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1907. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. HANAN. Chairman.)

Presented, to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE.

Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Thursday, the 11th Bay of July, 1907. Ordered, " That a Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all matters relating to school-teachers, education, and public instruction generally, public-school training of teaohers, higher education, technical education, and manual instruction, and such other matters affecting education as may be referred to it; to have power to call for persons and papers ; three to be a quorum: the Committee to consist of Mr. J. Allen, Mr. Baume, Mr. Buddo, Mr. Hanan, Mr. Hardy, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Lethbridge, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. Sidey, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Fowlds.) Thursday, the 11th Day op July, 1907. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during previous sessions be again referred to the several Committees to which they were referred during those sessions."—(Right. Hon. Sir J. G. Ward.) Thursday, the 18th Day of July, 1907. Ordered, " That the Musicians Bill be referred to the Education Committee."—(Mr. Sidey.) Tuesday, the 30th Day of July, 1907. Ordered, " That the report of the Education Committee on the petitions of Ellen Astley, Mary Lovatt, and George Wilmot, be referred back to that Committee for the further consideration of the petition of George Wilmot."—(Mr. Witty.) Wednesday, the 6th Day op November, 1907. Ordered, " That the Eduoation Act Amendment Bill be referred to the Education Committee."—(Hon. Mr. Fowlds. ) I Thursday, the 14th Day of November, 1907. Ordered, " That the petition of A. M. McLaughlin be referred to the Education Committee."—(Mr. Buddo.)

INDEX.

No. Name of Petitioner. Page. No. Name o( Petitioner. Pane 24 Astley, Ellen 2 644/06 585 869 Macky, S. H., and others Mcintosh, Alexander McLaughlin, Annie M. Musicians Bill ... 2 3 4 3 383 745 65 Baron, A. A. M. Booth, G. F., and others Bruce, W., and others ... 3 4 2 714 Smith, Ellen Maria, and others 4 708 Crockett, George 3 89/06 42 86 321 Tahui, Pene Thompson, Andrew Thompson, Catherine Tomlinson, Thomas Ernest 804 Education Act Amendment Bill Evans, D. P., and others 4 4 4 2 2 3 38 32 567/06 Liffiton, Edward Nolloth Lovatt, Mary Lusk, H. D., and others 3 • 2 2 117 769 Wilmot, George Wilkinson, Catherine 2 4

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EEPORTS.

Nos. 24, 32, and 117.—Petitions of Ellen Astley, Ellerslie, Auckland; Mary Lovatt, Kaeo, Auckland; and George Wilmot, Papanui, Christchurch. Petitioners are teachers employed in the public schools of the colony, and they represent that for a long series of years they have profitably served the State, that from circumstances arising from ill health due to overwork and the necessity for rest they did not happen to be employed when the Teachers' Superannuation Act came into force on the Ist January, 1906, and therefore they have been shut out from the benefits and privileges attaching under that Act to original members. They pray that they may be admitted to the status of original members. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the above petitions that they recommend that they be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th July, 1907.

No. 86.—Petition of Catherine Thomson, of Sawyer's Bay, Otago. Petitioner states that her son, the late William Hay Rennie, was teacher of the Papakaio, Otago, Public School; that in that capacity he received a salary of only £15 per month; that he was constrained to live in a lonely place removed from other human habitation, and that he was there murdered; that her husband is eighty-four years of age, and unable to earn a livelihood. She prays that a compassionate allowance may be granted to her. The Education Committee have the honour to report that in the matter of the petition of Catherine Thomson they have no recommendation to make. 26th July, 1907.

No. 42.—Petition of Andrew Thompson, Reid Street, Oamaru. Petitioner represents that in May, 1894, he was permanently appointed Visiting Officer of Industrial Schools, and, under the law, he submitted to an annual deduction being made from his salary for payment to the Public Trustee. Because of the acceptation of this payment and for other reasons he never doubted that he had been legally and properly appointed to his position, nor was such a doubt ever entertained by the Department he served. When, however, through incapacity for further service he retired and applied for his allowance, an informality of a technical nature was discovered in the manner of his appointment, and the allowance to which he believes himself to b,5 justly entitled was refused. He prays your honourable House to grant him redress. The Education Committee have the honour to report upon the petition of Andrew Thompson that, in their judgment, the petitioner has no legal claim under the Civil Service Act, but, in consideration of his payments for many years into the Civil Service Fund, they recommend that he be granted the sum of £100. 31st July, 1907.

No. 567 (1906).— Petition of D. H. Lusk: and Others. Petitioners represent that they consider payment to school-teachers by the present method is unfair; that in the " backblocks " during the winter months it is impossible for children on many occasions to attend school; that difficulties have occurred in obtaining teachers for " backblocks " schools where the attendance is small; and they pray that a fixed rate of salary be made for schools where the attendance depends very largely on the state of the weather and the roads. The Education Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition of D. H. Lusk and others be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th August, 1907.

No. 117. —Petition of George Wilmot, of Papanui. Petitioner represents that he served the Education Department for over twenty years; that he was constrained to resign his position through progressive blindness and failing health; that the Teachers' Superannuation Board has not been able to afford him any relief owing to the fact that he was not in active service on the Ist January, 1906; that he is now in his seventieth year and unable to take any employment; that he has brought up a large family in New Zealand, all of whom are settled here: he prays that a compassionate allowance may be granted to him. The Education Committee have the honour to report that- they recommend that the petition of George Wilmot be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th August, 1907.

No. 644 and 651 (1906). —Petitions of S. H. Macky and Others and W. Bruce and Others. Petitioners pray that a house allowance be granted to all first assistant masters of Grade 12 or higher, and that " The Education Act Amendment Act, 1905," be so amended by your honourable House as to admit of a compliance being made with their desires. The Education Committee have the honour to report on these petitions that they have no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1907.

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No. 321.—Petition of Thomas Ernest Tomlinson, Rangitata. Petitioner represents that he taught in New Zealand State schools from April, 1879, to 31st March, 1905, a period of twenty-five years; that in March, 1906, he rejoined the service under a permanent appointment, but, in consequence of his not having been in employment on the Ist January, 1906, he has been held debarred from participating in the advantages of the Superannuation Act as an " original member." He prays that such status may be allowed to him. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of T .E. Tomlinson that they have no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1907.

No. 38.—Petition of Edward Nolleth Lifpiton, of Wanganui. Petitioner represents that for a period of twenty-one years he acted as agent for the Industrial School Endowment Estate at Wanganui; that, without reasonable cause, he was dismissed on three months' notice. He alleges serious mismanagement of the affairs of the endowment since the period of his dismissal, and he claims compensation from the Endowment Fund for injuries sustained to his reputation and for other losses. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Edward N. Liffiton that they have no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1907. Debate on the question, "That the Report do lie upon the Table," interrupted by the 5.50 adjournment.

No. 585.—Petition of Alexander- Molntosh. Petitioner represents that he has been a teacher in the education service of the colony since 1863, and that he has been excluded from participating as an "original member" in the benefits derivable under the Superannuation Act; that he believes he has been so excluded because he did not elect to become a contributing member before the Ist January, 1906, and because he was not permanently employed at that date. He affirms that under the Auckland Education Board he was continuously employed from January to June, 1906, and on the Ist July of that year he was placed on the Board's permanent list of teachers and thus became a contributor to the fund. He prays that the privilege from which he has been excluded may be granted to him. The Education Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the.petition of Alexander Mcintosh be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th September, 1907.

Musicians Bill. The Education Committee, to whom was referred the Musicians Bill, have the honour to report to your honourable House that, having carefully considered the provisions of the said Bill, they recommend that, for this session, it be not allowed to proceed. At the same time the Committee desire to give expression to the opinion that the introduction of a measure providing for the registration of teachers of music is a matter worthy of the consideration of the Government. 25th September, 1907.

No. 583. —Petition of Alice M. M. Baron. Petitioner prays that the interpretation section of the Teachers' Superannuation Act be so amended as to allow of her admission to a share of the benefits derivable from th.6 fund as an "original member," a position to which she deems herself to be entitled and from which she has been excluded through no fault of her own. The Education Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition of Alice M. M. Baron be referred to the Government for consideration. The Committee also desire to recommend that the interpretation clause of " The Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1905," be so amended as to provide that the words " original member " shall include teachers who, through no fault of their own, happened to have been temporarily unemployed at the time of the coming into operation of the Act, but who can prove themselves to have been—from the time of their nonemployment until the Ist January, 1906 —desirous of obtaining and were actual applicants for permanent employment. 25th September, 1907.

No. 708.—Petition of George Crockett. Petitioner represents that from 1864 to 1900 he had faithfully, and almost continuously, discharged his duties as a public-school teacher; that having a large family and very small salaries he had not been able to save much; that high prices for the necessaries of life and unfortunate investments —such as the Colonial Bank—&c, had combined to keep him poor; that he is now in his eightieth year and unable to do anything; and he prays that some compensation or compassionate allowance be granted to him. The Education Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition of George Crockett be referred to the Government for consideration. ■ Bth October, 1907.

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No. 697.—Petition of Catherine Wilkinson. Petitionee prays that such steps may be taken by your honourable House as will enable her te> be admitted as an "original member" of the Teachers' Superannuation Fund, and she submits a number of certificates and indorsed papers in support of her claim to be so admitted. The Education Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition of Catherine Wilkinson be referred to the Government for consideration. They also recommend that, in the event of the Government acceding to the desire previously expressed by this Committee to alter the definition of the words "original member " in the Teachers' Superannuation Act, the feasibility of including such cases as the petitioner's be also considered by the Government. Bth October, 1907.

No. 714.—Petition of Ellen Maria Smith. Petitioner represents that she is the widow of the late Harry Smith, who died on the 13th November, 1906, leaving four children; that her late husband was Inspector of Schools for the District of Grey, and previous to his death he was most desirous of participating in the benefits conferred by joining the"Teachers' Superannuation Fund; that on the 9th November, 1906, he caused application to be made to the Secretary of Education in that behalf; that it was owing to the Board not fixing the sum and conditions under which petitioner's late husband could join that he was prevented from joining; that petitioner's late husband also acted as Secretary to the Greymouth Board of Education; and she prays that your honourable House will take these facts into consideration and grant to her a measure of relief. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Ellen Maria Smith that they have no recommendation to make. 15th October, 1907.

Nos. 743 and 804.—Petitions of G. F. Booth and Others and D. P. Evans and Others. Petitioners pray that the Education Act be so amended as to provide a more equitable allocation of salaries for first assistants. The Education Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that the petitions of G. P. Booth and others and D. P. Evans and others, together with a copy of the evidence taken by your Committee in connection therewith, be referred to the Government for consideration. 6th November, 1907.

Education Act Amendment Bill. The Education Committee, having carefully considered the various provisions of the Education Act Amendment Bill, referred to them by your honourable House, have the honour to report that they recommend that the said Bill be allowed to proceed as printed. Bth November, 1907.

No. 89 (1906). —Petition of Pene Tahui and Others. Petitioners pray for an inquiry into the conditions under which scholarships, or exhibitions, are given by the Government, or by the Education Boards, or by the University Boards to European children who pass the examinations provided by the law governing such institutions. The Education Committee have the honour to report that, the petitioners, Pene Tahui and others, having expressed themselves to the effect that they have no desire to press their petition, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 19th November, 1907.

No. 869.—Petition of Annie M. McLaughlin. Petitioner represents that her late husband taught in various public schools for eight years; that she also taught in public schools for a similar period of eight years; that at her husband's death she was left poorly off with a large family to bring up; that she is now old, with no means of support; and she prays that a compassionate allowance may be granted to her. The Education Committee have the honour to report on the petition of Annie M. McLaughlin that they have no recommendation to make. 19th November, 1907.

Final Report. The Education Committee have the honour to report that at a meeting held this day the following resolution was unanimously agreed to, namely: — " That this Committee place on record their hearty appreciation of the able services rendered by the Chairman (J. A. Hanan, Esq., M.H.R.) in the conduct of the business during the session." 19th November, 1907.

Approximate Cost of Paper— Preparation, not given; printing (1,400 copies), £2 4s.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington—l9o7.

Price 3d.]

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