The Rev. Hugh Mackay Mackenzie, Minister
IV - Parochial Economy
Education:
At present there are three schools in the parish; the parochial, and two supported by the Educational Committee of the General Assembly. One of the Assembly schools is at Skerray, the other at Melness. Last year there were three schools besides, - two supported by private subscription, which, for several causes, have since been suppressed, - the third was a Gaelic school, granted by the Gaelic School Society, which has been discontinued by the managers, though only two years in operation, and particularly useful. When the schools were examined last spring, there were nearly 400 children in attendance. The schools at present in existence are efficiently conducted. The common branches of education are taught in them all. The parochial teacher is qualified to teach mathematics, Latin, Greek, and French, but there are very few now who prosecute these studies. His accommodation as to school-room, dwelling-house, and garden, is excellent. His salary is the maximum, but fees are ill paid. The people in general are more alive now to the benefits of education than they have been, though still there is vast room for improvement. Irregularity in attendance, and want of proper School-books, from inability to buy them, are serious drawbacks to the proficiency of the scholars. There is one part of the Melness side where an additional school is decidedly required. It is removed at a considerable distance from the place where the Assembly school is situated, and is separated by a large rivulet, which, from want of a bridge, is, for the most part, impassable in winter. Were a school got for this locality, upwards of forty children might attend it.
Literature:
Two years ago, a subscription library and reading club were set on foot, through the strenuous and praiseworthy exertions of Mr Horsburgh, the local factor. The members of the library exceed 100. These, however, do not all belong to this parish. Every member on admission pays 5s., and 2s. 6d. of yearly contribution. The number of volumes already amount to 455, consisting of a choice selection of books in theology, history, poetry, travels, memoirs, &c. Many of them are donations received by Mr Horsburgh from his acquaintances in the south, and sent by others who have taken an interest in this promising institution. The gentlemen of the club purchase new standard works, and, instead of exposing them to sale at the years end, they gratuitously transfer them to the library, and thus, while the country people generally are benefited by them, the members of the club, who are all likewise members of the library, have still access to them. This plan since its adoption has been warmly commended. The noble family of Sutherland are so satisfied of its value that they resolve to patronize it. The Duke and Duchess, their commissioner, and the Member of Parliament for the county, have severally requested to be admitted members of both library and club, and each propose making a handsome donation to the former. The donation of the Duchess, consisting of 32 volumes, has been already received.
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