EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 9, 7 January 1913, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEW ZEALAND.

ANNUAL MEETING. DIGEST OF THE BUSINESS. The thirtieth annual general meeting of the New Zealand Eductional Institute was commenced in the Good Templar Hall, New Plymouth, last Wednesday evening. The President (Mr J. Coughley, of Christchurch) occupied the chair, and about sixty delegates from all parts of the Dominion were present. Mr H. Trimble (chairman of the Taranaki Education Board) welcomed the delegates, and on behalf of the inspectors of the district, Mr W. A. Ballantyno (Chief Inspector to the Taranaki Education Board) also spoke. Mr H. G. Cousins (Auckland) replied on behalf of the Institute, and in concluding moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Messrs Trimble and Ballantyne for their very kind welcome. Mr G. W. 0. Macdonald (Otago) seconded the motion which was carried by acclamation. The Chairman then read his address, at the conclusion of which he was heartily applauded. On the motion of Mr J. J. Henderson (Westport), seconded by Mr A. L. M'llroy (New Plymouth),' the president was accorded' a verv hearty vote of thanks. Mr J. H. Harkness (Westport) was elected chairman of committees. Mr Powrie (Christchurch) was reappointed auditor. The Auckland branch invited the institute to hold the next conference in the northern city in January, 1914. LEGAL ASSISTANCE FUND.

Mr W. H. Newton (Thames) read the regulations which it was proposed to pass in connection with the administration of the Legal Assistance Fund and after some discussion and amending these were adopted.

'.ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION. Provision was made for the election of a vice-president annually. The annual contribution per member from each district institute was amended from 5s to 5s 6d, the extra sixpence being allotted to the Benevolent Fund. PROMOTION OF TEACHERS. , Mr W. H. Newton, of Auckland, moved: “That the institute again repeats its request for legislation providing for the promotion of teachers on a delfnite plan, embodying the principles accepted by the institute at its meeting in 1908.” The motion was carried. COUNCIL OF EDUCATION. Three remits on the order paper referred to the subject, and these Mr Parkinson combined into one resolution, “That the New Zealand Education Institute should adopt as the objective of its future efforts the establishing of a Council of Education, with administrative and not merely advisory powers.” -Mr J. B. Borthwick (North Canterbury) seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Cousins moved as an amendment that the words “administrative not merely” be deleted. Mr Lippiat seconded the amendment, which was lost, a division showing the voting to be 17 in its favour and 37 against. TEACHERS’ SALARIES. The question was discussed at some length. Fourteen remits from various district institutes dealing with the subject all referred to the necessity for better pay for teachers. In preference to discussing the remits separately, Mr A. N. Burns, of the Wellington district, moved the following resolution: “That the executive be instructed to draw up a scheme of salaries, to submit same to the district institutes, and on receipt \ of their criticisms to lay the scheme before the Minister, with the fourteen remits bearing on the subject.” Mr W. A. Service (Otago) seconded the motion, which was eventually carried, with the suggestion by Mr J. H. Harkness (Westport) that the words “before the opening of Parliament” be added to the motion. Mr Cousins moved from the Auckland Institute: “That in order to facilitate the working of our schools, it is desirable that the Education Act and the regulations should be amended that—(l) All calculations for (a) payment of funds from the department to the education boards, (b) the payment of funds from the department to school committees, (c) payment of teachers’ salaries, (d) staffing of schools, etc., at present based on the average daily attendance, shall hereafter be based on the working roll number.” Mr Borthwick seconded the motion. On the’motion of Mr D. A\ r . Low, seconded by Mr A. M'Kenzie, it was resolved that it be a recommendation to the executive that for the purpose of computing salaries the number of grades of schools be reduced, and that schools of 500 or o\ r er names on the roll be in the highest grade. Mr W. Phillips moved, and Mr E. H. Bellachey seconded, thai another recommendation to the executive should read that the minimum salary paid to a certificated teacher in grade 1 schools be not less than £llO per annum. —Carried. Other recommendations to the executive were proposed as follows: By Messrs R. C. Templer and R. L. M'llroy: That salaries of pupil teachers and probationers be on the same basis as that paid in other departments of the Civil Service.—Carried. By Messrs W. 0. Lamb and Templer : That the minimum salary to teachers be £BO per annum.—Lost. Mr Cousins strongly opposed the motion, claiming that the good work done in grade 0 (household) schools would be killed. On his suggestion, seconded by Mr Lamb, it was agreed that the capitation for schools below grade 1 be raised to £lO per head per annum. . ... ~, By Mr T. Patterson and Mr G. W. C Macdonald: That the special allowance of £3O at present paid to heads of district high schools be retained, £3O bei»g regarded as a minimum, with increments according to the size of the secondary department.—Carried. By Messrs Lamb and T. Thomas: That the annual increments to teachers’ salaries be £ls, instead of £5 as at present.—Carried. By Messrs C. R. Munro and Lamb: That the infant teachers in a higher (rrade school receive a salary equal to that of the second assistant, as re- 1 commended by the Education Commission.—Carried. SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND. Mr Cutler road a very interesting paper describing in detail the arrangement of some of the larger schools in England and a comprehensive review of 'the English educational system. The paper lias previously been read before the Taranaki branch of the institute. On the motion of Air Flux, second-, ed by Air M'llroy, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Cutler for his very interesting paper. ‘ SUPERANNUATION. 1 Air Al'llrcv moved, on behalf of the

Taranaki branch of the institute, “That superannuation allowance be calculated on the three consecutive years in which the salary received was the highest.” On the suggestion of Mr Cousins, Mr MTlroy added tiie following words to his remit: “In accordance with the actuaries’ report and the report of the Eden Commission.”

The remit was approved. Mr Woodward (Poverty Bay) moved that house allowance and the value of free houses should be considered in computing superannuation allowances. Mr Harvey seconded, and after discussion Mr Woodward was granted permission to withdraw it.

CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHERS. Mr MacDonald (Otago) moved that the recommendations, drawn up by the Otago District Institute on the question be published in the Journal, and that district institutes be asked to send in to the executive their opinions concerning them. Mr Menzies seconded the motion. It was eventually decided that the opinions of the respective institutes be forwarded to the Otago Institute, who would formulate a report to submit to the department through the executive. BALANCE-SHEET. The balance sheet for the past year was then presented by the treasurer, Mr E. M. Just, and adopted. This showed total receipts amounting to £2891 5s lOd, including balances brought forward amounting to £1977 4s lOd. The receipts in connection with the benevolent found amounted to £363 7s lid, journal £4OO 14s, ordinary £950 6s 6d, legal assistance fund £ll7O 15s sd. After meeting the expenditure, including a number of extraordinary items, the various accounts showed the following balances: Benevolent fund £363 7s lid, journal £l3l 17s, ordinary £635 5s 2d, legal assistance fund £1044 8s (including £44 8s transfer to benevolent fund), making a total of £2174 18s Id. BENEVOLENT FUND—PRESENTATION OF PURSES. Purses were presented to the benevolent fund as follows: —Auckland £3O, North. Canterbury £lO, Southland £4 4s, Taranaki £3 3s, Otago £5, Marlborough £l, Nelson £3 3s, Wellington £6, South Canterbury £1 ss, Hawke’s Bay £3. Grey £2 2s. Westland £1 Bs, personal donation from Mr W. Davidson (Dunedin) £1 Is—total £74 6«, against £56 odd last year. HONORARIUMS. The Secretary was voted an honorarium of £SO and the treasurer the usual honorarium. An honorarium of £5 was voted to the Registrar. APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTORS. Mr Lippiatt (Auckland) moved, That inspectors shall be (a) appointed by the Education Department from a graded list prepared by a Board, consisting of the chief inspectors of the Dominion; (b) controlled by the Education Department; (c) the scale of salaries to be that recommended hy the Royal Commission. Mr Stratford (Taranaki) seconded the motion. v Mr Harkness moved as an amendment (a) that the. inspectors of the Dominion shall be under a central department with respect to the interpretation of the regulations and syllabus, and (b) the Seale of salaries to be that recommended by the, Royal Commission. ■i ; , • i .., , Mr Erskine seconded the upended, which was carried.' SEWING SYLLABUS. The committee appointed (Misses Hawkins and Newman, of Auckland) submitted. i its 1 syllabus, j for or. sewing from Standards I. to I. with suggestions for its working. FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN TRAVELLING.

Mr H. R. Fisher moved, on behalf of tho Marlborough Institute, that the recommendation of the Education Commission concerning railway facilities for children attending schools be .adopt--6(1. ~v Mr A. A. Wedde 'Seconded "the motion, which was carried unanimously without discussion.

PUBLICATION OF INSPECTORS’ REPORTS. Mr T. Thomas, on behalf of the Wanganui branch, moved “That t' publication of inspectors’ reports, which are critical and confidential reports to boards and committees, be made illegal.” The remit was eventually adopted. TEACHERS’ RESIDENCES. On behalf of the Auckland Institute, Mr Lamb moved; That the Minister be urged to replace the many unsatisfactory dwellings of teachers with buildings of higher standard and that modern conveniences be immediately provided for all dwellings needing them.” , , , Mr Ambrose seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Lamb also moved that modern conveniences be immediately province for all dwellings needing them. The motion was seconded by Mr McNaughton, and carried without dissent. ABNORMALLY DEVELOPED CHILDREN. “That special provision be made in each centre for the teaching of abnormally developed children,” was moved by Miss 'Hawkins (Auckland). Mr Wells, in seconding the motion, suggested that the motion should be altered to read, “subnormally” children, and with this amendment the remit was carried without opposition. TEACHERS’ LIVE STOCK. It was moved by Miss Coad (Wellington), “That in connection with schools in country districts, sufficient glebe should be provided for the teacher in residence.” The remit was passed. WIDOWS’ PENSIONS. On the motion of Mr N. 0. Lamb, it was decided that the Minister be requested to give effect to the recoin.mendation of the Education Commission that the Actuary be asked to ascertain the amount of increased contribution required from men in order to secure for widows an allowance of £26 instead of £lB as at present, and that when this is obtained a referendum of male contributors to be taken as to their willingness to contribute the additional amount required. VARIOUS REMITS. On the motion of Mr Lippiatt (Auckland) it was affirmed that the clause formerly in the regulations under the (Education Act of 1877 declaring tin Minister’s decision upon all disputed points in the Regulations be binding upon all to whom it is communicated should be reinstated in the present regulations. Mr McNaughton (Auckland) moved: “That only the interest of the Benevolent Fund lie available for the object for which the fund is established.” The remit was carried in the fact of some opposition. On the motion of Mr Evans (North Canterbury) it was recommended: “That the Education Act (150 B) be amended to tho effect that an inspector of schools or head teacher shall be the only person authorised

to grant certificates of exemption from attendance at school.” Mr Palmer (South Canterbury) moved: “That the senate of the University of New Zealand be urged to include ‘Agriculture’ as a subject ol examination for the degrees of B.A. and B.Sc., Senior National and Junior University scholarships.”—Carried. Mr Fisher (Marlborough) moved: “That this Institute is opposed to the demand that is sometimes made that the average ages of the various classes should be kept low, and would point out that medical experts have frequently declared that children should commence their school career later in life”—The remit was carried. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. Miss E. Chaplain, B.A. (North Canterbury) moved; ‘That the New Zealand Education Institute, while recognising the value of Bible-teaching and religion, is opposed to the Bible League’s programme.” Mr T. F. Evans (North Canterbury) seconded. Mr Templar moved an amendment in favour of a referendum on the question, and Miss Gray seconded. The amendment was lost by 42 votes to 7. > A further amendment by Mr Patterson, seconded by Mr Phillips, that further information be obtained from teachers as to the working of the system in other countries, was also rejected. * ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected ae follows: President, Mr T. W. Wells, M.A. V of Auckland; secretary, Mr H. A. Parkinson, M.A., of Wellington; treasurer, Mr E. W. Just, of Lyttelton; the following were elected non-official members of the 'executive:—North Island, Mr R. B. Holmes; Wellington Educational District, Mr G. Flux; South Island, Mr J. H. Harkness, B.A. Only one position, that of-mem-ber of the executive for the North Island, went to the ballot, there being two nominations. Mr James Aitken, 8.A., was the successful candidate. The newly-created position of vice-pre-sident was filled by the unopposed election of the retiring president, Mr T. W. Wells, M.A. Mr J. Menzies was re-elected registrar of the subscribers to the Journal. The Conference rose at 10.45 p.m.. on Saturday, having finished the business.