132 



EEPOET — 1889. 



meclianics and chemistry, 

 table : — 



The figures are given in the following 



The rapid and serious decrease of attention paid to these science sub- 

 jects is shown by the percentage of children who have taken them, as 

 compared with the number of scholars that might have taken these 

 subjects, viz : — 



In 1882-3 29-0 per cent. 



1883-4 

 1884-5 

 1885-6 

 1886-7 

 1887-8 



260 

 22-6 „ 

 19-9 „ 

 18-1 

 16-9 „ 



taken two of these 



and it must be remembered that children who have 

 subjects count twice over. 



The Government laid upon the table of the House a new Code, which 

 would have had a slightly beneficial effect upon the teaching of science ; 

 but it has been entirely withdrawn. The Government has introduced no 

 Technical Instruction Bill this year — except just at the last moment — and 

 that does not apply to ' scholars receiving instruction in an elementary 

 school in the obligatory or standard subjects prescribed by the minutes 

 of the Education Department.' It was hurried through the Committee 

 and final stages during the last week of the Session. 



Sir Henry E. Roscoe, however, reintroduced his Bill with some modi- 

 fications, and it passed the second reading at a comparatively early period 

 of the Session ; but the Government would only give facilities for its 

 progress through the House on the understanding that very serious 

 changes were to be made in it. As he could not accept these, it has not 

 passed the Committee stage; and it was ultimately withdrawn. 



Mr. Samuel Smith has again brought in a Continuation Schools Bill ; 

 but there has been no opportunity of discussing it since the first reading, 

 and it was therefore withdrawn. The subject has, however, grown in the 

 estimation of the public ; and the whole question of the teaching of 

 science in State-aided schools requires to be pressed more and more 

 upon the legislature. 



