| lér2 san gt > DITQTAT The Gxawisner _BUSINESss canps. \ ee & 4Y bt 5 + % : : COOMBS & WORTH, isi ‘ { . BY JOB PRINTERS & BOOKBINDERS y 2 . ‘ . biiicam Octon, 51 WATER STEREY, buildin es. Charlottetown, - P. . Island, OFF ; es . Jan.17°76 ly | Corner Queen and King btreets SEMS-—Ter Assam, Footcspropaidtz |. fe Cs MELSON, ublisher, $1.40 in nce; $1.62 if ! > TE : 3 ; a ne = lag Aygo ne Lid within | IMPORTER & REPAIRER to report :— the year OF CLUB RATES- furs Examiner will be forwarded to SEWING MACHINES. bs at the f wing rates per year— | sarntntic ptiv avant Appress :—P. O. Box 303, Charlottetown. lee OL » ene Oct. 25, 1875.—ly ' * sul RATES of ADVERTISING A up ¢ tive A bile a THE EXAMIN ae - SS WESTZ ’ me, Put MacKENZIE & STUMBLES, — Auctioneers, Commission Merchants, AND GENERAL AGENTS, 77 Xerth Side Queen Square, MHE following ars » Rates and Terms I f Advertising as agreed to by the pub- | Charlottetown. -- P, E. Island. lishers of newspapers in IP. E. Island :—§650 | October 18, 1875.—ly cents per inch for first insertion, and 20 . mremrenr gets tr cach ontinaion Seagercons:| .” WILLLAM DODD. Nee a a ee ee ee eee ai | Cn arenes Se a0 per cent. if continued for 6 months; 30 : sor oun if senthenel for 9 mo aha and 40 L\UCTIONEER per cent if continued for 12 month QUBEN SQUARE, Se oeaussuswes~| & CHARLOTTETOWN, P. E. ISLAND eee +13 resins aRneGnOCa neat Medea =k pa osessessesesi s CARVELL BROS., | AUSTIONEERS, Commission Merchants, AND | GENERAL AGENTS. _ Lower Queen St. Charlottetown, P, E. I. , HASZARD BROS., Colmuission Merchants & Auctioneer, ; | FORWARDING, MANUFACTURERS, AND 3 ‘Generai Agents, Ss = . Gl WATER STREET, ve Ss = ip te > » | Opposite Merchants Bank, SSSE8Ssnnoan|= Charlottetown, - - - - PEL 22222 28328 | = J. E. Haszarp, | Horace Haszarp. 2352223 ae o eer. ane : — 5 REFERENCES: <2 == =— - Messrs. Greenshields, Son & Co., Montreal, wee! va Messrs. W. & R. Brodie, Quebec, SSSEESS BPS | 5 Messrs. J. S. Farlow & Co., Boston, Re SSeS ee 1 © Heary Lawson, Esq., Halifax, N. S. Se hi cin on Sn Eo, Sm Oe - Hon. Daniel Davies, Charlottetown, P. E. I. ZN SSRASERSR SN: F May 3, 1875. SSNS SSE SaSkal eu siecle dct clash tensilnn wuconmiukeiu awe! SY SWE NSOKZAOCEA eS = ' HOUSE All advertisements exceeding 12 inches REVERE ' will be subject to a discount of 10 per cent. additional, if c torlal or news co yntinued for one year. } 8 nts for not ce Ter ’ i J cial } ‘es in edi- | } 1 . ' The sum of 50 cents will be charged for } the insertion of all Marriage and Birth no- we ingertion of ail Marriage and Dirth n tices. Seattle oO t. New Moon, 23 sie “ene day, ALMANAC FOR MAY, 1876, MOON'S CHANGES. Tull Moon, 8th day, 5h. 46m., a. m., W. Last Quarter, 16th day, 9h. 14m. a. m., S. W. | Ith. 13m., a. m., S. | } ADJOINING THE POST OFFICE, Auctioneers will be ail wed 10 per cent. ALBERTON, st gas a a P. z. 1. discount when they advertise to the amount ef $30 per year; 15 per cent when to the | phe subscriber has fitted up the above House amount of $45; and 20 per cent when to the in good style, and wishes to inform amount of $60 per annum, and not other- his friends, and the public gene-- — rally that he is prepared The sum of 12 cents per line will be ” to accommodate charged for each fusertion of all “ Spe Notices; and 25 Trausieut aud Permanent Boarders, Charges moderate. Good Stabling on RICHARD GLADNEY, Proprietor. | the premiges. Alberton, Sept. 13, 1875. — L\PERNATIONAL! } First Quarter, 20th day. th. 36m., a. m., W. | CENTRAL STREET, below horizon. . “Ww Jon wu avs | SUMmerside, P. E. Island, DAY WEEK| ~ Foetan Vottt ome M| [rise | sets) ‘es water leh | JouN MOKAY, PROPRIETOR. Hu MH MM iM a M| 1 Mondey 45117 3.11 52) 4 . recedar 49 tA 7 5B x 15 | MitiiS HOUSE, second to none on the Is- YWedn'sd’y 43° G2 19/6 49 18 | lund for beauty of situation, comfort and 4 Thursday 47 7; 3 31) 7 20 | convenience afforded, commends itself to 3 Friday 45 8 4 30:8 87 23\the patronage of all who may visit the ¢Saturday | 44 9 & 43:9 17 25 | Isjand for business or pleasure. i ae 43, 10|6 52;9 5 37 | Choice Sample Rooms to let. | 4 eee A . 1 ~ a 7 | Conveyances from Cars and Boats. | lo\Wedn'sd’y; $2 1410 1711 38 33| Ladies and Gentlemen will find it to their \i\Thursday | 36 1511 11'A 21 89 advantage to patronize this Hotel. 12 Fridsy 85) 1711 ssi 1 42| Feb. 21, 1876.—tf \3/Saturday | 34 18M Bea: 44] — —— = 14, Sunday 83 90/0 37|2 2 47 | FE is'Monday 82; 20° 0 46'3 12 58 | INSURANCE. | \6;Tuesday 31 Bl) 2 14) 4 8 50} — a ee sel l\Wedn’sd’y' 30, 22) 1 27/5 9 52 | WThursday | 29 24 1 486 15 55 ST. LAWRENCE ig Friday ae} 25/2 4/7 21) 87] i ‘ | n n #0 Saturday 37; 262 24) 8 20 59 11 Sunday 96) 27/2 4019 1215 1] arine nsura ce 0. % Monday 25; 28,3 1110 0 3 | op 3 Tuesday 24, 29 3 3610 48 5 | MWedn's'dy) 23 30 4 1311 28 7; PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. | + ewoaaad | 22) 31 5 23M 9} entitle riday 21; 32:6 480 17 il 2 > 17 Saturday a1 34.8 1211 2 13 | BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 3% Bandey 20; 34:9 3711 46 l4 A. KENNEDY, Esq., President. t%Monvay 19/ 3510 56,2 37 16 | Joun F. Roperrson, ; Tuesday | 13) 236A 12 3 44 18 | Artremas Lory, /Wean'sd’y\4 18.7 37/1 30/4 4115 19) THOMAS MORRIS, =—— - | Grorce D. Loxewortn. | _ PRICES CURRENT. P. W. Resear, Ch’town, May 9, 1876. ale taken daily at their office, Exchange uilding. BREADSTUFES. FRED. W. HYNDMAN, Suckwheat Flour, per Ib 0.08 to 0.34 Ch’town, April 24, 1876.—ly = Seeretary vows, per bbl 5.60 to 7.00 | Serr er re UT, per 100 lbs 3.00 to 3.25 pap hh pn MA FUIIN 5 | Jatniea!, per 100 lbs Odfish per qtl | Merri: g per bbl Mackere! per doz. Pine Spruce do do FISH. BOARDS. i Temiock. 100 feet. Shingles, per M. | Chickens, per p “ucks, (each *Owls, (each Partrid ‘arkeye, each 1e8e (each Beef, sinall p! bee? ner | wet, Der Ib (by tli lar : | “am, per lb : “mb, per quart | ‘4mb, per Ib atten, per lb | k.(smali pie: ‘rk, per lb (b | *€al, per Ib MISCELLANEOUS. : Annie, ‘ grees per bus? 4 each POULTRY. air il ver e 7 ' 1é! poncd per bushel ; ter (fresh) per Ib : “feking, per i { f Ateda, . | Clover = 86, per doz. | gt Peas, hig, Pe? ton » Per lb. ity b itese (néw milk) e Cart batter per Ib by the tub He per iv seed, per ly ass 3.50 to 5.00 t.87 to 6. 49 INSURANCE COMPANY 0.48 to 0.72 PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 0.81 to 0.94 } san ts San BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 0.97 io 1.30 Rogert LONGwortTH, Esq., President, 2.11 to 2.48 Hen. Jas. DUNCAN, Hon. L. C. Owen, Hon. A. A. MCDONALD, $0.50 to 0.70 | 0.24 to 0.35 0.25 to 0.40 | 0.00 to 0.00 | 0G 80 to 1.75 | 8.50 to 0.75 | } $0.08 to 0.16 | 0.06 to 0.10] 0.10 to 0.12 | 0.00 to 0.00 | 0.06 to 0.09 | 0.07 to 0.12} 0.08 to 0.12 | 0.54 to 0.09 | 0.04 to 0.08 | & | | 0.00 to 0.00 | 0.00 to 0.75 0.18 to 0.25 0.18 to 0.20 | 0.06 to 0.10 | 0.14 to 0.16 0.05 to 0.08 | 0.18 to 0.22 0.12 to 0.16 | 0.00 to 0.00 | 8.50 to 10 50 | 0.04 to 0.44 6.25 to 0.32 | » (men’s wear)per yd. 0.65 to 1.00 ig Un, (women's do)pet yd 0.35 to 0-48 | Omespun | le > Per lb ‘tations steak Rg Tieothy geen 4. ber bushe. » Per bushel 7, per ib ( Lailow pores per bush, Flannel}, per yard 0.31 to 0.46 | 0.13 to 0.16 } 0.34 to 0.40 0.32 to 0.40 | 0.08 to 0.04 | 0.60 to 1.00 | 2.50 to 3.00 | 3.50 to 4.00 | 0.07 to 0.10 | 0.20 to 9.24 0.17 to 0.25 Hion. J. C- Pore, Tuomas HaNDRAHAN, Esq., GxeorGE R. Brrr, Esq. Risks taken daily at their office, corner Great George and Lower Water Streets. F. W. EALES, Secrretay. Ch’town, March 22, 1875—ly THE LIVERPOOL & LONDON AND GLOBE |ANURANCE COMPANY FIRE AND LIFE. | invested Funds, Ist Jan’y., 1874, $21,628,356 Deposited with Receiver Gener- al of Canada, 162,800 Other Investments in Dominion of Canada, 367,091 FAIR RATES. Prompt & Liberal Settlements. Insurance against Fire effected upon Pri- vate Residences, Household Furniture and Farm Properties, for One, Three or more years, At Reduced Rates. Otflee—Great George Street, Charlotte- town, P. E. I. R. R. FITZGERALD, Agent Ch’town, July 27, 1874,—6m Peer 2 SRNR SSS lo AREER rer arererrengrerty or neces = CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD&SLAND, MONDAY, MAY 15, 1876. + SRST. SEDER ESS SE SEEAMKS SS St | The Education Law. Investigation Committee. ” 4 - Report cf LEGISLATIVE Liprary, | April 29th, 1876. | Your Committee appointed to investi- gate and report upon the manner in which | the Education Law has been, and is now | being carried out in the Public Educa- _ tional Establishments of this Island, beg | That they summoned before them, and _ have examined the following members of the Board of Education: the Honorable Judge Hensley, Chairman; the Reverend Alexander McLean, the Reverend Isaac Murray, the Reverend Donald McNeill, Secretary of the Board ; Edward Roche, Ksq., Teacher of the Normal School ; and John McSwain,Esquire, Visitor of Schools for King’s County; and they have also summoned before them,and examined the following persons: Norman A. Stewart, Esquire, Visitor of Schools for Prince County; William McPhail, Esquire, Visitor of Schools for Queen’s County ; Professor Anderson, Principal of the Prince | of Wales College ; and Donald'Montgom- ery, Esquire, Head Master of the Normal School. The evidence given by these gentlemen we have transcribed and appended hereto, It will be seen that this evidence is not confived solely to the application on the existing law, but that it embodies many suggestions for the improvement, both of the law itself and of the machinery for ear- rying it into effect. These suggestions for the improvement of the Act were, to a great extent, illustrative of existing de- fects, and could not, though beyond the scope of the inquiry of your Committee, be well eliminated from the Report. The Board of Education, as at present constituted, does not seem able, either to grapple with and remedy the evils or dif- ficulties of the Educational system of the Colony, or effectively to carry out the existing Law. Individual responsibility is merged in that of the general Board. The Secretary does not seem to possess tically appear to be simply mechanical. Other members of the Board seem to feel that their powers are so limited, and their actions so hampered by the law, that any attempts at comprehensive reforms would be useless. The result is that a total lack of energy and a want of union and earn. itself, and seems gradually spreading through the entire Educational System. They, at the same time, desire to record their conviction that the Chairman of the Board, as well as several other members have, in the face of many difficulties, con- scientiously endeavored faithfully to dis» eharge their duties. The evils ‘lying rather in the constitution of the Board than in its composition. The Education law was consolidated in 1868,—all previous laws on the subject being at that time repealed. The law, in many respects, as con- solidated, is vague and uncertain. Dif- ferences of opinion exist as to the powers conferred by it on the Board, some mem- bers even expressing doubts whether they had any power to prescribe any system of Education at all for the schools. The natural results, which might have been expected from this state of things, follow- ed. From the evidence of the Secretary and other members of the Board of Edu- cation, it appears that no regulations for the government of the Publie Schools, or prescribing any system of Education in them, have beew adopted since the”Act of 1868 came into operation. The regulations adopted and published by the Board in 1867, before the present Act became law, have been tacitly accepts ed as still in force, but no serious attempt has been made to ensure their being faith- fully carried out. It further appears from the evidence that no complete list of books has yet been pre- scribed by the board for use in our Pub- lic Schools. Partial lists have from time to time been adopted. The use of some of the books prescribed was intended to be compulsory, others permissive. These lists have not yet been completed, and only partial udiformity has been attained in this particular. The want of direet communication be- tween the Board and the teachers in the Public Schools, struck your Committee as most extraordinary. The lists of books, adopted from time to time by the Board, do not appear to have been directly com- municated to the teachers, or even to the School Visiters of the different Counties. The only means adopted by the Board to bring their order into effect, was the pubs lication in the newspapers of a circular, signed by the Secretary, intimating gen- erally that the Board of Education approv- ed of certain books. No recommendations relating to the im- provement of the District Schools, or of the system under which they are conduct- ed, or of the law itself, by which they are formed, ever appear to have been made by the Board of Education to the Government, although each individual member ot the Board, when examined by us, seemed strongly of the opinion that many improvements, in this relation, were absolutely necessary. With respect to the City Schools, how- ever, the Board has not been inactive, and several Reports have been made by it te the Government, with reference to the improvements of these schools. In March, 1870, a Committee of the Board, composed of Charles Palmer, Ed- ward Roche, and George Beer, Esquires, and the Rey. Isaac Murray, made a special report upon the conditien of each of the City Schools, and recommended, smongst other things, the closing up of the then existing schools, and the erection, at proper places in the City, of four suitable build< wesc OA AT BD knee | suitably furnished, so that the graded ‘is found in the fact that the present law | system might be carried out. A full copy | neither requires them to undergo, nor re- of this Report we annex; marked (A). | wards them for obtaining such training. ae | The Secretary of the Board was unable to | The witnesses who appeared before your | | | produce ary official reply on the part of the Government to these recommendations. He intimated that no reply had been giv en; and, as a matter of fact, no attempt has ever been made to carry any of these suggestions into effect. | In January, 1874, the Board request- _ed the Government to sanction a scheme for the amalgamation of three of the City Schools into one, to be opened in the base- ment story of the Atheneum, whieh con- tained three compartments. In April fol- lowing, the Government replied, decliging to take any action in the matter. A copy of the letter from the Clerk of the Ceun- cil, to the Seeretary of the Board, is ap- pended. In June, 1875, the Board appointed a sub-Committee, consisting of the Hon. Justice Hensley, and the Rev. Donald MeNeill, to visit and report upon the City Schools. The report of these gens tlemen to the Board has been produced to us, and acopy is hereto annexed, marked (B). The Board seem to have thought them- selves unable to carry the recommenda- tions of their sub Committee, and to have brought the matter to the notice of the Government, but without any result. The Reports of the Visitors of Schools for the year 1875, were laid before the Board of Education, at their monthly meeting, in December last. Strange as it may appear, these Reports do net seem even to have been read by, or before the Board. The only action taken with re- ference to them, was the appointment of Messrs. Kelly and MeNeill, as a sub.~Com- mittee, to prepare the same for publica- tion. This subs\Committee seems simply to have handed the Reports to the Assis- tant Clerk of the Executive Council, and to have done nothing more, No report was made by them to the Board, and no action was taken by the Board with refer- ence to any of the startliog facts contain- any special powers, and his duties pracs|ed in those Reports, as to the manner in which Education is being carried out, or neglected throughout the Island. The whole matter appears to have been quict- ly passed by, and the explanation offered is, that it isnot customary for the Board te consider these Reports of their School Visitors until after they have been print- estness has partially paralyzed the Board | ed. DISTRICT SCHOOLS, From the evidence adduced on this di» vison of the subject, it is clear that there is lamentable falling off in the number of schools in operation,and the acquirements of the teachers. The increase in the number of vacant schools in Qucen’s County, within the last year, is thirty- seven—a rate which, if it continues, will, in a very short time, bring about the clos» ing of all the schools in the County. There are two principal causes alleged for the deficiency. Ist. The want of en- couragement to teachers to enter and re- main in the profession. 2nd. The in- difference of many of the people to the advantages of Education, resulting in a difficulty, often an impossibility in keep- ing up the necessary average attendance, without which a teacher is not in a posi- tion to draw hissalary. In this relation, the absolute necessity of a law compelling the attendance of children of a certain age, for at least some periods of the year, was insisted upon by a majority of the witnesses. The defectsof the law re- garding trustees and their powers, are here also important factors, and many of the witnesses attributed the increasing indifference of the people, in a large mea sure to these defects. The inferiority in the acquirements of teachers may be accounted for, 1st, from the fact that the amount of remuneration is entirely insufficient, and bears no rela- tion to length of service or ability to teach ; 2nd, the board have introduced no system for the education or training of Teachers, nor have they prescribed a curriculum, through which candidates applying for licenses should pass. The bare faet of passing‘an examination is not considered to be a sufficient guarantee of the possession of qualifications necessary for imparting instruction. ACADIAN SCHOOLS. In the Acadian Schools, apart from the fact that nearly all the books used are sectarian, it appears that the teachers are not required to impart instruction in the English language. GRAMMAR SCHOOLS. From the evidence given before your Committee, Grammar Schools have not accomplished the object sought in estab- lishing them,and are only, in the majority of instances, doing elementary work at an increased cost to the Province. With the exception of one or two cases the educa— tion imparted in those schools is unequal and inefficient. From the information before your Committee they aver that better results cannot be expected, whilst such a variety of subjects are attempted to be taught by one instructor ia a school of one compartment only. It further ap- pears to your Committee that the Board of Education have contented themselves with the establishment of said Schools where petitioned for without further concerning themselyes that the work these schools should do was performed. THE NORMAL SCHOOL, Your Committee conclude from the evidence obtained respestiog this school, that it is doing good work as a secondary and primary school. The purposes for which it was established are partially de~ feated, as now managed, because candi- dates do not asa rule submit themselves to sufficient training in order to acquire Committee on this subject, recommended that the original intention in instituting a Normal School be strictly adhered to, and the building enlarged so as to afford the necessary accommodation. The present schoo] appears to be overcrowded. PRINCE OF WALES COLLEGE, This institution sppeers, from Professor Anderson’s evidence, to be well attended, and the beneficial results arising from the education there imparted, are becoming more manifest, and the College better aps preciated. Your Committee feel assured that, if the recommendation of Professor Anderson for the appointment of a third teacher were adopted, the benefits of the College would be greatly increased. In this relation it is suggested that provision should be made so that those boys who receive an education in the college as scholarship candidates,might be compelled after receiving their education, to teach a number of years in our Grammar or Dis- trict Schools. There appeared to be a general consen- ses of opinion, on the part of those ex. amined by your Committee, as to the ab. | solute necessity for the appointment of a | Commissioner or Superintendent of Edu- cation, in whom should be vested full and eflicicnt powers as to the carrying out of the law. Some difference of opinion existed among the witnesses, as to the | necessity of an Advisory Board to act in | conjunction with the Superintendent, but | LD SER WE DEI BOF ! On the 30th March, 1876, the Board pases | ed arule calling teachers’ attention to those rules and regulations, Nothing was brought to the notice of the Board, as such, to show the rules were not | observed, At the meeting of March 20, 1876, there was a full Board, except Rev. Mr. McLean, who wasabsent. Mr. Strong was appointed Chairman, in absence of Chairman, who subsequently arrived. The minutes of the last meeting were read, approved and cer- tified. Report of examiners received. Report of Visitor for Queen's County re- ferred to sub committee, to have published directions to teachers and trustees ordered to be approved and published. Those directions were prepared by me and submitted to the Board and approved. The minutes of this meeting (April 3, 1876,) have not yet been approved. The Trustees of the Wesleyan Academy through Rev. Mr. Currie, addressed the Board on the subject of that School and a Committee consisting of Judge Hensley, Charles Palmer. Esq., and Judge Reddin appointed to answer them. Any teacher using books other than those allowed is not entitled to draw his pay. I do not remember any complaint by any teacher, against those regulations nor (specially) as to the prayers. [am not aware that anything in this prayer runs counter to any dogetrine or tenet of any denomination. The reports of the School Visitors for King’s and Queen’s Counties, received and laid on the table, 80th Dec., I875, and a Committee of the Secretary and Mr. Kelly appointed to read, examine, and prepare them for publication. The Prinee County Report was subsequently received. We handed the Report to the Govern-~ ment, and ! do not know that anything was eliminated, made scarcely any corrections. We handed the original copy to the Clerk of the Executive Council. As far as [ have visited the schools, | have seen the regulations and reports posted up. The report of the use of sectarian books was submitted to a Committee by order of the Board, The Board itself, did not, at that time, have Visitor's Report read; it a singular unanimity prevailed as to the was submitted to the Board, but has not advisability of concentrating the powers | yet been read. The Board has taken no ibid tis ed Dds 1i snitabl | action on the Report. how vested in e borrd,in one sunitadle As to teaching catechisms in the Common Schools, the Board, by its published order, As a general rule, the Education im-! #04 by orders to the Visitors, has covered : | . thewhole ground, Didnot take any more parted in our schools is secular ; but, in direct action. Did not tryto ascertain names some few schools throughout Queen’s of teachers who taught catechism. fave not aro S . _| yet inyuired into the matter. County, sectarian books have for many We have made no report to the Board as years back been used with the knowledge publishing Committee. of at least some members of the Board of | Smee 33th December, 1875, only three . monthly meetings have been held. During the past twelve months, sectarian books and teaching have largely increased in the Public Schools of , : —* vrai Schools o | public school, save by the notice from Queen’s County. They do not appear to | ‘Trustees of intention to take advantage of, be confined to the Roman Catholic Schools. | and put ae “ng ee of s Visitor of Sch ) ’ _ the Act, laid before the Board, was the The Visitor of Schools for Queen’s Coun application made by the Trustees for the ty, in the report laid before the Board of | examination of Teachers, made 13th Sep- | Education, in December last, states the tember, 1875. . . . * . T i i Z . facts in this connection fully and distinetly. Kelly, ade meando ae offles j ’ yr R This Report was forwarded by the and passed. ¢ \owar . | I then received notice of their engage. Board to the Government, as previously ssastely: Rendiites Sieaatidies. 9 SARs aol ioe stated by us, but no action appears to have | poard of their appointment, been taken in regard to it. The district was laid off years ago, but ie xf Ceajeotel there waa no public schools init. At this The teachers in the Christian Brothers, time and for x year before, there was no School were licensed in October last, and public school. After receiving notice of | their engagement, | forwarded them a co no change appears to have been made af, the re and regulations, I do a either in the manner or matter of educa- i know if this was within the knowledge of tion imparted there. A copy of the regu- the Board. lati oe din 1867 PY i 5 I knew the school had been denomina- ee aneee » Seems to have been tional. I considered it the duty of the sent to thisschool, but with this excep- School Visitor to inquire if the school had : direct inti : ‘ ceased te be denominational. | may have ee ore ee ee made i had some indirect intimation that the them respecting the system of education character of the school was unaltered. the Board required to be adopted or the [donot remember if! had any conver- iii hits deal sation with the Visitor on the subject. OOKS to De used. I believe { had some general conversation In addition to the evidence given by with him, but was ont Seownet by it. the visitor of Schools for Queen’s County v caine tae oe sbide wate to your Committee orally,and which is ap- pended hereto, marked (c), we annex a gulations. I may have had fears of the:n. I do not written statement from him in which his suggestions are amplified. person. Education. ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL, The first intimation of this becoming a know if others of the Board shared those feara, and [ did not take steps to ascertain if those fears were well grounded. Three months after their engagement, | certified for payment of their salaries. [ did not then take any steps to ascertain how the school was conducted, ‘hie was in January, and in December Visitors’ report was received. The certificates were dated 10th January, | and certified 24th January, nearly a month after receiving Report. | read the Report and told Mr. Kelly of it. He said he was satisfied when | offered it to him. I did not make any special | mention of St. Patrick’s schoo! to him. REPORT | Iconsidered the matter in a transition f | state, and did not for the present consider Of the evidence taken before the Special | it my duty to take up the matter. Committee “appointed to investigate _ I did not consider it my special duty to and report upon the manner in which the | 2quire for names of teachers teaching de~ ‘ , .. | nominational books. Have never refused Education law has been, and is now being, | 4, certify on account of such teaching. carried out in all the Public Educational | J had no official intimation of such teach Establishments in Prince Edward Island.” ing previous to Report. I have heard gen- Committee.—Messrs. Louis H. Davies, | eenuvedell chitasttchdenteuier tie a Stewart, Jenkins, L. McDonald and McLean. [ do not remember talking with the Turspay Morning, April 25, 1876. | heed ae on the subject of St. a : atrick's é Doxatp McNBILL, examined. If I knew of any catechism being taught L have been Secretary of the Board of 1 would calisuch teaching denominational. Education three years. Rules bave been I brought the Report into the Board prescribed in my timeand before. About | Room and submitted it. I received it from a year ego a list of school books was the Visitor, it was ordered to be referred adopted. That was the first list prescribed | to Committee of Kelly and myself for since I was Secretary, In January 28, | publishing. : : 1875, a Supplementary Report was made| I had a general impression that French prescribing the books. In August 27, | schools used denominational books. 1874,a Committee of the Board recommend-| It has been the custom vf the Board not ed the adoption of Royal Readers, Canadian | to consider the Report till published. [ Arithmetic, elementary and advanced, used | thought it better not to bring the Report in Ontario, and Thompson’s History of | before the the Board till published. The England. We publish the Order in the Board has not met since. Gazette and other newspapers, and wesend =! only recollect _ one reference, from a copy to each School Visitor; but I do not | Prince County, which was about French send a copy of the Order or any notice to- schools, to Sectarian teaching. The Board any of the schoolmasters. | took no action, but intended to do 80, but Our object in notifying the School Visitors ' difficulty of procuring suitable French was that they should see the Order of the books prevented them. I knew that such Board was carried out. I believe [ inform-|a state of things existed, but felt the ed the Visitors personally of the Order of difficulty of procuring French undenomi» the 27th August, not by writing. _national books, These Prince Vounty | Respectfully submitted, Louis H. Davina, Chairman. WitiiaM D, Srewarr. Joun T. JENKINS, James R. McLean, Lavauiin McDona.p. (Signed) The Board have not prescribed a complete | series of school books. The Supplementary Report of January | 28, 1875, prescribed Todhunter’s Algebra, Harkness’ Latin and Greek Series, Mans | ning’s Spelling Book, Isbister’s School and | College Euclid, Ontario Grammar, element- ary and advanced. The Supplementary Report and the part | not adopted, I will submit afterwards. Subsequently the Board ordered that the | use of Miss Thompson's History should be) permissive. That was April 29, 1575. | son, Roche and the Secretary. read Thompson's, The Board have never withheld any Schoolmaster’s salary by reason of the books he used being denominational or otherwise. ; The Board have never prescribed any system of education, denominational or otherwise, other than is implied from their printed rules. ' I now produce the revised and amended regulations to be used in the public schools, passed in 1867. 3 These rules have been acted upon in my time constantly, and recognized by the By the 2nd Rule. No books of any kind shall be used in the schools, except those approved of by the Board of Education from time to time. ings, with two separate apartments in each, the arf of teaching. The reason for this I have furnished les of these rules to ali public schools on Island, allusions were published in the Reports. They were in 1873. Quesnion—After St Patrick’s School came under the Board you say you forwarded them Regulations. You knew Visitor had | inspected them, &c. Did you ask had | school complied with Regulations ? Answer—I do not recollect. 1 When I certify teacher's papers this does net come before the Board. : A good deal of what has been said about the city schools is true. There are epecial | enactments for the city. Board has ' P > Murray,Ander- up the question and frequently appointed | Present—Kelly, Arseneaux, y; P q 4 The hercenen! 0 Rovernment "co de ‘dered, That the use of Thompson's two or three years ago, recommended to because the Board felt discouraged, it re~ History be permissive at option of sendin. Government the amalgamation of several | peatedly tried to remedy the state of That is, the pupil could hear the History schools in the basement of the Athenmum. | thimgs. The Act was unworkable and the read, but could not be compelled to read | This was not acted on by Government. it. No provision was made for the pupil’s | L reading any other History if he did not| took up the subject, and recommended | seven years. Committees to examine. Before I was on the Board,a Committee issuing Government debentures to raise | funds, but Government did not see their _way to adopt this course. We made noalterations save verbal cor rections in this year’s Report. The Board have made recommendations to Government for re-improvement of City schools. On the 29th of January, 1874, received a petition for the union ot three schools, also a letter from J. W. Morrison on the subject. Ordered, that » Committe report on it. The rt recommended the uniting of these three schools under good teachers. 1 believe the Board has repeat~ edly called the attention of various Gov~ ernments to the stateof the City schools and Act. rison, offering basement of Athensum. Ordered, that Government be reques A letter was received from J. W. Mor- ted | (Sg-) POSTAGE PREPAID, KR. to appoint three teachers for this scheol, one with $60). A letter was received from J. W, Mor- rison, Ordered, That Uis Honor the Administra» tor of the Government in Council, be re+ quested to sanction the appointment of three teachers in basement story of Athen» ®um, witha salary of $600 to one of the teachers, and that the Trustees of said school be empowered to assess the parents or guardians of the children attending, a sum sufficient to meet current expenses. Wepvespay, 26th April, 1876. Present, full Committee Donato McNeitu’s examination continued: REPLY CONCERNING ATHENZUM. On enquiry at Mr. DesBrisay’s office, I was told he did not believe anything could be done, No writtenreply was received by me. Iam not able to produce any written reply. In 1870, a recommendation was made, taking up the whole state of the city schools, dealing with them fully and recommending action to the Government of the day. This was made Ist March, 1870, and signed by Charles Palmer, Ed. Roche, George Beer, and the Rey. Mr. Murray. I now produce the recommendation, [am unable to state whether any reply was received to this, A further recommendation was made by the Board on the 27th May, 1875, when Mr. Murray brought the matter up and recom- mended that a committee be appointed to report on city schools. Committee ap- pointed, The Report of this Committee was receiv- ed and adopted, and same Committee appointed to carry out their recommenda-~ tions. i have not this Report, but can produce it at some future meeting. Action (on this Report) was fteferred to the Committee to carry out their own sug- gestions, and they tried to get schools built, but owing to want of funds were uns able to do so. This inability to carry ont recommenda- tion not brought to notice of Government. Qustion—Concerning number of vacant schools in the country— Exriamep—l think chief cause to be Jowness of teacher's salary. The Board have taken no steps to obtain information on this subject. My own opinion is that vacancies are due to low salaries. Board have conversed on the state of the schools, but no members thought fit to make any recommendations, as they could not, under the Act, improve the schools. unless the Act was amended, [he members of the Board frequently referred to the lowness of salary and want of a Chief Su- perintendent to administer the law. Quexsion.—What are the radical defects | of the Act? Answer.—They are numerotfs, one is the system of paying wholly out of the Treasury. | believe it impossible to secure co- operation of Trustees and parents in differ- ent districts to carry out this Act, while the salary is so paid. Many regard the service of the Teacher as of no value, as costing them nothing; if made to contribute directly, parents and teachers would vaiue it more. At present there is no direct communica+ tion between the Board and Trustees. At present the Secretary has no authority, save ona few points, and action must be suspended from time to time till Board meets. By General Superintendeut, | mean one who would have general entire control with a small advisory Board. A radieal defect is that there is no pro- vision for grading schools, and the way Grammar Schoals are conducted. I would have graded common schools, with few Grammar Schoois, By graded schools | mean two or tliree separate departments in one school. Very few or none of our Grammar Schools are graded. A few have ushers, and a few assistant teachers, There is no accoms modation for more than one teacher. The law only provides for an usher, not for ase sistant teacher. The scarcity of teachers accounts for so many vacancies. There is an actual ecarcity of teachers. In some rural districts grades could te applied, in others not,—as in villages and scattered districts. he grading should be reserved for a General Superintendent and Advisory Board. I do not think the present school houses would do for graded schools without en- larging, nearly all are too small. The Board, since | became Secretary has not reported and recommended changes in the School Act to the Government save those mentioned with regard to the Ciiy. If graded schools were established I be- lieve it would reduce the number of diss tricts and improve the schools, by making the scholars collect, and enlarging the dis~ tricts, and it would save expense. Iam to some extent acquainted with the Nova Scotia Act. That system admits of grading, and salaries are derived from three sources viz:—County, Local and Provincia), I believe the schools there have been satia« factory to the people. The Board has had correspondence with the Government in regard to improvement of the Normal School, and the Government concurred, This is now being carried out. LGoard has had correspondence with the Government on other minor subjects, I have no more correspondence on the subject of those radical defects Some years ago an attempt was made to raise Teachers’ salaries by local taxation, but failed through prejudice of people against it, [ believe the people did not understand its scope. Question. —W hat sectarian books are used in Protestant schoois. lam not aware of any save what came out in the last Report, which does not state the books. | have no knowledge myself. I do not know that Protestant books are used in Belfast. I have no personal know- ledge of the teaching carried on in St, Patrick’s School. I know something about the Ontario School Act, am not pre to say if it would be acceptable to the people here, and if it would work satisfactorily. | think it would not suit, 1 only give this as my opinion. I think our local Trustees are negligent in carrying out the Act. Our Act puts hinderances in the way of carrying itself out. It is ambiguous and leads to con. fusion. It requires ten of a mpjority at a meeting of residents in a district, and often / only one is to be had, No new schoolhouses can be built nor oid ones repaired, without the vote of a major- ity of the residents, and many residents never attend, | would give power to whatever number | met after due notice to elect Trustees, whether few or many. [| would give this meeting power to do whatever was required and to dismiss teachers, subject to appeal to the Board. I would make the Trustees a body cor« taken | porate. The Board has not made representation to the Government concerning defects, | Board could not get any Government to | move in the matter for the last six or Since I became Secretary the Board has | not taken up the matter asa whole. 1 believe the Board is too large to carry |outthelaw. There are eleven aan. } In many instances complaints har@ been 'made by [rustees of inability to perform | their duties. Ihe Trustees complain that they cannot get a majority of residents to attend meetings. The Board did not bring this before the Government for the reason before mentioned. As to the prayers, the Act empowers the Board to make regulations not inconsistent with the Act, and such regulations are law. | L can see nothing in the prayers prescribed by the regulations that any one could take | umbrage ut i. ¢., any one who believes in ‘a God. I cannot account for the apathy of the Tt ee DONALD McNEILL. abso me ey preter ee: fourteen, -< aol éy de ee kare eet set eo crm tee esi PES on et sat 9 = ee wae trey “ge Fag as ape ie EA apaee POR PC ee atte Gey . Se calor eee evden lasen a = gra as aah: ee = # ° ~ ae NI ig eae cota ¥ sneha mn: * me 0 = ty ania