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(7.) That the Board shall have power to establish scholarships and also to award bonuses and prizes, with the object of encouraging scientific and industrial research.: (8.) That the Board shall keep in touch with Government Departments and also with scientific and educational institutions, with a view to co-operation in scientific investigation as well as in furtherance of scientific education and of everything which will tend to foster a greater appreciation of the advantages of science not only by producers, but by the people at large. A Reference Library. The Committee further recommends that there shall be established a central reference library under the control of the Board, containing the most important works relating to trade, commerce, science, and industry, and containing also the trading and manufacturing journals; for without access to an efficient scientific and technological library an investigator must be greatly hampered in his work. The library should, under proper regulation, be available for persons in any part of the Dominion. In order to avoid duplication it is suggested that existing scientific libraries in Wellington should be, as far as possible, merged. New Inventions and Bureau of Information. From evidence submitted it would appear that there is some necessity for the existence of a body to which might be submitted the work of inventors who, through lack of means or opportunity, are unable to have their inventions tested or' brought under public notice. It is therefore recommended that in addition to its other duties the Board of Science and Industry shall obtain reports from experts regarding any new inventions respecting which its advice may be sought. It is further suggested that the Board should also serve the purpose of a bureau of information, to which any investigator may apply for advice and direction in his work. The Cawthron Institute. The Committee has been informed that the trustees of the Cawthron Institute at Nelson, which is largely endowed for the carrying-on of similar work to that which will come under the-control of the-proposed Board, have applied to the Government for an annual subsidy of £2,000, being a sum equal to 5 per cent, on the amount of death duties paid by the trustees. The Committee recommends that any amount granted be subject to the enactment of legislation which will ensure that the Institute shall co-operate to the fullest extent with the Board in the carrying-out of researches affecting any portion of the Dominion. Appointment of Assistants to University Professors. Finally, the Committee recommends that the Government should grant to each of the University colleges sums of money specially earmarked to provide' fully qualified assistants to the professors of scientific subjects, including the subjects of engineering, mining, and medicine. No apology is needed for the inclusion of medicine, for it will be agreed that there is nothing of greater importance for the national well-being than the health of the people. Investigations in this department may have far-reaching effects, not only on the present but on succeeding generations, and may have a very important bearing on physical fitness and industrial efficiency. The professors in all the subjects mentioned are experts, and they are at the present moment, so far as their professorial duties will permit, engaged in specific scientific investigations. To provide the professors with assistants, salaries of £500 per annum will be required. Direct grants from the Government for this purpose are urged, because it is eminently desirable that provision of this sort should be of a permanent character. One result of this course would be the training of a large number of expert investigators, and the University would be greatly assisted in fulfilling what should be one of its most important functions.

iii—l. 12.