Promotions based on proficiency in the half-yearly programmes of work have been made with sufficient frequency; and, taken in conjunction with the results of examination, indicate steady, and on the whole fairly sound progress.

GOVERNMENT. The discipline of the schools is generally satisfactory. It seems to be gaining in firmness and decision, and is, with few exceptions, successful in securing the steady attention of the pupils to their work. In some few cases corporal punishment is too frequently administered for trivial offences, or a want of a sense of proportion is shown in the assignment of punishments to offences; while in some others the discipline was not sufficiently exacting. The tone of the pupils generally continues to be open and honest; and the work is carried on diligently and steadily. Copying and prompting, though not absolutely things of the past, are becoming increasingly rare.

INSTRUCTION.-Though the prevalence of sickness has seriously interfered with the attendance in many of the schools, the work of the year has been carried on satisfactorily. The difficulties that at first stood in the way of the success of the new programme of instruction may now be said to have almost passed away; and, in spite of the one disturbing element bofore-mentioned, the work has proceeded steadily.

Most of the time-tables in use were found to be suitably constructed; while in other cases, any suggestions for their improvement were readily adopted by the teachers.

SUBJECTS OF INSTRUCTION.-Reading continues to be fluent and fairly expressive. The most prominent fault is the misplacing of emphasis in reading poetry. In a number of instances the teachers fail to give the pupils a clear insight into the subject-matter of what has been read, this being particularly the case in dealing with poetry. Object lessons show considerable weakness. In the hands of a good teacher they are both interesting and instructive; but they frequently exhibit such an absence of previous preparation on the part of the teacher and a poverty of ideas on the subject, that they fail of their legitimate effect. It would often be well if the lessons on conduct and manners given in the school could be made effective in having a more practical application when the children are out of school. Arithmetic: The programme requirements in this subject are now very fairly met, and the results show a distinct increase of soundness in teaching it. Mental arithmetic is receiving more distinct attention, with, in some schools, very satisfactory results. In too many, on the other hand, the results are poor and disappointing. Geography is still, in the great majority of schools, too much a matter of mere names having no interesting associations connected with them. Maps, though frequently very fairly drawn, seldom show much real knowledge of the facts of the country or continent represented. Grammar on the whole shows continued improvement. The majority of the mistakes made are due to inability to intelligently apply the definitions of the parts of speech and those used in analysis. The failure to lay a good foundation leaves the superstructure weak. Home exercises are generally satisfactory, both in regard to length and to style of execution. The introduction of elementary Drawing as one of the subjects of instruction is a matter for congratulation. The teaching of this subject has been entered upon by most of the State school teachers, and by some of those in charge of Provisional schools, with a considerable amount of enthusiasm. It bids fair to be popular with both teachers and pupils. Much, however, depends upon the manner in which the subject is handled by the teachers. To be successful, it must be made interesting. It should tend to an increase of neatness and regularity in much of the pupils' written work, over and above its value in other respects.

The percentages showing the average proficiency of the pupils in all the subjects of instruction were 637, or over fair for State, and 607 or fair for Provisional schools; these numbers being almost identical with those given last year. The schools giving the highest general results were those at Buderim Mountain and Tinana among State schools, and at Double Island Point among Provisional schools; though a considerable list might be made of those in which the results were highly creditable to the zeal and assiduity of the teachers.

Of children whose education is being entirely neglected, 115 are returned in connection with State and 76 with Provisional schools.

The various records and registers were, as a rule, satisfactorily kept; and the instances in which there was any doubt regarding their accuracy were very few in number.

At the recent examination for Grammar school scholarships, six candidates from five of the schools of this district were successful-namely, one each from the two Gympie One-Mile schools, the Gympie Central Girls', and Tewantin, and two from West Maryborough. It is creditable to the Gympie schools that of their five candidates four were successful; one of them-George Suthers-heading the list for the Brisbane Boys' Grammar School.

I have, &c.,

WALTER SCOTT,

District Inspector.

The Under Secretary, Department of Public Instruction, Brisbane.

WEST MORETON DISTRICT.

REPORT OF MR. DISTRICT INSPECTOR KENNEDY.

Brisbane, January, 1895. SIR, I have the honour to submit the following General Report on the schools of the West Moreton District for the year 1894:

DISTRICT.

The limits of the district were slightly wider than formerly, eight schools in the neighbourhood of the Highfields Branch Railway, and previously included in the Northern Downs district, having this year been transferred to my list.

The total number of schools in my charge amounted to 90-viz., 50 State, 37 Provisional, and 3 Denominational.

No new State schools were opened during the year, but new Provisional schools came into operation at Brassall, Helidon Scrub, Hessenberg, Prenzlau, Merryvale, and Moorang.

The establishment of a Provisional school at Townson (Upper Laidley Creek) has been authorised, and further steps have been taken with the view of obtaining Provisional schools at Charlwood and Upper Ma Ma Creek, where the matter has been for a considerable time in abeyance.

No school in the district went uninspected, and three of them were inspected fully a second time, the total number of detailed inspections made during the year being 93. Six schools received ordinary "second inspections," and several were incidentally visited. Three special inquiries into complaints against teachers were held, four applications for the establishment of schools were investigated, and inspections were made of five new Provisional school buildings towards the cost of erecting which a Government subsidy was sought.

Work in the field, which comprises that enumerated in the preceding paragraph, commenced on 16th February. Other work done during the year includes the valuation of papers written at the annual general examination (23 days), drafting teachers' examination papers (5 days), superintending the annual examination of teachers at Ipswich (5 days), and preparing my General Report for 1893 (91 days). My leave of absence throughout the year came to 12 days.

MATERIAL ORGANIZATION.

Most of the State schools afford ample accommodation for the attendance, but those at Newtown, Ipswich West (boys), and Dugandan are more or less overcrowded. The buildings are in pretty good order, about a third of them, however, being reported as badly in need of painting. Recent improvements include a new floor at Tallegalla, painting at Rosewood, painting externally and colouring interior walls at Ipswich Central (girls and infants), and much-needed repairs at Laidley South. Extensive improvements have been authorised at Blenheim, and the buildings at Dugandan are being painted. The Provisional school buildings are, as a rule, creditable. The additions made to their number during the year are neat and substantial structures, except at Merryvale, where work is as yet carried on in makeshift quarters. A new school building has been erected at Mt. Sylvia, and the building previously in use turned into a residence for the teacher. The buildings at Forest Hill have been painted; the verandahs completed, spouting and tanks provided, and the accommodation for the teacher enlarged, at Mt. Campbell; school refloored at Mt. Berryman; playshed repaired and other improvements made at Postman's Ridge; flooring-boards closed and verandah railed at Cawdor; and playshed spouted at Mt. Walker. The absence of a verandah is still a prominent defect at Monkey Waterholes.

Both State and Provisional schools are pretty well supplied with furniture, the principal deficiency being in desk accommodation at Merryvale, Summerhill, and to some extent at Moorang; in many schools, too, an additional blackboard would be found very useful and convenient. The material for instruction is generally sufficient in quantity and satisfactorily taken care of.

It has seldom been necessary to complain of the premises not being clean, and in several cases during the year the neatness and taste shown in the appointments of the schoolroom and in the surroundings generally have been so marked as to call for special mention in the detailed reports of inspection.

A commodious playshed has lately been built at Harrisville. At Mt. Crosby, extensive gymnastic appliances have been provided, neat sawn paling fences erected, and numerous other improvements made. Substantial swings for the pupils' use have been provided at Ebenezer. At Tarampa, a paling fence around the school buildings has been erected by the people of the locality, entirely at their own cost. The grounds of the new Provisional schools at Brassall, Prenzlau, and Moorang, are enclosed, and the Provisional school sites at Maroon, Mt. Campbell, and Mt. Berryman have lately been fenced.

The results of Arbor Day operations are fairly satisfactory. Nearly all the schools mentioned in my last report as deserving credit for the attention bestowed on the grounds are still doing good work in this direction. Amongst them, the foremost place is held by the schools at Tallegalla, Minden, and Mt. Sylvia. The grounds of the last-named showed greater improvement between inspections than those of any other school in the district, and in this respect the grounds at Engelsburg ranked second. Considerable improvements have been made at Plainland, Blantyre, Gatton, Harrisville, Ipswich Central (girls and infants), and Normanby.

Important additions have been made to the teachers' residences at Hatton Vale and Minden, and the residences at Gatton and Plainland have also been much improved. At Merritt's Creek and Engelsburg the accommodation is very small.

INTERNAL ORGANIZATION.

STAFFS. The total number of teachers employed in the 50 State schools was 107, as against 113 employed in 48 State schools in the previous year. The average number of pupils to each teacher (based on the attendance for the month before inspection) was 336, the corresponding number for 1893 being

31-7. The 107 teachers included 50 head teachers, 50 assistant teachers, and 7 pupil-teachers. Of the head teachers, only 1 held Class I. rank, 25 belonged to Class II., 23 to Class III, and 1 was unclassified. All of the assistant teachers were in Class III. Exclusive of head teachers the staffs consisted mainly of females, these being to males in the proportion of about three to one. The pupil-teachers employed at the end of the year numbered 11 (4 of them being on probation), and 9 passed the recent examination for promotion to a higher grade. The 37 Provisional schools employed 16 male and 21 female teachers, the average number of pupils to each being 18, as against 17.9 in the previous year. Five of these teachers held Class III. rank, 11 were Temporary teachers, 4 had passed one or more of the pupil. teachers' examinations, and 17 had passed no stated examination under the Department.

GOVERNMENT-Discipline ranged from good to excellent in three-fourths of the schools, the latter standard being attained at Alfred, Harrisville, Ipswich Central (girls and infants), and Peak Mountain, and being closely approached in 23 other schools. In two State schools where the discipline was seriously defective, the teachers' authority had been sapped by quarrels with the pupils' parents. Order was excellent at Alfred, Harrisville, Ipswich Central (girls and infants), Minden, Mt. Crosby, Peak Mountain, Rosevale, and Mt. Sylvia, and very good at 33 other schools, while the number in which it fell below good amounted to only about one-fifth of the whole. The Tone of the pupils, as revealed by their conduct during inspection, was with few exceptions very satisfactory.

ATTENDANCE. The conditions as to regular attendance, though less adverse than in the previous year, were not at all favourable, much sickness, principally measles and influenza, being experienced in the district. To some extent this serves to excuse the fact that of 5,785 pupils enrolled during the quarter preceding inspection, only 2,506, or 43.3 per cent., attended regularly-that is, at the rate of not less than four days a week. During none of the past five years, however, have the regular attenders amounted to even half the enrolment, the highest proportion-that in 1891-having been only 47 per

cent.

The enrolment for the month preceding inspection was 5,570, and the average daily attendance for the same time 4,2316, or 76 per cent., being nearly 4 per cent. higher than in the previous year. The enrolment at inspection was 5,460, of whom 4,448, or 80-2 per cent., were examined.

The above numbers refer only to first detailed inspections, and are exclusive of denominational schools. Including 250 children inspected in the latter, and 112 present at second detailed inspections, the total number of children examined was 4,810.

The number of children known to be not attending any school was 226.

CLASSIFICATION.-The classification was fairly free from grave faults. The most common defect was an excessively large number of drafts; in 21 State schools, for instance, each worked by one teacher, the drafts aggregated no fewer than 129. Notwithstanding much broken attendance, promotions have as a rule been made at the regular six-monthly intervals, though this has not always been accomplished without some loss of thoroughness. In a few extreme cases, especially where too sudden an attempt had been made to reduce the number of drafts, pupils were found engaged on work for which they were quite unfit, and their partial disrating had to be directed. Instances of undue detention of pupils were rare.

Of the 5,460 pupils enrolled at inspection,1,884, or 34.5 per cent., were in the First class; 1,557, or 28.5 per cent., in the Second; 1,000, or 18.3 per cent., in the Third; 586, or 10 7 per cent., in the Fourth; 337, or 62 per cent., in the Fifth; and 96, or 18 per cent., in the Sixth. Comparing these with the corresponding figures for the previous year, the greatest difference is seen in the First class, which at the preceding inspection included 41.3 per cent. of the enrolment.

INSTRUCTION.-There were few State schools in which the time-tables were not at least very fairly suitable, but in about half the Provisional schools they were below this standard. The issue of a model time-table adapted to existing conditions would be a distinct boon to the less experienced teachers.

In the great bulk of the schools, both State and Provisional, the work attempted was fully proportioned to, and in accordance with, the requirements of Schedule VI., and where this was not the case a satisfactory explanation was usually forthcoming. The new standards in arithmetic for the First class having been not long in force, only such an approach to them was looked for as seemed reasonable, having regard to the time at which the inspection was made.

The difficulty of overtaking the work prescribed for the first six months in First class, at all times considerable-probably greater than in respect to any other portion of the school curriculum-has been much increased by the additional Arithmetic lately imposed, and it is doubtful whether the present requirements in that subject for the particular period mentioned can be satisfactorily met. Under the term "Object and General Lessons so many branches are now included that it is hardly possible to do justice to them all without unduly trespassing on the school time. I think, therefore, that it should be authoritatively recognised that teachers may select, say, two of these branches for any particular half-year, leaving the remaining branches untouched till their turn. Except in the foregoing respects, the present course of instruction appears to be generally satisfactory, the inclusion of Drawing having removed what has hitherto been its most striking defect. Of the last-named subject it is as yet too soon to say more than that the children take to it readily, and that on the whole a promising beginning has been madə in it.

The general proficiency of the pupils over all subjects averaged fair in State schools and moderately fair in Provisional schools. The quality of the attainments, as indicated by the percentage obtained at inspection, exceeded very fair at 4 State and 0 Provisional schools; ranged from fair to very fair at 18 State and 11 Provisional schools; lay between moderate and fair at 27 State and 22 Provisional schools; and was below moderate at 1 State school (where, however, the second detailed inspection gave creditable results) and 4 Provisional schools. Compared with the previous year State schools showed a slight improvement, and Provisional schools a considerable one.

SCHOOL COMMITTEES-Very few of the Committees periodically visit the schools or inspect the registers, but many of them render valuable service in anything that requires to be done for the improvement of the material surroundings.

RECORDS.-In two State schools the records of attendance were found to have been falsified, and the dismissal of the teachers followed. With this serious exception, the records of all kinds were very satisfactorily kept in most of the State schools, being reported as excellent at Alfred, Ebenezer, Harris

ville, Peak Mountain, Rosewood, Tarampa, Templin, and Warrill Creek; very good at 19 schools; and good at 16 schools. The Provisional school records, though on the whole fair, were inferior to those of State schools in neatness and completeness. In five instances they were reported as indifferent to moderate, and there were only five cases in which they reached very good. The defects indicated the need for increased care and a closer study of the General Instructions.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS.-As a result of the examination held in December last, Grammar school scholarships were awarded to 5 boys and 2 girls out of 9 boys and 2 girls competing from this district. Of the successful candidates, Newtown school supplied 4, Harrisville 2, and Ipswich East (boys) 1.

SPECIAL OBSERVATIONS.-The highest results at inspection were obtained by the State schools at Alfred, 723 p.c.; Tallegalla, 71-5 p.c.; Mount Crosby, 70.5 p.c.; and Minden, 704 p.c.; but for excellence of administration and satisfactory progress there were several other schools little if at all inferior to those named. Among Provisional schools the best work was shown at Moorang, Forest Hill, Prenzlau, Mt. Sylvia, Teviot, Mt. Whitestone, Bunburra, Clarendon, Hessenberg, and Merryvale. The least satisfactory State schools were those at Plainland (first inspection only-the second inspection, after a change of teachers, disclosing great improvement), Murphy's Creek, Milora, and Burnside. Of Provisional schools, decidedly the worst in the district was that at Summerhill, but there were five others where neither the general condition nor the progress was more than moderate.

I have, &c.,

A. S. KENNEDY,
District Inspector.

The Under Secretary, Department of Public Instruction, Brisbane.

WIDE BAY AND BURNETT DISTRICT.

REPORT OF MR. DISTRICT INSPECTOR HARRAP.

Maryborough, January, 1895.

SIR, I have the honour to submit my General Report for the year 1891.

DISTRICT.

The boundaries of my district were the same as in the preceding year. The schools examined include those lying west of Rockhampton as far as Boulia, and south as far as Bundaberg.

The number of schools in operation during the year was 80-namely, 33 State schools, 46 Provisional schools, and 1 Roman Catholic school. With the exception of the small school at Bustard Head, omitted by direction, all were fully examined once; 18 State schools and 8 Provisional schools received a second inspection. The total number of inspections was therefore 105.

Provisional schools were opened during the year at Blair Athol, near Clermont; Cardbeign Creek, near Springsure; and Cordalba, in the Isis Scrub. Applications for the establishment of two others near Bundaberg were granted, and the buildings should now be ready for use.

The Provisional school at Isisford has been raised to its former status. The average attendance at 3 State schools was at inspection below 30: Banana, 266; Muttaburra, 255; and Goburrum, 25·1; and at 7 Provisional schools it was below 12 Arrilalah, 114; Tegege, 107; Yandaran Creek, 106; Fairymead, 105; Greenwood, 89; Dalysford, 79; and Copperfield, 76; and there appeared little hope of improvement at any of them. At 7 Provisional schools the attendance was over 30, which appeared likely to be maintained: Alpha, 70; Watawa, 60; Duaringa, 44; Jericho, 37; Dingo, 34; Capella, 34; and Bathampton, 31.

The State schools formerly known as Bundaberg South, Bundaberg South-East, and Tantitha, are now called Bundaberg Central, Bundaberg South, and Sharon respectively.

During the 287 official days of last year, my time was occupied as follows:--Inspecting schools, 108; reporting, 58; examination work, 26; inquiries, 2; travelling, 50; and absence from duty, 41days. The distance covered during the year was nearly 6,000 miles, and the time occupied in travelling was about one-sixth of my available time.

MATERIAL ORGANIZATION.

School buildings were generally in good condition and well supplied with furniture and teaching material. There was more or less overcrowding at Bundaberg South, Childers, Cordalba, Gracemere, Jericho, Longreach, South Kolan, and Watawa. Enlargements will shortly be made at Childers, where the overcrowding is felt seriously. New schoolrooms have been built at Alpha, Blair Athol, Cardbeign Creek, Cordalba, and The Springs, and two others should now be completed. Necessary repairs have been made at Banana, Cometville, Emerald, Mount Perry, and Winton; and enlargements at Apple-tree Creek, Duaringa, and Gogango. Five school buildings have been painted, and nine others need painting. A kitchen has been added at Burnett Heads, and one is wanted at Muttaburra. Improvements are being made to the residence at Blackall, and are badly wanted at Clermont. The grounds are unfenced at Banana, Bogantungan, and Longreach State schools, and at nearly all the Provisional schools. The fences at Calliope, Mount Perry, and Westwood are in indifferent condition; they have been extensively repaired at Clermont, Springsure, and Stanwell; new fences have been erected at Emerald, and completed at Childers. Gladstone is now the only State school unsupplied with hat accommodation. Several Provisional schools want a tank very badly.

Speaking generally of the schools in this district, the results of Arbor Day proceedings are but moderate. Successful attempts at tree-planting are equalled, if not outnumbered, by failures. Droughts in the west, frosts, poor soil, unsuitable trees, indifferent guards, and, in some instances, neglect, are the principal causes of non-success. The condition of the grounds at Cometville is highly creditable; besides several attractive flower-beds, there are about seventy trees of various kinds, and in various stages of growth; some are already useful as shades, and all are looking healthy and strong. Next to Cometville come Barcaldine and Stanwell, where several trees are both useful and ornamental. At Burnett Heads, Bundaberg North, Childers, Gin Gin, Goburrum, Mount Perry, Westwood, and Wycarbah the trees are in a fairly healthy condition. The severe frosts of last winter killed most of them at Calliope. Most of them are dead at Gracemere. At Gladstone, Springsure, and other places very little has been done. Neat gardens at the residence were found at Bundaberg Central, Blackall, Banana, Burnett Heads, Calliope, Childers, Clermont, Cometville, Gin Gin, Gracemere, Springsure, Stanwell, and Wycarbah.

INTERNAL ORGANIZATION.

STATE SCHOOLS.-The total number of teachers employed was-at inspection, 85; consisting of 33 head teachers, 39 assistant teachers, and 13 pupil-teachers. The head teachers were ranked as follows-First class, 1; second class, 17; third class, 14; unclassified, 1. Of the assistants, 2 were in the second class, 35 in the third class, and 2 were unclassified. Some of the third class teachers have passed the examination for admission to the second class, and others are gradually passing that examination. Eleven schools had 1 teacher, 10 schools had 2, and the rest had three or more. The average number of pupils per teacher was 36.

PROVISIONAL SCHOOLS.-With the exception of Alpha and Watawa, where two teachers were employed, the staff consisted of one teacher. Fifteen were classified as teacher of the third class, or as temporary teacher; the rest, 33, were unclassified. The average number of pupils per teacher was 19.

I had occasion in my last report to speak highly of the teachers as a body, and nothing has occurred since to cause me to modify the high opinion I then expressed of them. Only one inquiry into a teacher's conduct was held during the year, and the complaint was not fully proved.