, 1865-06-30
(Concluded.)

In order then to remedy these and other de-
fects, the School Commission, in the year 1856,
resolved that a proposition to amend the exist
ing Regulations for the Rural Schools ought to
be brought before the Colonial Council. Ac-
cordingly a draft of a law to this effect was
laid before that Council at the ~ Session held
that same year. The principal features of this
proposed Law were-I. The adjustment of the
Saturday Schools. II. The extension of the
School term in the every day School from 4 to
6 years; and of the daily session from 4 to 6
hours. III. The division of the children into
2 classes; the Lower class to contain those
from 6 to 9 years of age, the Upper class those
from 9 to IL. ". The children of the Lower
class to attend 3 days in every week, and those
of the Upper class 2 days. Y. The time of adj
mission to, and dismissal from the Schools to
be twice a year. vi. instruction in writing
and sewing to be given the children without re-
Enumeration. And VII. Dwellings for the
Teachers to be erected. The last two items
have been adopted since, according to this pro-
posal but as they necessitated money grants
from the Lane Treasury, the Colonial Council
could not then finally decide upon them, but
unanimously adopted a resolution to transmit
the Draft to the Governor, with tho request
that he would lay before the Council at its next
Session a new School Ordinance for the Island
of st. Croix, based on the chief principles laid
down in that then sent him. This was done by
the then Governor at the Y. Session of the
Council in 1859. But the enactment then pro-
posed, were of such a nature that no member Of
the Council could entertain them and a Com
mittee appointed to report on the same propos-
ed very many, and very considerable amend
ments. During the general discussions OF this
Committee Report His Excellency himself adj
vocated essential changes in his own draft, and
there seems but little doubt that had the final
proposals been laid before the Council at the
outset, instead of the original ones, much good
might have been accomplished, ard the vexed
question of the Rural Schools, so far as these
points went, been satisfactorily settled. AS it
was however the case was lost-the Committee
withdrew its amendments-and the Governors
proposed alterations in his own Draft were re-
jected by the Council with all but 2 votes.
Thus the important subject of the improve
ment of the Rural Schools rested until the
School Commission, urged by the increasing
necessity of the case, agitated it anew IN the
year 1862. Another proposal OF the Commits
sion was then brought before the Colonial
Council, for the nature of which, and for its
progress before that Body we briefly refer to
the Committee Report forwarded to the School
Commission by His Excellency.
In his late communication to the School
Commission His Excellency however declares
that he cannot, in consideration for the interests
of the children, accede to the proposal of the
Committee of the Colonial Council to close the
school-term with the 18th year; nor yet, in
consideration for the interests of the Estates,
can he consent tn the extension to the 18th
year, as proposed by the Commission in 1862,
and he has therefore suggested an entirely new
arrangement, VITO divide the children from
6 to 10 years of age into 3 olssses-the Junior
class to attend 81 years, % hours in the after
noon, for 5 days in each week the Middle
class, % years, a hours in the afternoon, for
four days in each week during the first 6 months
of the year, and for 8 days in each week during
the last 6 months and the Senior class for 2
years, 4 hours in the forenoon of day in each
week during the first 6 months of the year, and
2 days week during the last 6 months. AS
His Excellency however seems willing to &C
cept an amendment made on his plan by the
superintendent, and as the Commission did not
adopt it, it would be superauous to discuss it
further. Before Diminishing it however, we can