EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 154, 28 June 1912, Page 6

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

A. meeting of the ■Auckland branch of the New Zealand Educational Tnsl.iUiie was faeld at the Training School, Wellesley Street, this morning, Mt. B- Campibell, president, in the <vhi " r a, fall attendance of members. ■TTTgA.T.'I'H V KCKIAIfCE. The balance-sheet, -presented by Sic treasurer; Mr. D. W. Dun Hop, showed receipts £519, including balance from the prevaous year of £29. The expenditure was less by £37, and the chief item was capitation to the New Zealand Educational Institute. WORK OF THE YEAR. According to the report on the year's working, read by the secretary, Mr. H. A. DaxroWj there are at present 657 members on the roQ—an increase of ?4 on last years figures. The percentage of members to teachers cnirrkr the Board remained at about 65, and the report considered that t-fri* was not satisfactory. It was trusted that the incoming executive would solve the problem w-hy so ■many teacbeTS refused to join. Speciai thanks were due to Mr. Newton for bis efforts during the past year to increase the membership. The report suggested that the time had almost arrived when a, permanent secretary should 'be appointed, to give his whole time to the •work and take charge of the dub-rooms in the Williamson Buildings, Shortland Street. Much good work had 'been done by the Legal Committee in dealing with the various appeals for assistance that had come before tie executive. Four appeal cases had necessitated the obtaining of legal assistance, but the rights of the teachers concerned were upheld, and satisfaction obtained in each case without going to the 'law ■courts. Detailed reference was made to the opening of the Institute Club-rooms in Shortland Street, which had met a long-felt want. 'Among a number of matters that had been dealt ■with during the year, mention was made of the fact that the .Jnstitnte had arranged satisfactorily the "matter of exchange on cheques sent Tjy the Board to country teachers in payment of salaries. Mr. W. H. Newton presented a report from the special committee set up to take steps towards increasing membership, and made several suggestions for instituting a personal appeal to all teachers to become members.

The matter of appointing an assistant secretary at an honorarium of £10 was strongly supported by several members, but it was doubted whether the funds of the Institute would stand this additional call upon it, and the question was finally referred to the management committee with power to act. WABXEJG -TO PUPIL TEACHERS. At the request of the chairman, Mr. H. G. Cousins explained the present position of pupil teachers and the superannuation fund. He pointed ont that this was the last year m which pupil teachers (a class which will, owing to the effect of the regulations, shortly be done away with) could come under the scheme, and he thought very few of them realised the position. .\EW GRADE \VAXTED.

Mr. Stephenson, in moving that it was desirable to establish a snbgrade of school between grades 4 and 5, said there ■was much difficulty in obtaining teachers for grade 4 schools, the difficulty being ■most felt in schools where teachers had to teach classes of upwards of 40-children at a minimum salary of £90, which was quite inadequate. The motion was carried by 23 Totes to 8.

SUPPORTING THE GRADING SCHEME. On the motion of Mr. McKenzie, the Institute recorded the fact that it viewed with alarm the attempts being made to secure a modification of the Board's teachers' grading scheme, and a return to the objectionable system of patronage in the appointment of teachers. Mr. McKenzie said this was the avowed intention of the School Committees' Association. The grading scheme -was not perfect, but the promotion and appointment of teachers under it was much fairer than (under the old system of committee appointment. The Institute should again make known with no uncertain voice its conviction that the grading scheme should not be tampered with. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The president for the ensuing year is Mr. J. D. McNaughton; vice-presidents, Messrs. K. Campbell and G. Lippiatt, iU.; treasurer, Mr. D. W. Dunlop; secretary, Mr. T. F. Warren, 8.A.; management committee, Messrs. H. G. Cousins, N. R. McKenzie, C. R. Munro, W. H. Newton, Miss Newman, Miss Herbert, Messrs. S. H. Macky. R. P. C. Harrison, H. A. Darrow, and P. J. Ohlson. Mr. McNanghton returned thanks for the honour done him. PRACTICAL MENSURATION. Mr. S. Irwan Crookes, instructor in the electrical department at the 'Technical School, gave a lecture on the practical teaching of mensuration. He gave a number of examples -with simple rules, and made the subject most interesting and useful. At the dose he was cordially thanked by the meeting.