dren into books for which they are utterly unprepared. It is no uncommon thing to find children of seven or eight years at the 6th or 7th Reader, comprising the choicest selections of oratory, poetry, &c., the language of which, to say nothing of the sentiment, is beyond their comprehension, and, I am satisfied, beyond the attainment of some teachers themselves. It is impossible to read with intelligence or expression when the sentiment is not understood. Such teachers know nothing, and aim at nothing, more than ability to name the words; even in that they are too easily satisfied, and are often found repeating almost half the words before the child. Parents do much to encourage this evil. They judge of the child's progress by the book used, and praise or blame the teacher according to the readiness or otherwise in passing to advanced books.

All the ordinary branches received more or less attention. The figures given in the Return A are apt to lead to too high an opinion of the work. For example, under the head Drawing are given as follows: Model Cards 2350, Sketch Book 403. The fact is, instruction is merely nominal; it is practised chiefly on slates as an amusement. I endeavour to induce greater attention, and got many schools supplied with "Smith's Manual of Free-hand Drawing" and cards to correspond, but they remain unused. The teachers never studied it, have no taste, and can not find time for it. The people in general regard it as they do, "physical exercises" in school, a mere waste of time.

I would remark that I consider the best means to remedy this evil would be to have a teacher of drawing in the Normal School, who might devote a portion of his time to meet with, and instruct the teachers in central localities in the several counties. Almost every teacher, over the Grade E, aims at having some pupils at algebra and geometry. A stranger in looking over the abstracts would be struck with the number of schools having two or three pupils at these branches.

Interest manifested.--The interest taken in the work of the schools as manifested by visitation, has increased considerably. Clergymen made 211; teachers of other schools 763; other visitors 5,319 visits. Trustees, the very parties who should show most interest, manifest the least. There are many instances of trustees not visiting the school during their three years' term of office. Rate-payers are not at all so careful as they should be in electing the most suitable men. Persons are sometimes elected with a view of keeping the expenses at the minimum figure, not the advancement of education. I know instances of the three trustees being men without families, and without interest in education, laboring "to keep down the school;" and, absurd as it may appear, a secretary who cannot write. The most competent business men, men who take an interest in the advancement of education should always be preferred.

In

A larger number attended the terminal examinations in former years. At the end of the Summer Term 1,574 persons attended the examinations. Of 157 schools 14 closed without an examination. some of them the teachers announced an examination, but no person attended. I met with but one case of illegal engagement, but I have reason to believe the same course has been followed for years. The bond was "all right" in form, but there was a private arrangement

by which the teacher accepted the public money as the amount of salary, whether the amount should be greater or less than that specified in the bond. Measures have been taken to prevent its recurrence.

Teachers' Examination.-The result of the teachers' examination has been most disastrous to the expectations of the candidates. The result, as a whole, has been just what I anticipated from what I saw and knew of the great majority of the candidates. Some failed whom I expected would succeed. Many were very young and would not (in fact could not) engage in teaching for some years had they succeeded. They came up to test their educational standing with a view to ascertain "will I do, or what lack I yet?" I would suggest that the examination be restricted to those who actually intend shortly to engage in teaching, and that none be admitted under 15 years of age. This would reduce the number of candidates and the expenses attending the examination very considerably.

The examination questions, as a whole, were probably somewhat more difficult than in former years, but were legitimately and reasonably within the scope of the syllabus. From the large number of teachers now in every county of the Province, and from the low rate of salary at which their services can be obtained, the Grade E might certainly be dispensed with. I have advocated this for years and must continue to do so. A repetition of arguments is uncalled for. It might be thought that the expense of examination might be dispensed with for a few years. The exigencies of the service will not warrant such a course. In this county during the last nine years, 90 persons have been removed from the service, being a yearly average of 10. Of these 73 were young ladies renoved by marriage, and the other 17 by death. The service must be recruited yearly from the outside world.

The present Syllabus affords ample scope for thoroughly testing the qualifications; the exercises under that syllabus may be regarded as more extensive and difficult than in past years. A re-arrangement might, however, be made with propriety. The addition of some knowledge of Latin, Greek and French, in the qualifications of Grade B, might be worthy of consideration.

Personal. I continue to devote my whole time and attention to the work. I have made 317 official visits, and attended the public examinations of several schools; in all 340 visits in the year. Every section has been visited twice, except Pictou Island. Owing to its distance from the mainland, and the absence of regular communication, it is difficult of access.

Amendments in the School Law.-That universal satisfaction prevails is more than I dare say. There will be diversity of sentiment so long as the different constitution of mind and diversity of interest continue. As remarked formerly it is not a change of legislation we require so much as a faithful, judicious and intelligent carrying out the provisions already made. Permit a few suggestions for consideration:

1st. All property should be made assessable for the benefit of the section in which it is situated.

2nd. That a compulsory attendance and truant law be enacted. My views of such a law have been presented in previous reports, and

remain unchanged. The State has a proprietary interest in every child. It has enacted that all property shall be available for its education; just go a step further and enact that it shall receive the education thus provided, and that parental prejudice or neglect shall not, with impunity, deprive it thereof.

3rd. That the precise time of the summer vacation be left to the School Commissioners and Inspectors of the several counties.

4th. That the School Commissioners be paid a reasonable amount out of the county fund for time actually spent in the public interest. 5th. Let the county per capita tax be raised from 30 to 40 cents. 6th. Let the length of the term be the same in all sections in regard to teacher's pay.

Permit me also to suggest, with due deference to your responsible position, the propriety of inviting all the Inspectors to meet with you periodically to deliberate upon the common cause. Hitherto we have been, and still are entire strangers to each other and to you also, except by official intercourse, and that principally by correspondence. These men should have an intimate acquaintance with the country and its requirements; they have a unity of aim and a community of interests, and should have concentration of effort in their accomplishment.

Promising brevity at the outset I find so much to speak of that I have enlarged beyond my intention, and have still left many things unnoticed. In conclusion, I would sum up by saying that the year just closed affords unmistakable evidences of progress and reasons for encouragement which should stimulate all to perseverance and increased activity.

All which is respectfully submitted.

I have the honor to remain,

TO DAVID ALLISON, ESQ., LL.D.,

Yours most respectfully,

DANIEL MCDONALD.

Superintendent of Education.

QUEEN'S COUNTY.

C. T. ANDREWs, M.D., Inspector.

SIR,-In submitting the following report of the educational work in Queen's County for the past year I have nothing very important or new to add to the record of the previous year. The same ratio of advancement has been maintained, and after having passed through so severe a financial test as this county has lately undergone, I have no fear of any retrograde movement in our schools for some time to come. One natural source of alarm, however, would be the danger of the habits of rigid economy in the employing of teachers that has

distinguished so many sections, still clinging to the skirts of our school officers and continuing to obstruct the wheels of the educational car. There has been a slight increase in the number of schools both during the Winter and Summer Terms, and as to their general efficiency, with one or two exceptions, they fully meet my most sanguine expectations. I can, at least, with safety affirm that they return an ample equivalent for the money expended. A few crying evils demand and shall receive continued notice until some attempt be made to remove what cannot but be regarded as palpable defects from our otherwise excellent school system.

In the Winter Term there were 47 schools, and in the Summer 54, showing an increase of 5 over the number of last year. The subjoined table exhibits the number, grade and sex of teachers employed during the past year—

The statistical tables already forwarded to your office will furnish you with all necessary details. Though in number of pupils registered and the grand total days' attendance I cannot report so favorable an increase as in my last statement, yet in view of other evidences of educational zeal and activity in the erection of new school-houses, and the forming of new sections in outlying settlements, the record of the past year, upon the whole, shows signs of a growing appreciation of the opportunities afforded by our present school system, and a more enlightened public sentiment respecting the scholastic requirements of this progressive age.

Riversdale, another new section, has been added to the list, and a suitable building erected, in which a most satisfactory school has been kept during the summer. Dock Cove, another portion of Mill Village section, has petitioned the Board for assistance in obtaining school accommodation nearer home, and was constituted a separate section. A temporary building has been obtained and school will be opened at once. While I fully concur with those who advocate large sections, and although the splitting up of large into smaller sections is not strictly in accordance with the recommendations of the Council, nevertheless in the more remote portions of large sections there are frequently found quite a number of families who, owing to their indi

gent circumstances, cannot be prevailed upon to send their children to school. It therefore beco.nes necessary for the Commissioners to adopt whatever measures will secure school privileges to the greatest number of children. The school-house at Hunt's Point has been remodelled and enlarged, and now presents quite a neat and respectable appearance. Summerville school-house has been open for a summer school, and is being furnished for the present winter school. Western Head, Port Mouton Island, and Catherine's River sections are making preparations for building new houses.

The evil of irregular attendance calls loudly for some remedial change in our school law. In nearly every report I have been obliged to notice this chief cause of hindrance. The appalling disparity between the number of pupils registered, and the average attendance requires no comment. From my notes of inspection I take the following as an illustration of this evil as it exists in a few sections:

The average attendance of the above five examples is one-third of the number registered. When the State assumes control of the schools with the view of educating its citizens at an immense annual cost, it seems to me to be a loose way of doing business to allow two-thirds of the children to run at large, and pay as much for educating five pupils as fifteen. I have known private individuals to become bank-. rupt by practising that kind of economy. And when we find that it is among the poorer classes, the very ones whom it was designed to benefit, that this evil is most rampant, is it not the duty of our legislators to pass and provide for the rigid enforcement of such a law as will remove, as far as possible, this manifest deficiency in our present school system?

I have met with a difficulty in poor sections in making the trustees understand the injustice of employing a Grade C female, while it was perfectly legal and right to engage a Grade C male. This was evidently because I failed to comprehend it myself. If the Commissioners. consider that the circumstances of a section will justify them in granting special aid, and the people see fit to assess themselves for a sum sufficient to employ a superior teacher, surely they should be encouraged in their laudable efforts. Another difficult question to answer and one which is frequently put to me by trustees is, "What is the good of so many questions in the B returns?" I endeavour, with a grave expression, to reply, "My dear sir they furnish us with valuable statistics," but remembering how many answers I have had to guess at myself in filling out the statistical tables, I feel my conscience rebuking me for deceiving the man. There is no doubt that if a simpler form were devised, the information furnished would be quite as valuable, and far n:ore accurate.

School Books.-The prescribed books are generally used, but I find