I.—2a.

11. At the General Synod of the Church of England in New Zealand, held at Nelson in February, 1895, the following resolutions were passed : — On the sth February: " That this Synod is of opinion that it is desirable that the Education Act should be so amended as to contain a provision for imparting religious instruction by the teachers in the public schools on the model of the London School Board generally, with the use of the 'Irish National School-book of Scriptural Lessons'; and with a conscience clause." On the 14th February : " That, in order to give effect to the resolution of the sth February on the subject of Bible teaching in public schools, this Synod respectfully requests the Eight Eeverend the Bishops to take steps, as far as possible in co-operation with heads of other religious bodies in New Zealand, for the purpose of pressing the desired reform on the Government and Legislature." Fbedebick Wellington.

111. The minute of the Presbyterian Assembly of 1894 on report of Committee on Education was as follows : "Eeceive the report and thank the Committee for their diligence, and especially the convener ; express the gratification of the Assembly at the increased interest and activity shown in the community generally on the subject of religious education in our public schools during the past year ; and in regard to the chief recommendation of the report that the "Irish Text-book of Scripture Lessons for National Schools " should be favourably considered by the Assembly, as fitted to be a platform on which all the churches may reasonably be expected to unite. Resolved, That the Assembly cordially approves of this recommendation of the Committee, and desires the ministers and office-bearers of the church in their various districts to endeavour to awaken increased interest in it, and to co-operate with others for this object, so that by a combined effort the text-book may be introduced into our national schools, thus securing for our children the blessing of religious education in a satisfactory form and in harmony with sound political principles." ' A'similar report was given in to the Assembly of this year (February, 1895), the finding on which was, " Adopt the report." James Paterson.

IV. The resolution of the Wesleyan Conference 1895, is as follows : " While opposed to Government grants in aid of private schools, this Conference expresses its gratification at the revived interest manifested throughout the colony concerning the use of a scripture text-book in State schools. The Conference hereby expresses its conviction that the introduction of scripture lessons in our public schools is urgently called for in the best interests of the colony, and it pledges itself to co-operate with the churches in endeavouring to bring about such a change in the Education Act as will provide for this much-needed reform." William Baumbeb.

V. Classification of Persons canvassed at Palmerston North, in May-June, 1895.

1,454 1,112 Net result for : 1,112 adults, or 88 per cent. Palmerston North, 18th July, 1895. H. S. McKellab. VI. Extract feom the Addeess delivered by the Eight Beveeend the Bishop of Wellington, at the Wellington Diocesan Synod, on the 2nd Octobee, 1895. Scriptural Instruction in State Schools. You will remember that the question of applying for the introduction of elementary Scriptural teaching into public schools was discussed at our late General Synod, and that the following resolutions were passed without a single dissentient. (See Appendix II.)

36

Denomination. Number signed kilned. Memorial. Majority For. Against. Church of England Presbyterian Wealeyan Roman Catholic Salvation Army Lutheran Brethren Bible Christian.. Baptist Congregationalist Church of Christ Adventist 528 227 206 78 62 54 53 34 20 5 1 1 36 10 17 38 2 492 217 189 40 62 52 53 33 19 4 1 1 1 1 Jew Quaker No Denomination Unknown 6 2 1 14 42 5 2 1 12 30 2 12 I 1,283 171 1,162 I 50