7

E.—l2

One by each of the proposed five Education Boards ; Two by the certificated teachers employed in the primary schools—one to represent the North Island and the other the South Island ; One by the certificated teachers employed in the secondary schools ; and One by the Senate of the University of New Zealand. The non-official and elective members of the Council to be paid out of the consolidated revenue a sum to cover all travelling-expenses reasonably incurred by them, both in attending the meetings of the Council and transacting the business thereof, together with such sums for each attendance at such meetings as the Governor in Council may from time to time direct. The powers, duties, and functions of the Council to be, — (1.) To report to the Minister and advise him upon methods of, or developments in, State education in other countries which in the opinion of the Council can be advantageously introduced into the Dominion. (2.) To report to the Minister on any question relating to national education. (3.) To report to the Minister on all questions relating to the administration of national education within the Dominion, as well as to the coordination of all branches of such education. (4.) To prepare a uniform code of regulations (dealing with guiding principles, but omitting details) referring to school curricula, school attendance, the staffing of schools, the classification of teachers ; making provision for the payment of Inspectors' and teachers' salaries ; for the erection and equipment of schools ; for the cost of transferring teachers, and for the conveyance and board of pupils ; for grants for scholarships and free places ; for the control of training colleges ; for the maintenance of higher education ; and for the control of other institutions administered by the Department. The Council to furnish to the Minister for presentation to Parliament a report covering their operations for each year ending the 31st December, such report to be presented to Parliament not later than July, and if Parliament be not then sitting, then within ten days after the commencement of the next ensuing session. The Council to meet half-yearly, and at such other times as the Minister may direct. Education Boards. The Commission recommends the reduction of the number of Education Boards from thirteen to five, the suggested Boards being,— One Board for the Auckland Education District as at present; One Board for the Wanganui, Taranaki, and Hawke's Bay Education Districts ; One Board for the Wellington, Nelson, and Marlborough Education Districts ; One Board for the North Canterbury, South Canterbury, Westland, and Grey Education Districts ; and One Board for the Otago and Southland Education Districts. Each Board to consist of twelve members, elected for three years, from four wards of the district, on adult suffrage. The Education Boards to have the right of control over primary, technical, and secondary education, as well as Native schools, within their own districts, as far as the powers conferred by legislation on Education Boards, Boards of Governors of secondary schools, and Managers of technical schools are concerned. It is recommended, on account of the increased duties and responsibilities devolving on the new Education Boards, that Parliament should consider the advisability of granting an annual fixed allowance to the Chairman of such Boards. The following returns show (A) the schools of each grade in each of the proposed districts, and (B) the average attendance at such schools as at the end of 1911 : —