Frederic

It will be observed that there has been an increase of two departments. ton, Moncton and Woodstock each added one, Milltown retained its number, while St. Stephen closed a department by distributing its pupils among the other schools.

Fredericton and St. Stephen still lead in the proportion of high-class teachers, and I may add, this lead corresponds with the salaries they pay as compared with the stipends in the other towns. The schools of Fredericton, taken as a whole, are wellorganized, well governed and well taught and the teachers are actuated by an excellent spirit.

At Moncton there was an evident improvement in several departments and all the teachers seemed ambitious to excel. There was also a more general desire to co-operate as a staff in perfecting the organization and methods of teaching and discipline.

At the close of the examination I had the pleasure of meeting all the teachers of the town and discussing with them several matters pertaining to the schools. Such as grading, uniformity of discipline and management, teachers' meetings, needed appliances, readjustment of desks, etc., etc. The interest shown by the teachers in these matters and the friendly disposition manifested promised well for the Moncton schools under the able principalship of Mr. Wibur.

I also had a conference with the leading members of the Town Board and the Secretary, Mr. Knight, urging them to lift the High School at once above the 8th standard and to uphold and assist the principal in a better system of grading.

The Woodstock schools are in certain particulars improving, especially in the matter of grading. The Advanced Department, under Mr. Kerr, is, however, yet burdened with three grades; but it is probable that this defect will not long continue. The teachers are energetic and faithful in the discharge of their duties. The St. Stephen and Milltown schools were being maintained in their usual efficiency.

GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.

The following tabular statement from statistics taken in April and June last, will serve to show the grade and amount of instruction being communicated in these 14 Grammar Schools. We have in these Grammar Schools as follows:

--

We thus see that St. John and Fredericton enrolled 349 with naught below Stand-
ard VIII; 349 above Standard VIII; Standard IX, 164; Standard X, 109; Standard
XI,.75. Remaining twelve Grammar Schools enrolled 465, with 338 below Standard
VIII; 127 above Standard VIII; Standard IX, 89; Standard X, 38; Standard XI, 1.

It thus appears that the 12 town and village Grammar Schools have an average of
not quite 12 high-grade pupils each, while the two city Grammar Schools have an
average of 175 high-grade pupils each, and an average of 35 to each of their 10 teachers.
The internal work of the schools throughout my Inspectorate has been, in the
main, satisfactory. Many teachers pursue their calling with a tact and devotion
worthy of all praise. There will always be found some schools deficient, and this is to
be expected; but, my aim has been to encourage all while giving hints and suggestions
In arithmetic, geography and writing results have been the most satisfactory.
I find British history generally imperfectly understood, due, in most cases, to the
inability or neglect of the teacher to explain and amplify what is only outlined in the
text book.

to some.

The Teachers' Institute at Woodstock was well attended and unusually interesting
and profitable. Dr. Hall, of the Nova Scotia Normal School, was in attendance, and
rendered valuable service.*

In closing this report, I am reminded that during the year two of our most suc-
cessful teachers severed their connection with the fraternity, to enter upon missionary
labor in Africa. I refer to Miss Louise Hartley and Mrs. A. B. Boyer, formerly Miss
Shea of the Model School. These ladies will be long held in grateful remembrance by
those whom they have taught as also by their fellow teachers.

Another loss to the profession was sustained in the sad and somewhat sudden
death of the late James G. McCurdy of Moncton. Mr. McCurdy's long service in that
town, his success in teaching and in moulding the character of those committed to him,
his singular purity of life and his uniform urbanity ever gave him a high place in the
affection of his pupils and the general esteem of the community.

Very respectfully submitted,

I. B. OAKES, Inspector of Schools.

* A very successful Institute was also held at Fredericton.-W. C.

The Board of School Trustees of the City of Fredericton, respectfully submit herewith their fifteenth annual report, upon the schools under their control.

We are gratified to report that the work of the year just closed has been of an encouraging and satisfactory character. Unlike the previous year, there was an absence of sickness among the pupils to any serious extent, but this fact did not overcome the irregularity of attendance so painfully manifest in a few departments. From our observation, and from the experience of the teachers we naturally conclude that the work of the class-room would be much more congenial and the progress of the pupils ten-fold more satisfactory, were some regulation approaching compulsory attendance adopted.

Since the occupation of the new and commodious building on Charlotte street in 1885 we have had at our disposal ample accommodation for all the children residing in that section of the city, and they are provided with well ventilated and well furnished class-rooms. Such is not, however, the condition of all our buildings. The sanitary arrangements of our largest building, the York street school, are far from what we could wish, and its imperfect ventilation has frequently engaged the serious consideration of the Board. The expense connected with the erection of a new building two years ago, has caused us to weigh well our financial position, but the responsibility placed upon us for the care of the health of more than three hundred children in that building will not warrant much longer delay in improving the accommodation at present existing. On more than one occasion the Inspector felt it to be his duty to refer to this matter. In his last report, he says:—

"The ventilation, or rather lack of ventilation, of the York street building is still a very serious defect, endangering the health both of the teachers and pupils. The same remarks concerning the need of attention to this matter, made in my last year's report, are applicable now. Could your Board see their way toward the erection of a new building to replace this one, it would be well to take early steps toward such an end."

Satisfactory work is being done in the Collegiate and High School where 145 pupils are enrolled. As you are aware the subjects taught in this school are embraced in standards IX, X, XI and XII. The permanent staff of teachers consists of Geo. R. Parkin, A. M., H. V. Bridges, A. M., and Miss L. J. Gregory, and F. B. Meagher, A. M., assistant. In our last report we referred to the appointment of Mr. E. M. S. Fenety, A. B., as assistant teacher. This estimable young gentleman, who gave promise of doing efficient work, had only fairly commenced the duties of the present year when he was laid aside by illness, and in a few short days he succumbed to the disease. The work begun by him was ably carried forward by Mr. B. C. Foster, A. B., to the close of the winter term. In August last Mr. F. B. Meagher, A. M., was appointed assistant teacher and has since been rendering effective aid to the staff. The tender years of many of the pupils in this school has prompted the examiner to suggest a more rigid adherence to the requirements of applicants for promotion in future. In his report the Inspector remarks:

* * *

"This important school is doing excellent work in all its departments, Mr. Parkin imparting the superior classical instruction for which he is distinguished; Miss Gregory being equally proficient in her department. But while such good instruction is being given in the Collegiate School, it is very evident that many have entered it inadequately prepared, especially in mathematics. This results chiefly, no doubt, from a too rapid grading in the lower departments. The parent is often too anxious for the promotion of his children in grade, regardless of their present attainments or the future consequences, and the grading examiner is, doubtless, at times under a pressure from this source. It would seem desirable that the examiner exercise special care in promotion to standards II and III, also to standards VII and VIII, in which the pupil is introduced to the abstract subjects of Algebra and Geometery. I may state that I have conversed with the grading examiner on this matter and believe our views agree, and if, in the future, he should stand to the conditions of promotion a little more firmly, your Board would, no doubt, sustain him in such a course."

Mr. Geo. A. Inch continues to discharge the duties of Principal of York street school, and the work of the various departments under his supervision is being satisfactorily prosecuted. The teaching staff here has been subjected to considerable change during the year, and much as we deplore a break in the conduct of any of the departments, such changes are unavoidable. After a number of years of close application to her work Miss Louise Pickard, in June last, was granted leave of absence for one year, and her department was placed in charge of Miss E. E. Ross, of Wiseley School. Owing to the small number of pupils in attendance at the latter school, it was closed. The children living in that vicinity are consequently obliged to travel to the school at Morrison's Mill. At the beginning of the summer term, Miss Porter, of the third department, was transferred to Charlotte street school, and Miss Alice Vandine was transferred from Morrison's Mill school to this department. The other teachers of York street school are Misses Alice K. Meagher, Ella S. Thorne, and Janie Harvey and all are well maintaining their previous record as energetic and efficient teachers.

In all the departments of the Model School the usual good work is being accomplished while the discipline, apparently natural, is very noticeable. The resignation of Miss Clara I. Shea, who has gone to India as a missionary, was much regretted, but her place is ably and efficiently filled by Miss F. I. Ross, who was transferred from