E.—l2.

REPORT UPON STATE EDUCATION.

SUBJECTS OF STUDY, 1 TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION, AND "OVER-PRESSURE." The tabular statement (sec Table 17*) affords a eomparison between the subjects of 1 study in the ordinary elementary 2 schools in England, and those in the Colony. The publications, noted at foot hereof, supply some information on the construction and fitting up of school premises.3 1 Technical instruction is provided for by the State in Great Britain by— (1) "Drawing" being made a class subject; 4 {I) Optional "specific subjects;" 3 and by (3) The Science and Art Departmento—to the support of which annual grants arc made, "to promote instruction in science, especially among the industrial classes." Instruction in that department is not gratuitous unless exceptionally; 7 but scholarships, exhibitions, free and semi-free studentships, prizes, medals, and money payments are given;B and Professor Huxley is inclined to think " technical education should be supplied free to the artisan population." In addition to other official publications, the reports of the Royal Commission on ( Technical Instruction afford ample information; 9 and it will h? noticed in them that there is special stress laid upon the impyrtance of teaching drawing 10 and agriculture. 11 The reports have already resulted in drawing being made by the Code a class subject. 1The aid afforded by the Science and Art Department is not confined to schools and classes, but embi'aces the general promotion of scientific knowledge. 13

Comparative tabular statement of subjects taught in England and tils Colony. C jnstruction and fitting up of school premises. Provisions for technical instruction.

Special stress in upon importance of teaching apiculture 1 and a result.

' " The characteristic mark of a thoroughly good scfiool is, that all its pupils in attendance are effectively taught as far as their natural ahility will allow." Address by Head Inspector of Nat. Schools in Ireland, delivered at Nat. Soc. So. Assoc, Dublin, 1881, Trans, p. 478. s But note Mr. Cumin's evidence before Royal Education Commission, 188G (hereafter called R.E.C.), espec. 1010-11, and see particularly 1019 on the working of the Elementary Education Act; thus apparently it is within the province of the department to define elementary education as including algebra, Euclid, mensuration, mechanics, chemistry, physics, physiology, botany, sound, light, heat, magnetism, electricity, Latin, French, German, Greek, and Hebrew ; and if any child came to any elementary school and required to be taught all those subjects the department would, under certain circumstances, sanction the establishment of a school for teaching them. See aUo comments "Journal of Ed.," 1 Oct., 188G, p. 400, and see Mr. Cumin's answers R.E.C., 574 and seq., and 723 and seq. For curriculum of National Schools of Ireland see Sir P. J. Keenan's address, p. 04. For detailed information respecting Standards, in addition to that in Table 17*, see R.E.C., Inspec Stewart, 360G and seq., Inspec. Sharpe, 5008. • (a) 1.E.C., espec. vol. xiii., pp. 25 and 32, and 207-13; and (5) G.lt., 1883-84. pp. 372, 385, and 402; and (c) "School of Architecture and Hygiene," with plans and illustrations, for the use of school trustees in Ontario, Canada.—Printed for Ed, Dept., Toronto, 1885. 4 See also Revised Instructions to Inspectors, ISSG, Art. 44. 8 Sec Code, 109 (17) and table in fourth schedule See also 1 Revised Instruc. to Inspec, 1884, Arts. 45-47. • For details, see— (a) 31st report, and supplements to 31st and 32nd reps. (b) Directory, 1884. (c) Order in Council, 25 Feb., 185G, Act 19 and 20 Viet., c. 11G. (•I) History of Dept. in supplement to 32nd report, and ! in 30th report, pp. xxx-exii., and notice Continental j information, pp. G-36 ; and (e) G.R., ISS3 84, p. xxv.; and (/) S.O. For influence of training, sse— (a) K.0.; espec. vol. 1, pp. 513 and 537. (6) Dr. It., p. 15. (c) Daily News, 24 Jan , 1884; paper by Mr. Carpenter. | (</) Times, 15 Nov., 1884; lecture by Dr. Farrar. whose main work in life his been modern education—" to allure to brighter worlds, and show tho way." For agriculture, see— (e) E.C., rep. espec. vol. 1, pp. 532-53G, and vol. 2 ; (/) Times, 3 Oct., 1884, Mr. Dyer's letter; |

(g) London Globe, 14 Feb., 18S4, article ; and For experiments as to tho most efficient means of promoting agricultural education, as tried in Ireland, where agriculture is a compulsory subject, see Sir P. J. Keenan's address, p. G4. For paper on "The Agriculture of a Nation in its relation to the Property of tho People," by Baghot de la Bero, see Trans. Nat. Soc. Sc. Assoc, Dublin, 1881, p. 74G. And for best means of imparting instruction in agricui- *"* ture, see paper by J. Ferguson, as above, p. 357, and discussion thereon. ' See Directory, pp. 1 and 2, but note R.C., vol. 1, p. 537. 8 See (a) Directory, xxxii., xxxiv., xxxvi.-xxxviii, lii.-liii., lv., lvi., lxviii.-lxxiv.; and (b) R.C., vol. 1, pp. 52G and 538. 3 Ist report, and vols. 1, 2, and 3, espec. vol. 1., pp. 393--504, and vol. 4, pp. 513, 515, Sl7-*2O, 522, 529, and 536-538 ; and espec. 400, 1884. For definition and comments on reports, see (a) "N.C.," Aug. ISS4, art. by Rev. H. Solly, espoc p. 504, and (6) Address by Mr. Magnus (one of the Commrs.) at opening of Finsbury Technical College, 9 Feb., 1883; Longman and Co., London. Finsbury College, now defunct, seo "Journal of Ed.," 1 Oct., 18SG, p. 403. See also— (a) 1.E.C., vol. 14. (b) Report dated 25 Mar., 1885, of the City and Guilds of London Institute, Gresham College, London, 1885. For what City of London spent in 1885 on education, seo " Public Opinion," 17 Sept., ISBG, p. 37. (c) Daily News, 25 Jan., 1884, address by Mr. A. Morley, M.P.; 20 Mar., 1884, by an ex-Lord Chancellor. (J) Times, G Oct., 18S1, Mr. Magnus, and 25 Nov., ISS+. (e) Dr. R., pp. 15 and IG. (/) Notice, with details, of tho recently established Technical School at Sheffield.— "Birmingham and Sheffield Hardware Manufacturers' Circular," 15 Feb., 188G; and (/) Art. by Lord Brabazon in " Time," May, 1836, p. 549, on "The need of National, Industrial, and Technical Training." "° Espec vol. 1, pp. 517, 519, 520, 524,53G, and 538 ; Times, 19 Dec, 1884 ; resols. Lond. School Board, and noto N.Z. Gazette 92, 1878. 11 Espec. vol. 1, pp. 532-53G, and vol. 2. See also n. 8, above. 13 See Ait. 1G; and compare with N.Z. regs., 1G June, 1885. 13 See Directory, espac. sees, xlii., xlix., 1., Hi. -lvi., lx., lxii., lxviii.-lxxiv. The Senate of Cambridge proposes to admit engineering into its curriculum,

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