EDUCATION INSTITUTE

Southland Times, Issue 19481, 3 April 1922, Page 6

EDUCATION INSTITUTE

SOUTHLAND BRANCH. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Southland branch of the N.Z. Education Institute wae held in Stobo Hall on Friday. Both town and country were well represented and great interest in the procedings was evinced, not only by teachers but by others interested in educational matters who were present in good numbers. The proceedings opened with the hearty singing of the National Anthem. ANNUAL REPORT AND BALANCE SHEET. The President, Miss C. McLeod, M.A. who occupied the chair, moved the adoption of the report, (already published). In doing so, she referred in very appreciative terms to the work of Mr D. McNeil, who for many years past has been responsible for the drafting of the annual report, and whose approaching retirement, she said would cause a very serious loss to the Institute. The hope was expressed that the teachers who had retired during the year would live long to enjoy their retirement from active service. Feeling reference was also made to the deaths of Mr Walter Southern and Mr George Wilson. The report was 'adopted. The treasurer moved the adoption of the Balance Sheet which showed a credit of £62 5s lid. In doing so he stated that the membership roll was in a very satisfactory state. The motion was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were elected:—President, Mr D. M. Rae; vice-presid-ent, Mr A. C. Rowe, secretary, Mr G. Agnew; treasurer, Mr A. E. Featherstone. For the committee of management, 14 nominations were received, the ballot resulting in the election of Misses Baird and Seimond, and Messrs. Greig, Griffiths, Henry, Lawless, Miller, Sproat, Wilson and Young. CONGRATULATIONS. One of the best-known of Southland teachers, Mr W. G. Blackie was recently promoted to the Inspectorate, and the president in a very happy manner conveyed to him the heartiest good wishes of his fellow teachers on the appointment. Mr Blackie suitably responded. FEWER MEETINGS. Mr Blackie moved, Mr Sproat seconded, “That the number of general meetings of the Branch be reduced to four, one of which shall be the annual meeting.” The reasons adduced for the proposed change were that little of practical value resulted from the holding of monthly meetings, and that the attendance did not warrant their continuance. Mr Lenihan strongly opposed the motion, which was eventually carried by a large majority. EDUCATION: REVOLUTION OR EVOLUTION? This was the subject of the retiring President, Miss McLeod’s, address. She gave a brief view of the development of Education from the system of the Greeks onwards to its leading features in modem civilization with especial reference to postReformation education in Scotland. Her criticism of recent experiments in America showed that changes do not always spell reform. The theme was very carefully worked out giving in a concise form the matured judgments of one who has given a lifetime of service to education. The address will be published in a few days. SOCIAL AND VALEDICTORY. In the evening a well attended and successful social was held in Victoria Hall. At a suitable interval opportunity was taken to bid farewell to Miss McLeod who lately retired from the profession. Mr McNeil spoke of Miss McLeod's long and useful scholastic career, during which great changes for the better had been brought about in the conditions of the teaching service,’ Apt and striking comparisons were made between those existing forty years ago and those of the present day. A few decades ago the service was very poorly paid, and the women teachers constituting but 42 per cent were deemed incapable of any but the, lowest position. They now constituted 63 per cent, of the total, were on a financial equality with men, and almost all positions in the service were open to them. This raising of the status of women teachers was not reached without strenuous effort, and in that struggle Miss McLeod had done yeoman service. But her efforts were not confined to those of her own sex: wherever injustice was suffered and wrongs existed in the service that lady had done her part nobly and well towards their reformation. Her sane judgment and sense of justice had all through been willingly exercised on behalf of her fellow-teachers. She had occupied many positions of trust, and during this her final year of service as a teacher had filled with credit the highest position within the gift of her confrere. Throughout she had shown herself a fair broadminded woman and a good sport. On behalf of her fellowteachers Mr McNeil tendered to her the sincere thanks and the very best wishes for a long and happy period of retirement. Miss McLeod in returning thanks to all for their good wishes referred to the happy relations existing between herself and others in the service—the inspectors, her fellowteachers, and the Education Board staff. Wherever she saw injustice, she felt impelled to do what she could to remove it, and she felt extreme gratification in being assured that her efforts had been appreciated. Professor Shelley had told them that the test of education lay in the ability to employ one’s leisure profitably. She did not intend to spend her retirement idly but would continue to do her best for the betterment of others. Miss McLeod’s remarks were warmly applauded.