WELLINGTON TEACHERS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 260, 27 July 1908, Page 10

WELLINGTON TEACHERS.

INSTITUTE'S ANNUAL REPORT. Tho thirty-fifth annual report of tho Com-mitt-co of Management of the Wellington District v lnstitute of Teachers, to bo presented to members at tho annual meeting to be held on Friday next, July 31,. states that the year closed with a roll of 288 members eight of whom were elected during tho year; there woro five resignations during the same period. There are still in tho district over a hundred teachers who have neglected to become members. During the latter part of the year an appeal was made to non-members, and as a result several are now applying for membership. Non-members, to use the words of Mr. Hurley—one of the founders of the parent bo!ly—cannot avoid partaking in the resulting from the efforts of the Institute, and they ought not to refuse to share its burdens. During tho year six ordinary meetings and ono special meeting were held, the average attendance being twenty. This would seem to imply a lack of interest in the'business of the Institute; many members who might conveniently attend, prefer to leavo tho business in tho hands of.the few who attend year in and year out. This is to bo regretted, as some of tho main objects of tho Institute are thereby defeated. During the. coming year, such important topics as the classification, payment, and promotion of teachcrs, proposed amendments in tho Teachers' Superan-' nuation Act —besides many questions affecting the interests of education generally—have to'be carefully considered, and, tho committee urges, members.will greatly assist the Institute and conservo their own interests by taking part in the various discussions. Threo lectures were deliverod during tho year to members of the Institute. Mr. J. S. Tennant, M.A., Inspector of Schools, gave a highly interesting lecture on " The Botany and Natural History of the, Sub-Antarctic Islands," Mr. W. C. Davies kindly assisting with lantern views; Mr. W. T. Grundy, who represented tho Institute at the Imperial Educational Conference, held under the auspices of the League of the Empire, gavo members an account of the impressions which he formed in regard to educational matters during his holiday in Europe; and Mr. W. Foster, 8.A., read a'papor on " Superannuation : a Comparison of:'the Teachers' Superannua-tion-Act and the Public' Service Act." ,To these gentlemen the committee expresses its hearty thanks. ' . _•>

The Institute'was represented at the anjual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute, held at. Auckland, by Miss Craig, and Messrs. Parkinson,.;■ Erskine, Burns, , and Darroch. It. is suggested'that in future delegatos from tlio Instituto should meet previous to the Conference: to allot tho work of supporting'the va.rious remits forwarded. The next annual meeting of the New Zealand Educational Instituto will bp held - at Dunedin during the month-of January. ' Five meetings of tho Committee of Management we're held during the year. The a.ttendancb at thoso meotings was very satisfactory.) Several matters concerning individual members were dealt 'with, ■ and in somo cases logal assistance was obtained. The Committco desires ,to place on record its appreciation of tlio kindly feelings displayed towards the Instituto by the Education Board and its officers. The Board lias continued to givo courteous consideration to all: representations made by the Instituto, and has on many occasions consulted the Institute on proposals afFccting teachers. At tho rcjquest of the.lnstitute the Board has kindly established a singing class for teachers. Thanks are'also duo for tho uso of tho' meeting room which the Board has generously 6et apart for the convenience of toachors.

Tho Wairarapa sub-Branch has now a membership of thirty-fivo. Tho annua] meeting was held on Juno 11, when tho officers for tho current year were elected as follow:—President; Mr. R. J. Foss; vice-pre-sidonts, Miss Br'aithwaito and Mr. Nightingale ; committee, Miss Moncricff and Messrs. Beeehcy and Haslam; secretary and'treasurer, Mr. Geo. Jones, Lansdowno; auditor, Mr. N. D. Bunting. , Tho finances-arci-in- abuoyant, condition, thero being a credit balance of £8 16s.'4d. for last-year. v Tho balnnce-shcet shows that the financial position of the Wellington branch is fairly sound. The sum of £132 Is. 7d. which it has on deposit is a valuablo a.sset, and is a guarantee . against any. special c&ll boing miado on membors. : The balance of assets over liabilities is set down at £191 10s. 4d.; tbcro is a balance of £18 Gs. 3d.' on the Goneral Account; and £58 ss. 2d. on the Benefit. Fund Account.

During tho year tho Institute tendered a iwolcorte to Messrs. Watson and,Grundy,- who had been absent on. an extended holiday. The function, which was larpely attended, was highly successful. The , thanks of the Institute are due to' Mr. Geo. Flux, headmaster, and to .the ; 'Kintoul Street' School. Committer* for the . gratuitous use of the school. Tho Institute 'also' participated .. in the reception and bntortainment'of the. New 'Sirath Wales teachers'during their visit to, Wellington. Iu conclusion, -tho; Committee placos ,on record its deep sense' of gratitude to tho' Press for tho satisfactory manner in which it has invariably reported tho meetings ,of the Institute, and for its having unceasingly championed tho causo of .'teachers and tho interests of education generally. •