694. REPORT—1885. 
in connection with elementary day schools or evening classes, and of 
making grants on the results of practical instruction in such workshops 
under suitable direction, and, if necessary, to communicate with the 
Council.’ 
The Committee awaited the appearance of the second report of the 
Royal Commissioners on Technical Instruction, and at the meeting at 
Montreal merely expressed a thorough approval of the recommendations 
of the said Commissioners :—‘ 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.’ 
Last February, however, your Committee reported to the Council that 
they did consider it desirable to make representations to the Education 
Department, and suggested that the encouragement for the teaching of 
handicraft might take the form of that recommended by the Royal Com- 
missioners on Technical Instruction ; or that ‘the use of tools’ in boys’ 
schools might be placed in the same position as ‘practical cookery’ in 
girls’ schools. The Council received the report, but did not see their way 
to proceed further in the matter. 
In the meantime, a very interesting experiment is being made by the 
Birmingham Board at the Bridge Street Seventh Standard School. This 
is an attempt to add to the education given in the public elementary 
schools a practical training in the use of ordinary workshop tools and 
sound elementary instruction in those sciences and arts upon which the 
trades and manufactures of Birmingham are based, such as theoretical 
and practical mechanics, chemistry, electricity, model and machine draw- 
ing, and the principles of machinery. Although it is necessary to pre- 
pare for examinations by Her Majesty’s Inspector under the Code, all 
the subjects are taught on lines which will have a practical and technical 
bearing. A two years’ course of instruction has been arranged, the sub- 
jects taken being :—Arithmetic, algebra, Euclid, theoretical chemistry, 
practical chemistry, drawing (solid geometry, free-hand), In the second 
year electricity is added. 
The London Board has just arranged an experiment for teaching the 
use of tools toa class of boys on Saturday mornings in the Carlton Road 
school. It is confined to working in wood, and follows the plans adopted 
in the Sloyd system, which is carried out to such a large extent in 
Sweden, and has been introduced into some other parts of the Continent. 
It is proposed also to try another experiment at Beethoven Street 
School, Kensal, with Seventh Standard boys. It will take more the form 
of practical carpentry. 
