E.—lB.

Return — continued.

Education Department, E. O. Gibbes, _ . Wellington, 12th August, 1908. Secretary for Education. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,450 copies), £1 13s,'6d.

By Authority : John Mackat, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oB.

Price 3d.]

2

(I) Number of Country Primary Schools to Upkeep of which Settlers have contributed. (2) (3) Educational Status possessed by Teachers where such Contributions are made. Average Attendance at each School where Settlers have contributed to prevent closing School. Remarks. Education District. (Extracts from memoranda received from Education Boards.) Certificated. Uncertificated. Wellington .. 10 10 (4 schools): averages—3, 7, 9, and 9 At four sohools in this distriot the settlers have been asked to guarantee a fixed salary in consideration of a teacher being appointed. There are six other schools where, besides the ordinary capitation, the teacher receives lodging. tawke's Bay 5 1 4 ! Averages—7, 8, 8, 11, 18 3 at 2, 4 at 3, 6 at 4, 2 at 5, 13 at 6, 5 at 7, 4 at 8 [arlborough felson 37 17 2 37 15 1 at 3, 2 at 4, 3 at 5, 3 at 6, 1 at 7, 3 at 8, 3 at 9, 1 at 10 In this district, where schools have a yearly average attendance of less than nine, the householders are asked to contribute to the extent of providing board and lodging free, which is estimated to be worth about £25 per annum. The Board establishes household sohools [i.e., schools with a yearly average attendance of less than twelve) on trie parent or parents undertaking to provide a suitable room and apparatus for school use, and also guaranteeing • free board and lodging for the teaoher, it being understood, however, that if there is a house allowance it is to be paid by the teacher to the parents of the children attending the school, towards the cost of board. There have been no cases whore settlers have given monetary assistance in order to maintain a school. The statement furnished re'ates to oases where free board is provided for the teacher. In each case the teacher is provided by the settlers with free board and lodging. The contributions, as a rule, are restricted to suoh an amount as, with the capitation paid by the Board, yields a salary at the rate of £65 per annum. The exceptions are Ashburton Porks and Plemington. In the case of certificated teaohers the Board is of opinion that the minimum salary should be not less than £80. Westland .. 2 at 4, 3 at 5, 1 at 6, 1 at 8 Grey 2 at 3, 2 at 4, 1 at 5, 1 at 6 6 6 North Canterbury 12 12 1 at 7, 3 at 8, 1 at 10,1 at 11 South Canterbury Otago Nil Nil 2,5,6, 3 at 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 1 school with average 6 Nil 10 Nil 10 Southland .. 11 11 Most of these schools were established for the benefit of one or two families (in most cases one family only), and may be regarded simply as household schools.