OTAGO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 191, 8 March 1878, Page 6

OTAGO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

'The'-'Clutha branch ' of" tlie '" Educational Institute of ' Otago mot ni ilie "schoolroom ' here ! at- nooir-oh- Saturday last? ■ There* 'were'>-preso'nt-ri-Messrs.'A-.i Grigor7 (chairman), M'Neur (secretary), Malcolm,:-Ban--nernian,- -Fleming, , r Mackay, , M'Ewan, Steven, 'and Moore.'""''."''' ,'. The minutes 'of''- the previous meeting' were read and confirmed. " ' ""•"'' '"'•' ANNUAL REPORTS. - . - - The Secretary read the following annual •report:- — ; .-.,-.,.■..■ •*■ , - The firat meeting of this Association under its • new organisation was helr^ in_ June, 1.877. Mr Aiex. "Grigmy -of '-Balcluth-., was unanimously appointed President, of. this -branch of the Instir' tute, and .Representative on, the General- Committee 'of Management. ' A- deputation from the Milton Association was present with a proposal fcfr the amalgamation of the two branches ; but as this, was not considered practicable nt the time, if- was agreed to cooperata: with ,tho Milton briinch hi all -general matters. With a view to this co-operation, it was resolved that the two Associations meet in. alternate months, hud -chat members' of each Association should attend the ordinary meetings the other. Distance from railway communication has prevented most of our members from , taking advantage of this arrangement to the desired extent, bub each branch has. beeu "represented at the other, meetings. • ■ We'have'had'five'meetings since tlie formation of tho Association, .wifch'.au average attendance of seven members. We haive now thirteen members on' the roll, namely,- . Messrs A. Grigor, James M'Ewan, John Portequs, W . J. M oqre, G eorge Steven, W: Waddell, James '-\t*J_7etir, 'Thomas j ■ Paterson, J. S. Fleming; S7 W. Harrington, T. Mackay, and the lievs. John. -M'Ara. and .Wm. Bannermah. The principal subjects of discussion at tliese meetings- have been various provisions of the new Education Act- Ibis Act has generally received the hearty, approval of members. i An interesting address was given by the President on '--* The ; Early ■ History of Educational .Matters in Otago;" and a valuablo paper on " The Study of Classics in -Public- Schools," was read by Mr Waddell. -W e have to ' congratulate ' members on the great revival of interest iv educational matters which has taken place throughout our district and the Colony at large. The work in ; which we are engaged is now the foremost question of tlie dfiy. Let us, who are more directly employed in it, show by our diligence and earnestness that we realise its paramount importance. The financial report"" was also read, showing a small balance in the hands of the Treasurer. The reports were received and adopted. A COLONIAL INSTITUTE? " • A discussion took place as -to -the desirability or otherwise of extending the basis of operations of the Institute so as to include the. whole of the Colony, and ultimately the following resolution was passed : — ' ' This branch having taken into consideration the question of the formation of a Colonial Educational Institute, it is agreed to recommend to the general meeting that this question be postponed till a uniform classification of teachers has been adopted by the Colony." PHYSICAL EDUCATION. ' Mr- Moore read a short paper upon the above subject, and the same was very favourably criticised by Messrs Malcolm, Bannerman, and others, who all agreed as to the importance of the subject, and pointed out the benefits that woidd result to children were gymnasiums established in connection with the various schools. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Moore for the paper, and the following resolution was passed: — " That a subcommittee consisting of Messrs A. Grigor, Moore, and Steven, be appointed to prepare a scheme of gymnasium,*, suitable for country schools, with an estimate of tho cost, with a view of the same being .brought under the notice of the various School Committees." THANKS. Mr Bannerman took the opportunity, of thanking the branch for electing him. a member of the Institute. He had always taken a deep interest in educational matters in the district and throughout the Colony/ He had been the. means of bringing the first two teachers to the Clutha, and of' having schools established in their midst, and he hoped that he would yet be permitted to continue to use his influence, in the cause of education amongst them, (Applause.) .--.',' , A vote of thanks to the Chairman .concluded tho proceedings.