THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 13, 23 January 1895, Page 2

THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS CONFERENCE.

(BY TKLEGRAPH.—PRKSS ASSOCIATION".)

CunisTCHtTKCU, Tuesday. The Secondary Schools Conference opened this morning. Twelve delegates were present, and the schools represented were : —Uhrisbchnrch Boys' High School, Christchurch Girla' High School, Chrisb'a College, Wellington College, Timaru High School, Nelson Girls' College, Wanganui Collegiate School, and Napier Girls' High School- The Hon. W. P. Reeves, Minister of Education, and the Roy. W. J. Habens, Inspector-General, were also present. Mr C. E. Bevan-Brown, headmaster of the Christchurch Boys' High School, occupied the chair. Mr Reeves made a lengthy speech, in which he advocated the widening as far as possible of the sphere of secondary education. They should nob allow themselves to be checked in trying to extend the benefits of secondary education as far as they could poßsibly be extended. He did nob think it a credit to Now Zealand that the number of NW Zealanders getting the benefit of secondary education should be something under 2 per cent. Mr Habens said there were considerable difficulties in tbjjß way ot having a uniform examination for all secondary schools. He thought that, if the step were determined on, the best plan was one by which the masters themselves should form a syndicate for the purpose. The following were appointed a Committee to consider the Secondary Schools Bill:—Mrs Foster, Miss Gillon, Mies Frazor, Messrs Pirlb, Hogben, Bourne, and the Chairman. This evening, the Endowed Schools Bill was considered. It was recommended bhafc the following should be substituted for clause 3 in the BUl;—"Subject to the provisions of this Acb every endowed school shall afford free education to one scholar for every £75 of annual income received by the school from endowments made under the authority of any Act of tho Provincial or General Assembly, including contributions made by 6chool commissioners acting under the Education Reserve* Act, 1G77,. provided snch income be net available income after deducting interest on loans and charges of collection, etc." " That when scholarships provided by a governing body out of endowmentw include provision for board, in addition to free education, each such scholarship shall count for three free places if not less than £30 be granted for board, and for bwo free places if not less than £15 be granted; provided that the number of pupils receiving free education shall in no case be less than half the number required by clause 3."