EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 April 1921, Page 6

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

ANNUAL MEETING OF TARANAKI BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute was held at New Plymouth on Saturday, Mt. W. A. Curteis presiding. I ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report stated inter alia: Membership.—On January 1, 1920, there were 254 members on the books and 8 honorary members. During the year 38 of these left the service of the board and 36 new members were elected, making the present membership 252. This must be considered very satisfactory, being nearly ninety per cent, of the teachers of the district.

Five meetings were held during the year, all of which were fairly well attended. It is a matter for regret that no papers on educational subjects were read before the institute, and the execu. tive hopes that one or more members will come forward during the year and help in this direction. The executive held three meetings to deal with complaints from teachers. No legal cases iav;e come before the institute during the year, which shows that generally the relations between the teachers of Taranaki and their respective committees have been of a harmonious nature. The finances of the institute are in a satisfactory condition. We began the year with a credit balance of £6B Ils 9d, and closed with one of £54 10s Id, the decrease being due to items of nonrecurring expenditure. The annual conference was compelled, owing to increasing costs, to raise the annual levy 15s, so that it will be necessary to raise the annual subscription. The relations between the institute and the inspectors and Education Board continue to be of a most cordial nature, and we have to thank the secretary and his staff for many courtesies received during the year. During 22 years’ service, Air. Whitcombe, while doing his duty to the board, has proved himself a true friend’ to teachers, and we wish him many years of happiness in his retirement. Other matters dealt with by the report were recent educational regulitions, and the retirement of various members of the institute. VALUE OF MUSICAL COMPETITIONS. The Assistant Direction of Education wrote asking the opinion of the institute on the whole of musical, vocal and elocutionary competitions as far as school children were concerned, in view of the fact that it had been proposed that exemption should be granted to bona- fide competitors during the time they were attending the recitals. The matter had been brought up by the executive of the Wellington Competitions Society, and considering the fact that any exemption would apply to the whole of the Dominion, the Minister desired the opinion of all branches of the institute. A motion was moved by Mr. Sim in favor of giving every facility to children to attend competitions, and that they be granted leave, and marked present. The proposal created some discussion, a lady delegate expressing the opinion that the attendance of the children at the competitions disorganised school work, and the value of the competitions educationally was practically nil. Air. H. H. Stratford moved an amendment that the consideration of the* circular be deferred till next meeting, and that in the meantime the secretary procure all possible information on the subject. This was finally carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. President, Air. AV. A. Curteis; vicepresidents, Aliss Andrews Air. T. Thomas (Eltham); secretary, Air. R. L. Alellroy (Central); executive, Miss J. Slattery (Hawera), Afessrs. D. P. Evans (West End), O. J. Howarth (Opunake), A. V. Sims (Frankley Road), R. Thomas (Stratford), H. A. Stratford) (Central), and C. A. McKinney (Urenui); auditor, Mr. O. Johnson (Fitzroy). • GENERAL. Mr. Howarth was appointed teachers’ representative on the Appeal Board. Mr. T, W. Walls appointed rep-

resentative on the Council of Education. The secretary gave notice of motion that at next meeting the subscription be raised to £l. It was decided to ask the board to forward all amended by-laws to all teachers concerned. The secretary was voted an honorarium of £lO 10s in recognition of his past services. Votes of thanks were accorded to the outgoing president and executive. BEWARE OF CHEAP LORRIES. It is a mistake to buy.a motor lorry because it is cheap. “Is it strong, economical, reliable? Will it entail constant expense for repairs?” An eminently satisfactory reply can be furnished by the renowned British-built “Dennis” lorry. The N«w Zealand Exor°aB Co., Ltd.', Agents.