NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 879, 4 January 1889, Page 17

NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

The Council of the New Zealand Educational Institute resumed its annual sitting at 10 a.m yesterday in the Girls’ High School, the President (Mr G. Macmorran) occupying the chair. Mr J. Reid (Otago) who had only just arrived in Wellington, took his seat at the Council for the first time. Miss Gascoigne was elected to represent Nelson in the absence of Mr Harkness, through illness. Pursuant to notice Mr Cowles (Nelson) moved, “ That the resolution forwarded from Auckland urging the removal of Dr Richardson’s Temperance Lesson Book and the First Lessons in Temperance from the list of books to be used in the schools, be referred to tbe branch institute for their consideration.” Mr Langford (Nelson) seconded the motion. MrScott(Christchurch) moved, seconded by Mr Opie, “That the resolution be considered at the present meeting of the Council.” This was agreed to after some discussion. Mr J. M. Murray (Waikato) then moved, ‘ ‘ That, in the opinion of this Institute, Dr Richardson's Temperance Lesson Book, and the First Steps in Temperance, contain an amount of controversial matter which renders them unfit for use in the public schools, and this Institute, therefore, urges upon the Minister of Educa-

tion that they should be removed from the list of books authorised to be so used.” Mr J. G. Scott seconded this.

An amendment was moved by Mr Cowles, seconded by Mr Horne, “That the -words, ‘ when a more suitable work can be obtained,’ be added to the resolution,” and was discussed at considerable length, but, on being put, was lost. Mr Opie (Otago) then moved—“ That this Council, while advocating temperance principles, does not think Dr Richardson’s Temperance Lesson Book the most suitable for that purpose, and does not approve of its use as a text book.” Mr Selby (Otago) seconded this motion, w'hich was carried unanimously. The Education Act Amendment Committee’s report was brought up by Mr Dempsey (Taranaki). The Committee's recommendations were considered seriatim —(1) That the appointment, removal, and payment of Inspectors should be placed under tlie control of the Education Department. Agreed to. (2) That in the interests of education and the teaching profession the time has arrived when the appointment, promotion, removal and payment of teachers should be vested in a central authority. Lost. At this stage the Council adjourned until 2.30 p.m.