The Educational Statement.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1847, 21 June 1886, Page 2

The Educational Statement.

Sir Robert Stout, the Minister for Education, made the usual Educational Statement in the House of Representatives on Friday. At present we have only space to note some of its points. The speaker said The number of children attending the primary schools last year was about 80,000. This year the number will probably be about 85,000, which necessitates an increase in the education vote. The number of children on the rolls was 102,407 at the end of the year, being an increase on the year of 5169. The reception of the new standards has been, on on the whole, most satisfactory. The teachers have recognised that they will be of considerable advantage to the smaller country schools. Much attention baa been paid to technical education. It is suggested that some little instruction in agricultural chemistry should be given in the country schools. A great improvement has taken place in the Native schools throughout the North Island. Sir Robert Stout remarked in conclusion “ I propose—in view of the reductions in the Civil Service contemplated in our Civil Service Bill whilst 1 ask.the Committee to vote the sums on the Estimates, to take power in the Appropriation Bill to reduce the votes by £4OOO, if the Committee report that the Civil Service salaries are to hi reduced. The vote was reduced tty about £32,000 iu 1880, and the reduction now is not only far smaller, but will be less felt, because now the numb r of children has increased, and the more the numbers the more economical the management. lam sorry that I should have to make such a proposition, but the Government must keep faith with the House, and carry on what has been promised in the way of retrenchment.’’

On a future occasion we shall deal with the report in detail.