Annual Report of the Southland Branch.

In submitting the Second Annual Report of this Branch of the Otago Educational Institute, I have to state, regarding the membership, that it has been augmented by the addition of three members since last annual meeting.

Five meetings of the Branch have been held during the year—three general, one adjourned, and one special. The average attendance of members at these meetings stands at nine.

Owing to a continual press of matters relating to the ordinary business of the Association, but little has been done in the direction of producing and reading papers on pertinent subjects by members—the only paper placed before the Branch being one on the "Synthetical Method of Teaching Geography," by J. G. Smith, Esq., Long Bush.

That the Association has done substantial work in the interest of Education, may be inferred from the nature of the subjects dealt with at the meetings. The following outline will convey a fairly accurate conception of what has been done in this connection:—(1) What should be the character of the relation existing between the Association and the Otago Educational Institute? (2) whether absent members should be allowed, under certain restrictions, to vote in important decisions on the condition of a written expression of opinion on the subject in consideration; (3) the co-operation of the teachers in the Lake District; (4) circulation of productions on educational questions; (5) representation on the Committee of the Educational Institute; (6) the formation of a library; (7) the Inspector-General's syllabus; (8) the school books best adapted to the requirements and the circumstances of the schools of the distrrict.

The funds of the Association are in a not unsatisfactory condition, there being a small balance in favour. At the same time there are two small items of outstanding liabilities.

To conclude, there is occasion to remark that a considerable number of the members have manifested great interest in the successful management of the Association. At the same time, many of the teachers have not yet connected themselves with an Institution which, contemplates, not only the general interests of education, but also the individual well-being of the teacher. The Branch cherishes the hope that during the ensuing year there will be a considerable accession to its membership, and keen interest exhibited in its conduct.

James Orr, Hon. Sec.

page 9

Annual Report of the Milton Branch.

I beg to submit to you the Second Annual Report of the Milton Branch of the Educational Institute of Otago.

The following gentlemen were the office-bearers for the past year:—Mr. Ayson, President; Mr. Malcolm, Delegate for the Branch; and Mr. Brown, Secretary, Treasurer, and Librarian. During the year one member has withdrawn, and two have been admitted, one of whom was formerly a member of the Balclutha Branch. The other has subsequently left the district. At present the number on the roll is eleven.

Six meetings have been held, and two papers read, viz.:—(1) A critique on Mr. Stout's essay, "Can Morals be Taught in Secular Schools?"—Rev. Mr. Chisholm. (2) "The Latin of the Augustan Period"—Mr. Malcolm. Both papers were well received, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to each of the readers.

At the Annual Meeting of the Branch, held on the 22nd inst., Mr. Ayson, who has ably filled the office of President for the past two years, resigned in consequence of his leaving the district. Mr. Malcolm was elected President and Delegate for the Branch, and Mr. Brown, Secretary, Treasurer, and Librarian for the ensuing year.

I have much pleasure in stating that the condition of the Branch is satisfactory as regards financial matters.

T. Brown, Sec.

Annual Report of the Tuapeka Branch.

I have the honour to submit the Second Annual Report of the Tuapeka Branch of the Educational Institute of Otago.

Office-hearers—Mr. Stables, President and Representative of the Branch on the General Committee of Management; Mr. Pope, Secretary and Treasurer.

Our membership for the year has been nine, and we have held eight meetings, at which papers were read, or educational subjects discussed. Papers: (1) Mr. Stables—"Schoolmasters' Associations;" (2) Mr. Drain—"Education;" (3) Mr. Anderson—"Arithmetic;" (4) Mr. Rix—"Reading."

The new classification, syllabus of examination, standards, &c., were considered, but nothing definite was arrived at, as the members were of opinion that these subjects would meet with the attention they demand at the annual Conference.

The Treasurer reports the receipts for the year to have been £6 19s. 6d., and expenditure £6 9s., leaving a balance of 10s. 6d.

Though the work of the year has not been quite so extensive as that of the previous one, yet from the interest shown by members in the Institute, we may safely say that a successful session has been passed.

Langley Pope, Sec.

page 10

Annual Report of the Balclutha Branch.

The last report of this Branch of the Institute was presented in March, 1878, since which time there have been held six meetings of the Association with an average attendance of eight members. At these meetings we have always had subjects of discussion affecting our professional work.

Papers of great interest have been read by the Rev. William Bannerman on the "Last Annual Report of the Education Board," and by Mr. George Stevens, on the "New Regulations for the Examination, Classification, and Certification of Teachers. These Regulations, together with those defining the Standards of Education, have been the theme of various keen discussions at our meetings.

The Regulation of the Education Board with regard to the payment of salaries on the scale of average attendance, has had a prejudicial effect on the general interests of the professional stall throughout the Clutha district. With the exception of the two largest schools, the incomes have been reduced.

We have sixteen members on the roll of the Association.

The receipts from subscriptions have been £7 19s. £4 11s. has been remitted to the General Treasurer as two-thirds subscriptions, and £1 16s. for Reports. 10s. 9d. has been paid for postages and incidental expenses, and the balance in hand is £1 10s. 9d.

James Mcneur, Sec.

Report of the Waitaki Branch.

The Waitaki Branch of the Educational Institute of Otago was constituted for the year 1878, at its monthly meeting in April. The following office-bearers were then elected:—President, Mr. A. Pirie. Otepopo; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. R. Peattie, High School, Oamaru: Librarian, Mr. W. Fidler, High School, Oamaru. At the next meeting Mr. J. B. Park, South School, Dunedin, was appointed the Branch's Representative to the General Committee of Management. Mr. W. Fidler was appointed by the Branch to read a paper at the Easter Conference in 1879.

The number of members has been nineteen, as against eleven the previous year. Seven of the nineteen are not teachers.

Nine meetings have been held throughout the year, at only two of which papers have been read by members.

Mr. Fidler read a paper on "The Future Prospects of Colonial Teachers," and Mr. Peattie, one on "The Basis of Pay." In continuation of the latter, the Branch considered at subsequent meetings the subject of "Attendance." At the remaining meetings, subjects for consideration were provided by the General Committee of Management, such as Professor Black's Science Scheme for Schools and the Departmental Regulations. On these and on the paper re "Basis of Pay," the Branch formed various resolutions as indicative of its opinion on the subjects, and these resolutions were from time to time forwarded to the General Committee of Management. Two of the page 11 meetings were held in outlying school-houses in the Waitaki district in accordance with a resolution of the Branch to hold its meetings quarterly, if possible, at places other than Oamaru. Very pleasant recollections are retained by all the members who attended these meetings.

The section of the library sent to the Branch has not been inquired after with the avidity which the search after knowledge characteristic of schoolmasters in general should ensure.

The Branch congratulates itself not only on its larger membership, but also on the increasing interest in its affairs, and the increased knowledge of the intention of the Institute manifested by the members during the past year.

Robert Peattie, Sec.

Report of the Dunedin Branch.

Members.—Professional, 43; non-professional, 20. Total, 63.

Office-bearers.—President, Mr. J. Reid; Treasurer, Mr. J. B. Park; Librarian, Mr. Lindsay; Secretary, Mr. Kneen.

Meetings.—Daring the year there have been ten ordinary meetings, and one special. The special meeting was called for the purpose of nominating a member to represent the Branch at the Annual Meeting of the Institute. Mr. Montgomery was appointed, and well performed his onerous duty.

Your Committee have much pleasure in noting an improved attendance at the meetings, there having been an average of nineteen members in attendance during the year.

Papers.—Contrary to the system hitherto followed, viz., balloting members to read papers, it was decided that the Secretary should issue cards to members requesting them to state if they would be willing to give papers during the ensuing year, and if so, upon what subjects. The replies were eminently satisfactory. Not only were there sufficient papers for the number of meetings, but the papers were decidedly of a superior kind; and the essayists well deserved the votes of thanks passed to them.

The following business occupied the meetings:—March—"The Management of Annual Meetings by the Teachers of Canada," introduced by Mr. A. Stewart. April—"The Teaching of Practical Physiology in Schools," by Rev. Dr. Copland. May—"A series of Resolutions on the Teaching of Elementary Science in Schools," by Dr. Black; "The Teaching of Natural Science," by Professor Hutton. June and July—Discussion of Dr. Black's resolutions. August—"The Teaching of Classics in our Public Schools," by Rev. M. Watt. October—"Habit," by Mr. Donald Stewart. December—"A few Observations concerning Modern Languages, more especially German, viewed as instrumental in secondary education," by Mr. A. Buechler.

In conclusion, your Committee beg to urge an increased attendance at the ordinary meetings, believing that such is the only thing needful to ensure the continued success of this Branch of the Institute.

Wm. Howard Kneen, Sec.