H.—2

21

been furnished with a supply of these books, and with copies of rules prepared by the General Post Office for the management of the banks. A copy of the rules is printed in the Appendix. Regulations. " The Education Act, 1877," by transferring from the local Boards to the central authority certain important powers and functions, gave to the primary education of the country a national character which bad previously been Avanting. This new character is very clearly exhibited in the 100 th section of the Act, which is as folloAvs :— "The Governor in Council may, subject to the provisions of this Act, from time to time make, alter, and repeal regulations and orders— " (1.) Por the organization and management of the Department of Education ; " (2.) For defining the principle on whioh daily average attendance shall be calculated; " (3.) For the examination and classification of teachers ; " (4.) For the employment, education, and examination of pupil-teachers; " (5.) For the issue of certificates of competency to teachers ; " (6.) For the establishment and management of normal or training colleges ; " (7.) For defining the standards of education Avhich, under the provisions of this Act, may be prescribed by regulations ; " (S.) For prescribing the times and manner of auditing the accounts of Boards and Committees; " (9.) For making such other regulations as may be necessary to secure the due administration of this Act." During the past year A'arious regulations authorized by this section and other parts of the Act have been made, and, with one exception, already referred to, have come into force. The great variety which, on comparing the regulations of the several Boards, was found to prevail suggested the necessity of paying respect to the local circumstances to which tbey owed their origin, and to Avhich they Avere, in most instances, very well adapted. Some important matters are therefore made the subjects of regulations of the most general character, under which the Boards may frame their oavu rules, which, hoAvever, must receive the approval of the Government before they can take effect. The employment, education, and examination of pupil-teachers, the conditions upon which scholarships may be granted and held, and the management of training colleges are in this way left, in a great measure, to the discretion of the Boards. The list of books Avhich may be used in public schools is merely a catalogue from Avhich the Boards may make a selection, and it includes most of the text-books whioh they had previously sanctioned or recommended to the approval of the Government. The fees to be paid for the special subjects taught in district high schools have been fixed at different rates in different districts, and in each case tbe rate proposed by the Board has been adopted. The regulations for standards of education, inspection of schools, and examination and classification of teachers did not assume their present form until they had been fully discussed Avith the Inspectors of oldest standing in the service of the Boards. They scarcely differ more Avidely from the local rules now superseded than those rules differed amongst themselves, except in so far as new subjects are introduced for the sake of conformity to the law as it at present stands; and even in that respect considerable latitude is alloAved, and no small decree of elasticity secured. The form of attendance return is almost identical Avith one that was already in use in a district in Avhich the value of statistical facts AA^as fully recognized. The principles upon Avhich these regulations were framed have already been somewhat fully illustrated in this report, under the subjects to Avhich they severally relate. ' It is essential to the successful operation of the system of national education so recently inaugurated that Inspectors and teachers generally should do their utmost to observe all the regulations made under the Act in a loyal spirit. It would be very remarkable indeed if these regulations Avere not found capable of amendment f but amendment of rules Avhich have been framed with much care and consideration, after long consultation, and Avith due regard to experience and precedents, ought only to take place as the result of further experience and honest trial.