EFFECT OF EDUCATIONAL REGULATIONS ON PHYSIQUE. 
787 
2.— EFFECT OF THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT EDUCA- 
TIONAL REGULATIONS ON THE PHYSIQUE OF THE 
PRESENT AND FUTURE NORTH QUEENSLANDER, 
By JOSEPH AHEARNE. L.G.R.P. , Load,, Ac. 
My search into “ The Effects of the Queensland Government 
Educational Regulations upon the Physique of the Present and 
Future North Queenslander” has satisfied me that their unmodified 
establishment in North Queensland is harmful, and I trust when I 
have finished my address I shall have induced my listeners to arrive at 
a similar conclusion. 
Now what are these regulations it shall be my duty to arraign — 
(a.) The statutory age is unquestionably too low. 
(A) I have to assert that those which provide for the establish- 
ment of State and Provisional schools are incomplete, as the highly 
important questions of site, form, lighting, seating, and ventilation lie 
in the hands of untrained persons ignorant of hygienic requirements.* 
( c .) I have to complain of the time-table which requires children 
to attend school in the afternoon. 
(d.) I have to express the opinion, strengthened by the valuable 
testimony of some able teachers, that the standards of proficiency are 
too high. 
(e.) I have to draw attention to the unsuitable time of year for 
holding the scholarship examinations. 
(/.) I have to condemn in emphatic terms the cruel treatment to 
which are subjected those young girls unfortunate enough in having 
foolish parents who permit them to become pupil-teachers. 
Before discussing these points in detail, I ask you to follow me 
in glancing at North Queensland’s situation, and reflecting upon its 
climate. 
From Thursday Island in 10| degrees to Cape Palmerston in 
22 degrees 40 minutes south, you will see the coast line of the territory 
which is now engaging our attention. 
The interior of the Northern Territory of South Australia north of 
20th parallel is a region with a mean summer temperature in excess of 
95 degrees Fahrenheit; and the whole of the country, excepting the 
seaboard, lying between the meridians of 120 degrees and 140 degrees 
and north of the 25th parallel, has a mean temperature in excess of 90 
degrees Fahrenheit. 
The climate of the Northern Territory is therefore extremely hot, 
except on the elevated tablelands. Altogether the temperature of 
this part is very similar to that of Northern Queensland, and the 
climate is equally unfavourable to Europeans. 
The mean temperature at Brisbane during December, January, 
and February is about 70 degrees, ■while during the months of June, 
July, and August it averages about 00 degrees. The winter in Rock- 
hampton averages nearly 05 degrees, while the summer heat rises 
almost to 85 degrees ; and at Townsville and Normanton the average 
temperature is still higher. 
* The site is reported on by the District Inspector, and the other matters are 
dealt with by officers of the Works Department. — Editor. 
