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the schools visited. I also noted the following periodicals available in the reading-rooms attached to the libraries: Plumber and Decorator, Watchmaker and Jeweller, The Builders' Journal, Education, Nature, Architect, The Engineer, Building World, Mechanical Engineer, Journal of Education, Electrical Beview, Building News, Mechanical World, The Studio, The Artist, Work, The Art Journal, The Idler, Engineering, English Illustrated Magazine, Magazine of Art, Decorator, Seribner's Magazine, The Century, The Strand, The Windsor, as well as the illustrated weekly papers. These in all cases are bound at the year's end and added to the library. I would urge assistance being given towards the purchase of technical works. Finally, I would suggest that an officer of the Education Department should be appointed to carefully watch the progress of educational and industrial work in Britain and other countries, and, where possible, obtain copies of lectures and papers read before the various societies, have the same printed and circulated throughout such centres as are affected by the subject, at the same time obtaining such models, illustrations, or.lantern-slides as may give due effect to the same. 7. ADMINISTRATION. The grants proposed in this report would for the first year not exceed £6,000. The details given below make allowance for the fullest possible expenditure, which is not by any means likely to be reached. 1899. £ Capitation upon classes... ... ... ... ... ... 2,200 Bonus to teachers for full certificates ... ... ... ... 250 V Scholarships ... ... ... , ... ... ... ... 2,000 Grants towards salaries of specialists ... ... ... ... 2,000 £6,450 Grants for buildings and appliances from the special vote —say ... £10,000 Careful administration and organization are of great importance if success is to be obtained. It is very necessary that the general direction and supervision should emanate from the technical branch of the Education Department, and that thorough inspection should be maintained, in order that surety may be given that energy is not wasted and that funds are wisely expended. Careful direction at the present stage of technical work in the colony will mean a considerable saving, and place this important branch of education upon a sound footing. Money thu3 expended will save its value many times over. There are two important points which may repay consideration. Firstly, our City and County Councils are undoubtedly interested in the educational developments within their own area. The main burden of providing the necessary funds falls upon the State. The City and County Councils do not at present possess the power to vote funds for the purpose of education. 1 suggest, therefore, that provision be made to enable the Councils to render assistance towards the development of industrial classes within their own district by means of grants of land for building purposes, or money-grants (the latter being doubled by the Government); and, further, that the Mayor or chairman of such contributing Council should be a member of the governing body to which contributions are made, providing that the sum exceeds £100 per annum. Secondly : If education in this colony is to be successful the whole system of primary, secondary, technical, and university work should be one of continuity; all schools should bear relation one to another, without such overlapping as is at present the case in England. It is only by assigning each section its definite course, and by true continuity of working, that high success will follow. Our educational districts and centres are comparatively small; it is therefore all the more advisable that our efforts should be concentrated. Let us see, then, that all institutions aided or subsidised by the State are maintained by the various controlling bodies in accordance with the lines to be defined or suggested. Divided authority •cannot, and never will, be satisfactory; let each educational section agree upon the best methods of co-ordination and procedure, and so bring the whole system into line. I am led to make the above suggestion by the force of such examples as I have met with in England, by centres having divided authority, and by centres controlled by various bodies having a joint board of advice composed of members appointed by each educational body, where complete co-ordination exists. If the Manual* and Technical Instruction Act is passed by Parliament it will afford considerable relief to the existing institutions and do much to help the promotion of new schools. I would suggest, however, that the Education Boards of the colony, as the Boards having control of technical education in each district, should have the power to extend their number upon special committees, in order that persons having special knowledge of the various branches of technical work may act as co-operative members, as is the case upon the English Boards and Councils. Dr. Garnett, of the London County Council Technical Branch, informed me that very beneficial results had been brought about by this means.
SECTION VIII.—KECOMMENDATIONS. CONCLUSION. As a summary of this report, I respectfully make the following recommendations :— 1. That kindergarten schools be established as a, part of the primary system of education, with Central schools for the training of teachers. . . . .
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