I860.] Tlie Science and Art Department. 5 



The fact is, the State had undertaken too much, and nad not tho 

 moral corn-age to restrict its operations. The ' Directory ' of 1862 

 contained a list of 171 certificated Science teachers against 53 in 

 1860, and whilst the Government seemed indisposed to increase its 

 expenditure by an additional outlay " in aid," it still permitted their 

 number to increase without limitation. But, in the same ' Directory ' 

 we first find the unmistakable announcement (three years after the 

 movement had been started, and one year after it was fairly in opera- 

 tion), that the amount of remuneration to teachers " is liable to be 

 decreased, and altogether withdrawn." 



It might perhaps have been pardonable in the State if it had said 

 to the crowds who were flocking in to enlist in its service, " Come, 

 gentlemen, without let or hindrance, and join in our work, we don't 

 mean to pay you much longer, so, the more the merrier, and you may, 

 with the help of your committees continue the work we have so glori- 

 ously begun." But was this honourable to those who were already 

 engaged in teaching, or to the committees whose gratuitous services 

 had been secured on the conditions previously announced '? We think 

 not ; and we think too, that the Government which has so acted, will 

 find that its proceedings have not been dictated by a sound policy. 



The state of affairs under the new regime, then, was as follows : — 

 Instead of being paid a fixed stipend varying in value according to the 

 grade of his certificate, &c, the teacher received a grant composed of 

 head moneys — say, for every "passed " student, 11. ; for " honourable 

 mentions," 21. ; and for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade prizemen, 5Z., 4Z., and 

 3Z. respectively. 



So far there was not much to be complained of in the change ; 

 and it is only fair to Government to say that, on the whole, it 

 appeared to have been dictated by justice and prudence ; for if, under 

 the old regulations, a teacher held six first-class certificates in six 

 distinct branches of Science, he could claim 20?. upon each of those 

 certificates, if he was teaching thirty students in any one branch of 

 Science only ;* but if he held one certificate only, and was teaching 

 100, or any other number of students, in the branch for which it 

 was given, he could still only obtain 20Z. on his certificate besides his 

 prize-money, should his students have been successful in obtaining 

 prizes. 



Under the new regulations, however, the teacher received the 

 sums above mentioned for every passed student, " honourable men- 

 tion," or prizeman, without limit as to number. But then a provision 

 was added, that 5Z. would be the maximum amount paid upon any one 

 student ; and (to cut a long story short) in the ' Directories' of 1863 

 and 1864, new minutes were issued, which, without any justification 

 or show of reason, reduced the stipends of the teachers apparently in 

 the inverse ratio to their proficiency ! 



Thus, " If a student be successful at the examination in more than 

 one subject, the teacher can only claim half of the above payments in 



* The regulation being that he should be paid 47. per head for every student 

 under tuition, up to the maximum value of each certificate held by birn. 



