P.—No. 1.

examination; to he under the direction of local committees, subject to the authority of the Minister of Public Instruction ; and to be entitled to receive their salaries, and after a certain period of actual service, an augmentation allowance, and a retiring allowance from the State. 6. The principles of individual examination of children, and of part payment of the teacher by results, to be retained ; but modifications to be made in the mode of examinations. 7. The establishment of a training school for teachers. 8. Annual exhibitions at the grammar-schools, Queen's scholarships in the training-school, and appointments in the Civil service, to he given to the pupils of public schools. i). A capitation grant to he conditionally given for a period of five years to non-vested schools now on the rolls of the Board of Education. 10. Encouragement to be given to the denominations, by means of a grant of increased powers, to part with their school lands, to surrender their schools, and to contribute to the establishment of public schools. 11. A separate grant to be made for the purpose of aiding instruction in the rural districts, and in missionary educational settlements for the aborigines and the instruction of the Chinese, for the purpose of aiding ragged schools. 12. The levying of a rate in aid of public instruction upon land in Victoria. In conclusion, we beg to submit the opinion that it is highly important that the Legislature should distinctly lay down, in any measure which it may be pleased to enact, the principles upon which a system of public instruction in Victoria should be established and permanently conducted. Tho silenco of the present law —proceeding, we believe, from a desire to avoid the discussion of topics involving differences of opinion upon radical questions outside the sphere of politics —has led to very serious misconceptions respecting the policy and even the meaning of the Legislature. It is necessary, in order to secure the due administration of the law of public instruction, and the proper application of the liberal grants of Parliament, that the will of the Legislature in respect to fundamental principles should be clearly enunciated. We have appended a draft bill containing recitals and enactments of the principles which it appears to us to be desirable to record upon the statute book. The practical details of the scheme, upon which opinion is much divided, and which can be brought to perfection only by means of experiment and change, should be in our opinion confided to the care and recommended to the vigilant attention of the central authority, invested with a very large discretion, and enjoying the confidence of Parliament, and of the public.

J. W. H. Williams, Esq.—l.] I should strongly recommend the foundation of scholarships for the purpose of sending youths to any of the Universities in Great Britain, and should also recommend that they should be made available for any of the Inns of Court of London as well, as I consider that a youth may be quite competent, so far as a classical and general education may be required, to go direct to the Bar; and with the same view, I should recommend the scholarships should be available for any of the schools of Medicine in Great Britain. 2.] Yes. 4.] With Oxford, Cambridge, and London; and I also consider that the scholarships should be available for the Inns of Court, and for the Schools of Medicine of London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. 5.] £250. 6.] I consider that a fair knowledge of classics would be sufficient so far as the dead languages are requisite. I consider that a very strict examination in the sciences generally should be as indispensable. I also consider that a thorough knowledge of modern languages should also be made indispensable, at any rate to the extent of three, viz. : English, French, and German. 7.] 1 think it entirely impracticable. J. W. 11. Williams.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Wtnn Williams to Mr. Jollie, Chairman of Committee on University Scholarships. Dear Sir, — Christchurch, N.Z., 27th August, 1867. Mr. Hall has suggested that I should write to you respecting my suggestions with regard to scholarships. I rather think from what he says that I have been slightly misunderstood. What I intended to suggest was this, that a youth who may have passed a successful examination here for a scholarship, should have the option of going to a University, or to the bar, or to study medicine. I have spoken to Dr. Foster and others on the subject, and I think you will find that the proposition I have made is one that would meet with very general approval. The fact is, that the majority of youths educated in the Colony will take to the bar or to the medical profession in preference to going to the Church. I think this may be taken as certain. A University education, under these circumstances, would not by any means be a necessity. A youth would be quite prepared to proceed from a school in the Colony to one of the Inns of Court, and I think, under these circumstances, that the scholarships provided out of public funds should be granted in order to enable any youth who may pass a successful examination, and obtain a scholarship, to complete his education for the bar and for the medical profession as well as for the church. I hope my suggestions will be taken into consideration. Indeed I think there ought to be some expression of opinion (in the House) elicited upon this view of this very important subject. I have taken the liberty of drawing your attention to it, because I feel certain that if the scholarships are confined to the Universities, very great dissatisfaction will be the result. 9

33

ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS.