45

E.—lo.

B. That the syllabus in needlework in nil standards needs revision, and that rearrangemttii he recommended to the Department. C. That in Standard II geography be treated as n part of nature-study. D. That the history programme for Standard 111 in the outline syllabus lie amended by omitting the words " including civic instruction," and inserting the words " simple stories from English history." G. A. Harkness, Convener. The Conference resumed. On the motion of Mr. Harkness, the interim report was adopted. Dr. Anderson moved. Mr. Spencer seconded, That the Conference do now go into Committee of the Whole to consider the syllabus.—Carried, on the casting-vote of the Chairman. The Conference went into Committee of the Whole. The committee reported progress, and asked leave to sit again. The Conference adjourned at 5.30 p.m. Friday, 18th February. 1910. The Conference resumed at 10 a.m. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman made a personal explanation re his remarks on the matriculation standard. Mr. Petrie moved. That the Conference do now go into Committee of the Whole.- Carried. The Conference resumed, and the resolutions arrived at in committee were adopted as amended : — 1. " That geograpliv. course A of Standard VI, be removed from the list of compulsory subjects, and made a compulsory additional subject " (Mr. Grierson). Lost. 2. " That paragraphs (1) and (2) of clause 42 be expunged " (Mr. Grierson).— Withdrawn in favour of " That, though the use of suitable reading-books for the purpose of teaching geography and history should be encouraged, especially in the upper classes, no course of instruction in these subjects he considered complete which does not provide for a full share of vivid personal teaching " (Mr. Foster). —Carried. 3. " That geography, course l>, lie more clearly defined " (Mr. Grierson). Mr. Mulgan moved the substitution of " That the teaching of course B, geography and history. be continuous in the classes S. 3 to (>, and that the regulations making it optional to omit these subjects during certain years or portions of years be modified accordingly." Withdrawn. Mr. Braik moved, as an amendment, That from S. 3 to 6, courses A and B and the alternative course in geography be fused into one complete compulsory course, and that instruction in this subject be continuous throughout in the classes S. 3to (i. Carried. Mr. Richardson moved. That these words be added : " That the course in geography be arranged in divisions for the various classes from S. 3to 6." Carried. The motion as amended was carried. ■I. " That in schools of Grades V and upwards the use of a suitable reader to supplement the instruction given in geography, course B. be made compulsory" (Mr. Grierson).- Withdrawn. 5. " That a definite course, of instruction in civics be made compulsory in schools of Grades IV and upwards " (Mr. Grierson). Professor White moved. That consideration of this subject be postponed until the remits dealing with geography have been considered. Carried. " That the School Journal should contain continuous lessons in history and commercial geography " (Mr. Braik).- Withdrawn. Mr. Grierson now moved his motion No. 5, and accepted as an amendment. That courses in history and civics be amended as was suggested in the case of geography. Carried. " That easy questions in civics be included in the English paper for the proficiency examination " (Mr. Braik). -Lost. " That a redistribution of the work in arithmetic is desirable with a view to an increase of the portion set down for Standard ITI " (Mr. Strong). —Carried. On the motion of Mr. Gill, the standing orders were suspended to enable the following motions to be received :— Mr. Gray moved, That in section (b) of the scheme of instruction for schools a paragraph be inserted dealing with the course of instruction in preparatory classes. —Carried. Mr. Petrie moved, That the arithmetic now prescribed for Standard V be made somewhat less extensive in scope. —Carried. Mr. Gray moved, That in cases of children who may be weak in arithmetic in Standard VI, and strong in geometrical and scale drawing and in construction-work, some compensation be allowed in consideration of their proficiency in the latter work. —Carried. Professor White moved. That in the English of Standard IV. after the words " functions in easy sentences" there be inserted the following words: "grammar, simple outline, having reference par ticularly to correct oral and written expression."—Lost. The Conference adjourned at 12.5() p.m. The Conference resumed at 2 p.m. Mr. Goyen moved, That in the English of Standard IV pupils be expected to recognize all the parts of speech. — Carried by 26 to 12.