EDUCATION COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr BAUME, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1905 Session I, I-14b

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1905. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr BAUME, Chairman.)

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDER OP REFERENCE.

Extracts from, the Journals of the House of Representatives. Tuesday, the 4th Day oe July, 1905. Ordered, " That Standing Order No. 21.8 be suspended and that a Committee be appointed to consider all matters relating to school teachers, education, and public instruction generally, public-school training of teachers, higher education, technical education, and manual instruction, and such other matters affecting education as may be referred to it ; to have power to call for persons and papers; five to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. J. Allen, Mr Baume, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Buddo, Mr. Ell, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Fowlds, Mr. A. L. D. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hall, Mr. Hanan, Mr. Hardy, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Lethbridge, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Major, Mr. Massey, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. McNab, Sir W. R. Russell, Mr. Sidey, Hon. Sir W. J. Steward, Mr. J. C. Thomson, Mr. Wood, and the mover."—(Right Hon. R. J. Seddon.)

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INDEX.

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k>. Name. Page. j No. Name. Pag< 144 Bates, L., and others, re Bible-reading in '■' schools Blaramberg, H. Von Brent, Daniel 4 5 3 567 Jennings and others 6 457 27 4 Knight, R. G. 3 500 7 298 Cole, Fanny, and others Collis, W. F. Craig, J. B., and others, re Bible-reading in schools 5 3 4 548 196 Logan, A. J. Longton, C. F., and others 5 5 165 335 Mclntyre, I. K, and others, re Bible-read-ing in schools Maokie, R., and others 3 Education Act Amendment Bill Gardner and others Gilby, C. H., and others Gilmour and others Grant, W. H., and others Greenville and others 6 6 6 5 5 3 5 401 Nia Nia, Hori, and others 5 566 530 195 275 130 205 Paper 99 E .. Pasley, M. S., and others 6 5 Hori Nia Nia and others Isemonger, T., and others 5 6 Teachers' Superannuation Bill 4 401 88 Wilson, J. G. (i 394

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KEPOETS.

No. 4. —Petition of Richard Giles Knight, of Wellington. Petitioner represents that it would tend to the religious, moral, physical, and commercial wellbeing of the children attending public schools if a copy of the Ten Commandments was hung in a prominent place in every public school in the colony. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Richard Giles Knight that they recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government in order that they might communicate with the Education Boards of the colony, so that each Board may take such steps in the matter of hanging the Ten Commandments on school-walls as it thinks proper. 29th July, 1905.

Nos. 165, 172, 174, 184, 185, 168, 186, 194, 199, 200, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238.—Petitions of I. K. McTntyre and 478 Others, F. G. Buckingham and 979 Others, W. Scott and 48 Others, Towgood and 397 Others, A. H. Norrie and 168 Others, H. Viohery and 94 Others, D. Babbie and 73 Others, W. B. Johnson and 17 Others, H. A. McCarthney and 27 Others, W. Harper and 304 Others, IT. Collet and 124 Others, Hilda B. Graham and 56 Others, A. McLeod and 174 Others, A. C. Randerson and 110 Others, R. L. Walker and 256 Others, J. S. Lott and 156 Others, G. W. P. Parsons and 142 Others, James White and 112 Others, E. Whitehouse and 144 Others, and J. L. Wylie and 101 Others (in all, 4,006 signatories). Petitioners represent that the present exclusion of Bible-teaching is objectionable to a majority of the people ; that it is the duty of the Government to definitely ascertain the wishes of the people in reference to the question of Bible-teaching; and they praj' that your honourable House will pass a Bill to enable the judgment of the people to be taken on the subject of Bible-teaching in schools. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the above petitions that, as they understand there is now before your honourable House a Bill under the provisions of which it is proposed to give effect to the prayer of petitioners, they have no recommendation to make. 29th August, 1905.

No. 130.—Petition of W. H. Greenville and Others. Petitioners pray that the law may be amended to afford facilities for the better arrangement of the boundaries of school districts, and also that in cases where disputes have arisen in regard to matters of law or of fact School Committees be given the right of appeal to some tribunal to be appointed. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of W. H. Greenville and others that they have no recommendation to make. 29th August, 1905.

No. 7.—Petition of W. F. Collis. Petitioner represents that when he took charge of the Ongarue School in 1902 the only accommodation provided for a teacher was a shanty 12 ft. long by 10 ft. wide; that the Hon. the Minister of Education decided that house allowance should be granted to him for the year 1904, and that such allowance should continue; that such allowance has not been continued, and he prays for redress. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of W. F. Collis that they have no recommendation to make. 29th August, 1905.

No. 27.—Petition of Daniel Brent. Petitioner sets forth the circumstances of his appointment to the position of mathematical master of the High School, Dunedin, on the 14th January, 1863, at a salary equivalent to £525 per annum, by the Deputy Superintendent of Otago; that his salary was subsequently reduced by £25; that the amount so deducted from his salary was refunded to him by the Colonial Government; that his salary was again reduced by the High School Board; that the sums so deducted have not been refunded to him; that his connection with the High School terminated on the 4th September, 1902, and that since that time he has been out of employment. Petitioner that the various sums improperly deducted from his salary may be paid to him, and for redress generally. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Daniel Brent that such an addition to the amount, if any, given or allowed to petitioner when he left the service be now granted so as to make the whole amount equal to a retiring-allowance of one year's salary, and that for the purpose of giving effect to this recommendation the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, 29th August, 1905.

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Nos. 144, 164, 239, 240, 241, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 265, 266, 271, 272, 285, 286, 287, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 441, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 364, 365, 366, 367, 380, 396, 397, 398.— Petitions of Louisa Bates and 65 Others; Richard Coffey and 522 Others; James Fussell and 42 Others; Laura Wagg and 15 Others; Yen. Archdeacon Willis and 19 Others; A. Campbell and 212 Others; W. Cowlin and 78 Others; W. Hetherington and 39 Others; A. Macdonald and 25 Others; L. Edmonds and 83 Others; Rev. R. Herman and 100 Others; Rev. J. Mackenzie and 12 Others; H. S. Leach and 47 Others; S. S. Mason and 63 Others; James Foy and 67 Others; Rev. H. Reeve and 57 Others; E. J. Vernon and 147 Others; Rev. J. A. Asher and 22 Others; Rev. W. H. Beck and 17 Others; Rev. C. E. Beecroft and 49 Others; Rev. A. Buckland and 76 Others; W. T. Clapham and 93 Others; Ellen Ceawfobd and 156 Others; T. Howard and 58 Others; J. Muirhead and 85 Others; R. Reynolds and 19 Others; D. Y. Steele and 107 Others; Rev. C. L. Tuke and 58 Others; J. K. Allison and 65 Others; Rev. C. Abebnethy and 25 Others; W. Ashley and 71 Others; J. H. Brooks and 40 Others; Isabella Bbown and 188 Others; P. Buchanan and 161 Others; P. Barr and 26 Others; J. R. Cassell and 167 Others; W. F. Cheeseman and 208 Others; H. P. Cowx and 90 Others; F. W. Eason and 189 Others; J. H. Edwards and 43 Others; Rev. D. K. Fisher and 4-1 Others; F. Fleury and 26 Others; Jessie P. Grant and 77 Others; R. Mackie and 130 Others; L. Martin and 72 Others; J. Mclnnis and 32 Others; J. F. McLeod and 108 Others; J. U. Murray and 38 Others; Rev. T. A. Norrie and 288 Others; Rev. W. H. Orbell and 119 Others; T. Ranford and 85 Others; Rev. T. Scott and 26 Others; W. Smith and 37 Others; W. H. Spear and 19 Others; Alexander Shepherd and 65 Others; S. Thacker and 1,891 Others; Rev. R. J. Thorpe and 161 Others; H. Townshend and 266 Others; J. Treloar and 61 Others; E. Turley and 59 Others; N. Turner and 1,207 Others; Jessie M. Webber and 59 Others; H. Wilson and 108 Others; A. Bruce and 71 Others; Jane Bicknell and 86 Others; J. Green and 49 Others; R. P. Keall and 68 Others; J. R, Bullen and 38 Others; John Budge and 42 Others; J. Campbell and 166 Others; J. Hume and 37 Others (in all, seventy-one petitions and 9,179 signatories). Petitioners represent that the present exclusion of Bible-teaching from the schools of the State is objectionable to a majority of the people; that it is the duty of the Government to definitely ascertain the wishes of the people in reference to the question of Bible-teaching; and they praythat your honourable House will pass a Bill to enable the judgment of the people to be taken on the subject of Bible-teaching in schools. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the above petitions that, as they understand there is now before your honourable House a Bill under the provisions of which it is proposed to give effect to the prayer of petitioners, they have no recommendation to make. 7th September, 1905.

Nos. 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308.—Petitions of J. B. Craig and 3 Others; J. E. Ensoll and Others; J. C. M. Gibson and 18 Others; W. Hawkes and 21 Others; J. H. Lange and 16 Others; H. W. Moobman and 18 Others; J. A. Shand and 14 Others; M. H. Shand and 14 Others; H. G. Someeville and 15 Others; Rev. E. H. Taylor . and 6 Others; T. A. Williams and 182 Others (in all, eleven petitions and 318 signatories). Petitioners represent that they are convinced that the placing of the Bible, or any text-book based upon the Bible, in the schools of the State would be tantamount to the endowment of the said schools for religious purposes; they affirm that the State has no moral right to attempt to give religious teaching; that voluntary religious teaching may be given in schools under prevailing conditions during periods outside of school-hours; that the determining of such questions as religious teaching by a plebiscite must lead to sectarian bitterness and strife ; that once the determination of such questions is remitted to the ballot-box it will be within the right of any majority to revert to the teaching of, say, Mormonism or agnosticism in the schools; and they pray that, if it should please your honourable House to authorise a plebiscite, the only question to be submitted to the electors should be, " Are you in favour of the present system of education being continued? " The Education Committee have the honour to report on the above petitions that, considering there is now before your honourable House a Bill under the provisions of which it is proposed to submit the question of religious teaching in State schools to the vote of the people, they have no recommendation to make. 7th September, 1905.

Teachers' Superannuation Bill. The Education Committee, having given careful consideration to the provisions of the Teachers' Superannuation Bill referred to them by your honourable House, have the honour to report that they recommend that the said Bill be allowed to proceed, subject, however, to the amendments shown on a copy of the Bill attached hereto. The Education Committee have the honour to further report that the evidence shows that, in order to render the scheme, as amended by the Committee, actuarially sound for original members, in addition to contributions, an annual pajmvent (calculated at 4 per cent.) of approximately £12,000 will be required, without making provision for the payment of the capital sum of approximately £385,000 (calculated at 3J per cent.) required to make the scheme actuarially sound. The Education Committee have the honour to further report that for new entrants a capital

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sum each year of approximately £5,000 will be required to make the scheme actuarially sound, assuming the number of teachers joining each year to remain as at present. The Education Committee have die honour to further report that it is strongly of opinion that provision should be made for an annual payment from the Consolidated Fund of £17,000 to make the scheme for both original members and new entrants actuarially sound, and that a quinquennial investigation should take place and the fund be readjusted. (Vide Appendix, 1.-14.) 14th September, 1905.

No. 401.—Petition of Hori Nia Nia and 8 Others. Petitioners pray that a schoolhouse be erected, upon the 4 acres which they will give, for the purpose of imparting instruction to their children, who are growing up without schooling. The Education Committee have the honour to report that this petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th September, 1905.

No. 275.—Petition of W. H. Grant and 62 Others. Petitioners pray that the Government will place a small sum on the estimates for the purpose of providing a horse and cart for the conveyance of the children to Seddonville (Mercury Bay) School. The Education Committee, having fully considered the matter embodied in this petition, have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the action of the Board should be sustained, and they have no further recommendation to make. 28th September, 1905.

Nos. 195, 205, 412, and 196.—Petitions of R. Gilmour and 54 Others, M. S. Pasley and 25 Others, M. K. Robinson and 51 Others, and C. F. Longton and 53 Others. All the above petitioners request that the optional age for the retirement of women teachers shall be fifty years, and not fifty-five as provided for in the Teachers' Superannuation Bill. The Education Committee have the honour to report that, the matter being embodied in the Bill at present before the House, they have no recommendation to make. 28th September, 1905.

No. 514.—Petition of M. Malcolm and 80 Others. Petitioners bring before the notice of Parliament a new system of measurement of timber, stones, &c, and urge that it is a suitable method to introduce as part of the syllabus of the public, technical, kindergarten, and other schools. The Education Committee have tbe honour to report that there is nothing in the existing syllabus to prevent the adoption of Mr. Morgan's system of mensuration, but the Committee does not recommend that it be given preference over other systems equally good. 28th September, 1905.

No. 457.—Petition of H. Yon Blarambero. Petitioner prays for recompense on account of his dismissal by the Wanganui Education Board. The Education Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, have the honour to report that they decline to investigate a dispute between the Wanganui Education Board and one of its teachers culminating in the dismissal of such teacher as far back as 1892. 3rd October, 1905.

No. 500.—Petition of Fanny Cole and 441 Others Petitioners pray that a Steward and Matron be appointed to live in the new building, and to take entire management of the home department as heretofore, at the Sumner Deaf-mute Institute. The Education Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, have the honour to report that on flic evidence tendered to the Committee the arrangements now made appear to them to be satisfactory, and therefore the Committee have no recommendation to make. 12th October, 1905.

No. 548. —Petition of A. J. Logan. Petitioner prays for substantial compensation for mental misery caused him by the reticence of the Education Department. The Education Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, have the honour to report that, having carefully considered the petition, together with a report on same from the Education Department, they have no recommendation to make. 10th October, 1905.

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Education Act Amendment Bill. The Education Committee, to whom was referred the Education Act Amendment Bill by your honourable House, have the honour to report that they have carefully considered the same, and they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as set forth in a copy attached hereto. The Education Committee have the honour to further report that they are strongly of opinion that the Government should take into serious consideration the advisability of limiting the maximum number of children in schools under a sole teacher to thirty-five iv average attendance. 10th October, 1905.

Paper 99 E. This paper is a letter to the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College from the professor in charge, relative to scientific and technical education on the Continent of Europe. The Education Committee, to whom was referred by your honourable House the above paper, have the honour to report that they have taken evidence thereon, and that in their opinion such evidence should be printed and referred to the Government for consideration. (Vide Appendix, 1.-Uo.) 25th October, 1905.

No. 394.—Petition of T. Isemonger and 12 Others. Petitioners pray for a permanent-salary scheme on a proper fixed basis, and an improved system of promotion and appointment of teachers. The Education Committee, to whom was referred the above petition by your honourable House, have the honour to report that they are of opinion that the grievances referred to in the petition have been partly remedied by the Education Act Amendment Bill, and that they would not be justified in proposing further innovation during the present session. 26th October, 1905.

Nos. 530, 567, and 568. —Petitions of C. H. Gilby, C. J. Jennings and 20 Others, and G. Gardner and 46 Others. Petitioners pray that the privilege of sending children from the country to Mr. .Gilby's school in town at connnutatiou fares be extended to the pupils of the said Mr. Gilby. The Education Committee, to whom was referred the above petitions by your honourable House, have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, Mr. Gilby's school is worthy of special consideration, and they recommend that he should make application to the controlling authority for such recommendation as will justify the Minister in recognising his classes. 26th October, 1905.

No. 88.—Petition of J. G. Wilson. Petitioner prays that your honourable House will be pleased to direct the Education Committee to take further evidence with regard to the most important subject of rural education. The Education Committee, to whom was referred by your honourable House the above-men-tioned petition, have the honour to report that they have taken the evidence of Mr. George George, and have received communications on the subject from Mr. E. Hall and Mr. William Gray, and that in the opinion of the Committee the evidence of Mr. George George should be printed, together with the communications, and referred to the Government for consideration. (Vide Appendix 1.-14 a.) 26th October, 1905. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (1,425 copies), £'i 14s.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9os

Price 6d ]