EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 82, 5 March 1935, Page 8

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

MANAWATU BRANCH. The report to be presented at the annual meeting of the Manawatu branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute states, inter alia: “The year closed with a roll of 102 senior members, 26 junior members and one life member. This shows an increase of six senior members and a decrease of five junior members. The year has been remarkable for the fact that we have admitted 17 new members to the institute, whilst only six have resigned, five to leave the service and one transferred to native schools. We admitted 12 on transfer from other branches, whilst 21 of our members left us to join other branches—an indication of the great amount of moving taking place in the service.

“.Finance.—The financial statement shows a credit of £6l 16s 9d representing a loss of £4 9s 5d on the year’s working. This is due to the fact that the branch had to meet the reduction in subscription made in the previous year without any corresponding reduction in levy. A close-scrutiny is being kept on all expenditure nnd it is hoped that it will be possible to maintain our finances without increasing the subscription , “The branch has held six general meetings during the year and a keen interest has been displayed by all members. The yea) was marked by two special meetings—-the first at Foxton where the executive met more distant members to the benefit of all. We recommend that this be made an annual feature.. The second was a meeting at which representatives of local bodies, school committees and social organisations of the town were addressed by the New Zealand president, Mr O. A. Banner, and were afterwards entertained at suppej by the branch. At another meeting an address was given by the senior insepetor, Mr A. F. McMurtrie, to whom we are indebted for a most interesting and helpful talk. The management committee met on nine occasions and all members attended regularly. The district committee held three meetings at Marton at each of which the branch was fully represented. “National Board of Education. —The committee is pleased to be able to report that the special report prepared by this branch on the administration of education in New Zealand was adopted at the annual conference and has now become the policy of the institute. We feel that this marks a definite step forward and sincerely hope that our executive will not rest until some such policy is adopted by the Government. Mr E. Bary again acted as advocate for the Wanganui district on the Grading Appeal Board and the thanks of members are due to lnm for his very valuable services. The branch was represented at the N.Z.E.I. Conference by the lion, secretary (Mr D. O. Pryor), who was elected a member of the New Zealand Executive. “At the end of the year we learned of the retirement from the service of Mr C. C. Hills, for many years headmaster of the Longburn School. Mr Hills has been a staunch supporter of the institute for very many years and his remarks and criticisms have always been of great value. We wish him all best wishes in his retirement and trust that he and Mrs Hills will have many years of happiness. “We have again passed through a most active year, and although branch meetings have not been quite so frequent the management committee has had many matters of importance to handle. 'l’lie problem of the rationed teachers has required constant attention and we hope that very soon their conditions will return to normal. Among other matters which received attention may he mentioned:—Five-year-old petition, publicity work, reopening of training colleges, superannuation, down-grading of schools, security of tenure, differentiation of treatment of primary and post-primary schools, and the professional code. The officers wish to express their highest appreciation of the splendid co-opera-tion of many members. The work of the branch benefits greatly from the keen interest displayed by individual members. We feel we have yet many difficulties to overcome before the service is placed on a satisfactory basis, but we feel confident that with the continued support of our members much definite progress will lie made in the near future. , “The thanks of the branch are due to the auditor (Mr L. Morine), to the director of the Technical College for the use of a room when inquired, to the staff of the Wanganui Education j Board, to Mr Ashbridgo and his staff , for very able assistance on many occasions, nnd to the Press for "very fine reports of our activities through- | out the year.”