the problem, as there were many tasks, such as blueberry picking, de¬ manding child labour which they did not cover. Thus, in his Report for 1905, Inspector MacCormac observes that "the fact that at Mount Stewart alone over $5,000. was paid for blueberries is enough to con¬ vince anyone that the school attendance during the berry season was in that section, at least, much less than the attendance in the berry fields." It was owing to a deficiency in attendance, that, in 1898, Mount Stewart North School lost its "advanced graded" status, and, indeed, as late as 1919, it was remarked that "greater regularity of attendance and the keeping of the older pupils in school till they have completed the school course would soon make this (Mount Stewart School) one of the best ... in the province." Since politics permeated virtually every aspect of Island life, it is natural to expect that it became intertwined with education, some¬ times in an amusing manner. On August 15, 1906, Inspector MacCormac visited the Mount Stewart schools in his official capacity as inspector and also, apparently, as the purveyor of a combined map of Canada and the world. This, the bitterly partisam Examiner exclaimed was "the map which the subsidized organ of the Government announced with such a flourish of trumpets as a boon from Mr. Hughes , M.P ., and advised the recipients to be grateful and return due thanks to the 'lone here' who is engaged in the uphill work of fighting single-handed our battles at Ottawa." The Examiner advised its readers that it "put little faith in the Patriot's mouthings" and went on to explain how the map itself had justified its expectations." "A little 2x3 foot map, made of material literally 'thinner than a cat's ear' and so poorly engraved and printed as to require a microscope of no ordinary magnitude to discover even the most prominent places in our country." This, the editor concluded, "constituted the 'boon' for which the people of (the) country are advised to be grateful . . . ." Among the more pleasant events of the school year was the annual Christmas concert, and none was more enjoyable than the one held at Head of Hillsborough in December, 1908, when the teacher, Miss Ida Webster , "wishing to give her scholars a good time, decided to have a Christmas tree and programme." By 6 o'clock the schoolroom was crowded with pupils and visitors and, with Mr. Cameron MacLauchlan as chairman, the programme began with an opening address of welcome given by Frank MacLauchlan . The scholars, who acquitted themselves well, were "put through their lessons" by some of the visitors, and there followed a selection of recitations, dialogues and songs, the most beauti¬ ful of which were sung by Misses Blanche Douglas , Lottie McKenna and Alice Jardine . A beautifully decorated tree, the work of Misses Jennie Douglas and Ida Webster and Messrs. Fulton and Coffin Douglas , was subsequently unveiled, and Santa proceeded to distribute the gifts, after which the audience was treated to fruit and confectionery. Speeches followed, and one was delivered by Mr. Gordon Douglas who compli¬ mented Miss Webster on the great strides the students had made since she began teaching them. Miss Webster responded "very happily," thanking the trustees for the pleasant manner in which they helped her carry on the school business. More speeches, interspersed with recita¬ tions by the pupils, completed an evening which, the Examiner prop¬ hesied, would "ever remain green in the minds of all present." During the 1920's and early 30's, the School Fair was recognized as a very important and interesting factor in the education of country —97—