The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 46

Annual Report of the Waitaki Branch

Annual Report of the Waitaki Branch.

On the 12th March, 1881, the Waitaki Branch of the Educational Institute was constituted for the year. Mr. Alex. Stewart, Union street school, Dunedin, was appointed Representative on the General Committee of Management, and Mr. Neil Fleming, Representative Essayist to Annual Meeting. Nine meetings were held—eight monthly and one extraordinary. This last was held for the purpose of considering the subjects to be recommended to the Oamaru Caledonian Society for its bursary competitions. At one of the monthly meetings the address of the retiring President, on "Our Schoolmasters," was criticised. The Secretary suggested that the Members should ballot for the order in which they should give papers. The ballot was taken and no member has failed to provide a paper since. The following is the list of subjects and essayists: "Difficulties of Inspection," Mr. Peattie; "Half-time Schools," Mr. Sinclair; "School Government," Mr. Lindsay; "Teaching of History," Mr. Rice; "Geography of the Standards," Mr. Wallace; "Critique on Possible Culture," Mr. Darley; "School Hygiene," Mr. Piper; "Teaching from Objects," Mr. Wood. The membership has slightly decreased, but the members have been more enthusiastic and more regular in attendance, and, as regards the work accomplished, this branch has never before been in so flourishing a condition. The above was adopted at the Annual Meeting on 4th March, 1882.

Robert Peattie,

Secretary.