EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16479, 24 March 1919, Page 3

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

NORTH CANTERBURY BRANCH. Tho annual meeting of the North Cantorbury branch of the .ftetv Zealand j£ducaiioual institute waa lield on baturuay, the president, Mr U. 'X. Abcninan, presiding ovta u large attendance. Tlie annual report stated that work in connexion Willi liio -\e i.i.aiuua liuucutionul Institute's campaign had been the most important business utuit with by tno committee tiurrng tho early part of tlio past year. With regaru to the campaign, membeis ol tho com. mitteo Had addressed meetings of various local organisations, and had also delivered addressee in several suburban districts. As a result a considerable amount ol public interest had been aroused in tiie campaign, and tins couiu not but prove benchciai in making tho Cabinet realise that there must be no unnecessary delay in making reforms in, and expansions to, our national system of educauon. The .Education C-pnlerencc, recently hcid, was tho direct outcome ot tho interest aroused by the campaign, and though the Conlerence had been eo ucwieldly that its duration was unduly prolonged, ua indirect results in creatine a more iutonoe and widespread interest in education -6hoald prove of great value. The number of members on tha roll was now 345. Twenty-seven new mcmBers had been elected during the fear, in addition to several gained by transfer lrom other districts. In conclusion, the report expressed the hopo that during the coming session, Parliament would b>ing the Dominions educational system thoroughly up to date, and' equip it to deal with post-war needs and conditions.

Tho balance-sheet showed a credit balance over general fund of £23 7a IOcL

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Officers for tho ensuing year were elected aa follows:—President, Mr H. F. Pealington; vice-presidents, Miss Chaplin,- and Air C. T. Ascnman; hon. secretary, iir D. AL Shirlaw; hon. treasurer, Mr K. Malcolm; committer of management. Misses Spa nee, Smith, F. W. Williams, and A. C. Finlayaon, Messrs F-. T. Evans, D. Sinclair, S. G. Irwin, A. F. Barrell, R. S. Pearson, J. llcLeod, F. D. Waller, and J. J. Adams; auditor, Mr J. Yoss.

On the motion of Mr D. Sinclair, a vote of thanks and appreciation wag passed to Mr E. U. Just for Jll3 work in connexion with the New Zealand Educational Institute's campaign. In returning thanks Mr Just spoke at eomo length concerning the campaign, in particular expressing his regrot that bad weather and other matters had prevented him from holding * public meeting in Christchurch during the year, aieo replying to certain criticisms that had been offered to the Institute, and giving a brief outline of what the Institute had done for the teaciiers. On the moliou of Mr Aschman, it was decided that it be recommended to the committee of management that there be an increase on the secretary's bonus, and that delegates to the New Zealand Confc-renco should receive at leurl a certain part'of their living j erpenses while away. I