EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5423, 7 July 1879, Page 3

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

The monthly meeting of the Dunedin branch of the Otago Educational Institute was held in the Normal School on Satrirday. Mr Reid (of Forbury), president of the Branoh, occupied the chair. There was only a limited attendance of member*.

rOSTPONBMEKT OF PAFEB, - Mr G. P. Bel), of N.E. Harbour, wrote to the effect that he was unable, principally thrbueh indisposition, to read any paper at the present meeting, but stated that he would be glad to do bo on some future occasion during the BMIOD.

APPOMTMEHT OP TEAOHEBB. Mr White said he proposed to ask the Branch to express an opinion with regard to the above queßtion-to say, namely, whether they thought the power of appointment should lie solely with the Education Board or solely with the School Committ«*s, or else whether some system should not be instituted whereby both bodies would have an equal voice in the matter. He also wonld ask the Branch to give an opinion as to the proper interpretation of the 45th section of the Act, relative to "consultation" as to these appointments between the Board and committees. Some discueßion enisued upon the matter, but no resolution was come to, some of the members present arguing that it would be inadviaable tor tho body to expreis an opinion on the question.

HEW ISEIIBEB. Dr Stenhoute was unanimously elected a memb-rof the Institute. PROPOSALS FBOM THE • WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION. The following letter from Mr Clement Watson, honorary secretary of the Wellington Teachers' Asscciation, written under date June 16th, was read, and agreed to be referred to the General Committet of Management of the Institute for consideration: — '' Secretary Dunedin Teachers' Association. " Dear Sir,—lam instructed by tbe Welling, ton Teachera'A»sooiation to ask you to l*y the matters below before your Association, and, if possible, to call a ipecialmeeting to consider the same at once. r " In the event of your Association and other New Zealand associations agreeing with our views; it is intended to petition Parliament, or, in some other way to be decided hereafter by the joint associations^ get our interests praBected there, • ' '■■' : • ''We are prompted by this action—(l) by a general feeling of insecurity in our tenure of office, as by the present constitution of boards and local committ.ei we are liable to too mauy circumstances which may raise up enmity against up, and thereby c»use, the loss of appointment without power of appeal; (2) by a knowledge that changes in the. present Act are contemplated at the coming session of. Parliament; and by an attempt now being made by members of the Board and local committees in the city to have the word 'insubordination' substituted for 'feroßs misbehaviour' in clause 47 of the present Act, thus showing the tendency of boards and committees to get teachers too completely under their control, fir a very slight matter might very easily be construed a i case of insubordination. I hare therefore to ask you to get the opition of your Association on these Bubjecta, the first of which we consider more immediately iaaportint. : In conclusion, I may add that cur Association does not desire to aot individually, but conjointly with all New Zealand teachers, when we feel we shall have power.' We Lave already one Aiscciation (Blenheim) with, us." •,..-, ■..■■ l Matte* a for Consideration.

1. The desirability of getting a clause inserted in the Education Act empowering the Minister of Education to appoint a Court of Appeal for investigation of hawh decisions of Boards and their officers.

2. The extent o£ the powers of local committees in the appointment and dismissal of teachers. - ...... i 3. To take measures against the substitution of the word "insubordination" for "gro«B misbehaviour" in clause 47 of present Act. PAFEE FOB NEXT MEETING. : It was mentioned that Mr Hume, of Ander«on's Bay, would read a paper at next meeting, but we understand that, at a later hour pn Saturday, an intimation waa received from him that he would be unable to do so.