TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2606, 14 August 1882, Page 3

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

A meeting of the members of the North Canterbury Teachers' Institute was held at eleven o'clock on Saturday morning, at the Normal School. There was a good attendance. Mr Alexander, of Eaiapoi, took the ohair.

Correspondence was read from Professor Brown, accepting the office of president of the association. From the secretary of the Nelson Teachers' Institute, enclosing a resolution passed at their reoent meeting calling upon the Government to return the amount of money the teachers had lost through the 10 per cent, reduction. The Secretary stated that branch associations had been formed at Christohuroh, Bilesmere, and Akaroa. The Chairman asked for an expression of opinion as to the letter from Nelson. Mr Scott thought it was useless to endeavour to obtain the arrears of salary thus reduced, and would move that the letter be received.

Mr Baldwin asked if nothing should be done to get the salaries restored to the original amount a. Mr O'Oallaghan, the member for Lincoln, had brought forward a resolution in the House of Representatives asking for a sum to be placed on the estimates for the purpose of refunding the amount taken off by the 10 per cent, reduction. At least, they ought to thank Mr O'Calloghan for what he had done.

Mr Bayner thought as the question of salaries had been mooted at the last meeting of the Education Board it would not be vise to stir in the matter at present. Mr Wilkinson seconded Mr Scott's motion, and also thought that Mr O'Oallaghan should be thanked for his action.

Mr Howard said an impression was abroad that the primary object of the Institute was to agitate about money. Mr Baldwin would move as an amendment —" That thiß Institute seoond the efforts of the Nelson Institute to get the sum referred to refunded." For his part, he thought the primary objeot of their meetings was money. He was sure they would like the money in their pockets. Mr Ritchie seconded the motion.

Mr Baldwin thought the proposal would strengthen Mr O'Callaghan's hands, and show him what the teaohors wanted. Ab for Mr Scott's fear that the refund would go to form a pension fund, he thought no fear need be entertainsd on that soore.

Mr May said it -would not do to look to the Bouid for the increased salaries, as they had cot got the money. It would be well if Mr O'Oallaghan's hands were strengthened. The Chairman pitied those who could not look to any other results from tho Institute than simply £ s. d. The amendment was then put to the vote and carried by 7 to 6. The resolution of the committee of management that tho annual meeting of the Institute be held the last week iu February was unanimously affirmed. The report of the committee of management as a whole was unanimously adopted. Three resolutions from the Ellesmere Branch Association were then read. The first proposed that the thanks of the association be forwarded to the proprietor of the "New Zealand Schoolmaster." Mr Baldwin moved, and Mr Scott seoonded, a vote of thanks as suggested. Mr Watkins did not think the teaohers required the aid of this organ. He would more an amendment to the effect that tho resolutions of the Ellesmere association should be deferred till fuller information was obtained ss to the prinoiplos on whioh it was conduoted.

The amendmint was negatived by 11 to 4. The resolution wag also negatived. Mr Soott proposed, Mr Baldwin seconded, and it was agreed—" That this aisooiation promises to support the ' SohoolmSßter.' " The seoond and third resolutions forwarded by the Ellesmere branch were as follows : "That one-half of the annual subscriptions reoeived by the branohes be paid to the institute, and that ladies ba admitted as members on payment of half fees." " That it is deßirablo that the examiners in

tho examinations under the publio sohool system have no connection with the preparation of pupils or teachers." After some discussion it was agreed that the consideration of the third resolution be doferred, Mr Baldwin withdrawing the seoond resolution. Certain alterations in the rules wore made, viz.:—(1) That after January Ist, 1883, eaoh branoh shall pay 6s as an annual fee to the Institute. (2) That the Institute expend onehalf of its income on the library. (3) That the financial year oommenoe on the Ist of January in eaoh year. It was also agroed that the fees to be paid by looal branohes to the Institute for the present year be 2s 6d each member. The Secretary reported that he had attended the Otago conference of teachers, and stated its results, which have already been published. The committee of management were esapowered to nominate the delegate! for the council of teaohers to be held in Obriftohureh during the Christmas week. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated ' the meeting.