1.—14 c

2

REPORTS.

No. 89.—Petition of Daniel Beent, Anderson's Bay, Dunedin. Petitioner sets forth the circumstances of his appointment to the position of mathematical master of the High School, Dunedin, on the 14th January, 1863, at a salary equivalent to £525 per annum, by the Deputy Superintendent of Otago ; that his salary was subsequently reduced by £25 ; that the amount so deducted from his salary was refunded to him by the Colonial Government; that his salary was again reduced by the High School Board ; that the sums so deducted have not been refunded to him ; that his connection with the High School terminated on the 4th September, 1902, and that since that time he has been out of employment. Petitioner prays that the various sums improperly deducted from his salary may be paid to him, and for redress generally. The Education Committee, having given careful consideration to the facts set forth in the petition of Daniel Brent, have the honour to report that in their judgment petitioner has made out a strong moral claim upon the State. Petitioner is out of employment; he is now about seventy years of age ; and the sums which have been deducted from his salary aggregate no less than £1,053. The Committee therefore recommend that the petition be referred to the Government in order that, in satisfaction of his claim, the petitioner he paid the sum of £150 per annum for the remaining period of his life. 16th August, 1904.

No. 42. —Petition of Bishop Lenihan. Petitioner desires to bring under the notice of the Education authorities a new method for the measuring of timber, stones, &c., with a view to its introduction as a part of the syllabus of public schools. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Bishop Lenihan that they have no recommendation to make. 17th August, 1904.

Nos. 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 373, 423, and 562.—Petitions of E. M. Smart and 115 Others, James Coker and 429 Others, T. E. Taylor and 1,299 Others, H. E. Sloan and 649 Others, Eudal Kitson and 189 Others, Emily Chapman and 249 Others, Emily Twemlow and 919 Others, and Mary Parkinson and 728 Others. Petitioners pray that provision may be made in the syllabus of State schools for the giving of instruction in temperance hygiene—that is to say, the nature of alcohol and its effects upon the human body — and that such instruction be made compulsory for Standards 111., IV., V., VI., and VII. The Education Committee have the honour to report upon the above petitions that, as Education Boards have now deal with the question of instruction in temperance hygiene, they have no recommendation to make. 30th August, 1904.

No. 12. —Petition of Sarah Cohen and Others. Petitioners pray that financial aid, either by way of subsidy on the yearly subscriptions raised or in the form of an annual grant, be extended to the Kindergarten Association of Dunedin in order to assist in the maintenance of the two free kindergarten schools which for the past fifteen years have been at work in that city ; also to enable other similar schools to be established in the suburbs. The Education Committee have the honour to report that, having taken evidence and devoted the most careful consideration to the several matters embodied in the petition of Sarah Cohen and others, they have arrived at the following conclusions, namely : — 1. That free kindergarten teaching, such as is supplied by the two schools in Dunedin, is of immense value to the State. 2. That the close local control exercised by enthusiastic ladies is essential to the success of the system. 3. That this control may properly be supplemented by State inspection. 4. That, therefore, this Committee strongly recommend that provision be made to subsidise to the extent of £1 for £1 any voluntary may be put forth in any of the large centres of New Zealand for the establishment and maintenance of such free kindergarten schools, the contribution from the State not to exceed in any one instance the sum of £250. 5. That the petition of Sarah Cohen and others, together with this report, be referred to the favourable consideration of the Government. 4th October, 1904,