The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-07-22

remarks on THE FREE ScHooLs.-They con-
Time TO diminish in number, and also in the
number OF scholars attending them. The num-
Der of free schools in 1857, was less by y than in
! 1856. and the number of scholars less by 211. For
this decrease there are several reasons. The inspec-
sou have been instructed repeatedly, by circular, to
combine the very small schools together, wherever
practicable, with a view to economy, which has oc-
casioued some decrease in the number Of schools; and
the gradual decrease Of the population naturally oc-
cssions o diminution in the number Of both schools
and scholars The larger scholars leave school at an
earlier age than they did formerly partly on ac-
count Of their labor being in greater demand, and
also on account Of the boys being taxed On this ac-
count il Is worthy Of consideration whether the tax
ON BOYS between the ages Of sixteen and twenty ought
not to Be abolished After they arrive at the age of
fourteen. there is no law requiring them to attend
school The tendency too has been to leave the free
ehools, where the children receive only elementary
instruction in the native language, and enter the Sc
lect schools, where they can learn English, and have
sunerior advantages and this has been n tendency
In the right direction, where they have steadily per-
eevered in pursuit Of a higher education.
The large balances in the hands Of the school trea-
surers at the close Of the year, arises from the fact
thst the school tax is collected towards the close of
III vear. and deposited with the treasurers for the
snnnort Of the schools, until the tax of the following
year il paid in; and also owing to the design of the
school officers in some Of the Districts to husband the
A,nds nth = view to erect better school houses.
Owing 70 . great improvement in the manner OF
eolIectine the taxes generally and also to the fact
eh.f : portiou Of the school tax of 1856 Was paid in
1857. there has been an increase of revenue from the
echool tax in 1857, over that OF 1856, Of S4,5oS 70.
mis- fact taken in connection with what has been
above stated. in regard to q decrease in the number
~ ftee schools, will account for their having been in
seaiou twenty one days, or about a month Of school
fine. longer in 1857, than in 1856; and the Average
amouut expended on each scholar, ~sixty-one cents
more in 1857, than in 1855. The schools, move
ever. which have came under my observation, have
improved in proportion.
n soms Of the districts, the free schools are kept
IN zion the year round, excepting the usual vaca-
e;oua. Ave DAYS in the week, and four or hve hours q
-. In others they are in session only part OF the
- Tho average has been as above stated.
.ees~arv. in order to embrace all the children, and
~ Il the intention Of the law, that oil the children
~ : oommon school education; and they are conse-
oueutIv smaller than where the population 10 more
5ensa ~ funds being divided among 80 many
-.u echooIa they are sooner exhausted, and they
n. - copt;uue IN session during 20 large e portion
~ venr: nop are they useful to the SANE degree,
- vbezs they can be kept up during the year.
ArrxpAxCk-The law requires All children, be-
60 he aes Of four and fourteen years, to attend
suue school; and % far ss appears from the returns
q ~ school Inspector, there are very few cniidren
No do mos =a1fand school more or less; . great
u13ority are very regular in their attendance. nn
- duty Of the trustee or trustees. IusakuiG. Of each
s.Scoi 70 iook sfter truants, snd IL necessary, present
them bsSors the justices for punishment, IN order 70
1870 at1undanea This. however. 10 rarely DONE
encuue IN Honolulu, where the Temptations. end Dis
fnAuWoU arU - great - TO nrirs {. Wy
"a iuporviGon ~ IL school Oh in eroeE@
IN IL dh1dBo9i n school
- frsa scbobis in other sountria. We
80 DeGeaO eenvlain sf the attsadAssa y1ne