. der assistance from the Glebe Lands' Fund, then in the hands of commis¬ sioners, and at the disposal of the Bishop of Nova Scotia , and of His Excellency. On April 3, 1852, the Legislature passed a bill which became known as the Free Education Act, and which is practically speaking, the foundation of the present school system. The district school was built and maintained by assessment upon all the lands of the district, and all children resident, between the ages of five and sixteen years, were in¬ structed without charge, by a teacher whose salary was provided by the state, the period of the teacher's engagement being twelve months. Teachers were permitted to use the school building for evening classes for their own advantage. The School Visitors reported a great difference in teachers in re¬ gard to education and methods of instruction. As a result, the Govern¬ ment was requested to procure a competent school Inspector, who could, in addition to his other duties, lecture on Agricultural Chemistry, and who should have a practical knowledge of Agriculture. Accordingly, Mr. John M. Stark , from Stowe's Seminary, Glasgow, Scotland , became In¬ spector of schools for the Province. In his report of 1854, he complimented the people for having placed the means of education within the reach of every family, leaving to the people only the maintenance of the school- house, and the supplementing of the teacher's salary. Prince Edward Island , he said, had taken this step in advance of the Mother Country. The Education Bill for Scotland , introduced into the Imperial Parliament at that session, and defeated, was, he said, identical in all essential elements with that in operation in this Province. He re¬ commended a graduation of salary in the payment of teachers, so that ability and experience might not be placed on a par with the meagre knowledge and inexperience of a youth of sixteen years. He noted the miserable nature of school buildings, the poor equip¬ ment of schools, and the lack of suitable books as readers. In one school he found twenty-four children at work with eleven reading books meant for the same stage of advancement, but all of a different kind. In his report of 1855, he gave the first full and definite statement offered by school Visitors. He concluded his official duties on March 9, 1857. The Act of 1861, provided that schoolhouses on Church property might be used for Public School purposes if a lease of the building were given to the Board of Education. Vacations should be from May 15 to June 1, with two weeks in October, and alternate Saturdays. Trustees might assess all householders having children of school age for the running expenses of the school, and assess all householders of the district for the erection of a new building, or for permanent repairs to the old one. By the Act of 1868, the Board of Education was given power to alter and re-arrange school districts, and order the moving of school buildings, if necessary. The school buildings were to contain four hundred sq. feet floor area, with ten feet clear to the ceiling, and to be situated at least ten yards from the highway. Vacation was to be from May 10 to 31, with three weeks in October and alternate Saturdays. In 1868, William MacPhail was appointed School Visitor for . (This was Sir Andrew MacPhail 's father.) In his report -4 82 $■-