several standards in our schools are thus provided with a variety of general reading books, as well as with reading books in Irish and English History, Geography, Domestic Economy, Science, and Animal Life. Upwards of 346 varieties of copy-books with head-lines, &c., and over 220 diagrams and books for Object Lessons are also among the articles available for selection by managers and teachers. Arrangements are also made by which managers and teachers can obtain a large and varied assortment of Kindergarten goods and appliances for Hand and Eye training. During 1903-1904 there were 193 grants of Free Stock, amounting in value to £531 128. 7d., made in the case of new schools, and of schools in which extensive structural improvements had been carried out by private contributions. In addition, there were 108 Free Grants to Model Schools, &c., which amounted in value to £87 138. 5d., and all school account books were given gratuitously. The storing of books and requisites in a Book Department, for issue to the schools ceased on the 31st March 1903, and such books as received the sanction of the Commissioners have since that date been supplied by vendors, carriage free, direct to the schools, on orders sent through this Office, in accordance with Rules 104 and 108. The number of such orders during the year was 21,034, distributed among 34 vendors. Private Contribution Funds. Promiums. 57. The "Carlisle and Blake" Fund is still at the disposal of this Carlisle Board for the special recognition of distinguished merit shown and Blake by Teachers as school-keepers. The Premiums awarded are to the value of £5 to each successful candidate. Convent, Monastery, and Model Schools are excluded from the competition. The names of the Teachers who secured the Prizes for 1903 will be found in the Appendix. The Reid Bequest" special prizes, under the will of the Reid late R. T. Reid, Esq., LL.D., varying from £25 to £10 each, Bequest. were awarded to twelve male Monitors of National Schools in the County of Kerry for superior answering at competitive examinations for the prizes. The names of the successful competitors for these prizes will also be found in the Appendix. Commissioners. 58. We have to record the death on the 16th August, 1903, of CommisSir Percy R. Grace, Bart., D.L., who had been a Commissioner sioners. since 1888. At our meeting of the 18th August, we passed the following resolution : "We desire to record on the Minutes of our proceedings to-day the greatness of our sorrow on hearing of the loss we have sustained by the lamented death of Sir Percy Grace, who for many years was a constant attendant at our meetings, and who by his courteous and genial manner won for himself our sincere respect and regard. We beg to offer to Lady Grace and her son the assurance of our sincere and respectful sympathy." The vacancy on our Board caused by the death of Sir Percy Grace has been filled by the appointment under Your Excellency's Warrant of the Right Honorable Lord Killanin. 59. Attached hereto are statistics as to the schools and our Statistics financial statement for the year ended 31st March, 1904. 60. We submit this, as our Report for the past year, to Your Excellency, and in testimony thereof have caused our Corporate Seal to be hereunto affixed, this 5th day of August, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Four. P. E. LEMASS, SEAL Secretaries. W. J. DILWORTH, TABLE A.-Showing for each County (a) the number of Schools in operation were received; (c) the Religious Denominations of the Pupils on the Rolls of Attendance for the year; (f) Percentage of average Daily Attendance to average on the 31st December, 1903; (b) the number of Schools from which Returns the Schools; (d) the average number on the Rolls; and (e) the average Daily number on Rolls; and (g) Accommodation, allowing 10 square feet per Pupil. (f) Per (d) Average Number of Pupils (e) Average Daily Attendance for centage of on the Rolls for the year. the year. Average Daily Attendance to Average Number on Rolls. |