E.—lc.

Mr. Harkness moved, and Mr. H. Smith seconded, " That the following words be inserted after the word ' schools ': 'in Grade 4, and upwards.' " Motion negatived, and regulation as amended agreed to. Mr. Smith moved, " That in a district high school, and in those schools where the pupils can travel daily to a district high school, the work in S7 shall not be required." Agreed to. The Conference adjourned at 12.45 p.m.

Monday, Bth February, 1904. The Conference resumed at 9.30 a.m. The Chairman said he had received a communication from Mr. Pope stating that owing to ill-health he would be unable to attend further meetings of the Conference. Regulations for Inspection and Examination of Schools. The consideration of the regulations was resumed in committee. " 35. In the same class, the following shall be the additional subjects : (1) Geometry, (2) algebra, (3) *elementary mechanics, (4) (5) *chemistry, (6) *botany, (7) book-keeping as for Civil Service Junior Examination, (8) shorthand, (9) *agriculture, (10) (11) geology, (12) geography as for Civil Service Junior Examination, (13) history as for Civil Service Junior Examination, (14) handwork (one or more branches), (15) mechanical drawing, unless this is included in the drawing taken as a compulsory subject. " In schools situated more than five miles from any secondary school or district high school, and in schools attached to training colleges, but in no other schools, (16) Latin, (17) French, and (18) German may be included in the list of additional subjects from which selection may be made. " In schools below Grade 16, two or more of the additional subjects shall be taken. " In schools of Grade 16 and higher grades, at least three of the additional subjects shall be taken. " Attention should still be given to the kind of instruction that is indicated in clauses, 48, 49, and 50." Mr. Fitzgerald moved, and Mr. Eichardson seconded, "That ' drawing of a more advanced character than that taught in Standard VI. ' and ' civic instruction beyond what is taught in Standards 111.-VI. , be inserted among the additional subjects in section 35." Agreed to. Mr. Fitzgerald moved, and Mr. Petrie seconded, " That the proviso implied in the second paragraph of clause 35 be removed." The Conference divided. Ayes, 14 ; Noes, 15 : majority against, 1. Amendment negatived. Mr. Gray moved, and Mr. Morton seconded, " In schools below Grade 8 all the additional subjects may be omitted; in schools of Grades 8-16 only one additional subject be required; in schools of higher grades only two. Amendment negatived. Dr. Anderson moved, and Mr. Gray seconded, "That paragraphs 3 and 4 of clause 35 be omitted." The Conference divided. Ayes, 16 ; Noes, 12 : majority for, 4. Motion agreed to. Mr. Fitzgerald moved, and Mr. Bossence seconded, " That, subject to the approval of the Inspector, a selection be made by the teacher from the additional subjects." Amendment negatived, and Regulation 35 as amended agreed to. Regulation 36 was passed, subject to consequential amendments. Syllabus. — English. — General. " 37. There shall be at least two reading-books in each class. One of these shall consist mainly or entirely of literary matter suited to the comprehension of the pupils ; the other may contain historical, geographical, or scientific matter, but must not be merely a text-book of history, geography, or science ; it may be a continuous reader. If approved by the Minister, a school journal may be substituted for one of the reading-books. If a historical or geographical reader be selected for the second reader it may, if of adequate scope, be held to satisfy the requirements of such portions of history or geography as are so specified in the syllabus laid down for those subjects. " The chief objects of the instruction in reading shall be to impart to the pupils the power of fluent reading, with clear enunciation, correct pronunciation, tone, and inflexion, and expression based upon intelligent comprehension of the subject-matter; to cultivate a taste for and an appreciation of good literature ; and accordingly to lead the pupils to form the habit of reading good books. The reading of such books might, indeed, well replace all other kind of home-work. " Poetry set for recitation should, while suited to the age of the pupils, be chosen for its literary merit as well as for the interest it arouses. There is such a wealth of simple and beautiful poetry in English literature that there is no reason to select for repetition verse that is not worth the trouble of learning by heart. One of the objects in making children learn verse (or prose) by heart is that they may have stored up in their memory masterpieces that may develop their imagination, and may, whether the children themselves are conscious of the operation or not, mould their taste for good literature. " The children should have an intelligent comprehension of the poetry set for recitation, and be able to answer questions upon the subject-matter of it. In some classes the pupils might be trained to reproduce in their own words the substance of poetry previously committed to memory. These exercises link the recitation to the composition lessons.

* The work id these subjects must show advance beyond what is offered or required in Standard VI.

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