NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Evening Star, Issue 6802, 6 January 1886, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

The annual meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Educational Institute opened at the Normal School this morning. The president (Mr W. S. Fitzgerald) occupied the chair, and there were also present the secretary, Mr D. White, M.A. (Otago); the acting-treasurer, Mr H. Worthington (Auckland), in the absence of Mr A. B. Thomson (Napier); and the following members :—A. Macartluir (Auckland), G. Reid (proxy for Taranaki), J. Thompson (Wanganui), A. Purdie, M.A. (Wellington), A. Wilson, M.A. (proxy for Wanganui) ; C. Chilton, M.A. (Christchurch); T. S. Foster, M.A. (Canterbury); J. G. L. Scott, B.A. (Canterbury); J. Baldwin (North Canterbury) ;J. Wood (South Canterbury); J. B, Park (Otago); W. Milne, M.A. (Otago); James Reid (Otago); W. J. Moore (Otago) j J. Nicholson (Otago); Rev. T. Flavell (proxy for Auckland); and Mrs Frances (Wellington). Mr Wmi'l3 said that Mr Thornton, of Greymouth school, was present, but owing to there being no branch of the Institute at that place he could, of course, take no part in the proceedings ; still, the members were very glad to receive him. The President formally welcomed Mr Thornton amidst applause. The Taranaki Instititue was admitted as a branch of the New Zealand Institute. The PitiisiUENT then delivered a long and interesting opening address, which was frequently applauded. On the motion of Mr Foster, seconded by Mr Woktiiincton, a vote of thanks was passed to the President for his address, with a request that it should be published. Committees were appointed to consider the following matters :—Teachers' pension fund ; appointment of teachers ; school age ; the pupil-teacher system ; scholarships; and system of drawing and drawing-books. A special committee, consisting of Messrs Worthington, Scott, and White, was appointed to draw up a balance-sheet and consider the financial position of the Institute. The Committee were arranged to meet this afternoon and evening to prepare the business for to-morrow's meeting. Mr White remarked that he thought the Institute should express its thanks to the lion. Mr Stout, Premier and Minister of Education, for the exertions he had put himself to on behalf of the interests of the Institute.

The Rev. Mr Plavell gave notice of motion to that effect. ;: Mr Bai.i>\vin mentioned a3 another subject that should conic under the cbnsidera" tion of the meeting that of a pupil-teacher in the Canterbury district who had been charged with assaulting a pupil, aiid who had been handcuffed in the school-room and marched through the streets in broad daylight. As he understood, it was very doubtful if any assault had been commitjtod, and at'all events the teacher need not have been submitted to such indignity. On the motion of Mr White it was resolved that the Council sit to-morrow from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., and from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.