modifications and improvements suggested by
experience in the provisions of the several school Acts passed
subsequently to 1841, when the important principle of granting money
to each county on condition that an equal amount were raised within it
by local assessment, was first introduced into the statute-book.

[Sidenote: Local superintendence.]

The development of individual self-reliance and local exertion, under
the superintendence of a central authority exercising an influence
almost exclusively moral, is the ruling principle of the system.
Accordingly, it rests with the freeholders and householders of each
school section to decide whether they will support their school by
voluntary subscription, by rate bill for each pupil attending the
school (which must not, however, exceed 1_s_. per month), or by
rates on property. The trustees elected by the same freeholders and
householders are required to determine the amount to be raised within
their respective school sections for all school purposes whatsoever,
to hire teachers from among persons holding legal certificates of
qualification, and to agree with them as to salary. On the local
superintendents appointed by the county councils is devolved the duty
of apportioning the legislative grant among the school sections within
the county, of inspecting the schools, and reporting upon them to the
chief superintendent. The county boards of public instruction,
composed of the local superintendent or superintendents, and the
trustees of the county grammar school, examine candidates for the
office of teacher, and give certificates of qualification which are
valid for the county; the chief superintendent giving certificates to
normal school pupils which are valid for the Province; while the chief
superintendent, who holds his appointment from the Crown, aided in
specified cases by the Council of Public Instruction, has under his
especial charge the normal and model schools, besides exercising a
general control over the whole system..

The question of religious instruction as connected with the common
school system, presented even more than ordinary difficulty in a
community where there is so much diversity of opinion on religious
subjects, and where all denominations are in the eye of the law on a
footing of entire equality. It is laid down as