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4. That with respect to spelling they recommend that for Standards I. and 11. the pass be two-thirds of the words set —the words to be taken from one of the standard class reading-books chosen by the teacher. 5. In Standard 111. about five lines and five words to be written to dictation from the class reading-book—not more than three errors to be allowed. 6. In Standard IV. about eight lines dictated from the class reading-book—not more than three errors to be passed. 7. In Standard V. and VI. about eight lines dictated from the class reading-books—two errors to be passed; but at the discretion of the Inspector an unseen passage may be substituted in Standard VI. for a passage of equal length from the reading-book, and in such case not more than three errors to be allowed. 8. In arithmetic, five questions to be given to each standard class—boys to pass on having three right, and girls two and a half. In questions that are not purely mechanical half-marks should be allowed for correctness of method. 9. In Standards 111. to VI. mental arithmetic may be given on the following basis, either as one of the questions, or as a substitute for one that may he omitted, at the option of the pupil: Three mental arithmetic questions to be set —two correct answers to carry full marks, and one correct answer half-marks. Further, the committee recommend that the Minister should supply Inspectors with a few samples of the kind of questions to be set in examining the arithmetic of Standard I. On the motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Petrie, the report of the committee was adopted. The Conference then went into committee to consider and discuss the question of changes in the mode of inspection. At 4.50 p.m. the committee reported progress, and asked leave to sit again. Leave granted. It was decided, on the motion of Mr. Petrie, seconded by Mr. Hill, That the Conference meet at 9.45 to-morrow. Besolved, on the motion of Mr. Petrie, seconded by Mr. Hill, That to-morrow's sitting should conclude-not -later than 1 p.m. The Conference then adjourned till 9.45 a.m. on Saturday.

Notices of Motion. Mr. Bindon to move, That the class-subjects be divided into optional and compulsory. Optional—singing, science, and history ; compulsory—grammar, object-lessons, and geography. Mr, Fleming to move, That clause 16 of the regulations pertaining to teachers' certificates (VI., p. 77) be amended so as to read : —" 16. Subject to the operation of regulations 5, 6, 7, and 8, graduates of the University of New Zealand in first- or second-class honours, or those who have qualified for first- or second-class honours in passing the M.D. examination, be admitted to Class A. without examination." Mr. Hill to move, That the ' pass ' system be retained, but that the number of standards be reduced from six to three, the individual examination of pupils being held at intervals of two years. In each alternate year the pupils to be examined as a class as to methods, character of instruction, and general progress, and that the efficiency of the school be estimated on this dual system of examination.

Saturday, 3rd February, 1894. The Conference met at 9.45 a.m. The same members were present as at yesterday's sitting. Mr. Crowe also took his seat. The minutes of the previous day's meeting were read and confirmed. The Conference then went into committee to consider the question of changes in the mode of inspection. The Conference resumed, and the Chairman of the Committee reported, That the present system of testing instruction in schools mainly by means of individual passes in standards should be abandoned. Mr. Lee moved, and Mr. Petrie seconded, the adoption of the report. Dr. Anderson moved, and Mr. Braik seconded, as an amendment, That Messrs. Petrie, Goyen, Wood, Hill, Lee, Murray, Goodwin, and the mover be a committee to bring up a report as to the comparative merits of the various schemes proposed for the examination of schools. Mr. Wood, Mr. Hill, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Murray explained their proposals in regard to the examination of schools. The Chairman put Dr. Anderson's amendment, and declared it not carried. Mr. Lee's motion for the adoption of the committee's report was also declared not carried. Mr. Wood moved, and Mr. Hill seconded, That the Conference proceed to discuss Mr. Petrie's proposals as to the examination of schools. Motion carried. The Conference then adjourned till 9.30 on Monday morning.

Notice of Motion. That on and after Monday, the sth instant, the Conference sit in the evening, in addition to the day-sittings.

Monday, sth February, 1894. The Conference met at 9.30 a.m. The same members were present as at the last sitting. The minutes of the previous sitting were read and confirmed.