286 bjbpobt— 1884. 



through reading lessons. The other nine girls' departments, with 2,339 

 children, take needlework as the second class subject. 



At the Southport meeting a recommendation was passed that this 

 Committee ' be requested to consider the desirableness of making repre- 

 sentations to the Lords of the Committee of Her Majesty's Privy Council 

 on Education in favour of aid being extended towards the fitting up of 

 workshops in connection with elementary day schools or evening classes, 

 and of making grants on the results of practical instruction in such work- 

 shops under suitable direction, and, if necessary, to communicate with the 

 Council.' 



As it was believed that the second Report of the Royal Commissioners 

 on Technical Instruction would have an important bearing upon this 

 question, the Committee was not called together till the publication of 

 that Report. It was not issued till May, and it then appeared that, in 

 addition to a very large amount of valuable information, the Royal Com- 

 missioners had recommended, among other things: — 



' (b) That there be only two class subjects instead of three in the 

 lower division of elementary schools, and that the object lessons for 

 teaching elementary science shall include the subject of geography.' 



' (tZ) That proficiency in the use of tools for working in wood and 

 iron be paid for as a specific subject, arrangements being made for the 

 work being done, so far as practicable, out of school hours. That special 

 grants be made to schools in aid of collections of natural objects, casts, 

 drawings, &c, suitable for school museums.' 



With reference to recommendation (A) your Committee, without 

 expressing auy opinion as to the desirability of forming one subject out 

 of geography and elementary science, consider that, if this change be 

 effected, the two class subjects which will then represent literature and 

 science should stand upon an equal footing. This would be in accordance 

 with the resolution of the Council passed on December 5, 1881, in con- 

 sidering the recommendations of your Committee in regard to the pro- 

 posals for the new Code. At present, if only one class subject is taken, 

 the Code requires that it should be ' English ' (grammar and literature) ; 

 but many managers or teachers might prefer taking science. 



With respect to recommendation (d) your Committee thoroughly 

 approve of the proposals, which, if carried out, would realise the wish 

 expressed in the reference to them from the Southport meeting. 



They have not, however, thought it necessary to communicate at once 

 with the Council, as there is no immediate legislation in prospect, and 

 the meeting at Montreal might like to give further instructions on the 

 subject. 



The name of Professor N. Story Maskelyne, M.P., has been I'eplaced 

 on the Committee. 



