parsonages, and schoolhouses, and also assistance in funds, proportionate to the amounts raised by individual contributions for such purposes. Some particulars upon this point are stated in the chapter devoted to the religious establishments, and appended is a precis of
THE EARLY SCHOOL REGULATIONS.
Prior to 1841, a meagre and imperfect code existed, but on the 24th September a revised edition was issued from the Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, to take effect from and after 1st January, 1842. With respect to new schools, or those established since 1836, in towns or places with a population of 2000 or upwards, the Government grant to any school was not to exceed one penny for each day's actual attendance of every child, none to be reckoned whose parents or friends were in a station of life such as to render it unnecessary to extend to them the assistance of Government. In localities where the population was under 2000, the State aid to a school may be ij^d. per diem per child, or further extended to ij^d. per diem should there be no other school of any denomination receiving Government aid withinfivemiles. In no case would Government aid exceed the sum to be raised for the support of the school from private sources, nor ever be more than ,£25 per quarter, unless the number of children attending the school, or the poverty of their parents was such to make a special exception in their favour necessary. It was further declared that the sums granted by the Legislature could never be exceeded, nor the savings (if any) on one year be carried over to aid the expenditure of the next. The same rule applied to the cost of repairs to school buildings. The Government likewise expressed its intention of discontinuing, as soon as possible, the payment offixedsalaries to masters and mistresses; and consequently no salaries would be guaranteed to any such appointed after 1st January, 1842; neither would rent be paid by Government for any buildings hired as school-houses after the same date, unless previously used as such, it being considered that the providing of suitable teachers and buildings should rest with Trustees, or Committee of Management, rather than with the Government. It was further proposed as soon as possible to discontinue the extremely objectionable practice of paying one halfpenny per diem for children whose parents or friends pay nothing. "The purpose sought to be effected was gradually to bring all schools which receive aid from the Government, under one system, so far at least as the receipt of that aid is concerned." All schools were required to furnish quarterly returns to the Auditors-General in Sydney. In addition to other information they were to include an alphabetical list of the children, with their ages, as well as the names, places of abode, and trade or calling of the parents or nearest friends. These lists would then be transferred, in Sydney to an Inspector of Schools, and in country places, to the police magistrates ; and should there be none such, then to the Clerk of the Bench, or some other person authorized to act as an Inspector of Schools within his district. The duties of School Inspectors were to acquire an acquaintance with the condition of life of all the parents, or friends of school-attending children, marking on the list supplied to him, his opinion whether or not such persons require the assistance of the Government in the education of the children. They were to visit the schools at uncertain times, never less than twice a month, when the children were to be mustered, and the numbers present compared with those entered on the daily attendance registers to be kept by the teachers. With the tuition, the Inspectors were to have no concern ; nor could they exercise any control over the teachers, the object of their appointment being to watch over thefinancialand not the educational business of the schools Nevertheless, it would be their duty to report to the Government "any irregularity or misconduct which may fall under their observation; and generally on the way in which each school may appear to them to be managed." The primary schools were, as a rule, imperfect to a degree, from the impossibility of obtaining the services of teachers, even moderately competent ; but a large allowance must be made for existent difficulties insuperable in their way, and only to be removed by the great magician-Time
