TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8141, 25 June 1906, Page 2

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

There was a large mooting of the Tarniiaki District Teachers' Institute »t tho Education Offlocs, Now Ply. mouth, on Saturday. Mr F. Tyrer, President, was in the chair. Mr Johnston, who represented the branch at the annual meeting of the -New Zealand Educational Institute at Invercargill, delivered a verbal report )t the proeoedmgs, which, though not so enthusiastic as in formor years, had !ieon of great sorvice to the profession. ■V | great deal of discussion had taken place on the remit to abolish the pupil eacher service throughout tho colony. The Institute, while acknowledging he importance of religious instruction, ad protested against the proposal |.hat_ school-teachers should be asked o givo instruction.

It was decided to support the resolution of the New Zealand Institute to increase members' subscriptions to sevon shillings per member, such subscription to include regular oopies of the " Journal of Eduoation." Mr Gray gave notice to move that the constitution of the Taranaki Institute bo altored to provide oentres ■it Now Plymouth, Stratford, and )punake. He had expected a smile ivhon ho mentioned Opunake, but he believed Opunake would bo the " most 1 lively branch of the lot." He had beon t believer in the quarterly meeting system, but now he was sure better work could be done by forming several centres, for the convenience of the members. He bolieved that general meetings should be held, say, quarterly, but branch meetings more frequently. Mr Tyrer considered more good would result from two such general meetings is this thai a number of smaller meetings.

Mr Dempsey said he would support VEr Gray's schemo on account of the listance that teachers had to travel now. Few Stratford people attended New Plymauth meetings, and fewer still irent from New Plymouth to mooting in btratford.

Nomination of officers for the ensuing year were received: President, Mr W. Burnside (Mr Tyrer . doclined reappointment) ; vice-presidents, Mr Tyrer and Mrs Dowling; secretary and treasurer, Messrs Gray, Barry ■ind D. P, Evans.

In mov.ng a resolution of regret at tho sudden death of the late Premier o,nd Minister of Education, and of sympathy with Mrs Seddon and family, Mr Dempsey said it was unnecessary to remind old member of the profession jf the work that had been done by the late Mr Seddon m ameliorating the jondition of the teachers ia- the

colony, and Taranaki teachers in particular. The older teachers would ronember how missrably they were paid "chen, " and," he remarked parenthetically, "wo are not overpaid now." The lato Minister had certainly done his utmost for tho teaohers, and his uemory would long be revered. Mr W. Evans, in seconding, said Mr Seddon had been Chairman of the Education Board when he was a P.T. He had ,had the opportunity of knowing him as a man, and apart from his ,vork as a Minister, ho had admired uim as a man.

The motion wai carried unanimously. It was decidei to hold the annual meeting the last Saturday in July. A looal paragragh that appeared in a recent issue of the Daily. News, to ihe effect that the New Zealand Educational Institute had boon askod to tako action in reviving the Taranaki Teachers' Institute, caused some discussion.

Mr Evans (Ngairo) asked tho president if he had soon the " par" in question,

Mr Tyror said he had received a, communication from Wellington stating that such a letter had been sent, containing a specific charge that the local Institute had not met for a year, fie had, however, decided not to take much notice of it, though at tho time lie had felt a hurt that the teacher had ivrittcn to Wellington, instoad of approaching tho President or secretary of tho 'i'aranaki centre. As a matter of tact, he and Mr Gray were corresponding at that time with a view of holding a meeting. I Mr Dempsey, whilst expressing his pleasure at tho evident resuscitation, sa d outside people had asked him if anything could be done to revive the Institute. He referred to the very poor membership in Taranaki, this district " standing at the top of the tree for non-members." Only about 25 per sent, of Taranaki teachers were members,

Mr Johnston said he had been unaware of the incident, and felt sure that the letter had not been prompted, as alleged, by the meeting of teachers. Mr A, V. Sims considered it a despicable act to go behind the back of the president and secretary. The meeting unanimously carried a resolution repudiating responsibility, and expressing regret that such a letter had been written, and expressive of appreciation at the services rendered by the president and secretary, Messrs t'yrer and Gray.