CHAPTER XX.

ASSISTANTS TO AGED AND INFIRM SCHOOLMASTERS.

Facility granted for Employment of Deputies on account of Incumbent's Age or Infirmity-Conditions of Arrangement-Extra Allowance Gratifying nature of this Proceeding-Assistants required to be taken in particular cases for increased efficiency.

A VERY important portion of the Trustees' proceedings has consisted in facilitating the employment of deputies in the room of schoolmasters, themselves disabled by age or infirmity. Where age is the cause of the measure, it is required that the incumbent shall have attained his sixtieth year. The conditions vary, according to the circumstances of each case, but the general outline of the arrangement is, that the deputy-teacher receives the school-fees, and the ordinary allowance from the Bequest, the incumbent retaining the salary from the heritors, and receiving also an extra allowance, not exceeding £12 a-year, from the Bequest. It is a condition of such al

lowances, that the qualifications of the assistant, and the condition of the school, shall be satisfactory to the Presbytery and to the Trustees. Assistants, however, are not required, as already stated, to undergo examination; the emoluments of such temporary appointments not being so large that the full qualifications could reasonably be required. For the same reason, the regulation as to incumbents being of full age, is not, as mentioned elsewhere, applied to assistants. They are required, however, to produce testimonials of their attainments and qualifications.

It has already been stated, that in two instances, the heritors have, upon the suggestion of the Trustees, made an additional contribution of salary to aid in the employment of deputies.

Extra allowances have been granted to 21 incumbents, of whom 18 still survive.

No part of the proceedings has been more pleasing in its nature, and gratifying in its results, than this. Schools have been kept in an efficient condition without trenching too closely upon the comforts of aged and infirm, but often most faithful servants-whereas, in the absence of such facilities, the school must have been enfeebled, and the worn out or afflicted public servant must have been unduly straitened.

Under this head, it may also be noticed, that, in some instances, not presenting the conditions upon which extra allowances are granted, the con

tinuance of the ordinary allowance to the incumbent has been made dependent upon his employing a properly qualified assistant. This has been done in some cases, with a view to increase the efficiency of the elementary, and in others that of the classical department.

CHAPTER XXI.

PRINCIPLE OF DIVISION.

Funds not divided equally-But with reference to every Element testifying Diligence and Success-Elements specified-Catalogue and Certified Returns-Divisions and Rates of Allowance-Grounds for restricting and withholding-Object of the respective Elements, and Result of their application-Operation of Scheme generally satisfactory-Instance of its stimulating power-Modification required by unexpected increase of Pupils in some Schools-1. Less weight proposed to be given to Numbers, &c., when exceeding a certain point; and, 2. Allowance for Merit to be increased-Benefit from retaining both these principles.

THE last Report contained a statement of the grounds upon which the Trustees had resolved that the funds of the Bequest should not be distributed in equal portions among the claimants, the main reason being indeed the terms of the settlement, which appeared to exclude the principle of equality, by directing such a division as should encourage active schoolmasters, and gradually elevate the literary character of the schoolmasters

and schools, and by conferring upon the Trustees power to increase, diminish, and withdraw allow

ances.

The grounds were also stated for deeming it impracticable to make the division depend upon a consideration of the number of pupils attending, as compared with the population of the parish or district—or indeed singly upon any one of the various tests of a schoolmaster's diligence and success. It appeared to be more consonant with the design of the Bequest," that it should be divided upon a plan which embraces and gives effect to all the details, and every particular by which the Parochial School in its constitution and management is characterised, and its efficiency or inefficiency indicated." It was proposed in this way, "to follow the course which long experience has already approved, and to study, in applying the Bequest, not to make it disturb or jar with those arrangements and principles which have hitherto conduced to the efficiency and success of the establishment of Parochial Schools, but to endeavour, if possible, to confirm these arrangements and principles where they are already thoroughly established, and to lend additional strength and efficacy to their operation, in the quarters where it may have been impaired or obstructed."

In pursuance of this general principle, it was proposed and subsequently resolved, that the distribution should be made upon a consideration of the relative circumstances of the different schools in respect of the following particulars, viz. :—

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