With reference to Free Schools for poor or neglected children, Mr Hislop, the Secretary of the Education Board, in his annual report, says - "About four months ago, Mrs O'Rafferty, a lady resident in this city, pitying the sad case of those children whom she noticed running idle in the streets altogether uneducated, untrained, and uncared for, rented a small apartment in St Andrew street, secured the services of a very competent female teacher, and on her own responsibility at her own charge, opened a Free School for those children.
She visited the parents at their own houses, and succeeded in inducing many of them to send their children to her school, so that in a short time the class-room became quite crowded, and a number had to be refused admission for want of accommodation.
Mrs O'Rafferty, finding that a larger class-room was needed, and that the demands upon her resources were becoming somewhat heavy, brought her scheme under the notice of the Government which has granted an allowance in aid of the school.
A number of gentlemen, have formed a committee for the purpose of co-operating with the Government and with Mrs O'Rafferty, and I understand they are about to submit to the Government for a proposal whereby more commodious premises may be provided.
I have occasionally visited Mrs O'Rafferty's school in St Andrew street, and I have been much pleased with the manner in which it has been conducted by the teacher, Miss Connely, who appears to be very thoroughly qualified for her present duties.
The small class-room is usually quite filled - the number present being generally between 50 and 60.
Not only have many to be refused admission, but occasionally several of those who have been attending the school are sent away in order to make room for other whose cases are more pressing.
I understand that a considerable proportion of the scholars belong to families whose fathers are absent from town - some being employed on country roads, some at the `diggings,' and others in search of employment.
Others again are the children of careless or worthless parents, who are either indisposed or unable to pay any school fee however small, and who will not themselves make any efforts for the school education of their little ones.
There are to be seen in the school young children of not more than three years of age; but, in almost every case, these are the younger brothers and sisters of older pupils who would certainly be kept at home to watch over the younger ones if they were not allowed to take them along with themselves to school.