E.—lc.

" Spelling should be taught by means of systematic lessons on word-building, based on a general phonic scheme, or on the meanings of the words, or on both principles combined. This teaching should be regularly supplemented by transcription from script and print. Dictation is a useful test, but not in itself, it should be remembered, a method of teaching spelling. It is recommended that in the preparatory classes and Standard I. the transcription should be from script only. " The object of the instruction in composition shall be to train the children in the correct and ready use of their mother-tongue, both in speech and in writing. Although in the definition of the work for the several standards many grammatical terms are introduced, these terms are used for the guidance of teachers, and it is not intended that any grammar shall be introduced into the course of primary instruction except for the practical end above mentioned. Technical grammatical terms should be used very sparingly indeed, and the order of instruction should be, first from example to rule, and then from rule to example ; in other words, by induction first, then by deduction. Every lesson, in short, should be a composition lesson, no lesson a grammar lesson." Mr. Morton moved to insert " merely " in the last line, after the words "no lesson." Agreed to. Mr. Petrie moved, and Mr. Kichardson seconded, " That the words ' the language and' be inserted after ' of,' in line 4 of paragraph 2 of section 37. Amendment negatived, and Regulation 37 as amended agreed to. In Regulation 38 Mr. Spencer moved, and Mr. Petrie seconded, " That in S5 ' business and official letters' be included." Amendment negatived. Mr. Fitzgerald moved, and Mr. Morton seconded, "That in Standard 111., composition, the words in brackets in lines 1, 2, and 3 of the paragraph be deleted." Amendment negatived. Regulation 38 agreed to. Training of Teachers. The standing orders were suspended in order that Mr. Prank Tate, Director of Primary and Technical Education, Victoria, should, by invitation of the Conference, deliver an address on the training of teachers in Victoria. Mr. Tate then addressed the Conference. On the motion of Mr. Goyen, seconded by Mr. Gray, a very hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Tate for his presence during the Conference and for his address. Begulations for Inspection and Examination of Schools. In Regulation 39, Mr. Richardson moved, and Mr. Petrie seconded, in line 1, Standard V., " That the words 'by the unitary method' be omitted." The Conference divided. Ayes, 17 ; Noes, 8 : majority for, 9. Amendment agreed to. Mr. Petrie moved, and Mr. Mulgan seconded, " That in Standard VI. the words ' by the unitary method, the steps of which may be curtailed as the children become more and more accustomed to the process,' be deleted." The Conference divided. Ayes, 17; Noes, 9 : majority for, 8. Amendment agreed to. Mr. Petrie moved, " That' £10,000 ' be substituted for ' £200,' arithmetic, Standard III." The Conference divided. Ayes, 10 ; Noes, 18. Amendment negatived. Mr. Gray moved, and Mr. Goyen seconded, " That ' £200 ' be altered to ' £1,000 ' in arithmetic, Standard III." The Conference divided. Ayes, 13 ; Noes, 14 : majority against, 1. Amendment negatived. Mr. Goyen moved, and Mr. Fleming seconded, "That '£200,000' be substituted for ' £1,000,000 'in line 1 of Standard 111., arithmetic." Ayes, 9 ; Noes, 17 ; majority against, 8. Amendment negatived. Dr. Anderson moved, and Mr. Richardson seconded, " That in Standard IV. the following be omitted : ' Numeration and notation up to 1,000 millions.'" The Conference divided. Ayes, 14 ; Noes, 13 : majority for, 1. Amendment agreed to, and Regulation 39 as amended agreed to. Regulation 44 (drawing). —Mr. Strachan moved, and Mr. Gray seconded, " That the work in drawing for Standards V. and VI. be lightened, and allow greater option." Agreed to, and Regulation 44 as amended agreed to. Regulations 45 and 46 (drawing), with qualification already adopted, agreed to. Regulation 47 (physical drill) agreed to. Regulation 48 (moral instruction) agreed to. Regulation 49 (nature-study) : Mr. Fleming moved, " That the last three paragraphs of Regulation 49 be transferred to the Regulations for Elementary Science as a special course of naturestudy." Agreed to, and Regulation 49 as amended agreed to. Health. " 50. Lessons on the structure of the body and on health. " These should include such subjects as the following, treated in a very simple manner : The chief bones of the skeleton, and the way in which they form a framework for the body; tendons and muscles; the skin ; the heart, the blood, and the general system of circulation ; food and drink, digestion, the stomach and intestines ; the lungs ; the liver ; the kidneys ; the nerves; the brain ; the eye; the sense of touch ; the outer ear; the throat and nose. Air, ventilation, and

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