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1. That, in the above, and various other particulars, the existing law has been found unsuitable to the circumstances of the Province, and that it is therefore necessary, for the furtherance of a general and effective system of Education, to enact a new Law, more effective, and practical in its operations.

   That, in preparing a new Education Ordinance, the following principles be adhered to, as being founded on reciprocal responsibility on the part of the Government and of the People:—

   First. That in all cases the Government provide, at the public cost, suitable sites for all Buildings connected with the Public Schools of the Province, and Land connected therewith for the use of the Schools and of the Schoolmaster.

   Second. That all further expenses connected with Public Education (excepting the salary of a Secretary and Inspector, &c., hereinafter provided for), including School and Schoolmaster’s Houses, Fencing the Lands attached thereto, Salaries of Schoolmasters, and the cost of Passage of such Schoolmasters as may be sent for from Britain, be borne in equal proportions by the Government and the People of those Districts wherein Schools shall be established.

2. That, a general poll-tax has been found by experience to be objectionable, and that it is therefore inexpedient to carry the same into operation.

3. That, were the ordinary Revenue of the Province adequate (which it is not), to provide for the whole expense of establishing and maintaining a general and effective system of Education, and at the same time to provide for the other necessary expenses of Government, it would be unwise to transfer the sole responsibility of Education from the people to the Government.

4. That the present constitution of the Education Board, consisting of nominees of the Government, and of other members from all the Educational Districts in the Province, has, from the loss of time to which those members residing in the remote districts have been subjected in attending the periodical meetings of the Board in Dunedin, and from other causes resulted in dissatisfaction and inconvenience, and requires amendment.

Third. That, with a view of relieving such Districts as may be at first unable to raise sufficient money for defraying their share of the cost of erecting School Buildings, the Government should borrow money, with consent of the General Government, and supply through their Commissioners sufficient sum for the necessary Buildings; and the District receiving such aid should be bound to pay annually a half share of the interest upon the money expended in such Buildings in their District; and, in addition thereto, such an additional sum, not exceeding 5 per cent per annum upon their share of the sum so borrowed, as will be necessary to form a fund for the liquidation of their share of the debt incurred.

Fourth. That each District shall have power to select its own Teacher either in Great Britain or in the Colony, to levy School fees and rates upon the inhabitants of the District, for defraying the people’s share of the School expenses and Master’s salary, and shall also have the full control and management of the School or Schools therein; saving that all Teachers selected should be required, before appointment, to produce a certificate of qualification from a Government Inspector, or from the Rector of the High School of Dunedin.

Fifth. That instead of a General Board of Education as at present constituted, Commissioners should be appointed by the Government to administer such funds as may from time to time be voted by the Provincial Council for the purposes of Education, and also such other funds as may come to their hands for such purposes.

Sixth. That one of such Commissioners shall be appointed Secretary to the Commissioners (that his salary and all expenses attending the execution of the Commission shall be paid by money to be from time to time voted by the Provincial Council for that purpose).

Seventh. That it shall be the duty of such Secretary to prepare annual reports of the Commissioners to the Provincial Council, and also to visit the inhabited parts of the Province, and stir up the people to the formation of new Educational Districts; and,