E.—ic.

Joint Conference of Inspectors and Teachers. the following gentlemen were elected to represent the Conference at the Joint Conference of Inspectors and school-teachers on the subject of the regulations for the examination and inspection of schools: Dr. Anderson, Messrs. Fleming, Petrie, Goyen, Spencer, Harkness, Gow, Morton, Gray, Hill, and Braik. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Petrie, " That it be arranged, if possible, that the Joint Conference be held at 10 o'clock on Monday, the Bth instant." The Conference adjourned at 5 p.m.

Saturday, 6th February. The Conference resumed at 9.30 a.m. Mr. Hill moved, and Mr. Goyen seconded, " That the thanks of che Conference be tendered to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Library Committee for granting the privileges of the Library to members of the Conference during their stay in Wellington." Agreed to. Regulations for Inspection and Examination of Schools. The consideration of Regulation 32 was resumed in committee. " 32. In the same classes, the following shall be the additional subjects, viz. : —Group I.— Elementary science, or lessons on objects; (2) handwork; (3) geography, course C; (4) history j course B. Group ll.—Needlework; (2) military drill." Dr. Anderson moved, and Mr. Eichardson seconded, " That geography and history as additional subjects consist of a more complete study of course B geography and course A history, involving a good knowledge of the matter contained therein." The Conference divided. Ayes, 22; Noes, 7. Majority for, 15, and regulation as amended agreed to. " 33. All the additional subjects may be taken in any school. Subjects (1) or (2) of Group I. must be taken by boys and girls in every school. " In schools below Grade 4, either lessons on objects or handwork must be taken by boys and, where needlework is not taught, by girls also. " In schools of Grades 4, 5, and 6, two of the subjects of Group I. must be taken by boys, and, where needlework is not taught, by girls also. " In schools of Grade 7, and higher grades, at least four and a half hours a week must be given to the subjects of Group I. by boys, and two and a half hours by girls : not more than one subject may be omitted by the former, and not more than two by the latter. " At least two hours a week must be given to needlework by all the girls of S3-6 in every school where there is a mistress ; provided that, in the case of girls who are attending classes in cookery, dairy-work, dressmaking or laundry-work recognised under the regulations of the Manual and Technical Instruction Act, it will be sufficient if one hour a week is given to needlework; and, further, that S6 girls who are attending such classes need not take needlework while they are so attending. " Military drill must be taken by boys in every school in which there are twenty or more boys of twelve years of age or upwards, as provided in the regulations for public-school cadet corps." Mr. Fleming moved, and Mr. Eichardson seconded, " That the first four paragraphs of Eegulation 33 be amended to read as follows : ' All the additional subjects may be taken in any school. In schools below Grade 7 either lessons on objects or handwork must be taken by boys, and, where needlework is not taught, by girls also. In schools of Grade 7 and higher grades at least four hours and a half a week must be given to the subjects of Group I. by boys, and two hours and a half by girls; not more than two subjects may be omitted by the former, and not more than three by the latter; one of the subjects (1) or (2) of Group I. must be taken in either case.'." Agreed to. On the question, That the regulation as amended be agreed to, there was considerable discussion, the regulation being ultimately agreed to as follows : — "33. All the additional subjects may be taken in any school. " In schools below Grade 4 the subjects in Group I. may be omitted. " In schools of Grades 4 to 8, inclusive, either elementary science or handwork must be taken by boys and girls. " In schools of Grade 9 and higher grades at least four hours and a half a week must be given to the subjects of Group I. and geography (A) by boys, and two hours and a half by girls; not more than two subjects may be omitted by the former, and not more than three by the latter; one of the subjects (1) or (2) of Group I. must be taken in either case. " At least two hours a week must be given to needlework by all the girls of S3-6 in every school where there is a mistress ; provided that girls who are attending classes in cookery, dairywork, dressmaking, or laundry-work recognised under the regulations of the Manual and Technical Instruction Act need not take needlework while they are so attending. " Military drill must be taken by boys in every school in which there are twenty or more boys of twelve years of age or upwards, as provided in the regulations for public-school cadet corps." " 34. The following subjects shall be compulsory in all schools for class S7 : (1) English as prescribed in clause 38; (2) arithmetic as prescribed in clause 39 ; (3) drawing of a more advanced character than that required for Standard VI.; (4) civic instruction, beyond what is required for Standards 111.-VI.; (5) military drill, as prescribed in the regulations relating to public-school cadet corps." Mr. Fitzgerald moved the omission of the words from " (3) drawing" to " Standards 111.-VI."

Agreed to.

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