Number Examined, INFANTS' SCHOOL. Appendix D. Of 65 children on roll, 42 had made ninety, or more, attendances, and Reports of these 41 were present and examined. upon District and Minor Model Schools. Infants, 18 Ballymena. 10 12 8 12 10 These figures show that all the departments of the Ballymena Model School have been conducted with efficiency and skill. The results achieved in the boys' school are the more creditable to the head master and his assistant, as they got but scant aid from the pupil-teachers owing to causes to which I have already referred. The public examination was held on the 24th June in the boys' schoolroom, which was, however, too small to accommodate all who sought admittance. The interest taken by the community in these annual examinations is unflagging, and fully attests the popularity of the schools, and the strong hold they have in public confidence. At intervals pieces of vocal music were sung by a large number of the pupils. The excellent manner in which a varied programme was gone through elicited the hearty approbation of the audience, and testified how thoroughly Mr. Cooney has discharged his duties as teacher of singing. The day's proceedings were agreeably diversified by Readings from " Visits to remarkable places and persons," from the pen of Mr. Given, head master. These were illustrated by coloured drawings, most tastefully executed by Mr. Doran, assistant master. The display of needlework, both plain and fancy, was much admired, and very clearly proved that this essential branch had received the attention which its importance demands. Miss Gallagher, a special teacher from Dublin, has instructed the most advanced girls in the use of the sewing machine, and many of them can now work it with considerable quickness and skill. I have the honour to remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant, The Secretaries. No. 3.-ANNUAL REPORT upon the CARRICKFERGUS MINOR MODEL CarrickSCHOOL, for the year ended 31st March, 1874, by J. G. FLEMING, fergus. Esq., Head Inspector. Belfast, March, 1874. GENTLEMEN,-I beg to submit for the consideration of the Commissioners, the following Report on the Carrickfergus Minor Model School. The school buildings, premises, and head master's residence are in excellent repair. Last autumn the woodwork of the school-rooms and class-rooms was painted. This was much needed, owing to the length of time that has elapsed since anything has been done to improve the interior of this Model school. As yet no addition has been made to the head master's residence, although the accommodation it affords him and his family is very inadequate. A plan was prepared a considerable time ago, and forwarded for the consideration of the Commissioners, in which it was shown that the additional rooms so much required could be erected without injuring the appearance of the building. Appendix D. Reports upon District Since the date of my last report Miss M'Dougal, the assistant-teacher in the infant school, has signified her intention to retire from the service of the Board. She will be succeeded by Miss Rusk, who served for some years as paid monitress in the Belfast Model School. This appointment was obtained by very superior answering at a competitive examination. The frequent changes that took place in the staff of monitors during the Carrick- year do not call for any special remark. I may add, these young persons fergus. seldom complete their allotted term of service. and Minor Model Schools. The following table shows the character of the attendance and the amount of school fees received during the years 1872-1873 : The children on the rolls on the 31st December, 1873, were classed as From this it appears that nearly 86 per cent. of the pupils in the boys' school, and 79.4 per cent, of the pupils in the girls' school, were in the third or higher class books. This comparison is in favour of the boys' school; but I am bound to add that Miss Stephens, principal teacher of the girls' school, had to contend for a considerable time with many harassing difficulties. Her former assistant for at least a year rendered no help in conducting the business of the classes. I am unwilling to dwell on this rather painful subject, and shall merely observe that, owing to causes for which Miss Stephens is not responsible, barely 55 per cent. of her pupils were in third or higher classes in December, 1872, and only 37 per cent. in December, 1871; hence, the proficiency attained by her classes during the last two years, affords strong proof of the skill and energy with which the business of the school has been conducted. The annual examination of the several classes belonging to the three departments of the institution was held on the 30th June and on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd July. No pains were spared by the District Inspector and myself to ascertain the proficiency of the pupils in all the branches specified in their prescribed course of study. I am pleased to add that, with comparatively few exceptions, they acquitted themselves to our entire satisfaction. The numerous specimens of needlework executed by the pupils in the girls' school deserve special credit. It is important to find that this essential branch has been taught with so much success. I have to add AppendixD. that a remarkable improvement has taken place in the drawing classes; Reports and I have the strongest assurance for stating that Mr. Greer, the present upon teacher of drawing, will still further improve them during the current District year. and Minor Model The public examination was held on the 4th July, in presence of a Schools. large number of visitors, who appeared to take a great interest in the Carrickday's proceedings. fergus. As I have already specially referred to the satisfactory condition of the boys' and girls' schools, it is but fair to Miss O'Connell to state that nothing could be more creditable than the ready intelligent answering of her little pupils; and the taste and accuracy with which several of them recited pieces in prose and verse elicited general commendation. Their singing was also very good. The results examinations were conducted in September by Mr. Rodgers, District Inspector. Of 299 pupils on rolls on the last day of the previous month, 288 presented themselves for examination, having made the required number of attendances. The following particulars exhibit at a glance the general character of the answering : Extra subjects, including navigation, algebra, geometry. mensuration, light and heat, are taught in the boys' school. The names of 50 distinct pupils were on the roll of the navigation class during the year. I have to state in conclusion that 46 pupils attended classes in connexion with the Department of Science and Art. Of this number 38 were examined, and 22 obtained certificates. I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant, The Secretaries. Appendix D. Reports upon District and Minor Model Schools. Lurgan. No. 4.-ANNUAL REPORT upon the LURGAN MINOR MODEL The school-rooms, premises, and head master's apartments have been kept in a satisfactory state throughout the year; the grounds connected with the building have also been carefully attended to. But it has been found almost impossible to keep down the growth of grass and weeds over a large portion of the girls' play-ground. Frequent attempts have been made to remedy this defect, which is both unsightly and attended with serious inconvenience, as it prevents the escape of the surface water which collects in pools after heavy rain. The consequence is, the childrens' feet are often damp and sometimes quite wet, so that the flooring of the school-room cannot be kept clean during rainy weather. Staff of Teachers. Mr. Galway, assistant in the boys' school, resigned on the 18th January, 1873, in order to become principal teacher in the Lurgan National school. It was found hard to secure the services of a suitable person to take his place. At length Mr. Ross, from the Special Training Class, was appointed to the vacant post. Thomas Atkinson, pupil-teacher, left in May last to take charge of a rural National school. James Pyper, his successor, had nearly completed his full period of service as senior monitor in this Model School. The numerous changes which took place in the staff of monitors do not call for special remark. I shall merely state that six of these young persons resigned, five of whom are now in charge of National schools. The annexed table exhibits the per-centage of marks obtained by the pupil-teachers and monitors at the written and oral examinations held in 1873 The attendance for the past year may be regarded as stationary. It is possible some decrease may take place in the attendance at the boys' school owing to the establishment in Lurgan of a classical and commercial academy, richly endowed by the late Mr. Watson. But the superior character of the education, for which this Model School bears so high a name, and which qualifies young persons, at a very trifling outlay, to fill situations in shops, factories, and merchants' offices, will always attract a large attendance of pupils. I add, with pleasure, that persons engaged in various branches of busi ness are at all times ready to employ the best lads in the senior division Appendix D. of this school, for they are so smart and intelligent, and such good pens- Reports men, that their services are highly valued. upon The following table shows the character of the attendance, and the District amount of school fees received during the years 1872-1873 : - and Minor Model Schools. Lurgan. 1872-Average number on rolls, . 100.5 426.7 in attendance,. In order to ascertain in detail the full measure of the pupils' attainments, seven days were devoted by the District Inspector, Mr. Brown, and myself, to a thorough examination of all the departments, and all the classes in the different branches specified in the course of instruction. The results of this examination are embodied in the following tables, and, except in spelling, in the boys' school, the general proficiency may be regarded as satisfactory : The public examination was held on the 12th November, in the boys' school-room. A large assemblage of visitors, both lay and clerical, at |