EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1847, 31 July 1907, Page 65

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tlie Wellington District Educational Institute was held Friday evening in the Tecnichal School buildings. Mr A. Erskine (president) occupied the chair. There were about twenty members in attendance. The annual report, already published, was read by the secretary and adopted, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr 11, Parkinson. The balance-sheet sumbittecl by the treasurer (Mr G. M. Anderson) showed a surplus of <£26 Os 6d in the amount of receipts over expenditure, a credit balance of <£s6 Os 4d in the benefit fund, a credit balance of <£l27 in the deposit account, while assets exceeded, liabilities by <£l92 7s 4d. It was explained that out of the balance in hand about <£ll 10s was earmarked to pay for the printing of the “Journal of Education.” The chairman explained that two years ago it was decided to abolish the defence fund, as they paid 3s per head individually to the head institute,, part of which was devoted to defence purposes. It was recognised, therefore, that no reason existed for the continuance of a local defence fund. The fund was accordingly abolished, and the amount wa? held on deposit to be used for the benefit of the institute at any time. The benefit fund now had a balance of £53 17s 3d. The interest on the fund had been allocated, and the statement with regard to the fund was now clear. The amount standing to the credit of the benefit fund and the amount held for general purposes had been placed on deposit with the Welliugton Trust Loan and Investment Company. The institute had done very well during the year, and the treasurer was to be congratulated on his success in getting in subscriptions. If he were as successful in the coming year, the institute ought to be in a very flourishing condition by this time twelve months, especially as a large saving would be effected in regard to the cost of printing. He moved the adoption of the balance-sheet. The resolution was seconded by Mr W. Foster, and agreed to after some slight discussion and explanation as to the details.

The following honorary officers were duly elected:—President, Mr W. Foster; vicepresidents, Miss Bright and Mr Parkinson; treasurer, Mr G. M. Henderson; committee, Miss Watson, Messrs Hopkirk, McKenzie, and 11. A. Cowles, 8.A.; auditor, Mr C. Bary; secretary, Mr Jas. Fanning. Mr Hopkii'k moved the following resolution of which he had given notice: • —“That whereas in a progressive districta time comes when a head teacher of a large school must retire from regular class teaching for the purpose of efficiently supervising his school, this institute is of opinion that the scale of staffs should bo so amended as to provide at that stage for an additional teacher to take, over the class vacated by the head teacher.” The motion was seconded pro forma by Mr McMorran, and carried by a majority of eight votes to seven. A suggestion that the resolution should be sent forward in the shape of a remit to the conference was agreed to. Mr Darroch proposed—“ That it be a recommendation from this institute to the Wellington Education Board to appoint a travelling instructor of cookery for the citv schools instead of bringing tlie children to centres.” Ho pointed out that parents objected to sending their children all over the city to a particular centre. He was willing to accept an amendment in favour of the establishment of another centre. The motion was seconded by Mr Cowles, but after some slight discussion was withdrawn with the consent of the meeting. 'The chairman stated that Mr Fleming had asked him to inform tlie meeting that the Minister of Education had not given hi.s consent to tho placing of the British Empire Reader on the list of books; but those schooLs which had already imported them would be permitted to use them. A vote of thanks to the _ outgoing officers concluded the proceedings.