EDUCATION COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. BAUME, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1904 Session I, I-14c

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1904. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. BAUME, Chairman.)

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OP REFERENCE.

Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the 22nd Day of July, 1904. Ordered, " That a Committee be appointed to consider all matters relating to education and public instruction generally, public-school training of teachers, higher education, technical education, and manual instruction, and such other matters affecting education as may be referred to it; to have power to call for persons and papers; five to be a quorum . the Committee to consist of Mr. J. Allen, Mr. Baume, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Buddo, Mr. Ell, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Fowlds, Mr. A. L. D. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hall, Mr. Hanan, Mr. Hardy, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Lethbridge, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Major, Mr. Massey, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. McNab, Sir W. R. Russell, Mr. Sidey, Hon. Sir W. J. Steward, Mr. J. C. Thomson, Mr. Wood, and the mover."—(Right Hon. R. J. Seddon.)

Friday, the 21st Day op October, 1904. Ordered, " That the Public-school Teachers' Salaries Amendment Bill be referred to the Education Committee."— (Right Hon. R. J. Seddon.)

Wednesday, the 2nd Day of November, 1904. Ordered, ." That the report of the Education Committee on transfer of teachers be referred back to the Committee for reconsideration." —(Mr. J. Allen.)

INDEX.

7 0 . ' Name. I Page. No. Name. Page. +■20 735 718 89 Baldwin, Kate, and others .. ■ .. Blake, Alexander Charles Boxall, A. E., and others Brent, D. .. Building grants (vide also I.-14) 7 7 :s 2 s 878 562 New Plymouth High School Board Parkinson, Mary, and others Public-school Teachers' Salaries Amendment Bill s 2 7 373 12 350 Chapman, Emily, and others Cohen, Sarah Coker,"James," and others 2 2 ■2 427 Robinson, S. L., and others 7 836 Dall, Vera, and others S 352 349 472 School-books Secondary schools Sloan, H. R., and others Smart, R. M., and others Spence, A. W., and others Superannuation of teachers 3 :: 2 2 7 7 084 550 Gill, Annie, and others Grant, M., and others 7 7 Instruction in agricultural subjects (vide also I.-14b) 8 351 Taylor, T. E., and others Training colleges (vide, also I.-14a) Transfer of teachers Tulloch, Elizabeth, and others Twemlow, Emily, and others 2 3 S 7 2 Kitson, Rudal, and others 2 398 423 353 42 Lenihan, Bishop 2 473 Wilson, G. E., and others 7 918 083 Marlborough Education Board McNeill, B. 8 7

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REPORTS.

No. 89.—Petition of Daniel Beent, Anderson's Bay, Dunedin. Petitioner sets forth the circumstances of his appointment to the position of mathematical master of the High School, Dunedin, on the 14th January, 1863, at a salary equivalent to £525 per annum, by the Deputy Superintendent of Otago ; that his salary was subsequently reduced by £25 ; that the amount so deducted from his salary was refunded to him by the Colonial Government; that his salary was again reduced by the High School Board ; that the sums so deducted have not been refunded to him ; that his connection with the High School terminated on the 4th September, 1902, and that since that time he has been out of employment. Petitioner prays that the various sums improperly deducted from his salary may be paid to him, and for redress generally. The Education Committee, having given careful consideration to the facts set forth in the petition of Daniel Brent, have the honour to report that in their judgment petitioner has made out a strong moral claim upon the State. Petitioner is out of employment; he is now about seventy years of age ; and the sums which have been deducted from his salary aggregate no less than £1,053. The Committee therefore recommend that the petition be referred to the Government in order that, in satisfaction of his claim, the petitioner he paid the sum of £150 per annum for the remaining period of his life. 16th August, 1904.

No. 42. —Petition of Bishop Lenihan. Petitioner desires to bring under the notice of the Education authorities a new method for the measuring of timber, stones, &c., with a view to its introduction as a part of the syllabus of public schools. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Bishop Lenihan that they have no recommendation to make. 17th August, 1904.

Nos. 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 373, 423, and 562.—Petitions of E. M. Smart and 115 Others, James Coker and 429 Others, T. E. Taylor and 1,299 Others, H. E. Sloan and 649 Others, Eudal Kitson and 189 Others, Emily Chapman and 249 Others, Emily Twemlow and 919 Others, and Mary Parkinson and 728 Others. Petitioners pray that provision may be made in the syllabus of State schools for the giving of instruction in temperance hygiene—that is to say, the nature of alcohol and its effects upon the human body — and that such instruction be made compulsory for Standards 111., IV., V., VI., and VII. The Education Committee have the honour to report upon the above petitions that, as Education Boards have now deal with the question of instruction in temperance hygiene, they have no recommendation to make. 30th August, 1904.

No. 12. —Petition of Sarah Cohen and Others. Petitioners pray that financial aid, either by way of subsidy on the yearly subscriptions raised or in the form of an annual grant, be extended to the Kindergarten Association of Dunedin in order to assist in the maintenance of the two free kindergarten schools which for the past fifteen years have been at work in that city ; also to enable other similar schools to be established in the suburbs. The Education Committee have the honour to report that, having taken evidence and devoted the most careful consideration to the several matters embodied in the petition of Sarah Cohen and others, they have arrived at the following conclusions, namely : — 1. That free kindergarten teaching, such as is supplied by the two schools in Dunedin, is of immense value to the State. 2. That the close local control exercised by enthusiastic ladies is essential to the success of the system. 3. That this control may properly be supplemented by State inspection. 4. That, therefore, this Committee strongly recommend that provision be made to subsidise to the extent of £1 for £1 any voluntary may be put forth in any of the large centres of New Zealand for the establishment and maintenance of such free kindergarten schools, the contribution from the State not to exceed in any one instance the sum of £250. 5. That the petition of Sarah Cohen and others, together with this report, be referred to the favourable consideration of the Government. 4th October, 1904,

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No. 718.—Petition of A. E. Boxall and 83 Others. Petitioners pray that provision may be made in the syllabus of State schools for the giving of instruction in temperance hygiene—that is to say, the nature of alcohol and its effects upon the human body — and that such instruction be made compulsory for Standards 111., IV., V., VI., and VII. The Education Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of A. E. Boxall and others that, as Education Boards have now the power to deal with the question of instruction in temperance hygiene, they have no recommendation to make. 6th October, 1904.

School-books. The Education Committee have the honour to report to your honourable House that, owing to the many subjects of importance pressing upon their attention this session, they have not had an opportunity of dealing with the question of the books in use in the schools of the State. The subject, however, is one which will receive the fullest consideration at their hands in the course of next year. 20th October, 1904.

Secondary Schools. The Education Committee, having bestowed considerable attention upon the subject of secondary schools, have the honour to report that they have arrived at certain conclusions which they now submit to your honourable House for adoption, namely : — 1. That any pupil of a school in charge of a sole teacher who has obtained a certificate of proficiency, although over the age of fourteen years, may, if he be specially recommended as worthy of exceptional consideration by such sole teacher, be admitted to a free place, subject, however, to the adoption of such recommendation by the governing body. 2. That this Committee, having carefully examined the question of free admission into the secondary schools, find that the regulations controlling the examinations for such admissions have not been generally brought into operation, and therefore they recommend that a fair trial be given to these regulations before considering the question of an alteration of age. 3. The Committee recommend that a sum be placed upon the estimates to be appropriated under section 12 of " The Secondary Schools Act, 1903," to provide for the erection, acquisition, or equipment of new buildings for secondary schools, but that great care should be exercised in disposing of the appropriation in view of the fact that it will not be easy to judge the necessity for additional accommodation until the regulations have been in force for some time. 20th October, 1904.

TEAINING COLLEGES. The Education Committee have the honour to submit the following report :— A. Control. We are unable to agree with the recommendation of the Inspector-General in memorandum of the 23rd June, 1904, to the Minister of Education, in which he suggests that control of the Training Colleges should be with the Education Department. The sub-committee, after again carefully considering the question, adhere to the report of last year —viz., that control should rest with the local Education Boards, aided by a committee of advice, as recommended in paragraph (j) of the report (see E.-le, 1904). B. Details as to Management, etc. The sub-committee are of opinion that a pupil-teacher course prior to entrance to a Training College is not satisfactory ; that our future teachers should be encouraged to continue at secondary or district high schools, to matriculate at the University, and pass through the Training College before being employed in teaching. This reform must, however, of necessity be gradual, and we therefore recommend that the proposals of the Inspector-General be adopted, with amendments as shown. 1. Entrance to Training College. It is proposed that the following shall be the conditions—students to be admitted under clause 1 or under clause 2 :— Clause I. — (a.) That the candidate shall have completed the pupil-teacher course in some education district of the colony. (&.) That he shall have passed the Matriculation Examination of the University of New Zealand. (c.) That he shall give satisfactory evidence as to health, character, and ability to teach. (d.) That he shall make a declaration of his intention to become a teacher in a public or secondary school in the colony.

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(c.) That the parent or guardian shall enter into a bond to return the amount paid in allowances in case the student fail to complete two years of teaching. [N.B. — (b) may be modified for one or two years with the approval, previously obtained, of the Minister of Education.] Clause 2. —That he shall have kept terms for at least one year at the University College, or have gained credit at the Junior Scholarship Examination of the University, and satisfy conditions (c), (d), and (c) of clause 1, and such conditions as to probation in teaching as the Principal of the Training College, with the consent of the Minister, may require. That the following allowances shall be paid to students at the Training College:— For the first year— To those under clause 1: £30, together with University College fees, with an additional £30 when the student has co live away from home. To those under clause 2: A bursary of £10, together with University College fees, with sixteen scholarships : £30 additional when the student has to live away from home. For the second year — To those under clause 1 : £30, together with University College fees, with an additional £30 when the student has to live away from home. To those under clause 2 : A bursary of £10, together with the University College fees, with sixteen Scholarships: £30 additional when the student has to live away from home. The estimated expenditure on account of allowances is shown in Eeturn Z attached hereto. That while we do not deem it advisable to recommend allowances for teachers who have no certificate who select to take a course at the Training College, yet we think that opportunity should be offered to teachers who have no certificate, but have taught to the satisfaction of the Inspector for three years, to take a course at the Training College. To encourage improvement and to keep the teachers in touch with the Training College, arrangements should be made to give to those already in the teaching profession opportunities to attend classes specially suitable for them. 2. Curriculum. The curriculum should include attendance at the University College in English and in some other subject approved for each student by the Principal of the Training College ; and, in considering the course to be taken up by any student, the requirements of the Teachers' Certificate Examination, and, if possible, of a University degree, should receive due weight. The curriculum should also include— (i.) The several branches of the subject of education, as defined by the regulations for the examination of teachers in classes A, B, and C, the instruction being given either at the University College or at the Training College, except as regards methods of teaching, which must be given at the Training College. (ii.) A special course of kindergarten work and science for public schools, including naturestudy and elementary agriculture. (iii.) A course in drawing, singing, needlework, &c. (iv.) A course in other subjects of manual instruction. (ii.), (hi-), and (iv.) would be given at the Training College. (v.) Practice in teaching at the school connected with the Training College. 3. Size of School. We recommend that the two schools in existence should as soon as practicable be brought to a number of pupils approximating to 460, including 40 secondary school pupils and a model school of 40. That two new schools —one in Auckland and one in Wellington —be immediately established, each to consist of approximately 330 pupils, including secondary and model schools as above; and that provision be made on the estimates accordingly. 4. Staff, Salaries, &c. We recommend that the staff and salaries be as detailed in Eeturns 5a and 5b attached hereto, and that provision be made for the additional £140 per annum required for the two smaller colleges. 5. General. That a conference of the Directors and Method Masters of the Training Colleges, and the Inspector-General, be held every two years, and that every two years and alternately with the previously mentioned conference a meeting of teachers and the staff of the Training College be held in each Training College centre. The evidence of the Inspector-General, the correspondence and tables showing the estimated cost of four different schemes for allowances to students, and the estimated receipts and expenditure of Training Colleges, are attached hereto.

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Training Colleges. Estimated. & 1. Additional cost of salaries if pupil-teachers are abolished ... ... 12,550 (Including consequential additions to salaries of other assistants—viz., £5,100). Estimated cost if students at Training Colleges under clause 1 are given £40 or £60, with fees, for first year : — f 90 at £40 ... ... 3,600 2. First year, clause 1 ... ... ... j3O at £60 ... ... 1,800 ( 120 at £8 University fees ... 960 3. First year, clause 2 ... ... ... 40 at £18 ... ... 720 First year ... .. ... ... ... ... 7,080 £ ( 120 at £40 4, 800) 4. Second year ... ... ... J 40 at £60 2,40018,480 { 160 at £8 fees 1,280 J Second year, say, ... ... ... ... ... 6,000 Total, two years ... ... ... ... ... £13,080

5A.—Receipts and Expenditure of Training College and Normal School (estimated), exclusive of Allowances to Students.

Number of pupils: —In main school—Primary, 250; secondary, 40; in model school 40--total, 330. Cost per head (omitting District High School grant), £3,138 (£3 2s. 9d., nearly).

School of 290 (including 40 District High School Pupils). Salaries under Public-school Teachers' Salaries Acts. As Normal School. Other Allowances. As Lecturer „ Instructor. Allowances. Total Salary and Allowances. >irector ..M. ... £ 275 185 £ 187 115 (95) 50 115 50 (40) 60 (40) £ 100 (a) 50(b) £ 40 £ 600 350 (330) 200 240 (330) 155 (445) 100 (80) 300 (a) Education. (b) Methods. listress ,.M. ... 125 100 25 "(c) 25(d) (c)Kindergarten. (d) Elementary science. (e) Needlework. ..F. ... 80 25"(e) ..F. (forP.T.) ... 40 ..M. (secondary) (District High School grant) lodel School of forty 270 155 40 30"(/) 25(3) 20 240 (/) As special tutor. (g) Elementary agriculture. louse allowances 60 Other Grants. lanual and Technical Institute. —Special lanual and Technical Institute . —Capitation lecturer on Education ... Irant to Training College )rill 1,290 150 125 25 25 Woodwork. Cooking. 100 600 25 50 50 25 Drawing. Singing. Drill. Total receipts 1,000 Tota expenditu: 2,290 2,360* * Could be reduced if necessary to £2,290 by substituting salaries in brackets.

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5B.—Receipts and Expenditure of Training College and Normal School (estimated), exclusive of Allowances to Students.

Cost per head (omitting District High School grant), £2,848 (£2 17s. nearly). Number of pupils:—ln main school—Primary, 380; secondary, 40; in model school, 40: total, 460. X. £20 and £50, with University College Fees. Estimated, £ £ ( 90 at £20 ... 1,800 2. Clause 1 ... ... ... ... 30 at £50 ... 1,500 { 120 at £8 ... 960 3. First year, clause 2 ... ... ... 40 at £18 ... 720 4,980 £ ( 120 at £20 2,400) 4. Second year ... ... ... 40 at £50 2,000 5,680 ( 160 at £8 1,280j Second year, say, ... ... ... ... ... 4,000 Total, two years ... ... ... ... ... £8,980 Y. £30 and £50, with College Fees. Estimated. £ £ ( 90 at £30 ... 2,700 2. First year, clause 1 ... ... ... -j 30 at £50 .. 1,500 (120 at £8 ... 960 3. Clause 2 ... ... ... ... 40 at £18 ... 720 5,880 £30 and £50, with College Fees (Clauses 1 and 2). £ ( 120 at £30 3,600) 4. Second year ... ... ... 40 at £50 2,000 6,880 ( 160 at £8 1,280) Second year, say, ... ... ... .. ... 4,800 £10,680 Z. £ £ | 90 at £30 ... 2,700 2. Clause 1 ... ... ... ... 30 at £60 ... 1,800 ( 120 at £8 ... 960 "3. First year, clause 2 ... ... ... 40 at £18 ... 720 With sixteen scholarships, £30 additional for country students ... 480 Total, first year ... ... ... ... ... 6,660

av, , t r i a- An Salaries under Other Allowan School of 4'20 (including 40 Pub i ic so hool ~~! District High School Teachers' As As -lecturer Pu P ils )- : Salaries Acts Normal OT balanes Acts. gchool Instructor . ses. House Allowances. Total Salary and Allowances. Director A.M. ( = H.M.) ... Mistress A.M. ... £ 300 205 135 110 £ 160 95 40 105 £ 100 (a) 50(b) 25 (c) 25 (d) £ 40 £ 600 350 200 240 (a) Education. (b) Methods. '(c) Kindergarten (d,) Elementary science, (e) Needlework A.F A.F A.M A.F. ... A.M. (secondary) (District High School grant) Model school of 40 100 85 80 80 270 30 15 40 20 25 (e) 155 100 120 100 300 155 40 30(f) 25(g) . 20 240 (/') As special tutor. (g) Elementary agriculture. House allowances 60 Special Teachers. 25 Other Grants. Manual and technical instruction—Special Manual and technical instruction —Capitation Lecturer on education Grant to Training Colleges Drill ... 150 125 25 25 25 Woodwork. Cooking. 100 600 25 50 50 50 50 25 Drawing. Singing. Drill. Total receipts 2,580 Total e college ;penditure at each 2,580

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£ ( 90 at £30 ) 4. Clause 1 ... ... ... ... -j 30 at £60 [ £5,460, but say 4,000 1 120 at £8 j £ Clause 2 ... ... ... ... 40 at £18 ... 720 With sixteen scholarships, as for first year ... ... ... 480 Total, second year ... ... ... ... ... 5,200 Total, two years ... ... ... ... ... £11,860 The Committee recommend that this report be referred to the favourable consideration of the Government. (For evidence, vide 1.-14 a.) 25th October, 1' 04.

Public-school Teachers' Salaries Amendment Bill. The Education Committee, having given careful consideration to the provisions of the Public-school Teachers' Salaries Amendment Bill referred to them by your honourable House, have now the honour to report that they recommend that the said Bill be allowed to proceed, subject, however, to the amendments shown on a copy of the Bill attached hereto. 25th October, 1904.

No. 684. —Petition of Annie Gill, Nightcaps, Wallace, and 59 Others. Petitioners represent how important it is for the State to secure the services of teachers during the best period of their lives, and the best only ; also that teachers should be enabled to retire when they are no longer able to render effective service in the education of the young. They therefore pray that your honourable House will pass a Superannuation Bill at as early a period as practicable. The Education Committee, having given careful consideration to the matter embodied in the petition of Annie Gill and others, now recommend that the said petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th October, 1904.

Superannuation Scheme for Teachers. The Education Committee have the honour to report that, having given consideration to the subject of a superannuation scheme for teachers, they have arrived at the following resolution : namely, That in the opinion of this Committee the efficiency and permanence of our primary system of education is contingent on the improvement of the conditions under which our teachers labour, and they regard a superannuation scheme as the means best calculated to insure at once encouragement to teachers and a vigorous staff to carry on this important work. 25th October, 1904.

No. 735.—Petition of Alexander Charles Blake, Schoolmaster, Wellington. Petitioner represents that under " The Public-school Teachers' Salaries Act, 1901," his position as a teacher was fixed at £15 less per annum than the salary of a first assistant in a mixed school of even smaller size ; that the Wellington Education Board and its Inspectors have recommended that his salary be at the same rate as for a mixed school; and that the increase of salary so recommended should date from the time the Act came into force. He prays that the Act be so amended as to enable effect to be given to the recommendation of the Wellington Board. The Education Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of Alexander Charles Blake that they have no recommendation to make. 26th October, 1904.

No. 683. —Petition of D. McNeill and Others, Teachers in Public Schools. Petitioners represent, generally, the inadequacy of the remuneration paid to teachers in the schools of the colony, and the evils resulting to the State in consequence. They pray that consideration be given to the circumstances of teachers in schools having an average attendance of forty, of assistants in schools of the group having an average attendance of from 150 to 200, and of all male assistants lower than the first in schools where such assistants are employed. The Education Committee, having fully considered the matter embodied in this petition when dealing with the Public-school Teachers' Salaries Amendment Bill, have the honour to report that they have no recommendation to make. 26th October, 1904.

Nos. 398, 426, 427, 472, 473, and 550.—Petitions of Elizabeth Tulloch and Others, Kate Baldwin and Others, S. L. Robinson and Others, A. W. Spence and Others, G. E. Wilson and Others, and M. Grant and Others. Petitioners are female teachers employed in the schools of the State, and they pray that your honourable House will devise a scale of graduated increase in salaries so as to reward teachers adequately for increased ability and experience. They ask that the minimum salary of a fully certified teacher be fixed at £100 per annum, and that every satisfactory year of service be rewarded by an increase of salary up to a maximum of £180 in the case of assistant mistresses, and to £300 in the case of headmistresses. The Education Committee, having fully considered the question embodied in these petitions when with the Public-school Teachers' Salaries Amendment Bill, have the honour to report that they have now no recommendation to make. 26th October, 1904,

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No. 836.—Petition of Vera Dall and Others, Dunedin. Petitioners pray that the School of Mines at % Dunedin may be retained as at present. The Education Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition of Vera Dall and others be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1904.

Transfer of Teachers. The Education Committee, having had under consideration the question of the transfer of teachers, have the honour to report that they recommend that in section 57 of " The Education Act, 1904," the words " but no appointments, suspensions, or dismissal shall take place until the Committee have been first consulted " be repealed, and that in lieu thereof the following words be substituted : namely, " but no such recommendation shall be binding on the Board." The Committee recommend that this report be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd November, 1904. (Presented to the House of Eepresentatives on the 2nd November, 1904, and referred back to the Committee.)

Nos. 878 and 918.—Petitions of the New Plymouth High School Board and the Marlborough Education Board. Petitioners pray that redress may be granted for the injustice alleged to have been done to certain candidates for Queen's Scholarships by holding the examination and awarding the scholarships under the Act of 1903, whereas the candidates had entered for such scholarships believing that they would be awarded under the Act of 1897. 1. The Education Committee, having given careful consideration to the above-mentioned petitions, have now the honour to report that in their opinion the contention of the petitioners is true as far as regards the holding of the examination is concerned, as the Act of 1903 did not come into operation until the 18th November, 1903, and the applications of the candidates were required to he sent in by the sth November, 1903. 2. Whether or not any of the candidates will suffer any injustice depends upon certain contingencies. There were but two successful candidates from the Taranaki District, and there were no candidates at all from the Marlborough Education District. One of the successful candidates would be entitled under the Act of 1897 to a scholarship of £20 a year without free tuition for not more than two years and three months, for, being only thirteen years and three months old at the time of the examination, he could not fulfil the conditions of matriculation within two years and three months as prescribed by the first Act, seeing that he would have reached the age of sixteen years. The present Act gives him a scholarship of £10 a year and free tuition, which may be held for four years at a secondary school, and the total benefits to him are increased. The other candidate would gain equally as far as the secondaryschool course is concerned ; but, inasmuch as she was thirteen years and ten months old when she gained the scholarship, she might possibly have fulfilled the conditions of matriculation within the required period and so have qualified under the former Act for holding the scholarship for three years at Victoria College. 3. Such a contingency being doubtful, the Committee recommend that if it should arise the candidate should be placed in as good a position as she would have occupied if the Act had not been passed. This could be done by a grant to Victoria College to enable it to give the candidate a special scholarship of equivalent value in lieu of that which will lapse. 4. It is highly improbable that any other candidate will suffer any disadvantage, but if this should occur similar redress should be afforded. 5. The scheme introduced by the Act of 1903 presents so many advantages over the scheme of the Act of 1897 that the Committee does not recommend any amendment in the manner suggested by your petitioners. The Committee recommend that the to the Government for consideration. Ist November, 1904.

Instruction in Agricultural Subjects. The Education Committee have the honour to report that during the progress of the session they have given attention to the question of the teaching of the rudimentary elements of agriculture and nature-study in the schools of the State. The Committee recommend that further consideration be bestowed upon the subject next year, and that this report, with the evidence attached, be referred to the Government for consideration. (For evidence, vide 1.-14b.) 2nd November, 1904.

Ordinary Building Grants. The Education Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that Education Boards should have discretion to expend the ordinary grant for school buildings for any of the purposes for which such grant is now available with the following modification : namely, that not more than 7 per cent, of such grant may, if the Board think fit, be used for the purpose of making small alterations and additions, subject to the limitation following —that is to say, that the cost of any additions for more than 200 square feet of class-room floor-space should not be paid for out of this grant in any one year for any school of grade 8 or under, and that of not more than 400 square feet in any school over grade 8. The Committee recommend that this report, with the evidence attached, be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. (For evidence, vide 1.—14.) 2nd November, 1904. Approximate Com of Pfiper. —Preparation, not yiven ; printing (1.400 comes), £5 10s.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9os, Price, 6d.]