Meeting of Council.

Progress, Volume XVI, Issue 9, 1 May 1921, Page 202

Meeting of Council.

A meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday, the 4th inst., when the reports of the Special and other Committees were dealt with.

connection with the proposed new Syllabus of Examination it will be remembered that this was considered at the last Annual Meeting, and was referred back to the Committee to make certain amendments suggested in the papers read by Messrs. Gummer and Munnings. The meeting also instructed the Education Committee to submit its revision to the next meeting of the Council for confirmation before the scheme was put into force. This course was adopted and the revision (which had been previously set up in type and circulated to all Councillors and Secretaries of District Branches) was submitted for the approval of this meeting. After a brief discussion the report was adopted, and the Council thereon declared the Syllabus to be the new “ Appendix J ” adopted and approved in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations, and the Secretary was instructed to take the necessary steps to have the report gazetted and issued to all concerned. Jhe Finance Committee also made a report upon the Travelling Expenses of Councillors,” as directed by the last Annual Meeting. The report sets aside a sum of £2OO for this purpose. The Committee also took this opportunity of reporting upon the finances generally and submitting a series of suggestions regarding income and expenditure. The report was adopted and the Finance Committee authorised to give effect to its recommendations.

As regards the Special Committees charged with the preparation of reports on “ Scale of Charges,” Competitions and “ Conditions of Contract,” the latter made no report at this stage. The request for a revision of the existing conditions having come from the Builders’ Federation, the Committee felt that it should be made aware of

the nature of the amendments desired and that when these were received the Committee would go into the matter. In the meantime suggestions were being received from branches and individual members as to amendments desired by them, and these would all be considered together when a reply was received from the Builders. No definite action will be taken regarding the proposed conference until a full report has been made and approved by Council.

As regards the “ Scale of Charges ” and “ Competitions,” both Committees submitted full reports and recommended that they be set up in type and circulated to all branches, and that one month be allowed for consideration and amendments (if any), after which the reports be settled by postal vote and gazetted. While expedition is not absolutely necessary (though desirable) in the case of the “ Competitions ” report, it is an essential factor with regard to “ Charges.” Members all over the Dominion are asking for definite rulings as to their charges in view of the alterations made at the last Annual Meeting, and it is very desirable that a properly authorised Scale should be issued immediately.

Of the other matters dealt with the principal one concerned the attitude of the Institute as a corporate body towards members excluded for just cause or members resigning for various reasons. It was made clear that upon a member resigning or being excluded, his registration under the Act became cancelled, and that unless he passed the examinations of the Institute no provision exists for his re-admission. Further, he could not use any of the forms of the Institute, the letters or titles denoting membership, or participate in any of its privileges. It was decided that in certain cases, where the Council considered the circumstances justified such a course, an advertisement would be published in the principal papers of the district where the ex-member resides, informing the public of the cancellation of his registration and the reasons therefor. It was felt that this course was necessary in the interests of the public and of the Institute.

A letter was received from the Department of Internal Affairs announcing the approval by the Governor-in-Council and the gazetting of all the amendments made at the last Annual Meeting.

A full record of the meeting will, in due course, be prepared and sent to all Councillors.