common school system. Dr. Jennings then referred to the Grammar School Scholarships, tenable for two years, given by the City Council every year to the best seven boys from the common schools-and gave credit to Judge Adam Wilson and the late Mayor Bowes for having introduced this very excellent feature into the common school system of Toronto.

Rev. Mr. MANLY said he was in Canada many years ago, before the present very excellent system of common school education was inaugurated. Comparing the state of matters then with what it was now, he must say that marvellous progress had been made in this respect: The Rev. gentleman went on to speak of the blessings which education carried in its train, and pointed to Scotland and the United States as countries which had been made what they are by two instrumentalities-good schools and open Bibles. He considered, too, that in this Province of Ontario, there were all the elements of future greatness. It was pervaded with educational influences, and with the ministrations of the Christian religion-the two classes of influences best fitted to make a country strong, to consolidate it, and to propel it onward in the march of true civilization and prosperity.

Dr. A. A. RIDDEL, an ex-trustee, was then introduced, and delivered an interesting address in which he referred to the state of the Schools, in 1850, and the efforts of Dr. Ryerson, Dr. Workman, himself, and others to establish the present noble system of public instruction. He contended that the common school system had worked well in every country in which it had been introduced, and

stated that some six years ago he was present at the opening of the first common school in a city two hundred years old in a foreign country. (Mexico), when it was stated that the building was too large; that the children would never be found to fill it but he was glad to say that the school had not been opened long before it was found necessary to enlarge the building; and although the population of that city has been greatly decreased within the past six years by the ravages of war it now contained three large common schools. (Applause.) He regretted very much that, whilst many rich men in Toronto had subscribed large sums for the benefit of churches, that very few indeed had ever given anything for the benefit of education, and, indeed, he could not remember a single instance of a donation having been given in aid of the schools. He hoped that there would be an improvement in this respect, as he believed that the city schools were deserving of the most liberal patronage at the hands of those who were able to encourage them. The doctor resumed his seat amid warm applause.

The CHAIRMAN reminded Dr. Riddel that Mr. Jesse Ketchum, formerly of Toronto but now of Buffalo, had always been a liberal patron of the city schools, and then stated that although the merchants of Toronto derived no benefit from the common schools, they were heavily taxed for their support.

Rev. J. M. KING was next called upon. He called the attention of parents to the fact that in the report which had been referred to, of Mr. Fraser, the English delegate, almost the only disadvantageous feature in the working of

our system, which was pointed out, as compared with other countries, was the disproportion between the pupils on the roll, and the daily average attendance. This was a weakness in our system which could be remedied only by the parents. One other remark he would make. He thought they might have appropriately at this meeting given expression to their sympathy with the family who had been recently bereaved, by the sudden death of a distinguished student, who had made his way up from the common schools. He did not know that the death of any young person had ever awakened a more wide-spread sympathy throughout the city than the death of Daniel Ryrie. (Hear, hear). He was sure all at this meeting not only sympathized with the parents, but shared the regret that a life so promising had been so suddenly cut short. At the same time, it was pleasing to find, that a brother of this young man was one of those who had been found worthy to receive a scholarship on this occasion. (Cheers.)

The successful competitors were then called upon the platform by the Rev. Mr. Porter, and were presented with Scholarships, &c., by the Chairman, amid warm marks of approbation on the part of their companions.

This interesting part of the evening's proceedings having been brought to a close,

The Rev. Mr. GREGG pronounced the benediction, and the meeting separated.

2 THE USUAL SUMMER EXAMINATION.

The usual Summer Public Examination of all the City Schools was held on Thursday, August 1, as per order of the Board. The attendance of visitors, in the afternoon, was generally good. At the close of the Examinations the Local Trustees distributed to male pupils 141, and to female pupils 134, total, 275 Certificates of Honour, for regularity and punctuality of attendance, combined with uniformly good conduct, throughout the Session, which began on Wednesday, January 2, and ended on the day of the Examination.

A Summary of the Certificates distributed in the several Schools will be found in Appendix II. (C.)

3. THE USUAL WINTER EXAMINATION.

The Winter Public Examination of The Park, Centre Street, and Givins Street Schools, as ordered by the Board, took place on Thursday, December 19, and that of all the other City Schools on Friday, December 20. There were distributed in the several Schools 563 Certificates of Honour, namely, 294 in the Male Departments, and 269 in the Female Departments, for regularity and punctuality of attendance combined with uniformly good conduct throughout the Session, which began on Monday, September 2, and ended on the day of the Examination. The attendance of parents and visitors was, as usual, small in the forenoon, but more numerous in the afternoon.

A Summary of the Certificates distributed in the several Schools will be found in Appendix II. (D.)

It will be remembered that the Term which precedes the Winter Examination is of but four months' duration while that which precedes the Summer Examination lasts for seven months, including the coldest and warmest School months in the year. It is evident, therefore, that the test of regularity and punctuality of attendance is much more severe in the longer term than in the shorter; and hence arises the fact that the Certificates of Honour distributed after the Examinations, are much more numerous in Winter than in Summer.

VII. Special Matters Worthy of Record.

1. ACTION OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON SITES AND BUILDINGS RESPECTING THE NEW SCHOOL HOUSE IN ST. JOHN'S WARD.

The following is a copy of that part of the Report (No. 1,) of the Committee which relates to this subject, which Report was adopted by the Board, on March 19:-

"The Standing Committee on Sites and Buildings beg to report :

1st. That your Committee have had under consideration the question of a new School Building, to accommodate the northern portion of the Ward of St. John: and, in accordance with the frequently expressed wishes of the Board, as based on the Reports of the Committee on School Management, and of the Local Superintendent, as to the necessity of provision being made for that purpose;