1717

165

from $40 to $135 per term to the salary of the teachers

as fixed and paid by the Board of School Commissioners.

The Board are using every effort to foster and increase such
liberality, and are encouraged to hope for success. They feel
assured that the beneficial results of this system in the past
will aid in enlarging the disposition and in extending in a
greatly increased degree the good which has resulted here-
tofore.

The examination of teachers, which closed on the 31st of
January, showed that about one-fourth failed to reach the
standard. Their places have been filled by competent in-
structors. With this addition of new and good teachers,
and the very beneficial results of the Teachers' Institute, so
ably conducted here in September by Profs. Newell and
Leakin, the schools have been re-opened with evidence of in-
creased zeal and ability; and it is confidently expected that
the results will be very marked.

In all the towns of the County the schools have been
graded with very good results. The people are growing in
favor towards the system. They see that there is uniformity
and order, and that proper efforts are being made to ac-
complish the greatest possible good with the means in hand.

It is to be regretted that proper buildings have not yet
been secured for a High School, and that its establishment
has not yet been deemed practicable. The systematic ar-
rangement of schools, which is being effected will soon pro-
vide such material for an advanced school as will earnestly
demand its establishment, and, with such a demand, it is Re-
lieved there will be found little, if any, difficulty in the way
of opening a very creditable High School.

The subject of the continuance of the County tax has
been presented to the people by publication of a notice con-
taining the provisions of the law and the constitution, and
urging them to act upon the suggestions at the approaching
election. It has been fully canvassed during the year
whenever opportunity offered, and will be still further
urged on the people by circular letters and by every other
available means. The need of a fund from which to provide
for incidentals, rents, repairs, &c., is being daily felt, and
while the subject has not attracted the attention due it, it is
still thought that sufficient will be done to secure the con-
tinuance of the County tax until such time as it can be con-
veniently dispensed with.

The only available means for building thus far, has been
contributions by way of loan by the people, upon the con-
dition that six per cent, interest on the cost of the school
house shall be allowed as rent until such time as the prin-
cipal can be paid from the fund, or by voluntary con-
tributions.

The uniformity of Text-Books has been productive of