Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1855-04-14
REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE ON AC-
COUNT OF The FREE SCHOOLS,
IN 1854


IN 1854.
For a summary of these refer the Legislature
to the enclosed account marked b with the accom-
panyIng vouchers.
The total amount of receipts by this Department,
account of the 80 school tax in 1854, including
the balance of the previous year was S24 ,969 %
Expenditure of same on free schools, 1928 80
Balance in the hands of school Treas
urers as per reports to Dec 3Ist, $3.50 %
Expended of the interest accruing on
fund, arising from the sale of school
lands, as per account of same, mark
ed K, 7S6 30
Making the total amount expended on
free schools in 1854, 20,705 81
The amount paid for teachers wages,
was 1880 O6
Paid for building and repairing school
houses, 1926 %
Paid for salaries of School Treasures,
fees of Treasurers, school house fur
nIture, and other items, as per accounts
of School Treasures, r. 1912 65
The average number of days taught per
school in 1854 was l32 5l4-l000
The Scholars in eacA school for the
year, % 4-lO
Cost of each school for the year, $50 81 l-2
4" per day 90 81 9-IO
t '' scholar for the year, 81 OF lilo
"a Z" per day, 0 Oh 6-i0
year by S776 than during The previous owing no
doubt to increased efficiency in collecting.
here has been, however, great want OF efh-
cheney in collecting the school tax in of the
districts during the past years, and last year IN
particular in the fourth district of Maui, the schools
have languished exceedingly for want of funds
The same is tue, although not to the extent in re-
gard to the second and fifth districts of Oahu. Bnt
the attention of the Governors of these two islands,
snnariufoUd fhea rnlloctIoD Of the fsY hal
been repeatedly called to this great evil, and it is
hoped it will be remedied in future.
This want OF efficiency In the collection of the
school tax having been one of the most embarrassing
obstacles 10 the prosperity of the free schools,
thou ht proper in October last, with view OF as
certain the extent of the evil to address circular
to each of the tax collectors, requesting them to
report to me, the number of persons liable to the
school tax in their respective districts, for the last
three years. that by comparing their returns with
the money actually paid into the hands OF the
school treasureis, the deficiency might appear, If
any existed. The result of this inquiry is herewith
submitted in a paper marked NJ.
1t is impossible for those who have charge of the
schools to carry them unless they have the
means, and if the schdo tax properly paid in,
ON or before the first of January OF each year as
provided by the school act of 1850, it would impart
life to them all over the land. At present the tax
is being paid in all the year, and at time the
school Inspectors calculate much beforehand as TO
the disposal of it.
Tn the above statistics no distinction IS made as
in my former reports, between schools of different
Il IS deemed unnecessary, since
the full and explicit declaration of both houses of
the Legislature of last year, that the government
free schools should be conducted without regard
to any religious sect whatever, asreeably to the
theory of our laws. The recomnc ndaiion has
been carried out by circular approved by The
King and Council and addressed to each Of the
school inspectors in the twenty-five districts.
copy of this circular is submitted herewith marked
d. The result has been a union of some of the
smaller schools near together, prudence and econ
omy have dictated and consequent reduction in the
number of the schools and of expenditure their
account. The inspectors were instructed howev
er, to make no changes, except where they were
manifesty called for, the score of economy, and
they have not been numerous.
TO expect such measure to be carried out, with
entire satisfaction to all parties, would be perhaps
unreasonable, under the circumstances. but am
happy to state that no complaint has yet been made
to the Department, on account OF this change,
from any native whatever If grievances exist
they have not come TO my knowledge, and If they
are not redressed it is not my fault. have visited
schools composed of children Of different denomin-
ations, and heard no complaints they proceeded
in entire harmony. No religious exercises are con-
Quoted in such schools, while those present to
whom or To whose parents, they would be offensive;
and as to religious books the children read IN these
schools such as their parents furnish them.
On the Island of Oahu the free schools have new
er recovered entirely from the shock they received
by the smallpox in 1853. Il has seemed impossi-
Die to inftIse their former life into them. Many Of
our best teachers were cut down by that fearful
epidemic, many families broken up and many poor
children made orphans all of which has bad an in
furious effect upon the schools. In some of the
districts on other Islands, the schools have IAN
gu;shed as above stated from the want of funds;
but having travelled over eleven Of the districts
since the last meeting of the Legislature, and ex-
amined the schools carefully, regard them on the
whole, as prosperous; perhaps never more So taken
As a whole. The number of scholars decreases
from year to year owing to the decrease Of poPuia
ion and also to the fact that the select schools draw
off good many from the free schools but il viii
De seen by the returns Of births and deaths, that
here is yet hope that the tide may turn and flow
he other way. E
A new and excellent arithmetic, a translation of
Leonsrd's BY Rev A. Bishop, is becoming extern
lively introduced into the eorrHfon schools and IS