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NEW SOUTH WALES. 1. Drawing in public and high schools. 2. Technical education. 3. Technological Museum. 4. Art-education. 1. Dkawing in Public Schools. In the public schools drawing is taught by the ordinary teachers ; but, unfortunately, it does not commence until the Third Standard, and there is still time wasted in pictorial instead of industrial drawing, more especially in some of the country schools. At the Adelaide Exhibition there were several specimens of pictorial work. Considerable improvement has, however, taken place in the general system in the last few years. Some of the outline freehand drawings were good, and especially in the Paddington School, where I found drawings of groups of models, well executed, and showing sound instruction on the part of the teacher. The tendency towards pictorial work is gradually decreasing, and the appreciation for industrial drawing increasing. The pupil-teachers and training-students of both training colleges receive instruction every week from specialists ; but there is no direct supervision from a thoroughly competent person. This I think the department would do well to remedy, as the work would be very materially benefited thereby. There are several Inspectors of the Public Instruction Department who, no doubt, fairly understand elementary drawing, and to a certain extent supervise it; but it is utterly impossible for any one to control or direct efficiently a systematic and practical course of industrial drawing unless he has the necessary experience and training in the same. No instruction is given to the first and second classes in drawing, and consequently the third class commences with simple figures from copy. The explanation of simple geometric forms, or their application to surrounding objects—a most important part of instruction in the elementary class —is not given. The Under-Secretary of the Public Instruction Department, Mr. E. Johnson, and the Chief Inspector, Mr. Maynard, are both anxious to remedy evils in this branch of instruction, and will, no doubt, soon have changes effected for the better. The examination of teachers and pupil-teachers is of the Science and Art Department secondgrade or full D drawing certificate, elementary blackboard drawing being the first necessary pass. One fact well worthy of note, and one which I would strongly urge the New Zealand department to take action"upon, is this : No teacher receives his or her ordinary teacher's certificate without first completing the necessary drawing sections. Teachers are not necessarily failed on account of failure in drawing, but the certificate is withheld until a satisfactory pass is made in drawing. I understand that it is the intention of the Technical Education Board to supply sets of models to public schools. This will relieve an important want, as very few of the schools have the models necessary for the efficient instruction of drawing. The Sydney high schools are instructed in drawing by a specialist, the course embracing freehand, model, geometrical, and perspective. Very satisfactory work has been produced in both schools, though the want of groundwork is here felt. If the lower standards of the public schools were efficiently instructed in lines, angles, and geometric figures, much better results would be obtained in these schools than can possibly be obtained under existing circumstances. I think that the introduction of first-grade drawing examinations for public schools would at the present time give a great impetus to the work, and would repay its introduction threefold. 2. Technical Education. In 1878 the Government granted £2,000 to the Committee of the Sydney School of Arts towards the inauguration of the Technical College, and many new classes were then commenced. These classes largely increased in numbers, and in 1883, the Government having decided to establish a State system of technical education, the management of all classes was transferred to a Board especially appointed for that purpose. Classes have gradually increased in number until it was found, necessary to obtain additional accommodation. A large block of buildings in Kent and Sussex Streets, the public school in Castlereagh Street, and rooms in the Eoyal Arcade were obtained as found necessary ; and .the whole of these buildings are now used for the purpose of giving technical instruction. The number of buildings used, however, being located in various parts of the city, must act detrimentally to the success of the classes. The Board consists of a President, two Vice-Presidents, and eighteen members. I fully concur with the recommendation made by the Hon. E. Combes, C.M.G., President, that a sub-department should be created under the Department of Education, the administration of the vote to be made by the Minister directly responsible to Barliament; and that an advisory Board, of at least three, but not more than five, individuals, be appointed for the purpose of assisting in matters requiring technical knowledge. The interests of a large body of members upon a Board of this character are. far too various to allow of very successful working; and I believe in some cases subordinates have been appointed under instructors in charge of special departments, without consulting the head of the department, wdio is held responsible for the working of classes under him. I consider, further, that the post of Secretary should be held by a person of wide experience in technical matters generally, and one who has had Continental or English training. This would simplify to an enormous extent the working of such an institution. The following were the departments in actual work at the time of my visit. Each department is under the control of an instructor, paid by salary and fees of classes taught by him. Teachers having classes under a department are paid at the rate of 10s. per lesson of one hour, with fees received from students taught. Assistants are paid at the rate of 10s. and 15s. per lesson :— Departments. 1. Department of Agriculture. —lncludes agriculture, botany, veterinary science, and woolsorting. 4—E. 11.