a text-book thereon, for the optional geography as it now stands." Carried.

Applications for diplomas under regulation 40 were submitted with a report from the Secretary who had examined all the documents.

After the Reverend E. I. Rexford had, at the request of the Committee, verified the report, it was agreed to grant:

1st.-Mrs. M. E. Cooke a model school diploma after examination in Latin, French, and School Law.

2nd. Mr. James Rowland a model school diploma after examination in Latin, French, and School Law.

The certificates of Mr. J. H. Keller were accepted for a first class academy diploma under regulation 56.

The interim report of the Inspector of the superior schools was read.

Moved by Mr. Masten, seconded by the Rev. Mr. Love, "That while it is not possible to grant the prizes promised for 1895 for school grounds, as the inspection has not been made, this Committee would recommend that the inspectors of common schools report the best kept grounds in their inspectorates to the inspector of superior schools not later than the middle of August, and that the inspector of superior schools visit such schools during the first two weeks of September and report to this Committee before its meeting in that month." Carried.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT PROTESTANT COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

Oct. 1.-Salary of Inspector of Superior Schools... $
Salary of Secretary....

66

4.-Engrossing address to Hon. Mr. Ouimet...
Frame, etc.......

"19.-Legal Blank Printing Company blanks......
Balance on hand as per bank book........

125 00

62 50

15.00

2.50

3 15

3,338 78

$3,546 93

Contingent debit balance......

$1,026 86

R. W. H.

It was agreed to add Dr. Robins to the sub-committee on professional training.

The Secretary was instructed to inform Miss K. Stobo that since there is already one superior school in Coaticook, the Protestant Committee cannot make a grant to another school there.

It was agreed that a copy of the new course of Bible study should be sent to each of the Protestant ministers of the province.

There being no further business, the rough minutes were read, and the meeting adjourned till the last Friday in February, or earlier, on the call of the Chairman.

GEO. W. PARMELEE,

Secretary.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,

Quebec, February 28th, 1896.

On which day the quarterly meeting of the Protestant Committee of the Council of Public Instruction was held.

Present: R. W. Heneker, Esq., D.C.L., L.L.D., in the chair; the Venerable Archdeacon Lindsay, M.A., D.C.L.; George L. Masten, Esq.; the Reverend Principal Shaw, D.D., LL.D.; the Right Reverend A. H. Dunn, D.D., Lord Bishop of Quebec; Samuel Finley, Esq.; H. B. Ames, Esq., B.A.; Principal W. Peterson, M.A., LL.D.; E. J. Hemming, Esq., D.C.L., Q.C. ; the Very Reverend Dean Norman, D.D., D.C.L.; the Reverend E. I. Rexford, B.A.; N. T. Truell, Esq.; and Principal S. P. Robins, LL.D.

The Reverend A. T. Love, B. A., was absent through unavoidable causes, and sent his regrets.

The Chairman read the official notice of the appointment of W. Peterson, Esq., M.A., LL.D., Principal of McGill University, to replace Sir William Dawson, C.M.G., LL.D., etc., resigned, and introduced Principal Peterson. He read also the following letter from Sir William Dawson, which the Secretary was directed to inscribe in the minutes :

DEAR DR. HENEKER,

293, UNIVERSITY STREET,

MONTREAL, February 19th, 1896.

I hope you will not think that my retiring from the Council of Public Instruction is due to my failure of zeal in the good cause our Committee represents.

I had in truth made up my mind sometime ago that I should retire in the interest of the work itself, and my experience at the last meeting so fully convinced me that I no longer possess the physical energy required, that I determined at once to carry out my intention.

With proper care, however, I still find myself as fit as ever to do a little daily work in my study and among my collections, so that I may hope to do something in a quiet way for the advancement of learning, and shall not lose any opportunity to further in any way in my power the good objects for which I have so long laboured in connection with the Committee.

I have no doubt also that you will find my successor, Dr. Peterson, a man in every way fitted by character, experience and learning, to advance the cause of education.

I may add that my chief regret in being obliged to retire is that I shall no longer have the pleasure of meeting from time to time with you and our colleagues of the Committee, in acting with whom I have found so much profitable stimulus as well as social enjoyment.

It is my earnest wish and prayer that the labours of the Committee may continue to be productive of much good to the cause of education in this province, and may meet with the hearty approbation and support of the Government, Legislature and people.

The following resolution was then read and carried upon motion of the Very Reverend Dean Norman, secouded by Dr. Hemming:

"That this committee welcomes with much cordiality Dr. Peterson, Principal of McGill University, on the occasion of his first taking his seat as a member of this body.

"His high position, his talents and energy, together with the distinguished reputation as an educator which he won for himself in the Mother Country, afford the strongest hope that he will prove a great acquisition to this Committee, and to the cause of education in this province.

"At the same time, the Committee wish to place on record their deep regret that they have lost the valuable services of Sir J. William Dawson. His high character, his great scientific attainments, (recognized by the world), his thorough knowledge of the educational needs of this province, of its past history, and of the struggles which have been gone through, and the difficulties which have been surmounted, to attain the present status, his unwearied devotion to education in its elementary and higher phases, render his resignation nothing less than a calamity. The Committee feels honored at having

had such a man as their colleague for a long period of time. The members beg to tender to Sir J. William Dawson a respectful farewell, and to express a sure hope that he will still take an interest in their proceedings, and that his valuable life may be prolonged to further the cause of education in this province.

The minutes of both sessions of the November meeting were read and confirmed.

The application of Mr. Traill Oman, M.A., for a diploma, was read, and after consideration it was moved by the Reverend Mr. Rexford, seconded by Mr. Masten, and carried, that an academy diploma be granted to Mr. Traill Oman upon his complying with the conditions prescribed in article 58 of the committee's regulations.

Mr. Thomas Townsend having submitted satisfactory evidence of his right to a first class academy diploma under regulation 56, on motion of Mr. Truell, seconded by the Lord Bishop of Quebec, the diploma was granted.

A letter was read from Mrs. Brouse, asking that she be allowed to teach in Compton Ladies' College upon her Ontario certificate until 1897, without prejudice to the claim of the institution for a grant. The Secretary was instructed to inform Mrs. Brouse that in view of previous action on the part of the committee, the nature of which has been communicated to the officers of the College, no assurance such as is asked for can be given, but that the matter will be considered on its merits under regulation 65.

The Secretary was instructed to examine the documents submitted by Miss O'Loane on the 27th of February, to give her such information as to their value as he should deem necessary, and to report at the May meeting.

The Secretary was instructed to secure the services of the deputy-examiners who acted for the Central Board last year, and to report at the May meeting; and also, in conference with the Inspector of superior schools, to arrange for deputy-examiners for the superior school examinations in June next, and to report at the same time.

The Central Board examination was fixed for Tuesday, the 23rd of June, and the four following days.

The interim report of the Inspector of superior schools was read, and the personal reference in regard to salary and travelling expenses was referred to a sub-committee consisting of the Quebec members, with Dean Norman as convener.

Moved by the Lord Bishop of Quebec, seconded by the Reverend Principal Shaw,

"That the Secretary advise the Commissioners of the several superior schools of the points in which improvement is deemed desirable and practicable, as may appear from the reports of the Inspector." Carried.

Dr. Heneker reported that, owing to absence from the province, he had been unable to prepare suggestions concerning the keeping and auditing of the accounts of secretary-treasurers of school boards. The matter was left in his hands for later action.

The sub-committee, appointed at last meeting to confer with the Normal School Committee and with a sub-committee of the Teachers' Association in regard to professional training for the teachers of elementary schools, reported that a conference had been held, and recommended that the Normal School be ininstructed to arrange its course of study, for the present, so as to receive for a portion of the year such persons as shall have passed a satisfactory examination before the Central Board, who shall then take a professional course along with the ordinary students of the Normal School, and upon receipt of a certificate from the Principal that they have completed their course to his satisfaction, they shall receive diplomas from the Central Board.

It was resolved that the report be received, adopted and referred back to the sub-committee, with instructions to confer with the Normal School Committee, and to report at the May meeting a detailed scheme concerning diplomas and training.

REPORT OF SUB-COMMITTEE ON TEXT-Books.

The sub-committee beg leave to report that, in answer to their communications to the Educational Book Company, they have been informed that Inspector Hughes, of Toronto, has been engaged to revise the Canadian Readers, and that attention will be given to the special points set forth by the committee regarding spelling and punctuation.

So far the sub-committee have not been able to meet a representative of the firm; but they will meet Mr. Hughes at an early date.

Moved by the Bishop of Quebec, seconded by Dr. Peterson, "That this Committee hears with regret that the text-book committee has not yet been able to complete arrangements with the Educational Book Company for the issue of a series of Quebec Readers, and that the text-book committee be instructed to procure at once, through the Educational Book Company, the publication of a series of readers for the province before the reopening of the schools in September next, or, failing this, to recommend some other series of readers." Carried.