reaction against secularism pure and simple, and the advocates of Bible teaching in schools would in my opinion poll an immense majority if it came to a vote.
The order of educational arrangements is briefly thus:—
The first step is the primary school. These primary schools are thickly scattered over the length and breadth of the land. Attached to every school is a glebe and house for the teacher. A system of what is called provincial scholarships is in force—so many for juniors and so many for seniors. These are open to the youth of both sexes, and are tenable for three years. They ensure the holder free education, either in a district high school or in such high schools as those of Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Timaru, &c. In fact, all the principal towns boast of their high school.
In the "Otago boys and girls high schools Dunedin," for instance, there are more than fifty resident pupils getting free education, who either hold provincial scholarships, or who, in the competition for these, have made fifty per cent, or over of the necessary marks. This, surely, is a liberal arrangement.
Some high schools again have a higher grade of scholarships; these are tenable for three years also, are of the value of 40l. per annum, and the holders must take the arts course in the University of Otago. This University itself also offers two scholarships of similar value and condition.
