N.Z.E.I. NELSON BRANCH.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14893, 16 October 1918, Page 3 (Supplement)

N.Z.E.I. NELSON BRANCH.

ANNUAL MEETING

September 23rd. The annual meeting of the Nelson branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute was held at the Girls' Central School on Saturday morning. In the absence of the president (Mr T. J. Griffin), who telegraphed an apology, Mr C. M. G. Boyce Avas voted to the chair. An apology for absence was also received from the ■ vice-president (Mr R. Irwin); Miss . Johnson, the hon. treasurer, "submitted the' "Balance-sheet, • which showed a credit balance of about £20. I, TKe annual report --was' read by vthe secretary (Mr Frank Coleman) as follows:— .

• "Meetings: Dxiring the year six general meetings have been held, in addition to attendance at informal meetings with the Dominion organiser, Mr E. U. Just. It is hoped that an future regular dates for meetings may be fixed

" Discussions. —At several of tbo meetings during tixe year discussions on the teaching of subjects have been held. These havo proved most interesting and instructive, and wo arc greatly indebted to Mr F. G. Gibbs, M.A., for so ahly leading in them, aud also to Mrs Kidson for her paper on the W2.rgo.nui Montessori School. We venture to hope that discussions may be continued during the ensuing year ''Library.—A small, but wo hope select, reference library of educational works has been established at the board's office during the year. The catalogue is in preparation, and will be issued immediately. "Institute.—The N.Z.E.I. at.the .last animal conference imposed a levy of 4s 6d per member to defray the expenses of propaganda work by the organising secretary, Mr Just. "Propaganda.—The organiser naid us a visit extending over-a week. He met teachers.. and the public. The .press extended valuable aid, and from time to time reports on -education topics have since appeared. Your executive would remind you that the work initiated has still to be carried on in the cause of education. No opportunity of keeping the cause before the public should be lost, if we are to have a truly national system and ono worthy of tho name in every sense. "Protection. —During the year the of a teacher bf^ng subjected to abuse was taken up by the executive, and we are pleaffxl to state brought to a satisfactory issuo. Another case inr volving legal points is still under review. "PiHsire. Shows.—lt is noted with very great satisfaction that the muchvexed question of cinemas has been approached in Nelson. In conjunction .with the W.C.T.U., the Nelson city teachers have inaugurated a system of i censorship which will no doubt give a much-desired lead to the wholo Dominion. "Biiller Branch. —Perhaps the outstanding feature of the year has been the formation of a separate branch for the Br.ller district. The preliminaries are settled, and we earnestly hope tho members on the other side of the district will grin much enthusiasm in Injstitute matters. Every assistance has been rendered them in the matter of their secession from tho parent branch, ! which we have hailed as evidencing enthusiasm, and -being in the true spirit of the constitution of the N.Z.E.I.

"Mr Vevsev. —Since the last annual meeting Mr J. T.-Veyscy, our auditor, has retired on superannuation. We trust ho may long be spared to enjoy, his well-earned leisure.

"Thf> .War. —We foci we cannot con-r-lude this report without expi'e-ssmg the hope that ore another year passes the groat r-o"{lict nniy mgirg on the other side of the world may J>e brought to a glrvious and just t^'rmnntiou " The report and balanac-sheet were adooted.

Ji "was resolred that in the future the pninal meeting he held on tho secor^ 1 f^atuvlay in February.

As it is n-ilv ,i.'short time before the next annual meeting; owing to the alteration in the date, the election of officers was not proceeded with, the Dresent executive to carry on in the interim. '