M'Whirter withdrew his first motion, and the following committee was appointed to take evidence and enquire into the ■utter, and report at next meeting of the Board :— Mems E«id, Griramond, and tf'rVhirter. Letter from Inspector Smith pofa'ing out that he had not been granted an allowance for house tcoomnodation is promised and as was received hy all b«ad teiehers of the Board. The letter alio pointed out that he had lost more by the reduction made in his stlarv and allow ancei tban any other who suffered reduc tions. He waa paid lets than any other Inspector «f like standing. He o»Jced that lie might be allowed house rent since the date of bis appointment at the rate of lfli per week. Mr Pmith then withdrew trhile the matter was beitg discussed. Mr Taylor moved that the consideration of the matter be deferred until the revision scheme be brought up, and the report upon it which is to te submitted in January. Mr Petrie (in the absence of Mr Perkins) moved the following resolution: — '• Tbat dauie four of the Board s regulations for schools be amende 1 to the following effect— 'That the ordinary school honrs shall be from half-past nine to twelve o'clock in the morning, and from half-pset one to thre», half-past thrae or four o'clock in the afternoon— at the discretion of the several schcol committee" In moving this resolution he thought little need be said, as the general opinion atlaat meeting was that the houra were too long. They were rot so snort as had been Kuggested by another member of the Board, but he thought the hours proposed were as near the happy mean as could be obtained. Mr M'Whirter strongly opposed the resolution on the ground that it was impossible the pupils could master the standards or properly do the work in the time proposed. He would confidently appeal to. the experience < f the teachers and to the Inspector on that point. At any rate, before he could be persuaded to accept the resolution he must have some f oed and substantial reasons in its favor submitted te him. As yet there had been no arguments at all advanced in favor 6t the proposed change. The reso lution, besides, was of too important and sweeping a character to be disposed of in such a summary manner. 