AUCKLAND TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 899, 1 October 1866, Page 5

AUCKLAND TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The usual quarterly meeting of tho Teachers' Association was held in St. Matthew's Bchool-room, f lobson-street, on Friday afternoon ; Mr. Taylor in the chair. Considerable diversity of opinion appeared to exist as to what course should be pursued, in consequence of the action of the Education Board in suspending payment of tho teachers' salaries. Mr. Mooee, Onehunga, said if it wore to bo considered that the teachers had no right to their salaries, after having performed the stipulated work, then the proper course would be for one of their number to bring the case into Court, the other teachers backing him, aud if decided, as was to be expected, in his favour, that singlo case would serve as a precedent for all the rest. Mr, Sinclair, Newmarket, approved of this course as a matter of principle, but was averse to any action that might embaraas the Board, and believed that a strong representation of their claims to tho Provincial Government would ba all that was required. Two resolutions were then submitted to tho meeting by the Chairman, and after some discussion—

Mr. Mooue moved the first, '• That this Association views with surprise the recent action of tho Government in permitting the suspension of toachers' salaries by the Board of Education, as it is persuaded such a course will tend to injure the interests of tho teachers, and lower tho standard of education throughout the provinco." This resolution was seconded by Mr. Sinclair. On being put to the vote, the " ayes" and " noes" were found to be equal, whereupon Mr. Moore wished to withdraw his resolution, as he was anxious above all things to have unanimity of opinion. Mr. Sinclair refused to consent to its withdrawal, as he said, like a preamble in a bill, it formed a good reason for the appointing of a committee, which was the object of tho seeoud resolution, aud he Mioucht it was not too strongly worded.

The Ciiaiioian, however, declining to give his casting vote, the resolution fell to the ground. Another resolution was then framed by M C3srs. Sinclair and Singes on tho basis of the preced w*: " That this Association viewing with regret tho recent unavoidable action of tho Board of Education in suspending the usual salaries of teachers, do appoint a committee to watch the proceedings of tho Government with regard to their legislative enactments on public education." This resolution was also moved by Mr. Moore, it was seconded by Mr. Kingeu. and carried unani-

mously. •On tho motion of Mr. Flo wee, seconded by Mr. Pjjabck, of liomuera, a committee was then appointed with full powers, consisting of Messrs.. Moore, Sinclair, Taylor, Singer, and Talbot; Mr Taylor to be convener. In the course of a desultory conversation that followed, Mr. Sinclair appeared to be of opinion that if 110 action were taken, a threat effort would be made by the public aa soon as tho Council mot, and ho was persuaded Government schools would eventually supplant those of a merely denominational description. Mr. Sinclair thought they should sink their Belfish viewi jis teachers, and take a general view of tho matter. Tho present evstem wag based on the plan pursued by the Committee of Council on Educafion at Home ; it seemed to have wrought well here, for in those schools where ho had seen it in operation he had been truly aatonishod at the results, though whether these wore to bo attributed to the efficiency of the presont Inspector, or the simplicity of the system, he could not say. Tho Superintendent had suggested some alterations in tho " Auckland Wasto Lands Act, 1858," in order to obtain aa settlers a superior class q£ emigrants, or

sucK as bad some capital wherewith to go'upon their land. Such a description, of omiganta would be diiUcult to obtain so long as the educational institutions ot the province were not properly supported. Auckland at present stood foremost among the provinces of New Zealand in education, and tho abolition of tho Oovernmont schools would more than an3'thing else lower her position as an emigration field. It was the interest also of every private teacher in Auckland that the Government schools should he kept up, for tho ordinary English instruction received in would form a standard from which to rise, and his own experience was that whenever an ordinary English education was within the roach of tho humbler classes, those parents who were better off : in a worldly point of view invariably strove to give their children a superior education.

Mr. SitfGEU differed with Mr. Sinclair, and thought thesystemcarried out in Canterbury wassuporior to that in Auckland, for tho authorities there got tho Auckland biU to base upon, aud had all tho advantages of our system with such as their own wisdom could suggest.

Mr. Tai/bot said that whon tho matter of the sain* ries was looked into, and the expense of house-rent, firewood, &.<*., considered, tho town teachers would bo found to have a stronger claim on tho lioard than oven tho country ores, for the latter gererully had a free house, free firewood, cow's grass, and an acre or so of land.

Mr. Macintosh thought if the committee were to write to tho difleront Superintendents throughout the Province so as to arrive at united action in tho matter, it would greatly strengthen their hands.

A cordial vote of thanks was then awarded the Rev. Mr. Gould aud Messrs. Frederick 1). Young, John Hall, and James P. King, of Otuhuhu, for the public spirit they had shown and tho exertions tlioy liad mado on behalf of public oducation in tho Government schools. Tho tliunks of the meoting wore then givon to tho Ohairinan, and the proceedings terminated.