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Tuesday, March 21. CENTRAL ACADEMY BILL.

Orgis Bill being read a second time, Mr. COOPER moved an amendment, so far as striking out. one trustee out of five; the hon. member observing, the House of Assembly should have justice done them in the appointment of Trustees. A short debate ensued, and the amendment was carried. ‘

Mr. MACAULAY moved an amendment, to the effect that three Teachers be appointcd, to perform particular services, at salaries of £150, £100, and £75 each ‘

Mr. LONGWOnTH had very liltle doubt a third teacher would effect much good; he should expect. to see the school crowded with scholars, the difference to the country would be only £25—in fact, it would not be this, if it was borne in mind, the alteration that had taken place in the currency since the salaries were fixed at £300.

Mr. Cont-:5 considered £300 quite enough: let each master take his own share of tuition money; he thought £50 sufficient remunera- tion for the third teacher, as in all probability the latter would have 50 scholars to receive fees from. He (Mr. Coles) did not hold with making masters independent.

The SPEAKER did not agree with the hon. member (Mr. Cotes), in the latter part of his observations. If we expect the Academy to flourish, we must secure the services of men of talent to conduct it, and he was much surprised to hear any one express the idea

all? Colonial mutant.

50‘ as to be within the ‘reach of the middle classes, that a. three- fold increase of pupils will very soon be visible.

Hon. .1. S. ltlscnomw expressed himselftothc effect, that of late this Academy had been a burden upon, instead of a benefit to the Colony; the money, comparatively speaking, might as well have beér. thrown away. He would. however, support the contemplated alterations, as an experiment.

'Mr. Doose could not tell the why or the wherefore, but there must be something wrong to cause this Institution to have be- come so very unpopular; he hoped to see an alteration now come to that would have the effect of inducing greater numbers to attend; he must take the opportunity to contradict the assertion of an hon. member. that no good scholars had been turned out of that Academy; were there not several living proofs now before us. whose education is as a fortune to them. or who at 'oast could not follow that profession they now practise? Had they not re ceivcd a liberal education 7 He hoped to see many more; such as these were a credit to the Colonv. He fully concurred with the hon. Speaker; we should be as liberal as possible, and he would support the proposition of an extra teacher.

Mr: I‘. Milena” said he was of opinion that the Aendemy, a< constituted by the Bill. would be entirely behind the educational requirements of the age. \Vhat do we Want with Greek and Latin in the middle of the 1911i century? Those langtngcs may be all very well for a few learned and wealthy in thickly popu- lated and long-settled countries; but here they are, if not alto-

tbat gentlemen competent to conduct such an Institution should be starved into a performance of their duties, or that the independence alluded to was at all incompatible with such a situation ; more scho- lastic learning formed but a very small portion of the requisite quali- fication of a. successful Teacher. The happy facility of imparting instruction to youth was very rare, and consequently was duly appres ciated in every civilized country. It was no uncommon thing for the head master ofa celebrated School in the United Kingdom to receive £1000 sterling, per annum. Hc, of course, was aware that such a 'sum was for bcvond our means; but yet he thought. it absurd to mpposc that £201) of our money, beinz less than £150 slcrling, should be deemed more than sulficicnt for the head master oftlic principal educational establishment in this Colony. At present it was admitted on all hands that the Institution does not work well, and somc great fault must exist in the management. The public complaincd that £300 per unnum should be thrown away on the education of some 15 to 2.))upils in the lower branches, who had to pay as much for their instruction as was charged in many private schools. It was are- ,proach to the Legislature ill'll. this state of thian should have been allowed to continue so long, and be for one did not hesitate to say, that. the interest ofthc public had been Sacrificed to the private inter- est ol‘theprescnt masters; he commented on theimproperdcsrription of persons who had heretofore been employed as District schoolmastcrs; oflate he believed they had somewhat improved: but what description or talent could we expect for the smnll‘pittont‘e uiven lhcin. and the degradation which lhcy often had to submit to. Ill being billeled about from house to house; he always considered that the only way to se- cure wcll-qualificd persons to fill any situation was to provide a suit- able remuneration: he would vote for the proposcd amendment, al- thou'rh he should have greatly preferred giving a larger salary to the head master. 7

Mr. Coorrzu could not agrcc with this cxtra addition of £25; his consiitucn's would not apprch ofit. This Acedcmy alrcodv swallows up as much as would. if properly managed, educate 500 pupils; no benefit is derived by those who reside in the country: the board of the country-boys would amount to (ifthcy paid nothing for schooling) more than their parents can pay in their present. distressed situation. This school is a continual drag; upon us, your after your, and [cannot give my support to increase the yearly amount beyond the £300., ‘\

Mr. PALMER agreed with hon. members. The complaints, as res- pected the Academy, were both general and loud ; the cause he could not understand; great dissatisfaction exists; but. whelhci‘ it can be laid at the door of the teachers is out. of his (Mr. Palmer’s) powcr to explain. The hon. member’s (Mr. Palmer’s) speech tended to shew that if we expected good effects from schools, we must not be nig— gardly in our support; in short, he was of opinion, hid the salaries at first been lixrd on a more liberal scale, such as to entice men of the highest attainments, not only here .but from other ccuntrics, we should have experienced equivalent advantages. Look, (said the lion. member,) at the stuns paid to the head masters of the public schools at home, varying from £500 up to £2000 each. A first rate school is of the greatest importance. to this Island, considering the large proportion of our revenue granted towards education. What is the first question asked by i'cSpcctable parties, when they intend settling in another country, is it. not this ’f—-Is there a good school? This ef- fect can only happen when talent is commanded by a proper and just reward. This is the only hope that now exists of making it become as popul ir as it is now unpopular; and as a small means, to an end, he would support the amount. '

Mr. \VXGHTMAN did not approve of the amendment, in respect to an increase of teachers, or to increase the usml vote to the Academy. He preferred two teachers ; one to receive £200. the other £100.

Mr. THOltXTON approved of the plan to divide the money amongst the masters, so that. one should not be paid so much more than ano- ther; if this extra £25 is to cause so much good to the school, it is not. worth talking about: as now established, he did not know that the masters were overpaid. \Ve have many complaints now, and be trusted it was not going to be contended an increased a55istance would still add to the unpopularin oflhe school; our study ought to be exercised in the endeavor to render this school as effective as pos- sible; to this end wc ought not. by any means, to practise :i iiiggard‘ly disposition : he should give his support to the increased masters, Sec.

Mr. D. MACDONALD could not support the amendment; from infor-

gcther, of very little service. All that is wo'th acquiring in their histories, doc. may be found by youth in Engli~h translations. and professional gentlemen have dictionaries and other works of reference on thcsubiccts. Let the Masters ofthe Acndcmv teach some of the living-languages, such as French and Spanish; the latter, be believed. was as perfect a language as exi~ts in Eu- rope. and in majesty rivals that of Homer; vet. we are here quite unacqu'iintcl with it, although a knowledgcofit would

Horn. and it Would also be- advantageous to us in disposing u

A Carrier at present goes from the White Sands, Murray; Harbor. to Belfast. This route ought to be changed, and tbde tips: for Murray Harbor to be forwarded to_ the old Ship-yer t 2i: from Vernon River, by the main road direct, and which they - lievc can be carried by the latter route. at the same expense Ias by the Wood Island route. An Office ought to be at or near It i. Dyalziel’s. Lot 63; and if the above line to the shipyard is adopt- ed, an office must be established there. It Will still be necessary to continue a carrier trmn Belfast to the Wood islands, but out an ofiice for letters ; this may be done for 35. a trip. _

Your Committee find that the sum of£52 lbs. Hal.ctlr. was paid last year to Mr. Lessel, which they suppose was for his attendance while enquiring into the Post Department here. This appears a large sum for that gentleman’s expenses, for the short time he was engaged in this Colony. and appears to bean expense part. ly incurred for the correction of irregularities in the oflice here, occasioned, in some measurabv the negligence ofthe otiicers in the Pusr Office department in Halifax, in not suflictentlv exam: ining’, for some years past, into the accounts of the Post Masters ‘ this Colon '. ‘ thiur Corninitlee are of opinion, that the present stated hours of the Post Master’s attendance at the office do not afford suffi- cient accommodation to the public, and recommend that in fit- inre the attendance of that (filter should at least 'be from 8

’ lo in the forcnoon to 7 in the evening. _

0:10:11: Committee find that when letters'for this Colony, from Great Britain are not posted direct to Halifax by the steamers. but are inadvertently sent by way of the Unitréd I St‘ates, In very considerable increase of postage is charged. X our Commit. tee-therefore recommend that in the address to be laid before the Imperial Goveinment, on the subgect of the Post Office Depart- meht.it be rcqxieqed that in future all letters fromthe United Kingdom to this Colony be forwarded in a separate bag, by way 6f Halifax;

this Island on the 29th day of November last. and arrived :it

euahle' an ‘Englishmnn to troch from Hudson’s Bay to Capyv’ Your Committee have ascertained that the mails which left

our produce in Cuba or Porto Rico. Practical mathematics again. I helicvo, will be by no means practical in reality. but consist. pf the acquirements of a few youth, who may have dipped in F41. c‘id. or who have traversed “ P0115 Asmnrum.” or pctndventurc the 47th of the First book. without his being, at all awarelof the uscs to which these propositions may be applied, He sawéuo provision made for teaching1r Chemistry, though a st‘iPncc nfsi h pirnniount lmprrl‘lallt‘n. Electricity. magnetism. and numen is other branches of natural philosophy, are totally omitted; a .4. upon the whole, lie Would prefer postponing the CnrlSI’lCl‘fl'l'lll ‘pl' the Bill until another scissiun. when it might be drawn up more in accordance with the present wants oftbe our. The SPEAKER said the hon. memlicr (\‘lr. D. Mar-lean) was not correct. inasmuch as the French language was one of the, branches to be taught in this Institution, and if the hon. member:

also thought cltcmis't‘v should be another. now was the time to

inove to obtnin its adoptiflm It is a complete waste of speech to say it will not he a broom to the country that a cluSsical educa- tion can be obtained at a. cost not extgcerlins £1 annua‘ly for each pupil, and foroue-hnlfof that amount if they were bnord- ers. From the remarks of the lion. member for King’s Countv. it would appeal that because a few could not receive the benefit of education, in consequence of their locality. others were to be deprived of its benefit; this was not his (the Speaker's) opinion: let us legislnle fur the greatest number; ezlucaliou was invalu- able Look at. llit’ Scotch ; the facility of obtainingr a good educa- tion In that country has r-‘llfll‘ll’t’l them Ioobtain more than an ordi- nary shore ofemploymcnt in cvcry department where education is required. In a new Colony like this. talent is not to be found in every settlement; but he (the Speaker) honed to see this Acnde my a nursery for future schoolmasters, the benefits of whom would penetrate even the wilderness

Mr. MoNToomnnv concurrcd with hon. members that the sums of money granted to this Academy, from time to time. had not been attended with the good effect desired; it was a downrith waste of III? public means. We are now told that an additional £25 \t'tll effect everv desirable end. He (Mr. Montgomery)could not comprehend this kind of argument, and would therefore vote against any lucrcase.

Mr. Rae did n0t rise to say any thing about the policy or impo. licy ofgranting an cxtri £25; but as the Scotch mode of educa- tion had been alluded to. he would just remark, in Scotland nci. ther the government nor private subscription supported the inslitu. lions, numerous as they were in that country; but were founded and endowed by deceased individuals, whom be (Mr. Rae) ex. peeled, even in those early days. had felt the advantages of edu- cation. How widely different is the subject we are now deba- ting on; here to support this school. taxes are imposed on a peo- ple who are so diStmsscd that they cannot pay their rents

The que~tion was then put on the amendment which was losL

llIr. THORNTON moved that there be two masters, at £170 and £130 each.

The Srsmsa moved that there be two masters, at £200 and £100 each.

Mr. Hcosox moved that there be two masters, at £180 and £120 each.

Finally, Mr. TuoRNTON's motion was carried, and the Bill re. ported with amendments.

March 22d. Mr. MACAULA'I moved that the Academy Bill be rccommitted; which being granted, the lion member then inuvcd an amend-

matlon he had received, he could state to the House that the greatest number of pupils that at one time ever attended thc,Acadciuy was fifty~fonr only : thus, two masters could not even then be overworked, and be (Mr. Macdonald) must consider that two were quite suffi- eicnt, and £300 was an ample provision.

Mr. MACAULAY addressed the House chiefly on the advantages ,to be derived from an efficient. school, and in support of 3 masters, as tending to produce that'desirublc end.

Mr. l\'lACINTOSI-I considered something should be attempted that might lcad to more beneficial results. 11c (Mr. Macintosh) consider- ed thcrc bud not been a good scholar turned out of this Academy. [Yes, yes.] He must express his surprise that the Govcinor had not, are now, investigated the matter, in order to remedy the grievance; he could not give his consent to an enlarged grant—it would be like throwing pearls to swine.

Mr. COLES could not. understand the policy in paying so larva a sum to this particular purpose ; he knew a school, where a vcrv ifisirr- nificitnt sum was paid thc masters, yet double the number of scholuis were educated. The hon. member’s remarks further tentch to Show. that the salaries already paid were sufficient to effect for different rc-

lsuits—at least it would do so, if the system was revised; he could not support any increase.

Hon. Mr. PALMER thought that iflhe salar liberal scale.“ first, the Academy would be in a much preferable situation to its present state; it should not be viewed solely in a pound, shilling and pence light. He would not say where the fault lay; he would be sorry to say it rested on the shoulders of the mus- ters--—one ofthcm had been his ; yet he must ucknowlcrl're it was of the greatest importance to place at the head 'of this Institution the greatest talent that could be procured.

Mr. MACINTOSH ridicultd the hon. member’s ideas and contend- ed £300 could not bejuslly called a niggardly :illowaiicc.

The SPEAKER maintained. in consequence of the alteration in the currency. it was not sutlimcnt to obtain that ability now re- quired; he did not fear but that his constituent»: would nnnrove of his conduct, in advocating this ttifling sum of £95, us oii'expe- iiment with an extra teacher, particularly as at pre<ent the Insti- tution is almost useless. and the charge [ill-Till be met by abol. isliiug the office of schooLvisitcr, which wasbfou'nd not to be as beneficial as was expected; he fully expected a gratifyinv result from the adoption of the proposed alteration. a

ltlr.D. MACDONALD could not understand this stand for an in. creased amount of salary, when the present sum. according to the number of scholars, costs the country from £10 to $1411» each boy annually.

Mr. DALZXEL made a comparison between the sum granted to this school and those of the country; he could no: conscientious. Iy vote for an increased grant. '

‘Mr. MAconsoon could not see why this trifling sum of £25 should cause so much animadversion ; an experiment was to be tried, risk attended most experiments, and ifit was lost entirely, no great harm Would arise to the Country.

Mr. Macaoaxv was really astonished the hon. member could not calculate on the benefit to be derived from this Institution. if placed on. a sure and sound foundation. The hon. member then went into his news on the subject of Education, which seemed to carry some weight of argument, as showing the many different advantages to be derived in numerous points of View.

lllr. Yeo disapproved of so much money being allolleil 10 one school ; he thought the different parts of the country oughito de— {ii‘rvenmore support; this only tended to the benefit of Charlotte-

0 .

Mr. Coons would confirm what had fallen from the honorable member who last spoke ; not one half of the inhabitants in the country could afford to pay even foi their children to learn the alphabet; those who receive the advantages of this school can afford to pay for the education of their children. This he object. ed to, more than to the £25 increase to the Lstnblishmeni - had not the funds arising from the glcbe lands been handed ov’ct‘ to other parties, it would be different.

Mr. llhcossoort had very little doubt if the fees were reduced,

ies had been put on a more

ment, lothe clf‘ct that thrcc teachers be appointed, with separate salaries of £150 £100 and £50, which was supporled by the hon. speaker :llll several other hon. members. who briefly ail-3 dressed the Commit'ec, and it was finally agreed to; as was also an amendment by the hon. the Speaker. increasing the fees of instruction in the highest department of education to forty shil.

hugs. the hon. Speaker observing, he wished to see the middle classes and others poSsess the privileges ofthi< Institution, which

desirable object would now be within almost the reach of all parties, consequent upon the very low scale of tuition fees.

POST OFFICE REPORT.

Mr. Tuonx'rox, as Chairman of the Post Office Committee. submitted the following Report, in addition to that formerly adopted by the House :

Your Committee, in addition to their former Report on the Post Office Department. have to call the attention of the House of A<scmb|y to the following amount of the expenditure and re. CEIplS of some of the inland offices, whereby it will appcar that the expense of some of the routes is fir berond any benefit thr- public in those parts derive from these establishments. 1111(le- vond what the present revenue of the Co‘ony can justify your Committee in recommending a continuance of, viz :—

Tlic omonntpaid to the Carrier to Kildare and

Tiguish in 1812. was £13 0 0 The receipts at that office, » - l 13 332 To Ezmont Bay, the expense was . l3 0 0 The receipts, - - 2 4 5:} To Lot 7. the Quarters expense was - 3 3—7 The receipts, - - 0 (i 3

Your Committee therefore recommend that. in future, the two Carriers to Killlare and Tignish, and the West Point. travel only once a fortnight, and that the Carrier to Egmont Bay be dis- continued. Your Committee consider that llieiintercoui‘se to Be- deque and Georgetown, being the Packet stations in Prince and King’s Counties, entitles the inhabitants of those Counties to the aceommodation of a semi-weekly ceiiveyauce of the Mails dur- ing the petiod of the navigation being open, and therefore rc- commend the {\Iuils to be forwarded to those places twice a week, for that time; the extra trip to Prince County, to pro» ceeil from Bedeque to Green‘s Shore and St. Eleonor’s, returning by the same route—provided the expense annually does not ex- ceed £24 in the whole. Two carriersought to go to the West- ward—one on the Southern route l0 Bedeque, by way ol‘Tryon, and the other Carrier to {:0 by the main Post Road by Princetown and Indian River, to St. Eleanor’s. and return to Charlottetown by Glover’s—having two Branch Carriers from Glover ’s—one to Campbeltown and the other to Park Corner, return ins. by Johnston’s Mills to Glover’s. A Cartier ought to go by the Cow; head road to Coveliead, Brackley Paint, from thence to Rustico. New Glasgow and Cavendish, and returning’ to town by the New Glasgow road. New offices will be required to suit this arranfic inept. A Post-office ought to be established at Desable. at or ngai llIl‘. Dill/ill l‘I:1ll:l)"S. ‘