EDUCATION: CONFERENCE OF EDUCATION BOARDS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1905 Session I, E-01e

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1905. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: CONFERENCE OF EDUCATION BOARDS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Tuesday, 12th September, 1905. The Conference met at the Colonial Museum, Wellington, at 2 o'clock p.m. The following delegates were present at the opening of the Conference: Auckland—Messrs. S. Luke, L. J. Bagnall, D. Petrie (Chief Inspector), V. E. Rice (Secretary), George George (Director of Technical Education); Hawke's Bay—Sir William Russell, Messrs. C. Hall, H. Hill (Inspector); Taranaki —Messrs. James Wade, W. E. Spencer (Chief Inspector); Wellington—Messrs. W. Allan, E. Feist, T. W. McDonald, T. R. Fleming (Chief Inspector), G. L. Stewart (Secretary); Wanganui—Messrs. F. Pirani, F. Y. Lethbridge, M.H.R., William Gray (Chief Inspector); Grey — Hon. James Marshall, M.L.C., H. Smith (Inspector); Westland —Messrs. J. Grimmond, T. W. Duff, A. J. Morton (Inspector); North Canterbury—Messrs. G. W. Russell, C. A. C. Hardy, M.H.R., D. Buddo, M.H.R., T. Ritchie (Inspector), H. C. Lane (Secretary); South Canterbury— Rev. George Barclay, Messrs. W. B. Howell, A. Bell (Secretary and Inspector); Otago—Messrs. Donald Borrie, Thomas Mackenzie, M.H.R., James Mitchell, P. Goyen (Chief Inspector), S. M. Park (Acting-Secretary); Southland —J. C. Thomson, M.H.R., John Neill (Secretary); Nelson— G. Talbot, On the motion of Mr. Borrie (Otago), seconded by Mr. Luke (Auckland), Mr. G. W. Russell (North Canterbury) was unanimously elected Chairman of the Conference. Mr. H. C. Lane was appointed Secretary. On the motion of Mr. Hardy, seconded by Mr. Mackenzie, it was resolved to send to the Right Hon. the Minister of Education, to the Inspector-General of Schools, and to the Secretary for Education an invitation to be present at the proceedings of the Conference. It was further resolved that a time-limit of ten minutes for the mover of a motion and five minutes for each subsequent speaker be fixed, and that the meetings be open to the Press. Mr. Borrie moved, That the Boards' Inspectors and Secretaries be placed on the same footing as the delegates, except as regards voting. It was moved as an amendment, That Inspectors and Secretaries discuss and have the right to vote. The amendment was carried on the casting-vote of the Chairman. Mr. Luke moved and Mr. Petrie seconded, That the Wellington Technical Board of Managers be invited to send delegates to the Conference. The motion was lost. It was moved by Mr. Grimmond and seconded by Mr. Bagnall, That the Chairman and members of the Education Committee of the House of Representatives be invited to attend the Conference, with the right of speaking, but not of voting. Agreed to. Mr. Howell moved, That the Inspector-General of Schools and Secretary for Education be allowed to discuss matters, but not to propose motions nor vote. Mr. Hardy moved, as an amendment, That they have the rights and privileges of delegates, which was negatived on the voices. Mr. Howell's motion was then put and declared carried. On the motion of Mr. McDonald, the business as placed on the Order Paper was then proceeded with. It was resolved that the times of meeting be as follows: From 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. A motion to the effect that the Conference also sit from 7.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. was lost, as was also a motion that the Conference sit from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Mr. Allan moved and Mr. Borrie seconded, That the Department be asked to furnish the Conference with a shorthand reporter.

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Mr. Pirani moved, as an amendment, That this Conference employ an official reporter. By leave of the Conference the motion and the amendment were withdrawn, and on the motion of Sir William Russell the Chairman was authorised to employ clerical assistance. Mr. Mackenzie moved a motion which was subsequently altered to read as follows: " That, in the opinion of this Conference, the Education Committee's recommendations regarding the expenditure of the ordinary building vote, adopted by the House of Representatives two years ago, have proved to be unsatisfactory in practice, and the Conference recommends that the same be repealed, and that the power formerly enjoyed by Education Boards regarding erecting new or adding to existing schools be restored." At this stage the Conference adjourned till 4 o'clock p.m. On resuming, consideration of Mr. Mackenzie's motion, which was seconded by Mr. Talbot, was proceeded with. After some discussion the motion was carried. The Conference then adjourned till 10 a.m. on the following day.

Wednesday, 13th September, 1905. The Conference resumed at 10 a.m., Mr. Russell (Chairman) presiding. There was a large attendance of delegates. The Inspector-General of Schools and the Secretary for Education were present, also Mr. F. C. Westall, an additional delegate from Hawke's Bay. Mr. Rice moved, That the Inspectors be asked to consider the subjects named in the items 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13, 14, and 17 of the Interim Order Paper of Tuesday, the 12th September, and to submit motions thereon for the consideration of the Conference. Item No. 5 was withdrawn by leave of the Conference, and the motion as amended carried. On the motion of Mr. Pirani, item No. 2 was also referred to the Inspectors, with the addition of Mr. George George. On the motion of Mr McDonald, seconded by Mr. Luke, it was resolved, That an Inspector of Technical Instruction of the Colony be invited to be present at this Conference, with the right to discuss matters but not to vote. The Conference divided on the motion, which was carried. On the motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Rice, the Conference then proceeded to deal with the motions handed in as they had reference to the items on the Order Paper. Mr. Pirani moved, and Mr. Hill seconded, That it is desirable all the school books and requisites used in public schools should be supplied by the State, pupils providing only books for home lessons. After some discussion the motion was carried. A motion, moved by Mr. Pirani and seconded by Mr. Hill, That the matters referred to in the foregoing resolution be referred to the Inspectors to bring down a motion, was lost. Mr. Bagnall moved, That the attention of the Minister be called to (a) the difficulty of obtaining suitable teachers for small country schools; (6) the need for fixing a minimum salary for teachers of schools under fifteen average attendance; (c) the need for providing a more liberal grant for the conveyance of children to and from schools according to the necessities of each case. Mr. Westall seconded the motion. It was agreed to take in the form of a motion, after Mr. Bagnail's motion had been dealt with, an amendment proposed by Mr. Pirani. Mr. BagnalPs motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Pirani then moved, That section 55 of the Education Act be amended so as to give to Education Boards the power to purchase and maintain out of the Board's funds vans for the conveyance of children for use in districts where it may be possible to adopt that system ; that a minimum grant of £1 5s. per week be made in respect of any contract in connection with conveyances; and that the three-mile limit be reduced to two miles. Mr. Fleming seconded the motion. After some discussion Mr. Pirani, by leave of the Conference, withdrew his motion in favour of a motion by the Rev. Mr. Barclay as follows: " That in case of small groups of children in isolated places, the Board be authorised by law to make the best arrangements they can in the direction of conveying such children to suitable schools in the vicinity, the Department meeting minimum expenses." Mr. Howell seconded the motion, which was carried. The Conference then adjourned to 2.30 p.m. The Conference resumed at 2.30 p.m., the Chairman presiding. The Inspector-General of Schools and the Secretary for Education were also present. It was agreed to invite Mr. Justice Cooper to be present at the Conference. On the motion of Mr. Pirani, it was resolved, That this Conference recommends that section 57 of the Education Act be amended to provide for the transfer or exchange of teachers when such course is considered necessary in the interests of the schools affected. Mr. Westall moved, That it is desirable that the payment on average attendance be abolished and a fixed salary substituted; which was seconded by Mr. McDonald. Mr. Gray suggested a motion in a somewhat different form, which was accepted by Mr. Westall, but which was withdrawn temporarily. A letter was received from the Right Hon. the Minister of Education, thanking the members of the Conference for the invitation to be present at the Conference, which, his parliamentary duties permitting, he would be pleased to attend. At the request of the Chairman the Inspector-General explained some of the provisions of the Education Act Amendment Bill now before the House, copies of which were distributed among delegates. The following motion by Mr. Gray was then considered: " That it is desirable that the payment on average attendance alone be abolished, and that in estimating the salary of a teacher the chief determining factors should be (a) efficiency, (b) literary qualifications, (c) length of service, and that average attendance play but a small part in the computation."

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On the motion of Mr. Pirani, Messrs. Westall, Spencer, Fleming, Neill, Lane, Borrie, Rice, and the mover were appointed a committee to consider Mr. Gray's motion, and that portion of the Minister's Bill dealing with teachers' salaries. On the motion of Mr. Westall, it was resolved, That this Conference will proceed at its opening to-morrow to discuss the Education Act Amendment Bill. On the motion of Mr. Grimmorid, it was resolved, That, as the demands of the Auditor-General in connection with the form of balance-sheet supplied to Education Boards are not in accordance with the existing regulations, the Education Department be requested to endeavour to arrive at an understanding with the Audit Department, so that in future the requirements of the AuditorGeneral may be such as can be accurately and readily complied with. On the motion of Mr. Thomson, it was agreed that the Chairman, Mr. Morton, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Grimmond, Mr. Lane, and Mr. Smith should wait on the Auditor in reference to the matter of his requirements. Mr. McDonald moved, That, in the opinion of this Conference, the Department should create a separate fund for the purpose of rebuilding worn-out schools The Inspector-General explained the position in regard to the allowance for buildings. Mr. McDonald's motion was negatived. On the motion of Mr. Allan, it was resolved to ask the Department to supply all State-school teachers with the annual reports and leaflets issued by the Agricultural Department. Remits Nos. 5 and 6 from the Wellington Board were allowed to stand over. It was agreed that the discussion on a motion moved by Mr. Buddo and seconded by Mr. Thomson, having regard to grants for schools in newly settled districts, should be adjourned. On the motion of Mr. Smith, it was resolved, That the Government be asked to provide a grant for the maintenance of Board offices. The following resolution was carried on the motion of Mr. McDonald: " That, in the opinion of this Conference, the time has arrived for the abolition of the use of slates in the public schools of the colony, and the introduction of the use of paper in lieu thereof." Mr. McDonald moved, That, in view of the rapidly increasing land-values of the colony, this Conference recommends the Government to secure land for sites for new schools in all districts where new schools are likely to ultimately be required. The motion was lost. The Rev. Mr. Barclay moved, That when the average attendance has reached any figure from 35 to 40 (both inclusive), maintained for six months consecutively, the Boards be authorised (if deemed expedient) to introduce into the staff a pupil-teacher or assistant, the Board subsequently (when justified by the attendance) to adjust the staff to the Department's scale of staff and salaries. The motion, which was seconded by Mr. Howell, was lost. The Conference then adjourned till 10 a.m. the following day.

Thursday, 14th September, 1905. The Conference resumed at 10.30 a.m., Mr. Russell, the Chairman, presiding. There was a good attendance of delegates, and the Inspector-General of Schools and the Secretary for Education were also present, It was agreed to forward a reply to the Right Hon. the Minister of Education, thanking him for sending copies of the amending Bill, which the Conference proposed to discuss. Consideration of a report from the committee appointed to consider Mr. Gray's motion, and that portion of the Bill dealing with teachers' salaries, was held over, copies to be printed and distributed among members. The Conference went into committee to consider the amending Bill. On resuming, the Chairman reported the following resolutions carried: — Clauses 1 and 2 passed. Clause 3. The word " ten " was struck out, and the word " nine " inserted in lieu thereof. Clause 4 struck out. Clause 5 retained. Clause 6. Paragraph 1 retained, with the following addition after the word " Committees " : " on the same basis as is specified in section 31 of the principal Act —viz., one-third of the members to retire annually after the election of 1906," and with the additional proviso " that the members hold office until the election of their successors." Clause 7 struck out. Clause 8 retained. Clause 9. Subsection (1): The words "thirty-eight" struck out, and the word "forty" inserted in lieu thereof. Subsection 2: The words "twenty-second" struck out, and the words "twenty-fourth" inserted. Clause 10 retained. Clauses 11, 12, 13, and 14 retained. Clause 15. Subsection (2): Line 44, after the words "another school," the following words inserted, "or by exchange of teachers between schools." Subsection (2), (a) : The word " twenty " struck out, and the word "ten " inserted. The following struck out: "a list containing the names of all those who are applicants for appointment to a vacancy and a smaller," the words " of merit" inserted after the words "in order," and the words "stating the length of service and other qualifications of such applicants" struck out, and the following words inserted, "together with such testimonials and particulars of qualifications as are sent in by such applicants." Subsection (3): The words " and Committee may mutually agree that the Board," and the words "or any teacher," struck out. Clause 16 passed. Clauses 17 and 18 passed. Clauses 20 and 21 passed. The resolutions were adopted, and the Conference adjourned to 2.30 p.m.

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The Conference resumed at 2.30 p.m. Consideration of schedules to amending Bill was deferred. Mr. Grimmond moved, That the cost of the election under this Act shall be provided specially by the Education Department or by the Government. The motion was lost. The amending Bill was recommitted to amend clause 18, which was struck out, and the following inserted in lieu thereof : " Section seventy-four of the principal Act is hereby amended by inserting the word ' sixth ' in lieu of ' fifth ' in paragraph (b), and by adding the words ' on the first day of the month in which the examination is held,' after the words ' fourteen years of age.' ' The report presented by the special committee in regard to the motion by Mr. Gray, and to teachers' salaries, was then considered. The following recommendations were adopted: (a.) " That the salary attached to the hardest schools to teach-—grade 4, average attendance thirty-three to forty—is too low." (&.) " That the 10-per-cent. reduction referred to in clause Hof the schedule should not apply so as to reduce sole teachers' salaries below £100 per annum." (c.) "While recognising the many merits of the proposed schedule, the Committee is of opinion that it is desirable special provision should be made for the recognition of efficiency and length of service, apart from promotion from school to school, although it is believed this could be done without increasing the cost to the State, by discriminating between salaries paid in the same position to teachers of different attainments and abilities." The schedules of the Bill were further considered. On the motion of Mr. Borrie, it was resolved, That the payment of £6 per head for an average of ten to fifteen is inadequate, and should not be less than £100, household schools not included. On the motion of Mr. Petrie, it was resolved, That the salaries of head and sole teachers in grades 4, 5, and 6 be equalised. Part VI. —Secondary Departments of District High Schools. —On the motion of Mr. Petrie, it was agreed, That for schools with an average of 51-70 a more liberal provision is desirable. It was also resolved, That the payments on account of salaries for the secondary departments of district high schools should be made to the Board, on condition that the Board, with the consent of the Minister, may make such an allocation of salaries to different members of the staff as shall best suit the circumstances of each district high school. The amending Bill as altered was then agreed to. The Chairman announced that Mr. Pirani's absence was owing to illness. It was resolved to forward a letter expressing the delegates' regret on account of his illness. The following motion, moved by Mr. George George, was agreed to: " That the Department be asked to abolish—(l) The regulations under the Manual and Technical Instruction Act relating to recognition of and capitation payment for the school classes named in paragraphs 19 to 21, inclusive, and to increase the capitation payable to Boards from Us. 3d. to 12s. 6d., the increase to be devoted to carrying on classes in the primary schools in the subjects of handwork mentioned in the above paragraphs; (2) the limit of £7 10s. as set forth in paragraph 27, (&)." The following motion, moved by Mr. George George, was lost: "That the Government be urged to revise the scale of capitation payable for technical and continuation classes in the following direction: (1) The capitation payment for continuation classes to be increased from ljd. to 2d. per hour ; (2) the capitation payment for technical classes to be for first-year students in any subject 3d., for second-year students 6d., for third-year students 9d., and for fourth and each succeeding year students Is. per hour." The Conference then adjourned till 8 p.m. The Conference resumed at 8 p.m. The minutes of the day's proceedings were read and confirmed. The Inspectors' recommendations were further considered, and the following adopted: " That, as some of the Boards have already drawn up their scholarship and pupil-teacher regulations, it is inexpedient that any change should be made in them at present," " That it is inexpedient that any considerable portion of the tuition of training-college students should be given by members of the normal-school teaching staff." "That pupil-teachers who have passed the 'second examination,' whether by taking the Matriculation Examination or the examination for a teacher's certificate of Class D, should be reckoned qualified for admission to a training college." Recommendations, "That it is desirable that the instruction in school method at training colleges should be given by the principal," and " That the syllabus of work at district high schools will need to be adapted to the needs and circumstances of the localities in which the schools are situated," were lost. No recommendations were made in regard to 13, 14, and 17 of the Interim Order Paper. Mr. Westall moved, That it is desirable that the age limit for admission to free places at high schools and district high schools should be made the same, and that " secondary " education should have a uniform meaning in all educational enactments. Mr. Hill seconded the motion, which was lost. On the motion of Mr. Borrie, it was resolved, That all pupils who during a particular year gain certificates of proficiency while still under fourteen years of age, or such lower age as may be determined on, should be eligible for free places in secondary schools at the beginning of the following 3'ear. Mr. Neill moved, That it be a recommendation to the Department that the increase of 9d. per unit of average attendance made in allowances to School Committees, if continued by the Government, be allocated on a more equitable basis than has hitherto prevailed, or, as an alternative, that the total sum available be distributed pro rata on the average attendance to Education Boards, with perfect freedom in the matter of its allocation. The motion was lost. Mr. Buddo moved, That this Conference recommends that the grants for new schools in newly settled districts be made to Education Boards on the basis of the increase in school attendance in

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such districts during the preceding year, and that the expenditure of this amount be left to Education Boards subject to regulations providing against erecting schools within reasonable travelling distance of schools already in operation, and a minimum attendance to be assured; that this provision shall not apply to any new settlements under any Act of Parliament, or to temporary provision to provide education for children of employees on any public work. Mr. Mitchell moved as an amendment, and it was carried, That in the distribution of the special building grant it should be a sufficient evidence of bona fides of an application from an Education Board for a grant if (a) in the case of a new school it is accompanied by a statement of the number of children of school age and the distances of their residences from an existing school, and a report from a School Inspector confirming the necessity for the school, or (&) in the case of an addition to an existing school it is certified by an Inspector that the accommodation provided falls short of requirements, and that the facts show that the attendance will be maintained. The Conference adjourned till 10 a.m. the following day.

Friday, 15th September, 1905. The Conference resumed at 10 a.m., the Chairman, Mr. Russell, presiding. There was a fair attendance of delegates. The Inspector-General of Schools and the Secretary for Education were also present. The Chairman explained that, in company with the Hon. Mr. Marshall, he had waited on the Minister in order to arrange for the resolutions carried at the Conference to be submitted to him. The Minister had arranged to receive the delegates' representatives between 3 and 5 to-day. A letter was received from the local branch of the Navy League, drawing attention to the Navy League wall-maps, which by arrangement with the Department could be secured for a very moderate sum. It was considered that the matter was one for individual Boards to deal with, the League to be thanked for its letter. Mr. Gray moved as follows: " That, in order to strengthen still further the relation existing between the primary and secondary and technical schools, it is desirable that the Boards should as far as possible arrange to hold the examination for the certificates of proficiency in December of each year." Mr. Hill seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. George George moved, That the Government be urged to provide a more assured finance in connection with buildings for technical education, taking into consideration the number of students receiving instruction and the population of the locality. Mr. McDonald seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. George George moved, That, with a view of increasing the efficiency of the public schools in training pupils for rural pursuits, the Government be urged (1) to make special grants to the Education Boards of the colony for the purpose of employing experts to train teachers to give instruction in their schools in nature-study, including the cultivation of school gardens; (2) to consolidate, where possible, a number of small schools (say, about six) into one central school, and to convey the pupils thereto by means of vans or other conveyances; (3) to provide land for school gardens for every primary school of the colony. The motion No. 1 was lost. Of motion No. 2, the words "(say, about six) into one central school, and to convey pupils thereto by means of vans or other conveyance " were struck out, and the motion as amended carried. The motion No. 3 was lost. Mr. Westall moved and Mr. Hill seconded, That the attention of the Department be drawn to the desirability of providing that in towns where there are no district high schools, but where a secondary school exists, the admission to secondary schools shall be on the same basis as admission to district high schools. The motion was carried. The Chairman asked for an expression of opinion as to the desirability of holding a Conference of Education Boards periodically. It was resolved that the matter be left for any Education Board to initiate if considered desirable. It was agreed that the minutes should be printed, and distributed among members. The Chairman suggested that as many delegates as possible should wait on the Premier in regard to the motions passed, which was agreed to. The following votes of thanks were unanimously passed: On the motion of Mr. Bagnall, to the Inspector-General of Schools and the Secretary for Education, for their assistance and advice: on the motion of Mr. Gray, to the Wellington Press, for their ample and accurate reports of the proceedings of the Conference; on the motion of Mr. Lane, to the officers of the Wellington Education Board, for their valuable assistance, with special mention of Mr. Stewart; on the motion of Mr. Westall, to the authorities controlling the Museum, and the Director, Mr. Hamilton, for the use of the rooms; on the motion of Mr. Borrie, to the Chairman of the Conference, for the able and impartial manner in which he had conducted the proceedings; and on the motion of Mr. Rice, to Mr. H. C. Lane, for his services so cheerfully rendered as Secretary. On the motion of the Chairman, it was resolved that a very hearty vote of thanks be tendered to the Boards' Inspectors and Secretaries for their assistance, which had greatly assisted 'the Conference in its deliberations. G. W. Russell, Chairman.

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INTERIM ORDER PAPER.

Wellington, 12th September, 1905. 1. Restrictions placed on Education Boards in regard to the expenditure of the building grants. 2. The Manual and Technical Instruction Act — (a.) In relation to the carrying on of school classes; (6.) In regard to the regulations affecting " continuation " and " technical " classes. 3. Scholarship and pupil-teacher regulations in relation to the changes recently introduced by the Department, 4. Training of teachers—the provision for staff and the question of its sufficiency. 5. School books—advisability or otherwise of securing a greater uniformity. 6. Relation of primary education to secondary, university, and technical instruction. 7. Necessity of a more assured finance in connection with technical education as regards both buildings and administration. 8. District high schools: — (a.) That, while payment of capitation for the teaching of the advanced classes of district high schools might well be continued, a satisfactory minimum salary—say, £150 per annum—for the teacher of these classes should be guaranteed. (6.) The question of staff generally. (c.) Syllabus of work. (d.) Departmental returns. 9. Free places: That all pupils who during a particular year gain certificates of proficiency while still under fourteen years of age, or such lower age as may be determined on, should be eligible for free places in secondary schools at the beginning of the following year. 10. Small country schools : — (a.) The difficulty of obtaining suitable teachers. (&.) The question of fixing a minimum salary for teachers of schools under average attendance. (c.) A more liberal provision for the conveyance of children to. and from schools, according to the necessities of each case. 11. The urgent need in the interests of education of some effective provision being made for enabling Boards to transfer teachers from one school to another. 12. Teachers' salaries: Is it desirable that the payment on average attendance be abolished, and a fixed salary substituted 1 13. The question of all head teachers devoting some definite portion of their time to actual teaching. 14. Freedom of classification as regards the promotion of pupils from Standards 111., IV., and V. 15. Interchange of Inspectors: Is an interchange of Inspectors, by arrangement between Boards, desirable and practicable ? 16. National Scholarships : — (a.) That the Department be requested to reconsider the provision under which the child of parents having an annual income of over £250 is ineligible to compete. (b.) That examination be in the subjects of the Sixth Standard, instead of those of Standard V. as at present. 17. Desirability of securing such an elasticity in the syllabus as will enable instruction in rural subjects to be given in country schools. 18. That, as the demands of the Auditor-General in connection with the form of balance-sheet supplied to Education Boards are not in accordance with the existing regulations, the Education Department be requested to endeavour to arrive at an understanding with the Audit Department, so that in future the requirements of the Auditor-General may be such as can be accurately and readily complied with. 19. Wellington Board's topics (see Supplementary Interim Order Paper).

SUPPLEMENTARY INTERIM ORDER PAPER. Wellington Education Board. 1. The advisability of creating a separate fund for reinstating old school buildings. 2. The question of appointment of teachers of elementary agriculture. 3. The care of the teeth of children attending State schools. 4. The free supply to all State-school teachers of the annual reports and leaflets issued by the Agricultural Department. 5. The method of election of School Committees, with a view to the extension of the franchise. 6. The division of education districts into nine parts, each electing one member to the respective Boards.

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RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED BY THE COMMITTEE OF INSPECTORS. Wellington, September, 1905. 3. As some of the Boards have already drawn up their scholarship and pupil-teacher regulations, it is inexpedient that any change should be made in them at present. 4. It is inexpedient that any considerable portion of the tuition of training-college students should be given by members of the normal-school teaching staff 4. Pupil-teachers who have passed the " second examination," whether by taking the Matriculation Examination or the examination for a teacher's certificate of Class D, should be reckoned qualified for admission to a training college. 4. It is desirable that the instruction in school method at training colleges should be given by the principal. 8. The syllabus of work at district high schools will need to be adapted to the needs and circumstances of the localities in which the schools are situated. 8. In general, the Minister's new Bill seems to make adequate provision for the carrying on of district high schools, but in schools having an attendance between fifty-one and seventy a more liberal provision for salaries is desirable. 8. That the payments on account of salaries for the secondary departments of district high schools should be made to the Board, on the condition that the Board, with the consent of the Minister, may make such an allocation of salaries to different members of the staff as shall best suit the circumstances of each district high school. 13. On this topic the Inspectors have no recommendation to make. 14. On this topic the Inspectors have no recommendation to make. 17. On this topic the Inspectors have no recommendation to make. D. Petrie, Convener.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE.

The committee to whom was referred the motion proposed by Mr. Gray, and that portion of the Education Act Amendment Bill referring to teachers' salaries, report as follows:^ Your committee cannot fail to recognise that the proposals in the Bill are a great advance on the provisions at present in force, and for that reason would be sorry to recommend any step likely to imperil the passage of that measure. Still, the measure can only be a tentative one, and the committee would like to formulate the following conclusions arrived at: — 1. In regard to the proviso to clause 16, it is suggested that its efficiency would be increased if power were given to the Boards to transfer or exchange teachers when they think it advisable in the interests of the schools affected. 2. In the schedule, the salary attached to the hardest schools to teach—grade 4, average attendance thirty-three to forty—which is only equal to that proposed for fourth assistant in grade 22, is too low. 3. In clause (h) of the schedule it is recommended that the 10 per cent, reduction should not apply to head teachers' salaries below £100 or assistants' salaries under £85. 4. While recognising the many merits of the proposed schedule, the committee is of opinion that it is desirable special provision should be made for the recognition of efficiency and length of service, apart from promotion from school to school, although it is believed this could be done without increasing the cost to the State, by discriminating between salaries paid in the same position to teachers of different attainments and abilities. Fred. Pirani, Chairman. Approximate Costtof Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (6,450 copies), £9 lis. 6.<3

Approximate Ooattpf Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (6,450 copies), £9 lis. 6.d

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