SCHOOL COMMITTEES' ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14000, 5 September 1907, Page 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEES' ASSOCIATION

The following are tho terms of tho report to be submitted by tho executive. ot the quarterly meeting of tho association tonight:— Your executivo has to report that the first quarter just passed of tho "current year has not been marked by any aggiessivO action . on its part, so that it has to confine itself to detailing what has been done - since '■ lost annual meeting in,'tho way ,of carrying out. tho wishes of the members as signified on that : occasion, together with the business done by tho executive in .tho .ordinary course.' •.A deputation from this association, by arrangement with It? T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., niet tho Country School Committees' Association at its annual meeting in June last, when addresses were delivered showing the. .ad-' vantages of combined effort. The deputation, was well received! hilt so far we have roceived. no official notifications from the country association as to'its views upon tho matter. , Following up the. action taken just prior to tho annual meeting, and with the help ofthe willing sub-conumtteo appointed at; a. publio meeting called, at the instance of your, executive by his Worship tie Mayor, a most, successful observance of Empire Day wis carried out, reflecting credit on all concerned. The result was convoyed to Lord Meath, who has always taken such a lively interest in tho movement, and who ■ has since courteously replied expressing; his gratification ot what had been done, at-.tho same time promising to give this association all the help from tho Mother Land ho pcssiblj; could, in'tho, hope of awaking even <».' deeper interest in the future. ' , i • ' " ' It will have been noticed that your executive at short notice gave its 'support to' Professor.' LeacoelcV lecturo, promoted by tho Navy League and given <under the auspices ,of tho New Zealand Education Department. - v 1 A gratifying acknowledgment has been* received from Mr Marl: Cohon ot the resolution forwarded to him by this association. An engrossment of the resolution, passed at the annual meeting, congratulating Mr Colin Gilray on' having won a Rhodes scholarship was presented - to. him prior to his leaving tho colony.- > • Additions to ; the Technical .School having; been completed and furnished with the single adjustable desks, members 'of'.this association gladly'responded to-the-,invitation to inspeot the building, and were >ery favourably'impressed with the innovation: Taking advantage of . the,visit of Dr : H. X. Morris, M;A., LL.D., 'Inspector .of Teachers under, the Education Department of N.S.W., your executive arranged a meeting of bead masters and others interested in", the:.causeof education to meet him, whin-he, kindly, attended and gave much valuable information -as to tho working ot the N.S.W. system, including the training, payment; and promotion ot teachers, the staffing of schools) ■ aiid technical education. The quoslion of modern school furniture was brought up, but this seems-, to bo a matter that baa not "as yet engaged the. attention of the cfluoationisl-3 on tho otheri'side to the extent'it has in; this colony. •

The . South Canterbury Association; kindly exchanges reports with this body, and appears to bo a really " live" organisation, working on lines similar-to those adopted here.The executive has been in communication Vy'iili members of committees in' Invercargill, in. response.to a.request from that town;. and

has sent them full particulars of the' objects of this association and of the method of carry- ' ing on businesg, with a view f.o the formation!. of.an association there, ' ..

. Hoping the year the association lias juatentered upon will be marked bjr 'ihe gratifying s'ucccss of' the previous 'year's .'af.i 'ita existence, tho executive' assures •delegate!'' of its continued earnest' endeavours and- dee;? interest in the cause of education, and of its' faithful attention to any matters for the improvement and' advancement -of same which they may see fit to lav beforo.it.