N.Z. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1922, Page 7

N.Z. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

ANNUAL MEETING OF TARANAKI BRANCH The annual meeting of the Taranaki branch of the N.Z. Educational Institute was held at the Education Board’s offices on Saturday, when Mr. W. A. Curteis (President) occupied the cnair. Before commencing business the chairman referred to the valuable services rendered to the branch by Air. 0. J. Howarth as its advocate before the Grading Appeal Board, and he moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr. Howarth. Mr. Mcllroy, in seconding, remarked that Mr. Howarth had been specially congratulated Iby the board on the way in which he had placed ail his cases before the board. The motion was carried. The chairman also extended a cordial welcome to Misses Tracey and Lewis, the two Canadian teachers who come to /Taranaki under the exchange system; dlso to Mr. Swinburne, who was recently appointed headmaster of the Waitara school. It was resolved to make Misses Tracey and Lewis hon. members of the branch. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report was as follows: We have the honor to lay before you the report of the executive for the year ending December 31, 1921 (37th year). Membership.—We have to report a slight increase in our numbers during the year. On January I, 1921, there were 252 members on the books and seven honorary members. During the year 43 of these left the service of the board and 51 new memlbers were elected, making the present membership 260. We have also eight honorary memlbers. This must be considered very satisfactory, being about 90 per cent, of the teachers of the district. Owing to recent changes in the staffs of schools there are quite 40 teachers to be enrolled, and efforts will be made to secure them at an early date.

Meetings.—Five meetings have been held during the year, two at New Plymouth, two at Stratford, and one at Hawera, all of which were very well attended. At the May meeting Mr. O. J. Howarth gave an interesting account of his visit to Australian schools, and at a special meeting at Stratford in July the senior inspector, Mr. Valentine, 8.A.. gave a very interesting and instructive address on infant teaching, which he repeated later at New Plymouth. Both meetings were very largely attended, and it is to be hoped that we shall be favored this year with further addresses from Mr. Valentine on other aspects of school work. Your executive held three meetings to discuss routine business. It is pleasing to record their efforts were successful in securing the payment of lemoval expenses for a teacher transferred under the new staffing regulations.

Legislation.—A short amendment to the Education Act passed during 1921 provides that all teachers shall take an oath of allegiance, and that a teacher must remain twelve months in a school before seeking another appointment. Much-needed amendments to the Superannuation Act were promised for the late session of Parliament, but unfortunately, owing to the financial stringency, they have been postponed to a later date.

Ohura Sub-braneh.—During the year the members, of the institute residing in the Ohura district, who are unable to attend any of our meetings, asked for permission to form a sub-braneh. This was readily given, and a very live branch of 24 members was formed, which is doing very good work. Retirements.—ln the middle of the year Mr. P. S. Whitcombe, who has acted as secretary of the board for 22 years, retired on superannuation. At a farewell tendered to him ‘by the institute he was presented with a substantial cheque. He has proved himself a real friend to teachers, and we wish him many years of happiness in his retirement. At the end of the year Mr. F. A. Tyrer retired from the headmastership of the Stratford District High School, a position which he has filled with conspicuous success for very many years. The school has a Dominion-wide reputation, due in great measure to the skill and organising ability of Mr. Tyrer. In the early days of the institute he was one of its most active members, and kept up his interest in its work during the whole period of his service. We trust that he will be spared for many years to enjoy his well-earned retirement.

Finance.—The finances of’ the instii nte are in a very satisfactory condition. We began the year with a credit, balance of £54 10s Id, and closed with one of £BO Ils 7d. Owing to the increased cost of running the business of the New Zealand Educational Institute the annual levy has been increased to 15s, and we have been compelled to raise our annual subscription accordingly. In conclusion, we have very great pleasure in stating that the relations between the institute and the inspectors and Education Board continue to be of a most cordial nature, and we wish to thank the office staff for many courtesies received during the year. We congratulate Mr. Instill on his election to the position of secretary. We feel that while he will prove a zealous and conscientious officer of the board, he will not lose sight of the interests of the teachers, whose ranks he has just left. Our thanks are also due to the Press of Taranaki for its hearty support. Its columns are always open to receive reports and articles relating to matters of educational interest. In moving the adoption of the report the chairman referred to the very satisfactory position of the branch and the progress that had been made during the year. Mr. A. V. Sims seconded, and the motion was carried without discussion. GRADING SCHEME. The North Canterbury branch notified that it had been asked by the executive of the N.Z.E.I. to gather information as to the working of the grading system, and they asked for: (a) anomalies in the grading system, especially with regard to.those arising owing to different standards of marking in the -various education districts; (b) methods of procedure at sittings of the Grading Appeal Boards. A short discussion took place, during which the opinion was expressed that the system would right itself in a snort time, and that the inspectors throughout the Dominion were doing their best to make it fair and just. It was resolved that the secretary forward a reply. REMITS. It was decided to forward the following remits to the annual conference of the N.Z. Educational Institute: That, in the interests nf the health of the children, teachers throughout New Zealand be urged to introduce toothbrush drill in their schools. That teachers be allowed six months’ kave on full pay. or twelve months’ leave on half pay, after 20 years of effi-

cient service, for the purpose of travel for educational progress. ■ That New Zealand teachers who served on the British side in the South. African war of 1899-1902 be granted the same privileges in respect to service as members of the profession who served in the Great War of 1914-1918. Also the following, forwarded by the Ohura sub-branch:— “That, in view of the difficulty of conducting sole schools of over 30 pupils, consisting of all classes, the range of Grade 11. schools be made 20-30, instead of 20-36, and that Grade ITI.a be made 30-72, instead of 36-80.” That teachers be advised, by a circular issued with the February journal, of the list of subjects to be published in the journal for the current year. That simple exercises in handwork be published monthly in part I. of the School Journal, and in part HI. attractive puzzles be added. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected as follows:—President, Mr. O. J. Howarth; vice-presi-dent, Miss E. Andrews and Mr. W. A. Curteis; secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. L. Mcllroy (re-elected); executive, Misses Pearce and Slattery, Messrs. W\ A. Swinburne, A. V. Simms, D. J. Evans, W. A. Brown and McHardie; auditor, Mr. O. Johnson. GENERAL. Reference was made to the efficient services rendered by the secretary (Mr. R. L. Mcllroy), and it was resolved to vote him £2O as a slight recognition of appreciation for his services. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring president, Mr. W. A. Curteis'. It was resolved that there should be more meetings of the executive during the year to consider matters of routine. Several new members were elected.