TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION L. S29 



the lilies. But the Committee have merely recof^nised what has been knowu for 

 years and years ; not a singlft novel point is brought out— not a single novol issue 

 18 raised iu their report. By making definite recommendations, however, they 

 have lifted the subject on to a higher plane, and it is these recommendations which 

 require the most careful consideration and revision : for if carried out as they stand 

 there will be little improvement in our condition. The Committee have certainly 

 done more than they were asked to do, but not more than they were bound to do. 

 By the terms of reference they were to consider and re})0vt what changes, if any, are 

 desirable in the system of training candidates/'^/' the Arm;/ at the Public ft'chools. 

 Instead they have recognised that education at secondary schools has in a great 

 measure conformed to the course generally prescribed by puljlic professional 

 examinations originally designed to secure the selection of candidates who liad 

 availed themselves of the advantages of a good general education ; and that the 

 State has been careful in the matter of examinations that they should be so framed 

 as not to disqualify or hinder the unsuccessful candidate from entrance into other 

 professions : or, in other words, that neither more nor less is to be exacted from 

 candidates for entrance into the Army than from candidates for other professions. 

 Consequently, the requirements to be laid down for Army candidates are such as 

 can be met from a sound general education ; they are in no way special. The Com- 

 mittee have, in fact, pronounced judgment on the subject of all others which is of 

 greatest consequence to the nation at the moment. But they were not actually ap- 

 pointed for such a purpose, although they should have been, as it was to be foreseen 

 that the major issue must be tried if the minor were to be settled. The modern spirit 

 in education was not sufficiently represented on the Committee. Of the witnesses 

 examined too few had any practical acquaintance with the work of education, 

 althouo-h a great many who could judge of its effects gave evidence; and the 

 practical side of education was scarcely considered. Only one witness was examined 

 on behalf of ' Science ' ; Mathematics was unrepresented. Such being the case, 

 it is surprising that the Committee should have gone so far in their recommenda- 

 tions and a proof how overwhelming the case must be in favour of change. 



Among the signs of the time showing that liberal views are coming into vogue, 

 I may refer to the provision made in the new buildings designed by Mr. Aston 

 Webb and Mr. Ingress Bell for Christ's Hospital School, which was removed from 

 London in May last. The new liome of this ancient foundation is situated in the 

 county of Suss"ex, about four miles south-west of Horsham, and comprises an area 

 of 1 300 acres of land— meadow, arable and woodland. Nearly HOOfiOOl. has 

 been expended on the new school up to date. Provision is made for 800 boys, 

 and together with the necessary staff these will form a colony of some 

 thousand persons. The school provides its own water supply, disposes of its 

 sewage by the bacterial system on its own premises, and is lit entirely by 

 electricity generated on the spot. Only food and clothing are derived from 

 the outside. If senior boys, in the future, are allowed to gain some insight into 

 the interior management and economy of such an institution, what wonderful 

 opportunities they will enjoy ! And I hope the day is not fiir distant when boys 

 will learn to understand everything connected with the school in which they pass 

 so many years of their lives. A school should be the last to deny to boys every 

 opportunity of gaining such invaluable experience. Fortunately Christ's Hospital 

 School is conducted on the hostel system ; the masters therefore are not charged 

 with household cares and have no temptation to withdraw their thoughts from 

 the work of education. The school has no taint of commercialism about it. It 

 will be a happy day for our country when this is true of all our schools. 



The school'buildings are placed nearly in the centre of the site and cover an 

 area of about eleven acres. They are disposed along a slightly convex line facing 

 southwards, the extremities curving gently towards the east and west respectively. 

 The main range has a frontage of 2,'JOO feet. At the eastern end, detached from 

 the main range and somewhat retired, are the Infirmary and Sanatorium, which 

 have a frontage of 500 feet. There are extensive playing fields and also a 

 Gymnasium and Swimming Bath. 



