20 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



the defences of the Colony. The Naval Forces of the Colony comprise 

 the Naval Brigade and a corps of Naval Artilleiy Volunteers^ both 

 of which are parLially paid/ By an ag-reement concluded in 1887 

 between the Imperial Government and the Australasian Colonies^ an 

 additional naval force of five armed cruisers and two torpedo boats, 

 is to be maintained by the Imperial Government on the Australasian 

 station, the Colonies undertaking- to pay interest not exceeding £35,000 

 a year on the cost of construction and equipment, and a further 

 sum not exceeding £91,000 a year towards the cost of maintenance. 

 The agreement is to continue for not less than ten years, but may be 

 terminated at or after that time by two years' previous notice. This 

 agreement was ratified so far as related to the United Kingdom by the 

 Imperial Defence Act, 1888,'' and so far as related to the Colony by 

 the Australasian Naval Forces Act, 1887." 



Public Education. 



The educational system of the Colony now rests on the Public Instruc- 

 tion Act, 1880.'" This Act provided for the establishment through- 

 out the Colony of a system of compulsory and non-sectarian education ; 

 the Council of Education, established under the previous Act of 18G6, 

 was dissolved ; and the control and working of the new system, 

 together with the administration of all moneys voted by Parliament 

 for educational purposes," were transferred to the Minister of Public 

 Instruction ; at the same time it was provided that all aid previously 

 given to denominational schools should cease after 1882.*^ The 

 different classes of schools at present existing comprise (1) elementary 

 public schools, in which only primary instruction is given ; (2) superior 

 public schools, for the purposes of higher instruction ; and (3) a limited 

 number of high schools, both for boys and girls, in which a still more 

 advanced course is followed, and which are intended to constitute a 

 link between the public schools and the University." The Act also 

 provides for the establishment of evening" public schools ; for the 

 appointment of provisional schools and itinerant teachers in sparsely 

 inhabited districts ; and for the establishment of a training school for 

 teachers.'' Attendance is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 14 

 for not less than 70 days in each half year, unless the child has been 

 or is being otherwise efficiently instructed, or is prevented from 

 attending by -nfirmity or distance.' The instruction given is non-sec- 

 tarian, but embraces general religious and moral teaching ; in addition 

 to which provision is wmade for the giving of separate unofficial re- 

 ligious instruction by voluntary teachers, at the option of the parents.' 

 Parents are required to pay certain small fees which are fixed by 

 the Act, bvit may be remitted in case of poverty or inability;'' a 

 higher rate of fees, however, is payable in the high schools.' Pro- 

 vision is also made for the establishment of Public School Districts 

 and School Boards for the inspection of schools and the supervising of 



"■ Comprising in 1894 about 591 men. >' 51 and 52 Vic, c. 32. <= 51 Vic, No. 22. 



'' Except in so far as this has been varied in certain particulars by the Public Service 

 Act, 1895, sees. 46 to 48. 



<■ Except where specifically appropriated. ^ 43 Vic, No. 23, sees. 1,2, 7, 28. 



« lb., sec. 6. '■ //a, sees. 10, 22, 23, 24. * lb., sec. 20. J lb., sec 17. ^ lb., sec 11. 



^ Jb., sec. 27 ; these being fixed by regulation of the Governor and Executive Council. 



