E.—l4

98

would also like to point out the fact that outside the secondary class there is the work of the primary department, the training of pupil-teachers, of which we have three. The new regulations insist that headmasters shall periodically examine their schools; and an Inspector would take well into a week to do so, and every month I have to examine, while at the same time the work of the secondary class is going on. You will understand that I feel very strongly on the subject. There are so many branches to be taken in the secondary class. At the present time we are dealing with no less than nine branches, and if the work of district high schools is to be carried on successfully I think the whole question must be looked into. At present it is simply a system of " sweating," though hitherto it has been unavoidable. Were the District High School separated to-morrow from the primary school there would no doubt be two or three teachers put in. The Institute thinks that the payment of teachers on average attendance is not the best plan. In a country such as this there are climatic conditions which necessarily interfere with the attendance, and it is not right that the teachers should have to bear the brunt of bad attendance, and that their salaries should suffer on that account. A short time ago one of the country schools here was threatened with scarlet fever, and for three months the attendance was lessened by a half; accordingly the teacher's salary suffered. A better plan would be to pay on the roll-number, and we feel it would be more righteous to do so. In conclusion, I heartily indorse the proposed increase to pupil-teachers. My experience has been that they do excellent work, and I think the proposed increase a step in the right direction, for they undoubtedly deserve every penny which is proposed to be allotted to them. In regard to the question of the payment of first assistants in schools of from 175 to 225, and from 225 to 250, the Institute thinks that the first assistants do not receive sufficient salary, nor does the Institute think that the salary of the second assistants is adequate. It is demanded that he or she should have aD3 certificate. We are of the opinion, considering the number of years a teacher must devote in order to gain a D certificate, that a salary of £80 a year is inadequate, and that £2 per week is not too much to ask. 891. Mr. Mackenzie.] You do not suggest what the staffing should be in a district high school ?—lt is a big question ; and I am not prepared, on the spur of the moment, to make any suggestion other than that a district high school should be considered equally with an ordinary high school. My experience is that they do excellent work, and that they merit equal staffing. 392. Perhaps you are not aware that we are precluded from considering high schools altogether. Do you think that the scope of this inquiry should include the proper treatment of high schools ?—Yes, I do. 393. You suggest that the secondary classes of district high schools should be staffed as ordinary high schools ?—I think they should be staffed better than they are at present. 394. If a secondary class is staffed as you think it should be, would you consider that one of the tests of the efficiency of work should be the number of passes in the Civil Service Examination? —I think it is a very good test. It depends, however, on the pupils themselves, whether they enter or not. 395. If the schools were fully staffed, would you expect annually a certain number to secure passes in the Civil Service ?—Yes. 396. How many did you say had obtained passes in your school last year?— Eight passed, and one obtained nineteenth position for the colony. 397. A good many matriculated? —Yes. 398. Do you think two years is too short a period, after a boy has passed the Sixth Standard, in which to pass the Civil Service?— Yes. 399. Were any of your successful candidates students of more than two years ? —Some had attended two years, and some three. One boy matriculated in two years. 400. Would you consider that in three years in a well-conducted district high school a large percentage should pass the Civil Service Examination ? —Yes. 401. Beferring to primary schools, how many pupils do you think a sole teacher could be intrusted with in order to teach them efficiently ?—I think that a teacher, to do his work effectively and systematically, should not have more than 40 or 45. 402. Do you think that would be a fair number ?—Yes. 403. Do you think it would be better to reduce the salaries of those teachers and add staff assistance, or to continue as they are and pay more adequate salaries—l refer particularly to the Otago schools ?—I could hardly tell without having a specified school in view. 404. You say that salaries should be paid on the roll-number, and not on the average attendance : would you confine that to special districts or to the whole colony ?—To the whole colony. I do not think it fair that teachers should be penalised because children do not appreciate the advantage of education. 405. Mr. Davidson.] What is your experience as a primary-school teacher?—l was trained in the Tiniaru Main School. I think I was eleven years there. 1 was three years as first assistant at the Waimate District High School, and for the last two years I have been in my present position. 406. You have never taught, as head-teacher, in any school with an average attendance under 100?— No. 407. Mr. Stewart.] You have considered the scale of staff and salaries?— Not thoroughly. 408. Did you notice that there was a difference in the salaries of schools from 225 to 250, as between £176 and £186?— Yes. 409. Would you be in favour of paying the headmasters and the assistants of those schools exactly the same salary?—l think there should be an increase in salary as the work, and consequently the attendance, increases. 410. If the school increased to 300, would you pay larger salaries ?—Yes. 411. If the school increased to 500, would you still increase the salaries ?—Yes, but not by such big leaps.