E. C. PURDIE.]

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656 pupils in S6 is £3,663 ; of 900 pupils in S5, £3,875 ; of 1,200 in S4, £3,685 : a total of £10,413. This does not include the proportion of the headmaster's salary as general supervisor. For such add, ""say, £1,500 —a low estimate—and the total is £11,913. If the teachers were paid according to scale as under, there would be a saving of £2,300 per annum from which to pay the salaries of the head.masters and of the specialists required. The average salary of each teacher would thus be much higher than it is now": (g.) Suggested scale : S6 —Three teachers at £250 each per annum, three at £225 each per annum, three at £200 each per annum, three at £175 each per annum, three at £150 each per annum : total, £3,000. S5 —Three teachers at £220 each, per annum, three at £200 each per annum, three at £180 each per annum, three at £160 each per annum, three at £150 each per annum, three at £14-0 each per annum : total, £3,150. S4 —Three teachers at £210 each per annum, three at £190 each per annum, three at £170 each per annum, three at £160 each per annum, three at £150 each per annum, three at £140 each per annum, three at £130 each per annum : total, £3,450. I think no saving in money ought to be made. The gain should be expended in giving higher salaries than those suggested. (h.) It would be possible to place a child in each subject in the class for which he is fit. (*'.) The sites of the three present manual schools might be adopted, (j.) Some of the prizes in the professions of teaching might thereby be within the grasp of our lady teachers, (k.) Better specialization in drawing, in science, in drill, and in technical work might be provided for. (I.) A great improvement in the attitude of the pupils and of the teachers —a most important matter —might be expected, (m.) Better provision might be made for school libraries, (w.) Teachers could be more easily placed in positions for which they are best suited, (o.) Distance is not really an objection. No child would have to travel more than about two miles (except by rail), very few more than a mile and a half, and not many more than a mile. Generally I believe that by adopting the scheme herein briefly outlined —a scheme which does not, so far as I am aware yet obtain in any country —education would gain incalculably, justice might be done to all our pupils, greater advantage might be taken of our manual-training schools, the teaching of science might be greatly improved, the spirit of healthy rivalry and of effort might be augmented, the pupils' and the teacher's life might be rendered more bright, and fruitful economy might be observed, satisfactory equipment of schools might be rendered possible. I cannot think oi any objection to the scheme herein outlined that cannot be satisfactorily met. lam satisfied that the country that first applies to its schools the principles herein enunciated will rapidly take a foremost place among educated races. lam aware that to carry into operation the scheme herein outlined legislation would be necessary. The amounts quoted in section (/) hereof are subject to slight fluctuations, but are sufficiently constant to form the basis of an argument. Although I have, for convenience' sake, advocated three schools, I believe that two would be enough, and that by the adoption of two the principle of accurate grading could be materially improved. I hope that you will see your way clear to, at least, commend the principle underlying the scheme I have herein outlined. —I have, &c, E. C. Purdie, Inspector of Schools." And the following is the correspondence : — " Education Board, Auckland, 24th July, 1905. —The Secretary, Auckland Education Board. — Sir, —I have the honour to transmit, for perusal by the Board, the accompanying letter addressed to me by Mr. Inspector Purdie. There is considerable force in much of what Mr. Purdie urges, but, with the law relating to education standing as it does, the organization he recommends is impracticable. —Yours, &c, D. Petrie, M.L., Chief Inspector." " Education Department, Wellington, 17th August, 1905. —The Secretary, Auckland. —Subject: Concentration of pupils in Standards IV, V, and VI. —I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 11th August, 1905, with reference to the subject named above. The matter will receive attention. —F. K. de Castro, Secretary." " Whangarei Branch, 23rd August, 1905. —(Telegram.) —Whangarei Branch Institute approves Inspector Purdie's concentration-of-pupils scheme. —Secretary." " Mary Street, Thames, 21st August, 1905. —The Secretary, Board of Education, Auckland. — Dear Sir, —I am instructed by the Thames Branch of the Auckland District Educational Institute to thank the Board of Education for the opportunity afforded for expressing their views on Mr. Purdie's scheme for the concentration of Standards IV, V, and VI pupils. The branch, after considerable discussion unanimously agreed to the following resolutions : ' That the scheme has much to commend itself from an educational standpoint. *" ' That considerable opposition may be anticipated from Committees, as representing parents, making it exceedingly unlikely that the necessary legislation will be forthcoming.' ' That, in the absence of details of proposed legislation, it is doubtful whether the scheme will not lessen the inducements to those entering the profession, and thereby act prejudicially to the best interests of education.' —I have, &c, S. H. Ferguson, Honorary Secretary, Thames Branch." " Education Institute, Whangarei, 22nd August, 1905. — Re Inspector Purdie's concentration scheme. —The Secretary, Education Board, Auckland.—Sir, —I am directed to state that Mr. Purdie's concentration-of-pupils scheme was discussed at the last meeting of the Whangarei Branch of the A.D.E.1., and that consequent upon the discussion this branch has the honour to heartily support the suggestions made by Mr. Purdie. —I have, &c, W- H. Crawford, Secretary, Whangarei Branch." " Education Department, Wellington, 26th September, 1905. —The Secretary, Education Board, Auckland. —With further reference to your memorandum of the 11th August, and to the copy of a report from Inspector Purdie regarding the concentration of pupils of Standards IV, V, • and VI in city and suburban schools, I would suggest that the subject is one that Mr. Purdie might bring up at the next Conference of Inspectors. The Inspectors could afterwards advise their several Boards.—G. Hogben, Inspector-General of Schools." " Parnell School, Auckland, 29th September, 1905. —Sir, —I have the honour to acknowledge the recepit of your letter of 11th August, inviting the Institute to express its opinion on Inspector