Review by an Ex-Inspector of Schools.

We are indebted for the subjoined criticism of present-day educational methods to a gentleman who for many years was actively concerned in the administration of our education system, and whose ripened experience, sound judgment, and intimate acquaintance with the most progressive education schemes all the world over en-title him to speak with authority on the matters he discusses :—

I need hardly say that I have been intensely interested in the discussions which have arisen over Dr Truby King's address, especially as disclosed to me in the successive numbers of the 'Star' These utterances only give voice to opinions I have long held on the deadly mischiefs of "cram" as exhibited in our higher education system, though I don't think the evil is speculiar to our colony or the present time. I suffered too much from it in my own person in the Old Country long ago not to regard it as one of the greatest evils fit ill afflicting our race. The physical mischief resulting from it has dwarfed, and, to some extent, ruined, my own career, and gladly would I fight against it to my last breath. But I feel only too strongly that in his 71st year a man's energy and ability no longer second his wishes and desires. Whether he likes the fact or not, such a one has served his campaigns, and must now reconcile himself to the position of being little more than an interested spectator of other men's battles. Anyway, there is a feeling of tiredness and exhaustion upon me at the present time that makes me shrink instinctively from the toil involved in plunging into print on any subject, however important I may deem it to be. So, I fear, you will have to excuse me in the present instance. The subject of "cram." however, is a very large and far reaching one, demanding, I think, reform of the most drastic order in our highest seats of learning. The abolition of inspectors' examinations in our primary schools has, I should imagine, almost abolished "cram" in those institutions; but, as you are evidently aware, it still reigns supreme in our university colleges, and, perhaps, even in our high schools I regard