schools in rural districts; by Mr. J. A. Bremner, referring chiefly to the inefficiency of the Half-time System as worked under Factory and Workshop Acts only; and by Mr. Whately Cooke Taylor, Inspector of Factories, Lancashire, showing also the existing incongruities and shortcomings of these Acts. After an interesting discussion, the following resolution was passed unanimously, about forty-five persons being present:That it be recommended to the Council of the Association to consider, and, if approved, to press upon the Committee of the Privy Council of Education an educational test prior to any employment on the half-time system.' The second question was treated by the Hon. George C. Brodrick and the Rev. C. W. Stubbs, followed by a discussion in which the extension of University organization to commerce and industrial pursuits scientifically considered, the question of county and women's Colleges and their affiliation with the older Universities, and the desirability of improving and concentrating the work of education, were specially touched upon. On the third question, papers were read by Miss Shirreff and Mr. F. Merrifield. The discussion which followed proved a general feeling on the part of the Department that a more adequate share of existing endowments should be applied. to the education of women, both because many of them were originally intended for both sexes, though now given solely to boys, and also because the condition of modern society shows more and more need for the education of women, so that they may maintain their position both as mothers and teachers. A suggestion by the Rev. Brooke Lambert that the word 'child' instead of 'boy' should be introduced more generally into the schemes of the Endowed Schools Committees, met with general and strong approval.

Voluntary papers were read by Mr. Barclay Phillips, setting forth the views of the Sussex Education Society, proposing the amalgamation of the local and other University examinations; and by the Rev. E. Abbott, D.D., of the City of London School, very forcibly showing the shortcomings prevalent in middle class education. Miss Lord also read a description of a school established chiefly by Mrs. Salis Schwabe in Naples, of much interest to all who watch the progress of local improvement in Italy. Several papers of much interest were also read by Miss E. A. Manning on 'Moral Teaching in Schools;' by Rev. Brooke Lambert, on 'Some Impediments thrown in the way of National Education by the Denominational System;' and Mr. J. S. Franklyn on 'The Means of Reconciling Religious Differences in Common Schools;' which called forth some interesting discussion. Miss Jane Mill also contributed a paper on the future of the English Kindergarten; and some remarks. on school hygiene were read by Dr. Roth.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

This Department commenced its proceedings by considering the first special question : To what causes are to be attributed the Illconstruction and Want of Sanitary Provisions which exist in the Dwellings of the upper and middle classes, and what is the best method which should be adopted to remedy and rectify the same?' Papers on the question were read by Mr. H. H. Collins and Mr. W. Eassie, C. E.

The insanitary condition of a considerable number of the dwellings in question was conclusively shown by the readers of both the papers, and it was urged that additional compulsory and not permissive sanitary enactments were necessary; that the Building Act required amendment, so as to confer greater authority on and larger power to the district surveyor; and that local authorities should appoint well-qualified and well-paid officers to interpret and carry into effect the laws relating to the health of the people. In the discussion which ensued, many speakers expressed the opinion that the evils which undoubtedly existed were not likely to be removed while the upper and middle classes remained so ignorant of hygienic laws, and that more widely diffused sanitary knowledge was urgently needed. A long and interesting discussion was closed by a motion, and carried unanimously :-' That it be recommended to the Council to call the attention of the Local Government Board to the necessity for further and more complete legislation on the construction of dwelling-houses for all classes, and that a clause is necessary for enforcing that all newly-built houses shall be properly certificated previous to their occupation.' The second special question was one of considerable local and general interest; it attracted a very large attendance, and led to a long and animated discussion. Dr. Macpherson, of London; and Dr. Fussell, Medical Officer of Health for East Sussex, contributed papers on the question-‘What are the advantages of English as compared with the Foreign Wateringplaces and Health Resorts? What are the best means for rendering English watering-places more efficient for obviating the dangers arising from the occasional introduction of infectious diseases, and for determining the annual rate of mortality in each district?' Dr. Macpherson considered that, notwithstanding certain advantages of climate possessed by some of the foreign health-resorts, yet, on the whole, greater benefits to invalids were to be derived from those situated in Britain; chiefly from the more wholesome food to be obtained, from the better sanitary conditions that prevailed, and from the freedom from those long and fatiguing journeys that so frequently prove fatal or injurious to invalids, travelling to foreign stations. It was recommended that fresh and reliable analysis of the waters of mineral springs should be made, and that the planting of shady avenues and the institution of more open-air entertainments should be encouraged. Resulting from his experience and practice as a medical officer of health, Dr. Fussell gave some valuable recommendations as to the best methods of determining the annual rate of mortality of watering-places under the many disturbing conditions that were found to prevail. In the discussion that ensued many of the speakers alluded to the introduction of infectious diseases by persons going to seaside places while imperfectly recovered from these complaints. Two resolutions were passed on the subject. The first proposed was "That it be recommended to the Council to suggest to the local sanitary authorities of our English watering-places and healthresorts the desirability of establishing a system by means of which owners of hotels and lodging-houses and others should be enabled to have their premises inspected by competent authority, and certificated, if found to be free from infection and in a general healthy condition

with reference to drainage and other sanitary arrangements.' The second resolution proposed was 'That it be recommended to the Council to take into consideration the desirability of promoting by legislative enactment, that all cases of illness of an infectious character be reported to the medical officer of health of the district.' Mr. William Rendle contributed a paper on the third special question: What are the advantages or disadvantages of water-supply being lodged in the hands of local authorities?' The author urged very emphatically the importance and necessity of the supply of water being lodged in the hands of municipal authorities, and gave instances of this arrangement existing in several important towns (Brighton among the number) with marked advantages as to economy, greater purity of water, continuity of supply, and facilities for extinguishing fires. In the long discussion which ensued, the preponderance of opinion was in favour of the views urged by the author of the paper; and it was proposed and carried unanimously, "That the Council be recommended to appoint a Special Committee to examine and take action on the subject of the supply of water being lodged in the hands of local authorities, in the interests of the public health, the security of life and property, and public economy.'

A considerable number of voluntary papers-many of them of great interest and value-occupied the department on each day, and indeed almost up to the hour of the present concluding meeting. These papers, when printed in the Transactions of the Association, will form an important contribution to sanitary literature, and will add materially to the practical information necessary for future health legislation and municipal guidance. A paper on 'Assimilative Food' gave rise to a resolution, carried unanimously, 'That the Council be requested to communicate with the authorities of the Science and Art Department of the Privy Council, suggesting the desirability of making foods, their uses and preparation, a subject of examination, and that this resolution be referred to the Standing Committee of the Health Department. The American Social Science Association forwarded an interesting account of Homes for the people in American Cities; and it was proposed, and carried unanimously, That the Council be requested to forward a cordial vote of thanks to the American Social Science Association for their able and interesting report.' The Department was very fully attended on each day of the meeting, and the discussions were well maintained, and in some instances could have been prolonged with advantage had time permitted.

ECONOMY AND TRADE DEPARTMENT.

In this department, in the absence of Mr. Grant Duff, M.P., Dr. Farr, F.R.S., presided on the first day. Captain Craigie's paper, as the special question, 'On what principles should Imperial Subventions be granted to local authorities?' was read by the author and gave rise to a valuable discussion. Many felt that help for the overburdened ratepayers was needed, yet various remedies were advocated-one class of speakers advocating government subventions, the other urging the importance of extending the powers of local authorities and arousing more public spirit to manage

the affairs of the localities. To insure this would outweigh the value of the saving the rates; which it was suggested increased only with the increased value of the property on which they fell. Captain Craigie, on the contrary, urged that whenever expenses were incurred for purposes of wider than local interests, government should give aid. "Mr. Hastings spoke a few very feeling words of appropriate remembrance of the late Mr. Dudley Baxter, who had introduced this subject at the Norwich meeting in 1873. On the special question 'Is it desirable that the system of "Short Term" Military Service should be superseded or supplemented by Compulsory Military Service?" Mr. Holms, M.P., read a paper describing his plans of reorganising the army; and a valuable debate ensued, in which two special points were prominent. The advisability of conscription being introduced, and what limit of ages should be fixed upon, very varied opinions were brought forward, and the following resolution was carried:-'That the Council be requested to consider the propriety of appointing a Special Committee to consider the means of promoting a reform of the organization of the army in the special economical interests of the country, as well as in the general interests of the Empire.' Mr. Alsager H. Hill read a paper on the special question, 'What means are practicable for checking the aggregation and deterioration of unemployed labour in large towns?' The discussion showed a general preponderance of feeling in favour of some methods of establishing a labour exchange, by which labour, which is superabundant in one place, may be transferred to places where it is more needed; various objections were urged against indiscriminate almsgiving, and against outdoor relief; and the necessity of charity organization was advocated, though not unanimously, by the speakers in the debate. The results of the Brighton Charity Organization were specially stated to have been most satisfactory.

Among the voluntary papers read in the Department, several referred to propositions for amendment of our Poor Law system, by attempting to organize the co-operation of voluntary philanthropists with the legal authorities by whom loans could be given to the poor, and other assistance rendered which the guardians cannot themselves afford. In the discussion much diversity of opinion was expressed, and no general sentiment can be ascribed to the Meeting, though out-door relief was condemned by a majority of the speakers. The question of the support of charities by the voting system was fully brought forward by the Rev. H. J. Simpson, who condemned it as expensive, wasteful, and inefficient. There was, however, decided difference of opinion among the members present, some of whom thought that the voting system induced many to subscribe who would otherwise withhold their contributions. The bounty on sugar paid by the French government was condemned in two papers, but the Section was not prepared to adopt any government measure to remedy the evil inflicted upon English refiners. The question of foreign loans was introduced by a paper from Mr. Lionel L. Cohen. Several speakers took part in the discussion that followed, the general feeling of the meeting being one of approval of the report recently issued on the subject by a Committee of the House of Commons.

The opium traffic between India and China called forth a very great amount of interest, and an important discussion was carried on by those who, while not approving of the trade, did not see how the evil could be met, and those who would not allow that any political or financial reason should be permitted to interfere with the moral duty of the abolition of the traffic. Mr. Westgarth's paper on Commercial Crises was read, suggesting the provision of a reserve of bullion by the issue at a small cost of small post-office notes of the value of 20s., 10s., or 5s. to be issued by every post-office, but payable only in London-against which proposal some speakers urged the danger of an increased paper currency. The Rev. Dawson Burns drew attention to the irresponsible character of magisterial authority in licensing; and while criticising various plans of reform, urged the importance of granting the people in their separate districts the power of deciding whether they shall have public-houses or not. Dr. Edmunds pointed out the difficulties of obtaining proper food in public-houses, and showed how healthy food and drink were acceptable in every case where they had been tried by large employers of labour. He also advocated the popular control over the liquor traffic, as the present system of license was injurious. He pointed out that mere refreshment-houses are unfairly dealt with in competition with publichouses. Miss Swanwick read to a large audience her paper on the opening of museums, &c. on Sundays. An animated discussion took place, in which both sides of the question were fairly represented, the views adopted by the writer of the paper being well supported. Science in relation to the silkworm was then brought before the meeting by a paper from Mrs. Bladen Neill.