TEACHERS* INSTITUTE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1810, 25 July 1913, Page 3

TEACHERS* INSTITUTE.

WELLINGTON BEANCH: ANNUAL EEPOET. The fortieth annual report of the Wcl lington District Teachers' lustitute, to bo presented at the annual meeting this evening, states that at tho closo of the year 1912-13 tho institute passed a resolution affirming the need of a "local classification scheme." This resolution was forwarded to the Education Board, but.the board did not see "eye to eye" witli the institute, and, despite the latter's request for further consideration of the matter, nothing has been gained in this direction. For somo time teachers have been demanding an increase in their salaries, and, at the last meeting of the New Zealand body, the executive was empowered to draw up a scheme of salaries and submit it to the district institutes for consideration. This was carried into effect, and one of the best meetings held during tho year was that convened to discuss the suggested scheme. "Members will be disappointed to hear," says the report, "that no immediate good is" likely to result from this work." The long-expected new syllabus also came up for consideration during the year. "It is to be regretted," states the executive, "that owing to the fact that ouly one copy of the proposed new syllabus was supplied to this institute, and that tho 'line allowed for criticism was very short, it was not possible to allow the branches a reasonable opportunity to consider the new syllabus before sending suggestions to the New Zealand body."

"An important change during the year has been the abolition of the Junior Cadet system for the purpose of introducing the system of physical training, known as the London Board System. The year has also teen made memorable by the introduction of medical inspection of school children." The present roll number for the institute is 337, all increase of C for the year. "There are still many teachers who are not members, and now that the institute has gained some recognition as the mouthpiece of teachers, it behoves members to use every endeavour to secure tho immediate enrolment of all noninembers. If the institute represents all the teachers, there is no doubt that it will bo in a much stronger position to ask for the redress of certain long-stand-ing grievances." • The committee places on record its regret/ at tho loss, by death, during the year, of one of its members, Miss Baird, and also of an ex-president of the institute, Mr. James Home. Eegret is expressed that more teachers do not -recognise the importance of the subjects discussed at the meetings, and attend in greater numbers to air their views. The practice of having papers read has been continued, three being piven during tho year. The thanks of the institute are expressed to Professor H. B. • Kirk, Eev. D. C. Bates, and Mr. T. Eoyd Garlick for their addresses. "The financial condition of the institute is not so good as it was last year," states the committee "The number of subscriptions in arrears ia far larger than it ought to be, and is causing the treasurer no small amount of trouble. Members are reminded that the levy payable to the N.Z.E.I, will this year be heavier than before. During the year one member sought and obtained legal assistance from tho institute.