EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2583, 8 August 1895, Page 4

EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

Delegates from' the various .Education Boards of the Colony—Taranaki alone excepted—met at a conference in the offices of the Wellington Education Board terday morning. The delegates were: — Auckland, Sir 5. SI. O'Eorke and Sir R. TJdy; Rapier, Hon J. D. Ormond; Wanganui, Messrs F. Pirani, M.H.R., G. Carson and Bridge; Wellington, Messrs J. B. Blair, P. H. Fraser and Dr Newman, M.H.8.; Nelson, Messrs Talbot, Maginnity and Franklin ; Marlborough, Hon Captain Baillie and Mr C. H. Mills, M.H.E.; Greymouth, Hon J. Kerr; Westland, Mr J. MoWhirter; North Canterbury, Hon W. Montgomery, Messrs A. Saunders and R. Meredith, M.'sH.R.; South Canterbury, Rev G. Barclay; Otago, Hon J. SlacGregor, Messrs Green and T. Mackenzie, M.’sli.K.; Invercargill, Messrs MoNab and Mackintosh. M.'sH.R.

Mr J. R. Blair, chairman of the Wellington Education Board, who was voted to the chair, said the Conference was the first which had yet been held since the Education Act came, into force, and, therefore, it must be considered as a meeting of great importance to the whole of the Colony, It behoved the Conference to be very careful in this the first of their deliberations. On the question of technical education, he thought it would be difficult to impart more technical education in our schools than was being imparted at present. He was of the opinion that drawing was the only , technical subject _ which could advantageously be taught in bur schools, at any rate at present. The chairman, in conclusion, referred to iho Kindergarten system, which in Wellington had proved to have been highly successful. He called upon Dr Newman, who had been most enthusiastic in his endeavours to promote the Conference, to explain his views.

Dr Newman, M.H.E., said that for a long time it had appeared to him that the oirriculum of our schools should be 'altered with a view to meet present requirements and modern views, and he felt convinced that any suggestions on the subject would meet with the careful consideration of "the Government. His idea was that technical education should be more extensively adopted in our schools. He was, of opinion that much of the arithmetic taught in schools was not of a practical character, and he also considered that the history and geography inculcated might advantageously be curtailed. He thought that the girls might be taught practical cooking, and that the State might be asked to subsidise classes for night schools. With a view to tost the feeling of the Conference, he moved, “ That in the opinion’of the Conference arithmetic should bo curtailed and made more practical, and that grammar, geography and history should also bo curtailed.” Mr MoNab, M.H.E., seconded the motion.

The Chairman said the order was a, very large one, and he failed to see how it was to be carried out. The Eov Geo. Barclay considered-that' many of the subjects at present taught were already too much curtailed. He thought the teaching of cookery should ho left to the mothers of the children.

Mr A. Saunders, M.H.E., warmly supported the motion, and, in doing so, paid a high compliment to the curriculum and to the present educational system. He; considered the school time was too 'short for them to attempt to teach children cooking or endeavour to inculcate technical' subjects. ' •" Mr Andrew : Maginnity ' thought that technical education should be taught to a . certain extent. The so-called 7th standards should ho abolished. ’ ' f The Hon Captain Baillie, M.L.G., said that already " the school" syllabus was{ tod voluminous. In his district (Marlborough),, at any rate, the children after passing the fourth standard generally filtered .out .of. the school, and the percentage of those who passed the sixth standard, was very email. So'that it Was really a folly to ,expect boys and girls to bo taught trades in the few hours set apart ' for sohoolastio instruction. ’ . _ The Chairman considered that the question was too wide a one to be considered within the limits of the time at tho disposal of the Conference. He suggested that the mover should narrow' his resolution. ..... .- The Horn J. MacGregor, M.L.C., expressed the hope that Dr (Newman would withdraw his motion. - >l*.

Mr Pirani, M.H.E;, considered that the

mover of the resolution deserved the thanks of the Conference -i for moving- in the'direction he had. He desired, how-

ever, to join issue with Mr Saunders,-who said that our' State school children spoke, pure and correct English, This was pure bunkum, as everyone was aware, - A : Mr E, Meredith, M.H.E., believed in the

Kindergarten system. He was not in favour' of curtailing any of the subjects at present taught in our schools. The teaching of cookery in the schools was needless, because our girls, in tho matter of domesticity, would compare favourably with the girls of. the Old Country. Dr Newman withdrew his original motion' and substituted the following :—“ That, in the opinion of this Conference,, technical education should be more largely given' in our State schools.” - -. ; Mr P. H. Fraser seconded the motion.

The Hon W. Montgomery, M.L.C., thought that Dr Newman should explain; what subjects he considered should be taught, hr our State schools. ; They could not go to the Ministry and ask for more money with which to:teaoh technical' education unless they were prepared to' submit some definite scheme. . Oh themotion of Mr George'.Carson,, the Conference went into committee to consider Dr Newman’s motion.

■Upon the Conference resuming- the Chairman anndunce'd that the resolution by Dr Newman had been agreed to wfth the following, 5 addition by the Hon J. Mac-, .Gregor :—“ And that a committee 'of them-' hers of the' Conference be . appointed to bring up; a'definite scheme making provision (forjlfrndergarten instruction for the younger children and -for technical’ education for,the older children, the committed chairman and one representative of each Board.” " *•' , The following gentlemen were appointed as) the - committee: Hon J. MacGregor (Otago), Mr Tidy (Auckland), Hon J. D. Ormond (Hawke’s ; Bay), Hon Captain Baillie (Marlborough), Rev; ! 0; ; Barclay (South (Canterbury), Mr Saunders or Mr Meredith, (North Canterbury),- Mr Carson (\Yanganui), Mr Talbot (NQison), Hon ,J. Kerr (Greymouth), Mr MoNab (Southland), and Mr MoWhirtor (\V(estland),n ■ Dr Newman moved, “That in the opinion of the Conference it is desirable to establish night or continuation schools.”

After discussion the matter was referred totheabove committee. - The Conference at 12.30 p.ni. adjourned till next day. 1 •■'