Educational.

Otago Witness, Issue 1421, 15 February 1879, Page 5

Educational.

The History Committee appointed by the Dunedin branch of tbe Educational Institute met on Saturday, in the Normal School. Mr Park read a report expressing the vieWß of the sub-committee who had examined tbe various text-books. The text-book recommended—' History of England, for Junior Classes "—it was pointed out by several members, was not specially mentioned in tbe list authorised by the Minister of Education, and it was proposed to substitute the name of " Nelson's Brief History of England," but this was rejected. In order to get over the difficulty of its not being expressly stated in the list ot books— although it was urged that it might be included under the term " Royal Reader Series,"— the Chawman (Mr Park) was requested to communicate with the Education Board, and apply to have it inserted in the list of history text-books. Meanwhile, it was resolved that the report lie on the table until the next meeting.

The following gentlemen comprise the School Committee for the Naseby district :— Messrs W. H. Ash (chairman), R. Francis, T- Ladd, J. H. Woodhill, R. Gillespie, Rev. J. Hobbs, and H. Anderson (hon. sec). At a meeting of the Auckland Board of Education last week it was stated that the average attendance of pupils at the public schools in the educational district of Auckland was 9308, as against 8369 during the previous quarter.

The Brussels correspondent of the PaJl Mall Gazette writes :— lt it reported that the new. law to be proposed by the Ministry on the subject of religious instruction in the primary schools will say simply tbat the parents of the pupils are at liberty to come to an understanding with the ministers of religion to give re. ligious instruction in the schools after the regular school hours. The details of tba execution of this arrangement are to be regulated by the administrations of the communes.