The methods employed by trained and experienced teachers are usually suitable in character, and are applied with a considerable amount of energy and with a very fair degree of skill. Among junior teachers and teachers of Provisional schools there is a considerable tendency towards a mechanical style of dealing with most subjects, and of getting into a special groove. In regard to pupil-teachers, I am afraid that the instruction to be derived from the course of criticism lessons in which they take a part is too apt to be looked upon merely in a theoretical light, and is not allowed to have such a practical bearing upon the course of their daily work as it should have. The crudeness and the thoroughly mechanical style so frequently observable in the work of the untrained teachers of Provisional schools might readily be corrected, or at least ameliorated, by a reference to the pages of Joyce's Handbook that is supplied by the Department to all such schools; but I fear that this and similar books are seldom if ever taken down from the shelf of the school press, except when the teacher is preparing for an examination.

Reading is, on the whole, fairly well taught; but there are numerous points of weakness to which teachers might profitably devote their attention. Prominent among these is the frequent want of a clear, distinct style of enunciation, the children being allowed to read and speak in a mumbling undertone very trying to a listener. It is somewhat singular that this characteristic is not so much confined to individual schools as that it is prevalent in particular districts or groups of schools. Many of the younger children show an inability to group their words together, but plod steadily on their way through a monotonous string of words. Some become so familiar with the words of their lessons by frequent repetition that their reading is hurried and entirely wanting in expression. A peculiarity was noticed in quite a number of schools in the often misplaced emphasis given to personal pronouns. Carelessness in regard to the distinct articulation of terminal syllables, as "ing," was not at all uncommon. The change recently made in the reading books for schools may reasonably be expected to cause improvement in the reading generally, by providing a more interesting and better graduated series of lessons than those contained in the books previously in use.

Object Lessons should be among the most valuable and interesting of the lessons given in our schools, as affording an opportunity for directly increasing the pupils' knowledge of things in general and of leading them to take an intelligent interest in the things they see around them. As usually given, however, they are merely the dry and uninteresting repetition of a string of facts taken directly from the pages of books of "Notes of Lessons." When given in such a way as to interest the pupils, they supply a fund of useful matter for exercises in composition.

There were few cases in which the Temperance Lessons were intelligently treated.

Writing gives the best average of results among the subjects enumerated in Table F, that for all schools being very fair, while that for Provisional schools makes a nearer approach to the State school average than is the case in almost any other subject. Though the results are thus generally satisfactory, the following weak points may be referred to. There is a disposition to allow young children to write in copybooks before they have sufficient command over their hands to enable them to form the elementary strokes; and the chief weakness in the initiatory stage is that the pupils are not sufficiently exercised in the elementary strokes before being allowed to combine them into letters. Though many teachers conscientiously employ a considerable amount of time in making corrective marks in their pupils' copybooks, there is frequently no improvement in the subsequent work, and their time and trouble are wasted on account of their failure to insist on the pupils' attention being given to their marks.

Arithmetic gives evidence of having received more intelligent treatment than formerly. The results in a number of cases were very satisfactory, no less than 16 schools having made between 70 and 80 per cent. on the whole subject, while a large number of others closely approach the lower of these percentages.

While freely giving credit for the above-mentioned improvement, I am obliged to remark that it is evident that in many schools mental arithmetic is either greatly neglected, or is at any rate very superficially and inefficiently taught. The prescription of Longman's "Practical Mental Arithmetic" in the list of authorised books will do much to remove any ambiguity regarding the scope and character of the work expected to be done, and will leave no possible excuse for any neglect of the subject even by the most inexperienced teacher.

Drill.-Physical drill has now been introduced into a considerable number of the schools, and has become a very popular branch of the work.

Vocal Music. In some State schools the results in this subject show improvement; but the amount of retrogression in Provisional schools more than counterbalances this advance, and makes the average for all schools slightly lower than in last year's report. The teachers of 1 State and 9 Provisional schools made no attempt to teach the subject in any form. In Provisional schools the instruction seldom goes farther than teaching the children to sing a few simple songs.

Geography.-Though this subject shows greatly improved results in State schools, much of the instruction given in Provisional schools is so meagre in amount and so desultory and unsystematic in character as to be of little practical value. A peculiarity noticed in the map-drawing of several schools is that of making the names so minute as to be almost undecipherable.

Grammar.-Much of the teaching in this subject results in the acquirement of a number of technical terms, the meaning and force of which are often but very imperfectly understood.

History and Mechanics are taught in State schools having a fourth class, the former subject being taught in 1 Provisional school, and the latter in none.

Domestic Economy gave fair results in State schools, and was attempted in 3 Provisional schools. At the Albert School, Maryborough, practical illustrations of various forms of cooking were given to the girls by the aid of a small stove.

Needlework. Very satisfactory specimens of work were shown at many of the State schools as well as at some of the Provisional schools. The subject was taught in 21 of the latter class of

schools.

Home Exercises continue, as a rule, to be carefully and neatly done. The fact that 15 of the 26 State schools obtained marks of from 70 to 77 per cent. for this branch is evidence that good work in this respect is not confined to a few schools. It was very seldom that the exercises were found to be too long; but they are open to improvement in being made less mechanical, and might be made more useful by being more frequently based upon lessons previously given in the school.

Considering

Considering its usefulness, it is a pity that drawing has not been able to find a place in the new schedule of requirements.

Last year I ventured to express an opinion that higher average results might be anticipated in the following year, and am glad to be able to state that my anticipation has been verified, as the general result for all subjects of instruction gives 644 per cent., or over fair, for State schools, and 57 per cent., or approaching fair, for Provisional schools, as against 566 and 513 per cent. respectively last year.

The following table supplies information on various points regarding the schools individually. The Provisional schools at Landsborough and Mount Eerwah are not included in this enumeration for reasons already stated :

For good discipline, sound progress, and satisfactory condition generally, the best of the State schools were those of South Caboolture, Albert, and Mungar, closely followed by those at Kilkivan, Pialba, and Tinana, the Provisional schools in the same category being those of Coochin Creek, Dunmora, Gunalda and Mount Bopple.

The regularity and steadiness of attendance at Kilkivan, Urangan, Villeneuve, and Blackall Range are very creditable to those schools, and are a good indication of the estimation in which they are held locally, this being the case with the first-mentioned in a very marked degree.

It is highly creditable to the Urangan School that, notwithstanding the fact that its teacher had to sustain the whole burden of the work of a State school single-handed, it was able to produce the best results in reading, writing, arithmetic, and geography, and stood second on the list for object lessons; while the neighbouring school at Pialba gave the highest returns for derivation, composition, and mechanics, and stood equal with South Caboolture for the best results in grammar. The drill at Howard, vocal music at the Albert School, history at East Maryborough, domestic economy at Gympie Central Girls' School, and the needlework at Mungar, were highly commendable. South Caboolture and the Gympie Central Girls' School divide the honours for the best home exercises.

Nine pupils of the schools in this district-6 boys and 3 girls-were successful at the recent examination for Grammar school scholarships. Two were pupils of the East Maryborough School, 6 of the Albert School, and 1 of the Gympie One-Mile Boys' School.

The Under Secretary, Department of Public Instruction, Brisbane.

I have, &c.,

WALTER SCOTT,
District Inspector.

for the

WEST MORETON DISTRICT.

REPORT OF MR. DISTRICT INSPECTOR KENNEDY.

Brisbane, February, 1892. SIR,-I have the honour to submit the following General Report on the West Moreton District year 1891:

DISTRICT.

LIMITS. This district was placed in my charge at the beginning of 1890, and there is no change to note in its limits as detailed in my General Report for that year.

APPROPRIATION OF TIME, ETC.-Seven weeks in the early part of last year were occupied in valuing papers written at the preceding examination of teachers; two weeks in compiling my report for 1890; and nearly four weeks in assisting in the Education Office. Work in the field commenced on 20th April, and between that date and the end of the year 72 schools were inspected in detail, these being all that were in operation in the district; 10 inquiries were held-5 of them in connection with applications for the establishment or re-opening of schools, 2 in connection with complaints against teachers, and 3 on other matters; the necessary reports in connection with the foregoing were prepared and forwarded; the teachers' drawing class in Ipswich was also inspected and reported on; a set of examination papers for teachers was drafted; and about a week was occupied in conducting the annual general examination in Ipswich. My leave of absence during the year amounted in all to seventeen days.

SCHOOLS IN OPERATION.-These were classed as follows:-
State schools for Boys only

Girls and Infants only
Boys, Girls, and Infants
Provisional schools
Denominational schools

...

...

...

...

3 3

38

24

4

SCHOOL CHANGES.-At the beginning of the year, a new State school was opened near Harrisville Railway Station, and was named the Harrisville State school, the school previously known as such, situated about two miles off, being reduced to Provisional status, and its name changed to Hillgrove. Immediately after the winter vacation a new State school was opened at Blantyre, superseding the Provisional school in that place. New Provisional schools were opened at Maroon and Mount Campbell; these, together with the Provisional school at Carney's Creek, which was opened late in 1890, received in this year their first inspection.

At the close of the year a new State school was ready for opening at Templin, and it is now in operation. A Provisional school was approved of conditionally at Moogerah; Provisional schools were also authorised at Charlwood and Cannon Vale, and the latter of these has lately been opened. The building for a Provisional school at Moorang has been partly erected.

I am not aware that anything further has been done in the way of providing Provisional schools at Croftby, Fassifern Scrub (near Teviotville Railway Station), and Black Flat, the establishment of which was noted in my general report for 1890 as having been authorised.

DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS.-These include 3 Roman Catholic schools in Ipswich and 1 in Helidon. I believe that there is also a Roman Catholic school working in Gatton, but it is not under State inspection. The pupils examined in the foregoing numbered 357, the total time of inspection being 8 days. The statistics hereinafter given are irrespective of the schools in question, which are not again referred to in this report.

MATERIAL ORGANIZATION.

SCHOOLS.-In most of the State schools the space available is ample for the requirements. The school at Ipswich North (girls and infants) has been for some time very much overcrowded, but is now being enlarged by the addition of a room measuring 514 feet by 22 feet. In consequence of the growth of the attendance, a room measuring 20 feet by 18 feet has been added to the school at Newtown. The recently opened schools at Harrisville and Blantyre together afford room for 140 pupils.

The condition of the State school buildings is generally satisfactory, ranging from good to excellent in half the schools, and being fair or very fair in most of the remainder. The building at Laidley South, however, is unsightly and dilapidated, and the building at Ipswich East is unattractive in appearance and has a leaky roof. Much needed repairs to the roof at Ipswich West (giris and infants) have recently been made, and at Rosewood and Alfred also the school roofs were repaired during the year. Painting is much needed at several schools, especially Burnside, Glamorgan Vale, Normanby, and Tent Hill Lower. The Provisional schools at Gatton, Helidon, Hillgrove, Postman's Ridge, and Tent Hill Upper were at one time State schools, and are held in buildings belonging to the Department. At Deep Gully a part of the teacher's residence is used as a school; this arrangement, sanctioned at first as a merely temporary one, has lasted now eighteen months, and seems likely to continue as long as the Department will tolerate it. The remaining Provisional schools, with the exception of 4, are fairly neat weatherboard structures. Those recently erected at Mount Campbell and Maroon are very well built; the latter especially is in both appearance and finish unique in its class, and is the best Provisional school in the district, although it is closely pressed for this distinction by the school at Coleyville, which has been painted and otherwise improved since it was previously inspected. A verandah has been added to the school at Mount Flinders, but the schools at Mount Campbell, Mount Crosby, and Monkey Waterholes are still without this most desirable adjunct.

FURNITURE AND MATERIAL.-The State schools as a rule were found to be well supplied with furniture and material. Minor deficiencies observed during the course of inspection were attended to at the time.

The

The Provisional school fittings were usually sufficient and fairly suitable, and the supply of material ample. At Summerhill, however, there was still neither easel nor clock, though the need for both had been brought specially under the notice of the School Committee at the preceding inspection. The new schools at Mount Campbell and Maroou were very creditably equipped, and that at Carney's Creek was very fairly furnished.

HAT ROOMS AND LAVATORIES. The lavatory appointments, as far as State schools are concerned, are more complete than they formerly were, soap and towels being now commonly provided; the latter, however, appear in some cases to be not changed as often and regularly as they should be.

In several of the Provisional schools there is not even a basin for the pupils to wash in; and, in some, pegs or nails on which to hang up the hats are either entirely wanting, or else very inconveniently placed. These defects could be remedied with little trouble or expense.

GROUNDS.-State Schools.-The only State school grounds unenclosed at the time of inspection were at Harrisville and Blantyre, two schools opened during the year, and at both of them the committee had taken, or were taking, steps to have fences erected. At Laidley South, not all the ground was enclosed, but only a small part of it at the back of the school buildings. The fences were noted as more or less defective at Ipswich Middle, Ipswich West (girls and infants), Alfred, Normanby, Kirchheim, and Milora, while at Marburg the front fence was both insecure and unsightly. At Roadvale a neat sawn paling fence along the road frontage had been erected since the school was previously inspected, and a similar fence was in course of erection at Rosewood at the time of my visit.

There is nothing new to note in the matter of play-sheds. The large school at Laidley North is still unprovided with this very useful accessory.

The schools at Newtown and Ashwell have fair gymnastic apparatus. Substantial swings have lately been erected at Milora and Laidley North, and are found at a few other schools.

Tree-planting and flower cultivation, the outcome of the Arbor Day movement, have already added considerably to the attractiveness of many of the grounds. At some schools, as Milora and Ma Ma Creek, the committee encourage the children's efforts in this direction by offering prizes for the best kept flower-beds. It is not possible within the limits of such a report as this to specify every instance where credit is due for what has been done in the way of improving the grounds, but special mention may be made of the marked success that has attended the efforts of the teachers at Minden, Tallegalla, and Ashwell, and also of the very well-kept grounds at Ebenezer, Roadvale, Kirchheim, Glamorgan Vale, and Milora. In several other instances it was observed that considerable alteration for the better had been secured between inspections, this being markedly the case at Tent Hill Lower, owing to the removal of the weeds by which the grounds there were formerly disfigured, at Alfred, and at Ma Ma Creek. At some schools, as Dugandan, Teviotville, Milbong, Blenheim, Hatton Vale, and Murphy's Creek, the trees planted have made little progress. Nothing has been done in the way of tree-planting at Laidley South, and at Ipswich East, though most of the trees set are doing well, the general appearance of the grounds is not at all prepossessing.

Provisional Schools.-Fences are found at the 5 Provisional schools which were formerly State schools, but at Postman's Ridge they are in a very bad state. Referring to these schools only, the grounds at Hillgrove have had considerable labour bestowed on them, and those at Tent Hill Upper and Helidon are fairly kept, but the surroundings at Gatton and Postman's Ridge are uninviting. Of the remaining 19 Provisional schools 9 have enclosed grounds, and at most of them something has been done in the way of tree-planting or flower cultivation, or both, the schools deserving special mention for what has been accomplished in this direction being those at Limestone Ridges, Carney's Creek, Mount Whitestone, and Coleyville. At the last-mentioned of these the pupils compete for prizes which the committee offer for the best tended flower-beds.

OUTHOUSES.-The closet accommodation was insufficient at Newtown and Ipswich North (girls and infants) when those schools were inspected, but at the former it has since been increased. At Ipswich North (boys) there is no closet for the teachers, and at Burnside, Normanby, and Purga Creek there is no closet in connection with the residence. Defects in the closet accommodation at Limestone Ridges and Deep Gully, mentioned in my last report, have been remedied. The departmental requirements in regard to closet accommodation were found to have not been fully complied with in the lately opened school at Mount Campbell, and also at Carney's Creek, while at Postman's Ridge the boys' closet was so dilapidated as to be quite unfit for use. In addition to the foregoing the closets were in some respects unsatisfactory at Mount Sylvia, Mount French, and Summerhill.

WATER SUPPLY.-The State schools are generally well found in this respect. Nearly half the Provisional schools are unprovided with tanks; but at all of these, except Summerhill, Deep Gully, and Monkey Waterholes, water can be obtained from a creek close by.

TEACHERS' RESIDENCES.-The bulk of the residences provided in connection with the State schools are in good condition and very fairly comfortable. The most marked exceptions to this are at Laidley South and Burnside; at the former of these the roof is very defective and admits the rain freely; while at the latter not one of the rooms is either lined or ceiled. At Teviotville, too, the residence is very small, and at Normanby some rooms require ceiling. Amongst improvements made during the year, the more important are-an additional room measuring 10 feet by 10 feet at Ebenezer; a room 14 feet by 12 feet added at Murphy's Creek; a kitchen and servant's room added at Ma Ma Creek; lining and ceiling throughout at Blenheim; and kitchen chimney rebuilt and roof repaired at Marburg.

The only Provisional schools at which residences are provided are the five which were formerly State schools, and those at Mount Crosby, Mount Alford, Summerhill, and Mount Whitestone. At the last named of these an additional room has lately been built.

Flower or vegetable gardens, or both, have been formed at many residences, and on several of them the teachers have evidently bestowed much care and labour, this being more especially the case at Roadvale, Tent Hill Lower, Grandchester (where a house is rented as a residence for the teacher), Glamorgan Vale, Marburg, Tallegalla, Minden, Hatton Vale, Ma Ma Creek, Laidley North, Milora, and Mount Whitestone,

INTERNAL