Governmknt Building Grants.

Your commissioners believe that the grants now made in aid of the buildings for local schools of science and art and for industrial museums in connection with them, limited as they are to a maximum of 5001. for art schools and the same sum for science schools, coupled also with the requirements that they shall be given only for buildings under the free libraries act or in connection with schools of art require revision, and tend rather to discourage local effort than otherwise, inasmuch as they give an erroneous impression of what is really required in order that suitable buildings may be provided.

Your commissioners highly approve of the recent foundation of scholarships to promising students in the science classes of the Science and Art Department, enabling them to continue their education at various higher schools. The limitation of the available funds appears to have rendered necessary in consequence of this step the abolition of (he Queen's prizes, given for success in the elementary stages, and the substitution of honorary certificates in place of them. We find there is an opinion prevalent that these certificates will not afford sufficient stimulus to certain students. It is to be hoped, however, that a small addition to the customary local prize funds will be readily subscribed to supply this deficiency.

But all these institutions and measures will not alone accomplish the object aimed at. Tor this the localities must rely far more than has been the case hitherto on their own exertions. Teachers should know that they laborunder the eye of those who are interested in the work being thoroughly and conscientiously done. The organization and efficiency of the science schools at Oldham and Keighley are conspicuous examples of what may he done in regard to the scientific and technical instruction of artisans, where local employers take an active and intelligent interest in the work. The Old-ham School of Science and Art may, so far as science teaching is concerned, be regarded as the type and example of what evening schools should be; and the existence of similar efficient and flourishing schools in all our industrial towns would greatly contribute to confirm our industrial position. The remuneration of teachers should not depend to so great an extent as at present on the grants from headquarters. School boards should be authorized to establish and conduct science and art classes for artisans, and where no school boards exist power should be given to the local governing bodies to establish or support such schools. If the teaching is not entirely gratuitous (and the regularity of attendance in the art classes in the French and Belgian cities and in the science classes in Liege, Seraing, and elsewhere shows that it is a prejudice to suppose that people only appreciate what they pay for), the fees ought to he on the lowest possible scale.