E.—ll

18

The present arrangement of educational matters, split up between the Education Department, the Eoyal Technological Commission, the schools of mines, and Trustees of the Public Library, each holding separate examinations and having separate control, cannot possibly have success; and I fully agree with Mr. Gill that united action is absolutely necessary to secure success. The Hon. the Minister of Education informed me that an effort would be made to combine some of the sections, and that an application had been forwarded to South Kensington for an art director. This gentleman has, I understand, been selected by the Science and Art Department since my return.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 1. Drawing in public schools. 2. Art-schools. 3. Art-gallery. 4. Evidence taken on technical education. 1. Deawing in Public Schools. Practically speaking, there is no system of drawing in the public schools of South Australia, though in one or two of the schools the headmasters have taken considerable interest in the subject, and given instruction in all standards, notably Mr. Kennedy, of Marrytaville Public School. The matter of the introduction of drawing in public schools has been under consideration of the Instruction Department for some time, though I cannot see why there should be any hesitation in adopting a subject all educational authorities of importance deem not only desirable, but an absolute necessity, especially in young colonies. No definite action has, however, been taken. It is certain that until this step is taken the School of Design and its proposed branches cannot do legitimate work so long as the students presenting themselves have to be instructed in the simplest possible elements. The following occurs in the report of the Minister of Education, 1886 : "Industrial education has during the past years attracted much public attention. The Government appointed a Board to report upon the best means of developing a general system of technical (including agricultural) education in the provinces. This Board is still prosecuting its inquiry. A sum of £500 was voted by Parliament last session for the erection of a school-workshop; but, pending the report of the Board,.no further action has yet been taken. It will be seen by the digest of evidence taken by this Technical Education Board, and given in section 4, that it is recommended that elementary drawing be made a compulsory subject in all classes. It is to be hoped this will be carried out without the least delay, and that Mr. Gill's system of drawing (which is a thorough and systematic one) will be put in force as speedily as possible. At present less than one-fourth of the public schools receive instruction in drawing, and in those cases the system is not universal and receives no direction ; so that these efforts, not being directed by a competent head, lose the greater part of their value." The training students under the Department of Instruction receive instruction at the School of Design weekly; the first-grade work, of a slightly higher standard than that of South Kensington, being the first or elementary course, and the second-grade afterwards, with special instructions as to the method of giving the lessons in the public schools. There is not the slightest doubt but that the giving of first-grade subjects first is a decided advantage. The students find the work simple, and so gain confidence —a matter of great importance both to teacher and student. Want of confidence, and consequently insufficient energy upon the part of the teachers of schools, is one of the greatest difficulties we have to contend with; and lam pleased to find Mr. Gill dealing successfully with this difficulty, and by such simple means. 2. Akt-school. The Schools of Design and Painting are in connection with the Public Library, Museum, and Artgallery of South Australia, and are controlled by the Fine Arts Committee of the Board of Governors, this Committee having also the control of the art-gallery. All are in the same block of buildings, designated the Public Library, Museum, and Art-gallery of South Australia. The schools of art comprise an Elementary School, conducted by Mr. George A. Eeynolds, late of Birmingham, and a certificated South Kensington teacher (the whole of the work of this school being superintended and directed by Mr. Harry P. Gill, the principal of the School of Design); a School of Painting, conducted by Mr. Louis Tannert; and a School of Design—art-lecturer, examiner, and principal, Mr. Harry P. Gill, late of South Kensington, with the following assisting-masters and instructors of special branches : Artisan and modelling-classes master, George A. Eeynolds; assistant, James Keane; machine-construction instructor, Eobert A. White; building-construction instructor, Isidor G. Beaver. The system of instruction afforded in these schools is similar to that practised in the art schools of England in connection with the Science and Art Department of the Committee of Council on Education, South Kensington. The year is divided into three sessions, each consisting of thirteen working weeks: Spring session, from Monday, 19th September, to Friday, 16th December, 1887; autumn session, from Monday, 13th February, to Friday, 19th May, 1888; winter session, from Monday, sth June, to Friday, Ist September, 1888. Intending students are required to fill up the following form : " Form of application to be filled up by intending student, and forwarded to the principal, School of Design, Public Library, Museum, and Art-gallery, Adelaide. Name in full, ; address in full, ; age last birthday, ; present or proposed occupation, ; any previous teaching, ; object of study, ; state which school you propose to join . Date . Folio No. . Eeg. No. ." All applications are required to be made for admission to the Elementary School, from whence students are transferred to the other sections of the school upon passing a satisfactory test given by the principal. When applicants have already received instruction the application-form is expected to be accompanied, if possible, by works executed by the applicant. The following is a complete list of classes, course of study, and fees charged : —