TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 49, 16 July 1912, Page 7

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Taranaki District Teachers' Institute was held in the Education Board's office on Saturday afternoon. Mr. IT. A. Stratford (president) presided over a small attendance. Apologies were received for t'-" absence of Mrs. Dowling and Mr. Demnspy. The annual report showed that the membership war, now iol, or 'Ji per cent. of the total teachers. During the year eight members had left the service, two had been transferred, whilst seventeen new teachers had joined. Four meetings had been held, two at Stratford and two at New Plymouth. The attendance at all but the last was not as good as might be expected. This might be a sign that members generally were satisfied with the general conduct of affairs, but a .larger attendance would give greater encouragement to those who were doing the active work of the institution. Two meetings of the executive were held, both being well attended. The report also dealt with the annual conference at Timani. Referring to the promotion scheme the report hoped that it would not be long before all district promotion schemes would be merged into one for the Dominion. Last year a very important amendment was made in the Court of Appeal Act, which hitherto has dealt with cases of dismissal only. Transfers are now brought under its operation, and teachers about to be transferred against their wish have now the right to appeal, if they desire to do so. As the outcome if an, interview, Mr. Ballantyne, Chief Inspector, had given instructions that in future classes are to he promoted only at the beginning of the year. The report also made reference tr; the Royal Commission which was now sitting to inquire into the state of education in New Zealand. The executive of the N.Z.E.I. has suggested three lead- , ing questions to be supported, viz,, the centralising of the inspectorate, a Dominion promotion scheme, and the reduction of the excessive number of small < country schools. These have all been , supported by your executive, who have added to them several other recommendations which concern more particularly ; the smaller education districts. The finances were fairly satisfactory, the year closing with a credit of £4 19s 9d. i At the beginning of the year the hoard had made a change in the method of paying salaries, teachers' not having to pay exchange. The change was specially appreciated by the country teachers. In conclusion, the report thanked the Board of Education for the use of its room for ; meetings, the inspectors for the courtesy with which they have received and dealt with every suggestion of the institute during the year, to the press for its loyal support, and to the auditor for his services.

The report was adopted on the motion of Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Templer. In response to a query as to why teachers had not had an opportunity of discussing the remits submitted to the commission, the president explained that the time to prepare any remits was short and it was not considered advisable to ask teachers to come in to New Plymouth from distant parts, incurring unnecessary expense. The executive was fairly representative of all grades of teachers, and it was thought that the teachers generally had sufficient confidence in their executive to agree, to the proposals made by them.. -There 'had been no discourtesy as far as he could see to the teachers; the executive had acted, as they believed, in the best interests of the teachers.

The question of holidays was discussed and the general opinion was' that a system of term holidays similar to those of the secondary schools should he adopted by the Education Board, and it was eventually agreed to approach the board with a view to having the holidays in three terms—May, September, and December.

Officers were elected as follows: President. Mr. H. A. Stratford; vicepresidents. Messrs. H. Dempsey and F. A. Tyrer; secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. L. Mcllroy; executive, Mrs. Dowling, Miss Meade. Messrs. 0. Johnson, J. W. Mail, and R. Thomas; auditor, Mr. E. Bar v.

Consideration of the letter from the N.Z. Institute re moving picture entertainments was deferred till next meeting, as was also the circular letter with reference to the proposal to move at the next annual meeting that regulations should he adopted for the administration of the legal assistance fund.

New members were elected as follows, making the total 151:—Misses J. H. Jones. A. fileeson. W. A. Rodders, T. Sutton. M. R. Ciimie, M. Haddrell, Messrs. W. T. Jones and R. 11. Cutler. Votes of thanks were accorded to the Education Board'for the. use' of the board roam, to the auditor for his services during the year, and to the president.

The secretary, Mr. Mellroy, was voted an honorarium of £3 3s as a slight recognition of his services. Regret was expressed that the funds of the institute would not permit of a larger amount being voted. The following committees were elected to make arrangements for the entertainment and amusement of the delegates* to the conference of the X.Z. Teachers' Institute, which will be held in New Plymouth next January:—Ladies' committee, Mrs. Dowling. Miss Potts, Miss Dempsey: men's committee. Messrs. 0. Johnson, H. Dempsey and H. A. Stratford. The next meeting of the institute will be held at Imrlewood.