E.—l4

Evidence was given by Messrs. J. MoWhirter (Chairman, Westland Education Board), J. Grimmond and H. L. Michel (members, Westland Education Board), A. J. Morton, B.A. (Inspector of Schools, and secretary to the Westland Education Board), and the following teachers : Miss W. J. Aitken, Messrs. H. G. Wake, 8.A., J. J. Henderson, and W. D. Mackay (representatives of the Westland Educational Institute). The evidence of Mr. A. A. Adams, who was examined in Greymouth, was continued. Statements were handed in by the secretary (Exhibits Nos. 20, 21, 22, and 23), Mr. Hogben (Exhibit No. 24), and Mr. Henderson, on behalf of the Westland Educational Institute (Exhibit No. 25). A vote of thanks was passed to the Board, its officers, and the witnesses ; also to the Hokitika Borough Council for the use of the Town Hall. The Commission adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until 10 a.m. on the 10th May, at Christehurch.

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, 10th May, 1901. The Commission met at 10 a.m. in the office of] the Education Board. Present: Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.H.B. (in the chair), Mr. P. Y. Lethbridge, M.H.8., Mr. M. Gilfedder, M.H.B. ; Mr. T. S. Weston, Mr. S. Luke, Mr. H. Hill, 8.A., Mr. J. Smith, Mr. W. Davidson, and Mr. B. D. Stewart. Mr. G. Hogben, M.A., also attended. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The secretary laid before the Commission the regulations of the Education Boards (Exhibits Nos. 26, 27, 28, 81, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42); and it was resolved, That an application be made to the Hon. the Minister of Education for an extension of time of forty days. Evidence was given by Mr. H. C. Lane (secretary of the North Canterbury Education Board), who presented a comparative statement of expenditure for 1900 (Exhibits Nos. 29 and 30). Evidence was also given by Mr. L. B. Wood, M.A. (representing the Inspectors of the North Canterbury District). The Commission adjourned at 5 p.m. until 10 a.m. the next day.

Saturday, 11th May, 1901. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.H.B. (in the chair), Mr. T. Mackenzie, M.H.8., Mr. P. Y. Lethbridge, M.H.E., Mr. M. Gilfedder, M.H.8.; Mr. T. S. Weston, Mr. S. Luke, Mr. H. Hill, 8.A., Mr. J. Smith, Mr. W. Davidson, and Mr. B. D. Stewart. Mr. G. Hogben, M.A., also attended. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Mackenzie referred to the incompleteness of the reports of the Commission's proceedings distributed by the Press Association. The Chairman remarked that, while local reports were usually very satisfactory, those provided by the Press Association were very scanty. An application was received from Mr. N. Priberg, secretary of the Palmerston North Branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute, for an opportunity to appear before the Commission at Palmerston North. It was decided to hear the representatives at Wanganui. Statements were handed in by the secretary (Exhibits Nos. 43 and 45), Mr. Hogben (Exhibit No. 44), and Mr. J. B. Brunt, Chairman of the East Christchurch School Committee (Exhibit No. 46). Evidence was given by His Honour Mr. Justice Cooper (recently a. member of the Auckland Education Board), Mr. B. J. Paull (Chairman of the Bichmond School Committee), and the following teachers, representing sections of the North Canterbury Educational Institue : Messrs. W. J. Boyce, C. D. Hardie, B. B. Byder, and L. Watson. The Commission adjourned at 5 p.m. until 10 a.m. on the 13th May.

Monday, 13th May, 1901. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.H.B. (in the chair), Mr. T. Mackenzie, M.H.8., Mr. P. Y. Lethbridge, M.H.8., Mr. M. Gilfedder, M.H.8.; Mr. T. S. Weston, Mr. S. Luke, Mr. H. Hill, 8.A., Mr. J. Smith, Mr. W. Davidson, and Mr. B. D. Stewart. Mr. G. Hogben, M.A., also attended. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Evidence was given by Messrs. J. B. Brunt (Chairman, East Christchurch School Committee), — Morris (Chairman, West Christchurch School Committee), G. P. Henry (secretary, East Christchurch School Committee), and the following teachers: T. Hughes, M.A. (honorary secretary, North Canterbury Educational Institute), T. Watkins, 8.A., T. S. Poster, M.A., and P. Bowley; Misses Glanville, Kitchingman, and Menzies ; Mesdames Wilkinson and Lissaman; and Mr. H. C. Lane added a short statement to his previous evidence. Statements were handed in by the-secretary (Exhibit No. 48) and Mr. Hughes (Exhibit No. 47). A vote of thanks was passed to the Board, its officers, and the witnesses. The Commission adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until 10 a.m. on the 16th May, at Dunedin.

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