E.—le

14

Order Paper. That, re the question raised by the Wanganui Education Board (page 1, B), it be a recommendation that, to candidates who qualify, coach and railway fares to the nearest examination centre be refunded. Sheet 2. No. 4 (Mr. Mulgan) approved. Sheet 3. (F) (Mr. H. Hill) not approved. District High Schools. Page 153, clause 16, line 4 of proviso: That after the words " Standard VI " be inserted the words " and has paid the prescribed fees." Thos. Ritchie, Chairman. Clauses 5 and 6 adopted as printed. Clause 7 (a). Committee's recommendation agreed to, and subclause as amended adopted. Clause 7 (b). Committee's recommendation agreed to, and subclause as amended adopted. (Mr. Spencer's motion reads as follows: "That clause 7 (h) be amended by inserting after the words ' senior free places ' the words ' due allowance being made for such subjects of instruction as cannot be readily tested at a general examination.' ") Clause 7 (c). Committee's recommendation agreed to, and subclause as amended adopted. Clauses 14 and 15. Committee's recommendations agreed to, and clauses as amended adopted. The committee rose at 4.45 p.m. to meet again at 8 p.m. Committee resumed consideration of the secondary committee's report. The committee's recommendation concerning the remit from the Wanganui Education Board was agreed to. (The remit reads as follows: " The question of a refund of expenses or of a grant of free railway-passes to pupils attending the Junior National Scholarship and Free-place Examinations or centralised examinations conducted by Inspectors of Schools for certificates under clause 24 et seq. of the Regulations for Inspection.") Discussion took place on the committee's report concerning one of the motions by Mr. Mulgan appearing on the order paper of the 6th February, which reads as follows: "That the Junior National Scholarships be open to all persons of either sex not over thirteen years of age on the first day of the month in which the examination is held." Mr. Mulgan moved as an amendment, " That the Junior National Scholarship be open to all persons of either sex resident in the colony of New Zealand, and not over fourteen years of age on the first day of the mouth in which the examination is held."—Amendment, lost. Mr. Fleming moved as an amendment, " That all the words after ' that ' be omitted, and the words ' that paragraph (g) of clause 74 of the Act be omitted ' be inserted." —Amendment lost. Mr. Strachan moved, as an amendment, " That the Junior National Scholarship be awarded as at present, except that the age be raised to fourteen years."—Amendment carried and adopted as a substantive motion. Committee's recommendation re Mr. Hill's motion was agreed to. The motion reads as follows: "That the Manual and Technical Instruction Regulations dealing with agricultural, woodwork, and cookery classes be amended to allow such classes being conducted in country schools by itinerary teachers, and that either twenty two-hour lessons on consecutive school days or forty one-hour lessons be deemed to qualify- for a grant under duly recognised instructors." Committee's recommendation re district high schools approved. The committee further recommended that the annual capitation for school classes in elementary agriculture be increased from 2s. 6d. to ss.—Recommendation agreed to and clause adopted. The committee recommends that clause 21, staffs and salaries, be amended to read, " The teacher of the secondary department in any district high school shall not be employed in the primary department of such school or vice versa without the written sanction of an Inspector of Schools."— Recommendation not approved. The Chairman moved to report progress. Progress reported accordingly, and report of secondary education committee as amended was adopted. Conference then went into committee to consider the report of the pupil-teachers' committee, as follows: — Report of the Committee on the Pupil-teacher System. Your committee beg to recommend the adoption of the following: — 1. The gradual abolition of the present pupil-teacher sj-stem. 2. The establishment in the near future of a system of education and training of teachers which shall include: (a.) An adequate course of instruction at a secondary district high school, or other school recognised for this purpose by the Education Board of the district. (b.) A period of probation of one or (in special cases) of two years during which practice in teaching will be carried on concurrently with study; half the day to be devoted to teaching in schools selected by the Education Board of the district, and half the day to study. (c.) A course of two years at a training college, or, under special circumstances, a course of three years. (d.) A period of probation as a responsible teacher in a public school for at least one year, on the completion of which to the satisfaction of an Inspector of Schools, a classification certificate shall be issued.