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they did not attach sufficient importance to district unions, and this would dishearten many who were now working very earnestly for the Union. He hoped the Executive would not do anything which might have that effect. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Lethbridge, but after some discussion the reception of the report was agreed to. Cheques were ordered to be signed in accordance with the recommendation in the report.

Mr. Morgan in moving the resolution contained in the report with respect to the Finance and General Purposes Committee acting as a special committee, said the reason why they thought this committee competent to take up the matter was that the members of the old Organisation Committee belonged to it, and would, therefore, be to some extent familiar with the work.

Mr. Heller said that one-half of the representatives of district unions on the Executive were members of the General Purposes Committee. Some discussion followed, but it turned chiefly upon the working of district unions, and to what extent they had been successful. Mr. Lethbridge moved as an amendment, "That a special committee be appointed to consider and report on the working of district unions and their relation to the organisation of the N.U.E.T., and that it be authorised to take evidence on those subjects by letter." Mr. Tait seconded the amendment, which, he thought, would not involve much expense, as a great deal of information for the use of the committee could be collected by correspondence. Mr. Collins hoped the committee would not be constituted largely of enthusiastic advocates of district unions who had only worked among the successful ones. There should be some on the committee who had seen the difficulties which led to the failure of district unions. Mr. Grove pointed out that a special committee as generally understood was one appointed by Conference, and the report of which was presented to Conference without being brought before the Executive, but the Executive could only appoint a committee consisting of members of its own body, and the report must be brought up for their consideration before being presented to Conference. The amendment was carried, and on being put as a substantive motion a further amendment was moved by Mr. Grove and seconded by Mr. Clews to insert the words "of the Executive" after the words 'Special Committee." This was accepted, and the resolution as amended was agreed

to.

On the motion of Messrs. Lethbridge and Morgan the following persons were appointed members of the Special Committee on District Unions: Messrs. Adams, Clews, Collins, Graves, Hare, Lethbridge, Moore, Gardiner, Pink, Rankilor, Sykes, Stokoe, C. Smith, Tait, and Taylor. An amendment by Messrs. Gardiner and Wild that the officers of the Union should prepare a list of names and submit them at the next monthly meeting for approval was lost.

Mr. Morgan moved that the "Conference Notice of Motion" respecting the alphabetical list of members be and it is hereby discharged. Mr. Heller stated that the committee calculated the cost of carrying out that rosolution would be about £50

The Secretary presented his report on the progress and work of the Union during the month of May. This touched several subjects of importance, and drew attention to the large increase in the size of the annual report, which had been completed and partly issued to associations. The present report consists of over 300 pages of closely printed matter, and contains all the recent documents issued by the Education Department and by the Union. The President's Address, the papers read at Conference, and all the reports presented to the Plymouth Conference are also included.

The increased size of the book would considerably raise the cost of producing it. During the previous three weeks ten meetings had been held, but the correspondence had been unusually light, and some arrears of office work had consequently been cleared off. An application had been made by the Evangelical Alliance for an increase of the rent of the council room, in consequence of the numerous meetings now held. Invitations had been received at different times during the last two years from associations in the north-west of England for a visit from the general secretary. As the distance from town is great, and a special visit to each association out of the question, it was suggested that a series of meetings be, if possible, arranged by the secretary during the summer months, when access to places of meeting is comparatively easy to teachers in isolated districts. In reference to the proposed conference with M.P.'s, Mr. Heller reported that he found Saturday would be as

convenient to Members of Parliament as Thursday or Friday, and he therefore suggested an alteration of the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee as to the date of the conference.

The Executive, after formally receiving the report, agreed that the letter from the Evangelical Alliance should be referred to the Finance Committee; and the secretary was instructed to make inquiries for more suitable offices. In reference to this point, Mr. Heller said that, "taking all charges into account, and the inconvenience of being unable to hold any morning meetings in the Alliance council room, as well as the unhealthy condition of the office during the winter months, it might be advisable to ascertain whether other offices could be obtained at an inclusive rent." The secretary was also directed to arrange for a series of visits to the association in North Lancashire, North Yorks, Westmorland, Cumberland, and the western parts of the neigh: bouring counties of Durham and Northumberland.

The Secretary submitted the following correspondence: 1. J. Shelton (Rochester Church)-Forwarding resolution respecting needlework. 2. W. Smith (Weymouth) -Stating that the Weymouth School Attendance Committee have agreed to pay ld. per head for the returns of 1877. 3. W. Nunn (Norwich)-Announcing the dissolution of the Norwich and Norfolk District Union, and forwarding balance of its funds to the "Teachers' Benevolent Fund." 4. E. Beeney (N. W. Surrey)-Suggesting the formation of a District Union for that district. 5. J. E. Roberts (Marionethshire)— Reporting interview with Mr. Holland, M.P. 6. G. H. Home (Market Rasen), J. Watson (Spilsby)—Stating that steps are being taken to form new associations. 7. W. E. Beer (St. Minver)-Announcing that an association will not be formed for Wadebridge as proposed, but that the district will be covered by one about to be formed for Camelford. 8. D. James (Aberdare), E. Jones (Holywell), F. Burton (Wolverhampton)-Asking for information as to returns. 9. J. I. Bates (Warwickshire District Union)-Applying for the affiliation of the Atherstone Association.

66

In reference to No. 1, the secretary was instructed to inform Mr. Shelton of the action taken at the Conference respecting needlework. No. 2 was noted with satisfaction. No. 3 was read, and the following resolution was agreed to: That the Executive have heard with much regret of the dissolution of the Norwich and Norfolk District Union, and request the secretary of the N.U.E.T. to make efforts for its resuscitation." Nos. 4 and 5 were matters of report. Nos. 6 and 7 were referred to the General Purposes Committee. The information required in No. 8 had been supplied by the secretary. The Atherstone Association was then formally affiliated to the N.U.E.T.

Mr. Sneath brought up the following report :

FIRST REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY AND LAW COMMITTEE [May 22nd, 1878:

In consequence of the large amount of business before the committee, two meetings have been held since the last meeting of the Executive, one on May 20th, and the other on May 22nd, 1878.

The committee have elected Mr. G. J. Sneath as their chairman for the year, and have agreed to hold their ordinary meetings on the first and third Wednesdays in each month, at 7 p.m. in winter, and at 7-30 p.m. in the summer months.

PROPOSED CONFERENCE WITH MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.

The secretary having reported the resolutions passed by the Executive in reference to the proposed Conference with members of Parliament, the committee agreed to the following arrangements, which are now reported for the information of the Executive: 1. That the Conference be held in the Westminster Palace Hotel on June 27th or 28th, at 12 o'clock, noon. 2. That the following subjects be brought under the notice of the Conference: (a) Means of Appeal, and Publication of "Black List;" (b) Pensions; (c) Regulations of February 9th, 1877; and (d) The Appointment of Inspectors. 3. That invitations to the Conference be issued to the executive, and to a selected list of members of both Houses of Parliament. 4. That an Agenda be prepared by the secretary, and forwarded to the secretaries of local associations, and that they be requested to send copies to each of their local M.P.'s, with an invitation to the Conference. 5. That an abstract of the arguments in favour of the position

taken up by the Union on each of the points to be submitted to the Conference be prepared by the secretary, and be placed in the hands of persons attending the Conference.

The committee then, at the request of the secretary, decided the bases of action on each of the four points, as follow:-(a) Means of Appeal and Publication of Black List.-1. That the paragraph on the subject in the recent memorial to the Education Department be made the basis of action. 2. That, instead of a Court of Appeal, the Conference should ask for a Committee of Inquiry, consisting of a representative of the Department, and a representative of the N.U.E.T. on behalf of the teachers. 3. That Counsel's opinion respecting the Black List when received should be followed. (b) Amendment of Pension Regulations.-The regulations passed at the Plymouth Conference in reference to Pensions to be taken as the guide in action relating to Art. 118 of the Code. (c) The Inspectorate.-The resolutions of the various Conferences on this subject were ordered to be followed in any steps taken in reference to the appointment of inspectors. (d) Regulations of February 9th, 1877.--The secretary was instructed, in preparing his abstract, not to depart from the line laid down by the Executive in July last, and to incorporate Counsel's opinion if received in time.

CONFERENCE BUSINESS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE BY THE EXECUTIVE.

On May 17th the Executive referred numerous "Conference Notices" to the committee for consideraiion and report. The committee having fully discussed these "Notices" seriatim, makes the following recommendations thereon:-1. Temperance and Education (No. 61).-The committee, admitting the importance of this subject, agreed to invite the attendance of Mr. Potts, Mr. Orst, the proposer of the motion, and Mr. Rae, the secretary of the National Temperance League, at a future meeting, in order that a full discussion of the subject may take place before the committee make any final recommendation on the subject. 2. Amendment of the Code (Nos. 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40) No. 34.-The committee do not see their way to make any recommendation on this subject, and advise that this reference from Conference be discharged. Nos. 35, 37, 39, and 40.-The Executive are advised to affirm these resolutions as they have already been substantially adopted by the Union. No. 36.That no action be taken in reference to this reference, but that it be discharged. No. 38.-The committee could find no ground for the assumption contained in the last part of the resolution, and are consequently unable to send up any recommendation on the subject. They advise that the reference be discharged. The committee are of opinion that these "Notices," the letter from the Portsmouth Association, and all other letters on the amendment of the Code referred to them, should be filed for future consideration, when the general question of the revision of the Code is under discussion. 3. Means of Appeal for Teachers (Nos. 64, 65, 66, 67, 67 (a), and 68.— The committee have fully dealt with this subject in the part of the report relating to the proposed conference with M.P.'s, and report accordingly in response to the reference of these "Notices."

The committee next considered the letter from the Rev. E. F. McCarthy, chairman of the Education Committee of the Birmingham School Board, respecting Mr. Chamberlain's motion in the House of Commons for abolishing the attendance qualification for examination. As the terms of the motion were not before the committee, they could not deal with the subject, but they requested the secretary to see Mr. Chamberlain on behalf of the committee, and to report to the Executive the result of his interview.

Letters from the Belper Union, Erewash Valley, and Hastings Associations, and another from Mr. King, of Bradford, in reference to the regulations, were considered, but the committee made no recommendations beyond those on the same subject in a former part of this report.

LAW BUSINESS.

On May 17th the Excecutive referred to the committee a letter from the East London Association, respecting a charge of assault against a teacher. They now recommend that the opinion of the solicitor be taken thereon at the expense of the Union. A case from the Aberayvon Association was also considered, and the secretary was instructed to procure further information thereon. The report from the

Thames Valley Association, on the case of closing the Kingston Schools by the sanitary authority, was ordered to be filed for future reference.

(Signed) G. J. SNEATH, Chairman.

THOMAS EDMUND HELLER, Secretary.

The report having been received, the action taken by the committee in reference to the proposed conference with M.P.'s was approved.

Mr. Sneath moved, "That the basis of action agreed to by the committee be, and they are hereby, approved and adopted.”

Messrs. Grove and Russell objected to (a) (2), and proposed as an amendment that it be referred back to the committee for further development, and reported to a future meeting of the Executive. After some discussion, this was accepted by the chairman of the committee, and the motion as amended was carried.

The following resolutions were also agreed to: (1) That "Conference Notices" numbered 34, 36, and 38 be, and they are hereby, discharged. (2) That "Conference Notices" numbered 35, 37, 39, and 40 be, and they are hereby, affirmed. (3) That the case submitted by the East London Association be referred to the solicitor for his opinion and advice. (For Conference Notices referred to in 1 and 2, see the Schoolmaster, May 25th, 1878).

Mr. Graves, pursuant to notice, moved, and Mr. Potts seconded, the following resolution: "That the suggestions adopted by the Executive on January 25th, 1878, for carrying out more efficiently the business of the Annual Conference, be re-considered; and that the scheme as adopted be forwarded to the local associations for approval, with a view to their being fully carried out at the next conference."

Mr. Tait moved, as an amendment, that it be referred to the committee on district unions, but the amendment was not seconded. The resolution was carried.

Mr. Lethbridge proposed: "That, to relieve the work of the general secretary, members of the Executive be, where practicable, deputed to attend meetings of the local associations, and that the attendance of members at such meetings, when coincident with meetings of the Executive, be considered equivalent to attendances at the Executive." Mr. Graves seconded, but after some discussion, the resolution was put to the vote and lost.

Mr. Day made a few remarks respecting the death of Earl Russell, and, on his motion, seconded by Mr. Gardner, it was resolved "That a letter of condolence be sent to Lady Russell, and that the secretary be requested to prepare a draft letter for the consideration of the Executive."

A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings, which occupied four hours and a half.

BIRTH.

JOHNSON.-At Colinfield, Wigan, on the 7th ult., the wife of John Johnson, F.M.S., Head Master of the New Jerusalem British Schools, of a daughter.

The National Schoolmaster.

SUMMARY.

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HE Education Department has issued a new minute on unnecessary schools," explanatory of Article 7 (b) of the Code of 1878, which has been presented to both Houses of Parliament

by command of Her Majesty.

At the Council Chamber, Whitehall, the 21st day of June, 1878. By the Lords of the Committee of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council on Education.

Read :

Article 7 (b) of the Code of 1878.

"No grant is made for or in respect of any school, which is not previously in receipt of an annual grant, if the department think that the school is unnecessary."

Resolved that

1. A school situated in a district which is not under a school board shall not be deemed to be unnecessary if it has, for the previous twelve months, been recognised by the department as a "certified efficient school" (Elementary Education Act, 1870, Sec. 48), and has had, during that period, an average attendance (Article 26) of not less than thirty scholars.

2. No grant will be made to any such school as aforesaid

(a) For the first twelve probationary months;

(b) For any period before the appointment of a certified teacher; or

(c) If the population of the school district, or within two miles by the nearest road of the school, is less than 300 souls, for whom another school aided under Article 19D of the Code is available.

Their lordships will find, however, that legislation of this kind is not unattended with difficulties. The last clause is not drawn up in a very felicitous manner, but we take it to mean, that the Educational Department will not in future, allow a grant to schools in small parishes of less than 300 souls, where there is an aided school already existing, two miles distant. Very well, then, what is to be done in the parish of 200 souls? The older boys and girls can walk the two miles to the aided school; the infants must be left to the mercies of the adventurous dame, who has hitherto had charge of them. But if the dame be found No. 93.-August, 1878.

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