Oct. 6. THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2517

(b.) Further extension of the work of Standard III in the observation of natural processes supplemented by experiment, e.g., the action of water—river channel, mouth, tributary, wearing away of the earth’s surface, formation of deltas, all of which should be taught by the study of some river or stream known to the class; evaporation, formation of vapour, deposit of water on cold surfaces, formation of dew.

Further plans and map study, sketches of special areas, and, where convenient, the construction of rough relief maps in illustration of physical features forming the subjects of lessons.

(2.) Conversational lessons and readings, illustrated as fully as possible within the limits of the teacher’s resources by pictures, maps, sketches, and diagrams, on New Zealand topics of geographical interest, including, e.g., scenic beauties and other striking physical features, plants (native and introduced), birds and other animals, ores and minerals, natural productions generally in various localities and centres of population, the means of communication between these localities and the centres of population; also on a selection of topics of wider interest, including, e.g., life in the South Sea Islands and in Australia, intercourse and trade with New Zealand in this connection; also some introduction to life in other lands in illustration of the different races of man, and where and how they live, and of the conditions of production of familiar imported articles of common use in New Zealand.

Standards V and VI.

(1.) (a.) Observation of common objects; animal and plant life (in connection with school gardens); weather-study.

(b.) The scale of the wall-map of New Zealand used in the school compared with the scale of the map of the district; distances on the map; area of North and South Islands computed therefrom; comparison with Australia, and measurements of distances in connection therewith.

Glaciers and the work of ice; the sea and its work; tides, winds, and currents; character of coasts, capes—with special reference to New Zealand examples. The mountain and river system of New Zealand. General distribution of land and water on the surface of the globe; oceans and continental areas; and, in conjunction with Standard VI, the following :—

Shape of the earth and the common proofs thereof;

Daily rotation of the earth;

Meridians—longitude;

Annual revolution of the earth;

Position of the earth’s axis;

The seasons;

Latitude;

Altitude of the sun at the equinoxes or solstices;

The five zones, and their characteristic differences of climate and of animal and plant life;

Seasonal winds, trade winds.

To find the altitude to the nearest degree of the sun at noon; to note the length of the day and night; to recognise a few of the brightest stars, and to note their movement.

(This course, as a whole, to be spread over the two years of Standard V and Standard VI.)

(2.) Standards V and VI—a two years’ course. Conversational lessons and readings illustrated by pictures, &c., on interesting and instructive topics of social and descriptive geography, dealing commonly with matters beyond the limits of New Zealand, but chosen and treated, as far as possible, with some New Zealand connection. With considerable latitude to teachers in matters of detail and in the relative importance given to different sections according to the reading-matter and illustrative accessories at their disposal, a complete course, extending over two years, may be expected to include such a treatment of the following as will present to the minds of the children graphic pictures of life in other lands, and convey some elementary notions of great facts of production and intercourse in the world in special relation to natural conditions :—

Staple articles of general food-supply, the areas and conditions of their production; clothing materials and their sources; the most useful minerals, where and how obtained; chief New Zealand exports and imports; imaginary voyages to and from New Zealand, the cargoes carried and the ports of call; great lines of trade and communication in the world, oceanic and continental; great cities