H.—l

52

The Secretary reported that His Excellency the Governor had been pleased to appoint C. C. Bowen, Esq., M.H.R., to be a Commissioner, in the room of the Hon. W. Gisborne, resigned. The following papers were laid on the table: —(1.) Letter from Chairman of Canterbury College Board of Governors, granting use of a room for meetings of the Royal Commission. (2.) Copies of report of Committee on the order of business, as adopted by the Commission 28th November, 1879. (3.) Regulations for scholarships in the several Education Districts of Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Westland, North Canterbury, South Canterbury, and Southland ; letters from the Education Boards in New Plymouth and Wanganui on the same subject. (4.) Report of the Public Petitions Committee of the House of Representatives on the petition of E. Gillies and others, of Otago, praying that it may be provided by legislation that the medical profession be adequately represented in the Senate of the New Zealand University. (5.) Letter from the Nelson Education Board to the Minister of Education, proposing to establish district high schools in Nelson (letter referred by the Minister to the Royal Commission). (6.) Reply of the Chairman of the Timaru High School Board to inquiry made by this Commission as to the arrangements for conducting the school. (7.) Information as to evening classes, as follows: (a) Letters from Education Boards at Dunedin, Timaru, Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Wanganui, Invercargill, Nelson, and New Plymouth, stating that no such classes are held under the direction of these Boards; but that at Invercargill the subject will receive attention, that in Hawke's Bay a scheme is in preparation for establishing evening classes for working-men, and that at Timaru classes have been held at different times, under the auspices of the Caledonian Society ; (b) a letter and report from the Caledonian Society of Otago ; (c) a letter from Auckland Education Board, promising to send a statement relative to night schools. (8.) Statistics for 1879 : Erom Christ's College Grammar School, Christchurch; from the Girls' High School, Christchurch ; from the Napier Trust School; and from the Wanganui Endowed School. (9.) Extract from Census Returns, 1878, with reference to persons preparing for the practice of the several professions. (10.) Letter from Mr. E. de Montalk, offering to give evidence. On the motion of Dr. Macdonald, seconded by Professor Shaud, Resolved, That the thanks of the Commission be tendered to the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College for the permission to hold the meetings of the Commission in the College Buildings. On the motion of Mr. Bowen, seconded by Professor Brown, Resolved, That Professor Cook and the Rev. W. J. Habens be a Committee to consider the best mode of obtaining full information as to the number of persons preparing for the practice of the various professions, and to report to-morrow. On the motion of Dr. Macdonald, seconded by Professor Ulrich, Resolved, That the Chancellor of Otago University be requested to state the earliest date at which he can appear before the Commission to give supplementary evidence. On the motion of Mr. Bowen, seconded by the Rev. W. J. Habens, Resolved, That the Secretary inform Mr. De Montalk that the Commission does not intend to take an} r fresh evidence, except in cases where that already taken may be found deficient, and request him to state the particular points on which he desires to be examined. On the motion of Professor Shand, the Chairman (Mr. O'Rorke) and the Rev. Messrs. W. E. Mulgan and W. J. Habens were appointed a Committee to prepare a draft report on Topic 1.-A and B. On the motion of Mr. Bowen, seconded by Dr. Macdonald, Resolved, That Topic 11. be considered on Wednesday, 14th instant. On the motion of the Rev. W. J. Habens, seconded by Professor Ulrich, the Commission went into Committee to consider Topic lII.—A and B, and Topic IV. The Commission having resumed, progress was reported, and the Committee obtained leave to sit again. The Secretary was authorized to appoint Mr. G. Watson as Clerk to the Commission, at a remuneration of 15s. for each day of attendance. The Commission adjourned, to meet at the same place on the 13th instant at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, 13th January, 1880. The Commission met at 11 a.m. at Canterbury College. Present: Professors Brown and Cook, the Rev. W. J. Habens (Secretary), Dr. Hector, Dr. Macdonald, the Rev. W. E. Mulgan, Professors Shand and Ulrich. On the motion of Professor Brown, Professor Cook took the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Professor Cook brought up the report of the Committee appointed to consider the best modes of obtaining information as to the number of persons preparing for the various professions. On the motion of Professor Brown, seconded by Dr. Macdonald, Resolved, That the Committee be discharged, and that the Secretary be instructed to write—(l) to the Registrars of the Supreme Court, to ascertain the number of articled clerks in the colony; (2) to the Chief Surveyor, to ascertain the number of pupils learning surveying in the Government service; (3) to the Secretary of the Railway Department, to ascertain the number of assistant engineers and engineering pupils in the Government service ; and to make further inquiry as to the number of persons preparing for the profession of civil engineer. On the motion of Professor Shand, seconded by Professor Brown, Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to apply to the Eegistrar-General for information as to the number of persons practising as barristers or solicitors, medical practitioners, civil engineers, mining engineers, architects, and surveyors at the time of the taking of the census returns. The Secretary laid on the table a memorandum from the Registrar of Canterbury College, stating that the Board of Governors contemplated establishing a School of Art and Design at an early date. On the motion of Professor Ulrich, the Commission went into Committee to consider Topic 111.-A and B, and Topic IV. The Commission having resumed, progress was reported, and the Commission adjourned, to meet again at the same place on the 14th instant at 11 a.m.