, 1888-02-15

ING and painful evil. In Otner cases
occurring principally in the western Port OF
the island, the diseases of the feet are OF q
more serious, and presumably of an infectious
character (''yaws," "tubbo"); but want OF
cleanliness and caution doubtless contrl-
butes also to the d ration and spread otthese
diseases. 1t frequently happens also that
children who are reported as unable to attend
school. and who in fact ought to be allowed
a few DAYS rest in order to cure a sore, are
used by their parents to go on errandS to
town or to work in the fields, and the
absence from school is thus extended to a
much longer time than is really needful.
LASTLY the frequent late coming of the chill
dren IS an evil which needs to be steadily com
bated, otonly in the Country Schools but also
in the Town Schools, and which, in those
places where the teachers lack zeal and
perseverance in c%ontending against this bad
habit and are not alive to its injurious lnfu-
ence. becomes at times the rule instead of the
exception.
The school fines imposed in the course of
the year have amounted in all to 2538, of
which 1928 were RENTED, 1889 Ito a total
amount OF 3185l0) were paid, and 90 were
e~xpiatel by Imprisonment % remained over
unsettled at the end Of the year.
With regard to the progress of the pupils,
there is still a great difference in the two
town schools. While in the annuale xamlna-
tions the Christiansted Free School in the
great majority of the classes Showed very
GOOD results, the standpoint Of the pupils in
all the classes of the Frederiksted Free
School except those taught by Mr.. Cruise,
was, and still is, far from being s~atisfac-
tory. It is difficult to state with certainty
the cause of this the School Board would
prefer not to be under the necessity Of as
cribing it to q want Of zeal and conscientious.
ness on the part of the teachers. In
most of the Country Schools the Board
has had the satisfaction, in spite Of the
somewhat reduced attendance, to trace dis
tinct progress, which was especially apDa-
rent at the examinations held before the
close Of the schoolyear; this was particularly
the case at Two Williams school, which the
new teacher took over in an extremely poor
condition. That the instruction In the two
large schools at Friedensfeld and Diamond
is inpeded by the too great number OF the
pupils attending these schools, IS a matter
of course; but, on the other hand, the Board
does not, under the present financial posi-
ton of the island, consider itself Justified
in renewing it's proposal of about three
years since, to erect new schools, notwioh-
standing that the number OF pupIlS N the
two schools in question has further increased
since that time.
The yearly examinations were held IN the
town schools on the 10th & 18th Of May
(Christiansted), and on the 18th of May
Frcderiksted), and in the Country Schools
between the 10th and the 29th OF August.
Examinations were also held in the
town schools in November and December for
the half year then closing, and in the coun-
try schools in February and August for fix
ing the premiums to be paid to the teachers
in addition to their salaries.
II. The Private Schools.
The nrivate schools are the folIowing: