15

E.—le

Your committee further recommend' — (a.) That with the view of gradually restricting the operation of the present pupil-teacher system, full advantage be taken of the provision for substituting a certificated teacher for two pupil-teachers, and that the scope of that provision be extended. (b.) That the pupil-teacher course tinder the present system be limited to two years, and that the minimum qualification for entry be the Civil Service Junior Examination. W. S. Fitzgerald, Chairman. The report was unanimously adopted. The Chairman moved to report progress. Progress reported accordingly, and report of pupil-teachers' committee was adopted. Further Report from the General Committee. Conference then went into committee to consider a further report from the general committee, as follows : — /. Physical Culture. That as the Conference lias been afforded an opportunity of judging as to the value of deepbreathing exercises, the committee considers it better to leave the matter in the hands of the Conference. 2. Teachers' Registration Bill. That in the preparation of a Teachers Registration Bill the following provisions should be embodied : — (a.) Sufficient opportunities for registration should be given to all persons at present practising their profession ; such persons should be required to show that they have been acting as teachers for a reasonable period, and also, within six months, to make application for registration. (b.) The Inspector-General of Schools should be appointed Registrar, and should formulate the necessary regulations to l>e approved by the Governor in Council. (c.) That all persons entering the profession subsequent to the passing of the Act should be required to submit themselves for examination in literary attainments and school method, as provided in the regulations. (d.) That every school should be in charge of a registered teacher. Ralph D. Stewart, Convener. Progress was then reported, and the further report of the general committee as above was adopted. By request of the Conference, the Chairman gave an explanation of the contents of Sheet 2 of the rough draft of suggested amendments in regulations (see Appendix), after which Mr. D. White moved, and Mr. Strachan seconded, " That, in the opinion of this Conference, it is inadvisable at present to make any alteration in the form of the syllabus or programme of instruction." —Carried. Leave was given to Mr. Purdie to move without notice, " That Inspectors of schools and other permanent officers of Education Boards be brought under the operation of the Teachers' Court of Appeal Act"; motion moved accordingly by Mr. Purdie, seconded by Mr. Mulgan.—Carried: Ayes, 21; Noes, 4. Mr. Hill moved, and Mr. Goyen seconded, " That this Conference desires to convey to the Inspector-General of Schools its heartiest good wishes on his projected visit to Europe, and trusts that his holiday will be so extended by the Government as to enable him to visit not only Europe, but North America, Japan, and Australia, for the purpose of studying the different schemes of public instruction as carried on in those countries, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Minister of Education."—Carried unanimously. The Chairman announced that a book on "Physical Culture " was in course of preparation, in which consideration was given to deep-breathing exercises. Conference adjourned at 10.45 p.m.

SATURDAY, Oth FEBRUARY, 1007. Conference resumed at 10.30 a.m. In the absence of the Inspector-General the chair was taken by Dr. Anderson. Mr. Harkness asked leave to move a resolution.—Leave granted. Mr. Harkness then moved, and Mr. Braik seconded, " That the University Councils be asked to consider the desirability of arranging for university extension lectures, on a popular basis, in places outside university centres."—Carried. Conference then proceeded to consider the orders of the day on Friday's order paper. Regulations. Dr. Anderson moved, and Mr. Tennant seconded, " That civics be regarded as a subject of such importance as to require in every case a definite course of lessons, however short the programme may be, beginning in S3 with the familiar figures of the policeman or the postman, or the topics suggested by a letter, and comprising within its scope a fairly complete elementary knowledge of the duties of every citizen in relation to his fellows and to the State; the instruction throughout to be of as realistic a character as circumstances may permit."—Carried.