1.—13

2

and in order to avoid the expense of duplicating instruction in subjects which are taught at the University colleges, and to secure for teachers a greater breadth of view, the training of teachers in literary and scientific work should, as far as possible, be provided by the University colleges. (b.) The training-colleges should be subject to the control of the local Education Boards. (c.) The curriculum of the colleges should be subject to the approval of the Minister of Education. (d.) The Inspector-General should inspect each college from time to time, and report annually to the Minister. (c.) A two-years course of training for each student should be aimed at. (/.) It is desirable that the lecturer on education at the training-colleges should be given the status of either a lecturer or professor at the University college, in order that his lectures may count in the University course of the students. (g.) The practising department of each training-college should include a model country school with a single teacher. (h.) In addition to the personal and boarding allowances granted to students of the trainingcolleges who have been pupil-teachers, reasonable University college fees should be paid by the Government. (j.) Local Boards of Education are recommended to set up a committee of advice in regard to matters concerning the training-college, consisting, say, of the Chairman or other member of the Board, an Inspector of the Board, a representative of the Professorial Board of the University college, and a representative of the other Boards of Education, if any, in the same University district. (k.) In order to allow training-colleges to prepare teachers for district-high-school and other secondary work, clause 35 of the Standard Regulations should be amended as to the second paragraph by inserting after the words " district high school " the words " and in schools attached to training-colleges." 27th October, 1903.

No. 34. —Petition of G. Fowlds and 127 Others. Petitioners pray for recognition of a new method of timber-measurement devised by Mr. W. J. Morgan, and urge that it is a suitable method to introduce as part of the syllabus of the public schools of New Zealand. I am directed to report that the Committee have considered the petition, and find there is nothing new in the said system of timber-measurement, and that the syllabus provides the necessary suggestions to public-school teachers to give practical illustrations in the teaching of mensuration. 4th November, 1903.

REPORT On a Return of the Allocation of Ordinary and Special Votes for School Buildings, and the Expenditure on account of such Allocation, for the Year ended the 31st March, 1903. 1. The Committee are of opinion that the basis for the distribution of the amounts available for the repair, maintenance, and rebuilding of schools and teachers' residences should be the present cost of construction of such buildings. 2. They find the following to be the present cost of construction of school buildings (excluding teachers' residences, which are dealt with later) : — (a.) Cost of construction at present prices of wooden school buildings (including furniture, outbuildings, and fencing, but excluding teachers' residences) : — Age of Buildings. Cost of Construction. £ Not over 5 years ... ... ... ... ... ... 77,016 5-10 years ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 94,792 10-15 „ ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 161,867 15-20 „ 158,181 20-25 ... ... ... ... ... ... 155,367 25-30 „ 102,787 30-35 „ 40,873 Over 35 years ... ... ... ... ... ... 23,967 Total ... ... ... ... ... 814,850 (6.) Cost of construction at present prices of school buildings in brick or stone ' ... ... ••• ••■ ... ... ... ... 118,855 Total under headings (a) and (b) ... ... 933,705 3. The Committee are of opinion that the following is a fair estimate of the cost of maintenance of school buildings (excluding teachers' residences): —