44 Pacific GREAT EASTERN Raitway BELT.

SCHOOL FACILITIES.

The school system of British Columbia is without a superior in Canada
or the United States. The newer-settled areas in all sections of the Province
are invariably treated as important links in this system, and whenever there
is a minimum of ten children of school age good educational facilities are
available on request of the settlers. A)

In pioneer sections such as those in the country served by the Pacific
Great Eastern Railway assisted school districts are established in which
school affairs are administered by trustees elected by the residents. In
such districts the Government pays the salaries of the teachers in full,
provides desks and maps, and also gives very material assistance in provid-
ing suitable buildings. The Department of Education also maintains a
Free Text-book Branch, which supplies readers, arithmetics, writing-books,
drawing-books, English grammars, and literature on hygiene and Canadian
civics to all elementary schools. In isolated districts of the Province where

SCENE ON THE FRASER RIVER NEAR ALEXANDRIA.

it is impossible to maintain an average daily attendance of six a correspon-
dence course is provided. A considerable number of pupils are enrolled in
this course and the results are most satisfactory.

CHURCHES.

The leading Christian denominations are all fairly well represented
in the section of British Columbia served by the Pacific Great Eastern
Railway, and in many places excellent church buildings are being erected
as settlement increases. Where these are not available the public schools
and other suitable buildings are freely used by all sects on terms of entire
equality.