EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 905, 11 March 1879, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

The usual monthly meeting of the Waitaki branch of this Institute was held in the High School on Saturday, Mr. Pirie (President) in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The Rev. A. B. Todd, and Messrs. W. J. Steward, N. Fleming, D. S. Montagu (Oamaru); James R. Elder, Alex. Graham, and John Blair (Kakanui), were elected members. On the motion of the Secretary, it was agreed to change the hour of meeting from 11 forenoon to one p.m. The meeting then proceeded to elect office-bearers for the year, when Mr. J. S. M'Lymont, Kakanui, was elected President, and Mr. Peattie re-elected Secretary and Treasurer. The election of a Librarian was deferred till next meeting. A vote of thanks was cordially given to the retiring office-bearers. Mr. M'Gregor, Maheno, initiated a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of giving prizes. After an interesting and detailed debate, the following resolutions were arrived at :—" That this branch of the Educational Institute of Otago is of opinion (1) that the giving of prizes to pupils is advantageous ; (2) That the basis on which prizes are given should be known in each school district ; (3) that all class prizes to be given should be made known during the currency of the third quarter of the session ; and (4) that special competitive prizes should be declared one month before the session-end exhibition." The following resolution re school attendance was unanimously ordered to be transmitted to the General Committee of Management ;—"That this branch of the Educational Institute of Otago is of opinion that, with a view to prevent the too frequent changing of pupils from one school to another, the Board should define school districts, and that no pupil be allowed to attend any Government school other than the one in his own school district, except in the case of those who have passed the Fourth Standard and who wish to attend a high school." It was agreed to meet in the same place on the first Saturday of April, at one o'clock, in accordance with resolution.

A vote of thanks to the chair closed the proceedings.