What proficiency was attained by the pupils in these subjects may be estimated by the large number who passed a successful examination for promotion at the midsummer examination, already referred to. ARBOR DAY. The success which attended the setting apart a school day in 1887 for the planting of trees and shrubs, the beautifying of school premises, and special instruction on plant life, led the educational authorities to repeat the experiment in 1888. The inspectors of the several districts of the Province decided upon Thursday, May 18th, as the day best suited for its observance, but as that day is in St. John a school holiday permission was granted to change the date to Friday, May 25th, for this district. Accordingly, on that day the regular school work was suspended, and each department celebrated the occasion in a befitting manner. In the larger schools the pupils were massed in the exhibition halls, and went through a programme having special reference to the subject of the day. Wherever opportunity permitted trees and shrubs were set out on the school grounds, and where these were wanting window gardening was indulged in. The following brief table sums up the work of planting for the second annual celebration of Arbor Day: The examination of candidates of the Girls' High School for matriculation at the New Brunswick University, was held at the Victoria School in the month of June, under the direction of the faculty of the University, with very gratifying results, three of the class of nine passing in the first rank, with an average of seventy per cent. of marks, and six in the second rank. The following are the names of the successful young ladies in the order of their standing: Gertrude Hanington, Alice Walker, Edith M. Clarke, Harriet Clarke, Edith Hanington, Mary Johnstone, Bessie Macfarlane, Marion Shaw, Helen Walker. Certificates were handed to these students by Dr. Harrison, President of the University, at the mid-summer exhibition of the High School, on which occasion he expressed his pleasure at the general excellence of the work presented. Twenty pupils of this school have successfully passed this examination in the past three years, or since it was thrown open to female students. This year also, for the first time, the pupils of the High School of St. John sought. to win distinction in the entrance examination for McGill University, Montreal, and Bishop's College, Lennoxville. The examination papers were entrusted to the Secretary of the School Trustees and the Rev. Mr. Raymond, who were selected by the faculty as examiners. On the appointed day, four students presented themselves at the office of the Board where the examination was conducted, and bravely set themselves to the difficult task assigned them. The result was not less gratifying than that attained in the work prescribed for the Provincial University, for on June 28th, each of the young ladies was presented with the certificate of associate in arts. Their names are Mary Johnstone, Alice Walker, Harriet Clarke, and Edith Hanington, their standing being in the order named, with special reference to Miss Johnstone's success in Classics. PRIZES. The thanks of the School Board are due to the many friends who came forward at the mid-summer examinations, with valuable prizes of money and books to reward those pupils who had distinguished themselves by general proficiency or successful effort in special departments of study. A full list of names and gifts will be found in the appendix to this report. The valuable prize offered by Colin H. Livingstone, Esquire, of New York, for the best essay on "The Scenery of St. John and its Environs," open to all pupils of the public Grammar School of St. John, and the St. John High School, was not awarded, no production of sufficient merit being submitted to warrant the examiner, in the absence of the donor, in handing over the full set of Encyclopedia Brittanica (Chamber's edition, bound in calf) which Mr. Livingstone had so generously offered. This conclusion was concurred in by the Board of Trustees and ratified by the donor in subsequent correspondence. It was Mr. Livingstone's desire and design to establish a memorial prize in loving and respectful remembrance of the educational work of the Reverend Charles Coster, Ph.D., who for many years filled the position of Head Master of the public Grammar School of St. John, and this purpose will probably be carried out in connection with some one of our Canadian Universities. The difficulty of making the award of such a costly prize was rendered all the greater by the fact that money prizes of half the value of these books had been won with far superior work by the pupils of the same schools upon such topics as Victoria- -Queen, Wife and Mother," and "Alcohol-its effects upon the Human System,"-the latter being in response to a prize offered by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of St. John. The following prizes have been offered for competition during 1889: 66 "The Boy as a Ten dollars for the best essay by boys of the Grammar Schools, on Citizen," I. Allen Jack, Esquire, Recorder of the City of St. John; and ten dollars by the same donor for the best essay by girls of the High school, upon "Maidenhood". theme, Longfellow's couplet : 66 Standing with reluctant feet Where the brook and river meet." Ten dollars for the best essay by girls of the High School upon a subject hereafter to be given; T. W. Peters, Esquire, Warden of the Municipality of St. John. A valuable prize to the Grammar School boy who passes the best examinations during the year in Natural Science, and who at midsummer has also the best knowledge of laboratory practice, zoology, and botany. Gold medal offered in St. Malachi's School, by Richard O'Brien, Esquire; terms not yet announced. A prize to girls of the High School by Reverend Canon Brigstocke. Prizes for Waterloo Street Schools and St. Patrick's Schools by J. V. Ellis Esquire, M. P., and the Secretary. All these in addition to the gold, silver and bronze medals annually competed for, and the usual grant of the Board of School Trustees, to supply a gift book for the pupils having the highest standing for the year ending June 30, in their respective departments. COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTE. The St. John County Teachers' Institute was held in the hall of the Victoria School on Thursday and Friday, September 27 and 28. All the city schools (save those taught by the Sisters of Charity) were closed, and the teachers attended in a body. Papers were read and spirited discussions had upon the subjects of drawing, music, and methods of teaching English, the latter illustrated by a class of girls in Standard II from Miss Herrington's department of the Centennial School. The work of the Institute was of a practical character throughout, and the address of the Chief Superintendent of Education, Wm. Crocket, Esquire, A. M., upon the history of education and the lessons to be drawn therefrom was both instructive and stimulating. INTERPROVINCIAL TEACHERS' INSTITUTE. The past year will be memorable in the educational annals of Canada as that in which took place the first great gathering of teachers from a wider field than that furnished by provincial boundaries. Under the management of efficient executive and local committees there came together in this city on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, July 17th, 18th and 19th, about five hundred teachers from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, for the purpose of organizing an Interprovincial Teachers' Institute, in the interests of public education. Every department of effort was represented, from the lowest grade of Primary Schools to the University, and throughout the sessions the dignified manner in which every topic was discussed, coupled with the fine spirit of professional enthusiasm displayed in the presentation and reception of the great underlying principles of education, gave token of lasting benefits to follow in working out to a successful issue the difficult problems presented to the individual teacher in every-day school duties. The interest of the occasion was greatly enhanced by the presence of distinguished educationalists from England, the United States, and the Provinces of the Dominion. Among these were Sir William Dawson, Dr. J. G. Fitch, Col. F. W. Parker and Mrs. Parker, Professor Ray Greene Huling, and Dr. J. F. Schurman, the presidents of the several universities and colleges of the Maritime Provinces, the representative members of the three provincial Boards of Education, the principals of all the Normal Schools, the Government inspectors of schools and the chairmen, trustees and officers of many school boards. At the outset Inspector Oakes was called to the chair, and he appointed a nominating committee, who speedily reported the following list of officers, and their report was unanimously adopted: President Dr. Allison, Superintendent of Education for Nova Scotia. Vice-Presidents-Superintendent Crocket, of New Brunswick; Superintendent Montgomery, of Prince Edward Island. General Secretary and Treasurer-John March, St. John, N. B. Enrolment Secretaries Supervisor McKay, Halifax, N. S,; H. C. Creed, Fredericton, N. B.; G. E. Robertson, Charlottetown, P. E. 1. The opening session on Wednesday evening was in charge of His Worship, H. J. Thorne, Mayor of St. John, who extended a most cordial welcome to the teachers on behalf of the citizens. He was followed by His Worship, Mayor Chesley, who extended a similar greeting on behalf of the City of Portland. His Honor, Mr. Justice King, and A. A. Stockton, Esq., M. P. P., then addressed the assembly, after which Dr. Allison, Superintendents Crocket and Montgomery and Colonel Parker responded on behalf of the visitors. On Wednesday morning the business of the convention proper opened with an admirable address by Sir William Dawson on "Some Reminiscences and Prospects of Education in the Maritime Provinces." Dr. J. G. Schurman, of Cornell University, followed, his subject being "A Canadian University Curriculum," and the session closed with an address from Professor Ray Greene Huling, of New Bedford, Mass., upon "Current Educational Problems." In the afternoon Dr. J. G. Fitch, the well-known educational author and lecturer of London, England, spoke upon "Hand Work and Head Work in Schools," and Colonel F. W. Parker upon "Artist or Artisan, Which?" The evening was devoted to the discussion of the question "The Influence of the College on Industrial and Social Life." The speakers were Rev. Dr. Sawyer, President of Acadia College, Wolfville, N. S.; Dr. Harrison, President of the University of New Brunswick; Rev. Dr. Forrest, President of Dalhousie College, Halifax, N. S.; Dr. Inch, President of Mount Allison College, Sackville, N. B.; Dr. Anderson, Principal of Prince of Wales College and Normal School, Charlottetown, P. E. I.; and Professor Chas. G. D. Roberts, of King's College, Windsor, N. S. On Thursday morning the convention separated into sections for the purpose of discussing important questions upon special departments of educational work. The University section met in the director's room of the Mechanics' Institute, and exchanged ideas in regard to state universities and independent local colleges, and drew closer the bonds of professional good-will between those interested in the higher education. The Normal School section met in the Board room of the School Trustees, where papers were submitted upon "Scholarship as a preparation for Teaching," by Principal Anderson of Prince Edward Island; "The relation of the Normal School to the subjects taught in the Common School," by Principal Calkin of Nova Scotia; and "The relation of the Model School to the Normal School," by Principal Mullin of New Brunswick. The Inspectoral section met in Odd Fellows' Hall, where papers were read upon "The Inspector a necessary factor in a Public School System," by Inspector Congdon of Halifax; "The relation of the Inspector to the Teacher and Distriet," by Inspector Carter of St. John; "What may we do to Make School Inspection More Efficient," by Inspector McSwain of P. E. I. The questions in these papers were thoroughly discussed and new ones opened by the large body of inspectors present. Dr. J. G. Fitch of London, also addressed the meeting at some length, enlarging upon the duties of an inspector and the outcome of inspectoral work in England. Superintendents Crocket and Montgomery also spoke upon questions raised in the course of the discussion. 66 The High School section met in the exhibition hall of the Victoria School, where the following papers were read: "Science in the Curriculum," by A. H. McKay, Pictou, N. S.; " Physics," Principal McKay, New Glasgow, N. S.; "The Study of Plant Life," G. U. Hay, St. John. N. B.; "The ornamentation of School Grounds," by G. Oulton, Dorchester, N. B.. "English Literature," by Mr. Creighton, North Sydney, C. B.; "History," by Mr. Campbell, Truro, N. S. After an interesting discussion the section was addressed by Sir William Dawson, Dr. Bailey, and Professor Huling. The Advanced School section met in the Mechanics' Institute where the following papers were read and the subjects discussed at length in an able and dignified manner by the large body of this grade of teachers who were present: "The Aims and Processes of Moral Culture," by A. W. Hickson, Portland; "Physical and Moral Culture in the Play Ground," by W. T. Kerr, Woodstock; "Moral Culture," by R. H. Campbell, P. E. I.; "Grammar in the Common Schools," by D. H. Burridge, Halifax (read by Principal Kennedy, Halifax); G. T. Miller, Hantsport, N. S,, and J. D. McIntyre, P. E. I. (read by A. T. Stewart, P. E I). The Primary School section assembled in the hall of the Centennial School. Papers were read upon "Kindergarten Methods in the Primary Schools," by Miss Lewis, Truro, N. S.; "Social Instincts as a Factor in Character Building," by Miss Sullivan, Halifax, N. S.; "Character Building on its Moral Side," by Miss Grace Murphy, Portland, N. B.; "Faults of Temper and How to Treat Them," by Miss H. Adam, St. John, N. B. The discussion of these papers was free and full of interest, and the whole proceedings brought forth from Colonel Parker expressions of gratification at the intelligent and broad views expressed by the authors and speakers. Colonel Parker also addressed this section upon the subject of "How to Teach Reading in the Primary School." At noon His Worship, the Mayor, received the citizens at the City Hall, and introduced them to the distinguished educationalists from abroad who were guests in the city attending this convention. During the afternoon the Natural History Society gave a reception to Sir William Dawson in their rooms, Market building, under the patronage of His Honor Sir S. L. Tilley, C. B., Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. The convention, on re-assembling at 2.30 p. m., received a deputation from the Women's Christian Temperance Union, who came to bear to the teachers the greeting of three hundred white-ribboned women of the Maritime Provinces, and an appeal in the interests of temperance instruction and purity of life. Mrs. W. Parker, of Cook County Normal School, Illinois, then delivered a fine address upon the Delsartian School of Expression, and was followed by Mrs. Harriet C. Magee, of the Oshkosh Normal School, Wisconsin, on Art Education. Mons. Vetraire, |