I.—B.

certainly think that if fees be levied the teacher should be relieved from all trouble and responsibility in connection with them. As to the effect of the institution of fees in this district I can only speculate. In the country schools I feel sure that very few would attend after passing the maximum standard prescribed by the Government, and consequently any estimate of the revenue derivable from that source would be very fallacious. Possibly a better plan would be to give the householders in a school district the power to decide by vote as to whether they would submit to the levying of a tax for the support of the upper standards, and for other school purposes. Answer to Query No. 3. —The present juncture seems to me to be favourable to very thorough dealing with educational matters, so as, first, to prevent inequality of effect in connection with reduction of income, and, secondly, to provide for a more economical administration of the system. Both results would, I think, be secured by the abolishment to a great extent of local government, and the direct contact of the schools with the department or something representing the department. I would therefore suggest the abolishment of Education Boards, accompanied by a considerable limitation of the powers of Committees. The latter provision would be absolutely indispensable in connection with so radical a change, or disaster would ensue. At the same time the areas of school districts should be considerably enlarged. Other good effects which would follow from these changes, and which alone would justify their adoption, are—first, that payments to teachers of the same class throughout the colony would be equalised; and, secondly, that facilities for the promotion of deserving teachers would be greater. With the experience of a neighbouring colony before us, it can hardly be considered desirable that the educational system of New Zealand should be placed under the sole charge of a political Minister. Possibly the division of the colony into electoral districts identical with the present education districts, the smaller districts sending one member and the larger not more than three members to a central body, sitting periodically (quarterly or half-yearly), at a place which need not always be the same, would be as safe a plan as could be adopted. The Chairman should be paid, and should occupy during the recess of the legislative body the position at present occupied by the Minister. The teaching profession to be represented on the proposed Board by one or two persons specially qualified, who would be chosen by the votes of the members elected by the various districts. Answer to Query No. 4. —On the whole, I consider the amended Syllabus to be satisfactory. I beg to suggest the following alterations : (1.) The creation of a Seventh-pass Standard; the standard referred to in section 90 of the Act, subsection (4), to be the Fifth Standard. (2.) That it be made compulsory to have two reading-books in use in addition to the ordinary reader; the additional books to be a geographical and an historical reader. (3.) The geography of all standards to be a class subject. (4.) Clause 6of the standard regulations to be altered to the extent of allowing all pupils to be considered "excepted" who have not been present half the number of times of assembling of the school, from the commencement of the school-year to the end of the month previous to the examination. (5.) Drawing to be made a class subject in the country schools. (6.) The historical work for Standard 111. not to be too strictly defined, and their acquaintance with history to be gained more by the reading of short stories from history. As I am just at present busily engaged with the annual examination of our schools, I am compelled to reply rather hurriedly to your circular ; but I hope that some portion of my reply may be of service. I have, &c, E. T. Eobinson. J. G. Wilson, Esq., M.H.E., Chairman, Education Committee.

Salary List for the Quarter ending 30th September, 1887.

35

School. 1.3 Position of Teacher in School. Annual Salary. School. ■2.3 . mS a 3 e g oj 3 Position of Teacher in School. Annual Salary. Kynnersley .. fotara Flat.. Drwell Creek ihaura Matters Sed Jack's .. Motown 3runnerton .. 21 25 20 23 76 15 34 167 T. T. T. T. H.T. A.T. P.T. T. H.T. P.T. H.T. A.T. J.A.T. P.T. P.T. H.T. T. P.T. P.T. T. H.T. A.T. H.T. A.T. £ s. a. 90 0 0 108 0 0 100 0 0 90 0 0 155 0 0 100 0 0 20 0 0 90 0 0 126 0 0 25 0 0 200 0 0 90 0 0 70 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 150 0 0 100 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 90 0 0 135 0 0 70 0 0 150 0 0 60 0 0 Marsden .. Greymouth 18 484 T. H.T. A.T. A.T. A.T. H.M. P.T. P.T. P.T. P.T. P.T. P.T. P.T. P.T. P.T. P.T. P.T. H.T. A.T. T. T. T. T. T. £ s. a. 100 0 0 330 0 0 175 0 0 140 0 0 250 0 0 200 0 0 55 0 0 45 0 0 45 0 0 30 0 0 30 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 135 0 0 70 0 0 117 0 0 108 0 0 50 0 0 18 0 0 28 0 0 3obson 36 tfaori Gully )ungairville 25 50 Paroa 59 Westbrook Greenstone Teremakau Lake Brunner Blackball .. 25 21 8 4 7 3obden 74