EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 1342, 18 August 1877, Page 7

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OTAGO.

A general meeting of the members of the above Institute was held in the Normal School on Saturday. There was a large attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr J. B. Park, Vice-President.

NEW MEMBERS.

The following gentlemen were elected mem bers : — The Revs. Lindsay Mackie, J. Sutherland, Dr Copland, Mr Watt; Mr Wm. Ronaldsen, and Mr T. Paterson.

THE EDUCATION BILL.

Mr White stated that he had received several communications from country districts approving of the Bill, more especially from Southland.

Mr Russell then proposed the following resolution :— " (1), That we express concurrence with the general principles of the Education Bill, and refer with especial satisfaction to the general power of local administration conferred on Boards and Committees, to the course of instruction provided for public schools, to the recognition of the principle of compulsion, to the system of payment according to average attendance, and to the substitution of a capitation tax for fees."

The Rev. Dr Stuart considered that a great honour had been conferred upon him in asking him to_ second the motion. As a citizen and a Christian man, he could not help taking an interest in education. He considered that the Bill, taken all in all, was a moat admirable measure, and it proposed to provide education for everyone in the land, and also good educators. The Bill if fairly administered would put the teachers of Otago in as good a position as those^ in any other p&rt of the world. Whon he heard of itg introduction into Parliament, he took it upon himself to telegraph to ihe Hon. Mr Bowen, saying, "God speed your Bill.'' He was delighted with the measure, as it made provision not only for primary, but also for secondary education. He proceeded then to r,k strongly in favour of the latter, and of desirability of hopes of promotion to secondary schools being held out to teachers of primary schools. He felt sure that the principle of compulsion would work well, and he thought that the principle of payment by reBultß would be found to answer satisfactorily. The sweeping away of fees pleased him very much, because they had the effect of preventing children from attending school. He most cordially approved of the Bill, and would feel gratified if a resolution in favour of it were to go up to Wellington from tha Institute to the Government.

Mr FmoEEALD said that what was contained in the Bill met with his most cordial approbation. He referred to the speech of the Hon. Mr Bowen iv introducing the Bill, and said that he approved of the local administration which had been conferred upon Boards and Committees. The substitution of a capitation fee instead of those formerly charged would prove a great boon to teachers, as it was with reluctance they gave the time necessary for the collection of fees. He quite agreed with the recognition of the principle of compulsory attendance, as the necessity of that was apparent from the application which had been made for admission to tbe Caledonian Society's classes. Having referred to the chief points in the Bill, he said that they had the strong arm of the law brought in for the purpose of compelling children to submit to a course of instruction. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Malcolm had much pleasure in proposing the following resolution:— " (2.) That, as the success of the practical working of the Bill will depend very much upon the manner of the distribution of the attendance grant by the Education Board, this Institute would draw the attention of the Minister of Justice to the importance of this re-distribution being made on a satisfactory basis — viz., a classification both of schools and teachers." Mr Grigob seconded the motion. Mr Duncan moved the following addition to the motion :—" And that teachers receive not less under this Act than they receive at present."

Mtßlathwatye seconded the amendment, which was rejected, and the original motion carriea.

Mr Beattie moved—" (3.) That, as the main object oi the Bill is to extend the benefits of education, this meeting considers it necessary that the compulsory clauses should, as soon as practicable, be made uamistakeably imperative, rather than of a permissive character." Mr M'Kay seconded the motion. —Agreed to Mr Stewabt moved— " (4.) That the radius for compulsory attendance be increased to three miles for children between the ages of nine and thirteen, and that the six months' compulsory attendance be continuous for at least three month? at a time."

Mr Reid seconded the motion.— Carried. Mr Montgomery moved—" (5.) With regard to the constitution of the Education Board, whilst admitting that School Committees should be largely represented, we are of opinion that it is inexpedient that the Education Board should be exclusively elected by School Committees. We, therefore, think that provision should be made so that ths principle of nomination hitherto adopted in the constitution of the Board be in part retained, and further think that this would be to the advantage of the interests of higher education." Mr Malcolm seconded the motion. Mr Russell said that tlie principle of nomineeiam was most undesirable, and moved as an amendment — " That the principle laid down in the Bill should bo adhered to."

The amendment having been seconded, ib was declared carried.

Mr Lothian moved—" That the conscience clause in section 85 be made available for teachers as well as pupils." Mr M'Nichol seconded the motion.— Agreed to. On the motion of Mr Duncan, seconded by Mr G. Reid, it was resolved—" That a quorum of each Board should consisl of five members instead oi three."

Mr Peattie moved—" That this Institute is of opinion that a retiring allowance should be provided for teachers," but, after discussion withdrew it. '

# Mr White moved— "( 6.) That the resolutions adopted by this Institute be embodied in a memorial, and transmitted to tbe Hon. j\ir Bowen, and that such memorial be drawn up by the General Committee of Management, and signed by the President on beh*lf of members of the Institute." Seconded and carried. Thia ended the business.