No. 10. REPORT on the CLADDAGH PISCATORY SCHOOLS, by the District Inspector, PATRICK QUINLAN, Esq. Galway, April, 1849. GENTLEMEN,- Pursuant to the instructions contained in your letter of the 14th inst., I have visited and examined the three departments of the Claddagh Piscatory National School, the male, the female, and the industrial. In the male school, the number on the Rolls for the last six months is 288, and the average attendance for the same period is 112. The progress of the pupils in the different branches taught is highly satisfactory; but, for want of means to impart the industrial instruction best suited to the peculiar circumstances of the locality, the children receive only a purely literary education; and thus is partially, if not entirely, defeated one of the main objects of an institution which it would be most desirable to place on a footing of efficiency, and on a scale commensurate with the rising literary, commercial, and maritime importance of a city that promises, at no distant day, to become the great emporium of the West. This want the Patrons much regret; and with a view to remedy a defect so grave in the system they originally contemplated carrying out, they propose to provide a "Model Ship," and such other apparatus as may be thought necessary, to enable the nautical students of the establishment to acquire a knowledge, not only of navigation, but of practical seamanship. I am authorized to state, that if the Board make a grant for building a "Model Ship," the Patrons are prepared on their part, to give an eligible site at a nominal rent, and to vest it in the Commissioners in their corporate capacity. In the female school, the number in attendance for the last six months is 208, and the average for that time, 92. The proficiency of many of the pupils is most gratifying; but then the improvement of others is materially retarded by their very irregular attendance, which, however, is owing to causes altogether beyond the control of either Patrons or teachers. Then, as regards the Industrial School, to the condition of which you have drawn my particular attention, I find that there are employed in it 20 pupils of the female school; that they devote on an average ten hours each day to industrial occupation, and that the wages of each ranges from 2s. 6d. to 3s. per week. None of the pupils are allowed to participate in the advantages of this school, but such as have passed an examination in the junior class-books of the Board, and have been distinguished for cleanliness, good conduct, and attention to their studies; and an indispensable condition of their being continued in employment, is, that they shall devote a certain portion of each day to literary pursuits. Net making having been suspended, owing to the stock of nets on hand, the girls are at present engaged at spinning and twisting, and in the manufacture of a peculiar kind of twine, for which, at remunerating prices, the Patrons find a ready sale in the home market. Again, in reference to the accounts, which I have examined minutely, and which are kept under the supervision of the manager himself, I have to state that the stock in store, taken at a fair valuation, may be estimated at £43 9s. 4d.; add to this the receipts from November, 1848 (£18 Os. 6d.), and both items will amount to £61 9s. 10 d., from which deduct the expenditure for the same time (£24 9s. 11d.), and there will remain, as the working capital, a sum of £36 19s. 10d. On the whole, then, I look on this school as affording a successful instance of combined literary and industrial education; for, though but a nascent establishment, it has been self-supporting, and the Patrons are sanguine as to its becoming profitable. All the arrangements are most systematic, and are such as to insure the comfort, promote the health, and stimulate the industry of the girls, whom I have found, at my different visits, cleanly, cheerful, and contented; singing sweetly and with effect, not songs of an objectionable nature, but the different airs of which they had acquired a scientific knowledge in the singing class instructed by Mr. Washington. Whilst, then, the establishment is thus conducted, and whilst it shall have to sustain it, the talent, energy, and unceasing vigilance of the Rev. Messrs. Rush and Folan-as clever, business-like managers as I have ever been officially connected with I can entertain little doubt either of its progressive prosperity, or of its ultimate success. I have only to add, that all the schools are adequately furnished; that the male and female departments are well supplied with maps and other school requisites; and that the teachers, principals, and assistants have been very judiciously selected. They are uniformly attentive, discharge their duties with zeal and efficiency, and have, consequently, the confidence of the people, and the respect of their Patrons. Earnestly hoping, Gentlemen, that this Report may prove satisfactory to the Commissioners, The Secretaries, &c., &c. I have the honor to be, PATRICK QUINLAN. No. 11. ST. MARY'S INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, Limerick. This School is conducted by the Sisters of the Order of Mercy, and consists of two departments; one of orphans, some of whom have small means, which the ladies of the order manage for the benefit of such pupils--all of whom they educate and support gratuitously, and ultimately apprentice to trades adapted to their abilities and circumstances. With these they give fees or annuities for a limited number of years. Such as show capacity are instructed for governesses, and advantageously placed out. The other department is a refuge for servants out of place. None are admitted whose character is not duly attested; and they are required to devote their whole time to industrial pursuits. The hours for admission of visitors are from 10 till half-past 3 o'clock; but the business of the day commences at 6 o'clock in the morning, and terminates at 9 o'clock at night; four hours of which time are given to meals and recreation, and two hours to religious exercises. Two hours are appropriated to literary instruction; and the remainder of the time to needlework, the laundry, washing, scouring, and cleaning the apartments. Thus they practise all the duties of thorough servants, while their knowledge of needlework qualifies them for the situation of ladies' maids. Their morals appear scrupulously attended to, while they are saved from the perils to which unprotected females of their class are so much exposed; and they return to service with approved character. The two departments are boarded and lodged in a house within the premises of the convent, at the expense of the establishment; partly provided for by the proceeds of their own labour (which, however, forms but a small item in the expenditure-about £50 per annum); while the expense of the school reaches £400, which is supplied by means of a charity sermon, and the contributions of the benevolent. None but boarders are received in either of these schools. Some of the orphans are of a respectable class in life, and have attained a very sound education, reading with superior accent, and familiar with the subjects of the Fifth Lesson Book. The persons in the servants' department whose period of study is more limited, in general read and spell well, and are prepared in the subjects of the three First Lesson Books. The apartments are airy and cheerful, and a separate yard is enclosed for recreation and work out of doors. The ladies act a maternal part to the orphans, and always take a warm and active interest in the welfare of the pupils of both departments, whose conduct is satisfactory. Altogether, I know of no institution of greater practical utility, effecting more positive good, and preserving from more positive evil. The Secretaries. EDWARD W. BIRMINGHAM, No. 12. LIMERICK ADULT EVENING SCHOOL. This school is opened for the instruction of tradesmen and their children, whose daily occupation prevents them attending morning schools. The hours of attendance are from half-past 7 o'clock till half-past 9, and the number of pupils who attend averages 60. Trades-people subscribe 5s. per annum, others £1, of which £20 is paid as local contribution to the teacher, and the rest applied to the other expenses of the establishment. The rooms, two in number, are magnificent, and amply supplied with maps, furniture, and other requisites. In one room lectures on Mechanics, and various branches of Natural Philosophy, are occasionally given by professional persons, and the Patron of the school takes an active part in the instruction of the pupils. The teacher appears to be a steady person, well instructed, and attentive to his business; the subjects of education are the class-books of the National Board, Mathematics, mixed and pure, Grammar, Geography, and Arithmetic. I have visited but twice; and while I found the attainments of the pupils respectable for the time the school was established, I look forward to a degree of proficiency which as yet it has by no means arrived at. The style of reading is not easy or natural, the subjects of the class books are but slightly impressed, neither Grammar nor Geography very generally known, and Mathematics very indifferently; there was some excellent writing, but with gross errors of orthography. The average age of the pupils is about 16 or 17, varying from 13 to 21. In order that the objects of this school should be duly carried out, I think it would be necessary to enlarge the time of instruction and diminish the vacations; three hours, from half-past 6 till half-past 9, are the fewest in which any beneficial education can be imparted, and no reason exists why the school should be closed during two months in summer, as the pupils are not likely to be called elsewhere for a season by either business or pleasure. With attention to this point I have no doubt the school may become of great service to the young tradesmen of this city, elevating them in the social scale, as well as giving them enlightened ideas of their professional interests. The Secretaries. EDWARD W. BIRMINGHAM, District Inspector. No. 13. ТHURLES INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. May 5, 1849. This school was established for the purpose of feeding and employing girls, who had been dismissed from service during the famine of 1847, and the daughters of poor tradesmen without employment or means of support. The present arrangements enable only 76 to be admitted. The average attendance for the last six months was 55, the number at present on the books is 68; the average age of pupils, 17 years, varying from 15 to 23 years. These pupils are employed in carding and spinning flax, hemp, tow, wool, and knitting cotton and worsted stockings, woollen jackets and petticoats, shirt-making, and all descriptions of plain and fancy works. There is a shop attached to the establishment for the sale of the various manufactures, namely linens, diapers, towelling, frieze, flannel, bagging, shirts, stockings, &c. There is half an acre of land in progress of cultivation for flax. The expenses of outfitting and a commencing capital of £160 were procured by the exertions of the Manager, the Rev. Patrick Leahy. The sum of £160 was paid to the pupils in wages during the last year, and it is expected that a larger sum will be disbursed during this year, as orders are increasing. After defraying all expenses of wages, repairs, improvements, gratuities, &c., the original stock is maintained. In addition to those mentioned above, as employed and receiving wages, 50 pupils of the literary National School are taught works, and are paid for what they earn. The teacher paid by the Commissioners instructs only in spinning; the nuns of the Presentation Convent, to whose residence this Industrial School is attached, give very important assistance in its management, and exercise most useful control over the pupils; they instruct in the various branches of industry; each lady has charge of a VOL. II. 2 A department, and keeps an account of its working. A teacher of weaving is employed at a salary of £20 per annum; his duty is to teach weaving to the pupils, and to work at intervals. The school opens in Summer at 7, A.M., and closes at 6, P.M.; and in Winter it opens at 8 and closes at 4; one hour is allowed for breakfast, and one hour is devoted to literary instruction. Shirt makers and fancy workers are able to earn, when constantly employed, 3s. per week; spinners and stocking knitters, 2s. Literary instruction is not much attended to, on account of the anxiety of the pupils to earn as much as possible; 50 of the most destitute pupils, in addition to what they earn, receive breakfast twice a week and broth once, the expense of which is supplied from some charitable source. The goods as manufactured are disposed of thus-diaper, linen, and towelling, are sold to the Colleges of Maynooth, Carlow, and Thurles; socks and mittens are supplied by contract to the 71st Regiment; occasional orders are received from England for shirts, and fancy works, and from friends to the establishment throughout the neighbouring localities. An order is in progress of execution for a supply of bags to the Great Western and Southern Railway Company; the Guardians of the Roscrea Poor Law Union Workhouse have purchased £3 5s. worth of sheeting as a specimen for imitation. MICHAEL HICKEY, No. 14. REPORT ON THE KINSALE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. GENTLEMEN,- I beg to state that this school is now nearly two years and a half in operation, having been established at Christmas, 1846. It is held in the rooms formerly devoted to literary instruction; the expense incurred in making the necessary change, procuring requisites and materials, was £200. To insure sufficient accommodation to both the literary and industrial departments, the religious were obliged to convert into spinning rooms and an infant school, premises which before brought them an annual rent. The rooms open at six o'clock, A.M., and close at six o'clock, P.M.; the hours of employment are from six to nine; from half-past twelve to a quarter to three; and from half-past three o'clock to six; in all, eight and a quarter hours in the day. In the intermediate hours, the grown persons receive instruction, both secular and religious, from the ladies of the convent, particularly the spinners and fish netters, who are in a very ignorant state; they are principally the connexions of the fishermen occupying the part of Kinsale, known as the "World's End" (in one sense no misnomer), than whom there are few in Ireland lower in the social scale. There are nine teachers employed, two at £20 each, and seven at £12 each, who are employed exclusively in giving instruction in the various departments, five of the religious superintending the whole. At first there were three teachers procured from the Limerick factory, at £20 each, but to lessen the expenses, one was obliged to be dis |