COUNTRY TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

Southland Times, Issue 17620, 7 April 1914, Page 2

COUNTRY TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

The ordinary meetingthe’Country Teachers’ Association was. held on Saturday afternoon In the Education Board’s buildings. There was a representative meeting of members, the following being being present—Misses- Gray (Mataura Island), Smith (Charlton), Messrs .1. White (Wyndham South), Hiddlestone (Edendale), E. McKay (Otapiri), L. McKay (Longbush), L. Clapp (Opto), and H. McFeely (Tuatapere). The President (Mr H. McFeely) gave a brief report of the work done during the past quarter, and general satisfaction was expressed with regard to the policy of the association, and the results achieved. Mr E. McKay introduced a discussion on the teachers’ salaries scheme, and it was generally thought that the salaries of the lower grade schools were not at all on a just scale. For the three-lowest grades of schools the scheme was unsatsfactory, particularly so in grade three, where the salary proposed would be considerably Jess than that now paid. The scheme as set before members was generally condemned. In view of the dissatisfaction expressed -it was unanimously resolved to nominate Mr E. .McKay ay a delegate to the special meeting of the X.Z.E.I. to be held in Wellington in duly. Mr .las. White moved, "That a complete set of copies of the School .lournai be hound annually by the publishers and presented to each school in the dominion to he incorporated in the school library for reference." The motion received the hearty support of the members, and it was decided to bring the matter before the Institute.

The matter of ensuring a full attendance of members at Institute meetings when important matters were to be discussed was brought forward, and Mr (>as»sard gave the views, of a sub-com-mittee appointed by the Institute to consider the matter. The suggestions made were considered very satisfactory, and it was decided to support them when brought before the Institute. The following resolution was unanimously carried ; “That in view of the large number of small school's in Southland, the Country Teachers’ Association respectfully suggests to the Board that in considering the appointment of inspectors 10 appoint at least one inspector who lias had considerable experience as a sole teacher.**

A motion that all future meetings of tlie Association be held quarterly on the first .Saturday in the quarter was adopted. Arrangements for the annual meeting being left in the hands of the president and secretary.