F.—No. 1

30

REPORT ON COLONIAL INDUSTRIES.

on the 21st instant, the Hon. Mr. Vogel's Memorandum conveying the " decided opinion of the Government that it is desirable that direct educational advantages should be offered in connection with the Institute and geological department," indicating the direction in which arrangements should be made for effecting this object, and inviting the assistance of the Governors of the Institute in preparing a plan for the institution of a system of scientific education. Keeping in view the practical suggestions conveyed in Air. Vogel's Memorandum, the Board of Governors have authorized me to make tho following recommendations for the favourable consideration of Government: — - Ist. That a series of lectures should be instituted in connection with the Museum, to bo delivered during the winter months of the year. 2nd. That the subjects should be divided into two courses, the lectures being given on alternate days, or otherwise, as found most convenient. 3rd. The first course should comprise lectures on Natural History, or tho principles of classification as illustrated by the elementary study of Zoology and Botany, and the application of these to Physical Geography and Geology. 4th. Tho second course should be devoted to the elements of Experimental Science, Physics, Chemistry, and Mineralogy. sth. The practical course should be limited to Mineralogy and Chemistry. For carrying into effect these proposals it will be necessary, First, that additional accommodation should be afforded ; Second, that the requisite apparatus should be obtained from England; Third, that lecturers should be provided. In the meantime, until the scheme is established, the Governors are of ojiinion that tho working of it might be left to tho Staff of the Geological Survey. I further conveyed to the Governors of the Institute an assurance that, if my doing so met with the views of Government, I would be wdlling to undertake at least one of the proposed courses of lectures, and that I considered that the work of one or more of my geological assistants might bo so arranged that they might be employed usefully in the field during the summer months, and in the winter assist in tho course of instruction. By this means, without materially increasing tho present establishment, the scheme might be initiated, and the valuable educational resources of the Museum and Laboratory devoted to supply the deficiency of scientific and technical instruction which is much felt in this Colony. The fees would be sufficient to pay the working expenses, and, by a judicious system of small endowments for scholarships in the various public schools, other parts of the Colony would share in the benefits of the course. In the event of the Government favourably entertaining this scheme, I am prepared to submit further recommendations as to the best mode of providing the required extra accommodation, and also lists of the apparatus which it will be necessary to order from Europe. I have, Sec, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. James Hectoe.