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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 42

Annual Report of the Southland Branch

Annual Report of the Southland Branch.

In presenting this, the Third Annual Report of the Southland Branch of the Educational Institute of Otago, I propose to give an abstract of its proceedings for the year 1879-80.

Office-Bearers.—At the Annual Meeting the Office-bearers of the previous year were reelected—Mr. Macgregor, President; and Mr. Orr, Secretary and Treasurer.

Meetings.—Eight Meetings were held during the year; five of these were regular, two were adjourned meetings, and one was special. The average attendance at these meetings was nine. An increased interest has been manifested in the work of the Association, while there has been an increase in its membership.

Papers.—No papers were read before the Association during the year. The remark I made in my report of last year appears again this year, namely—that the press of other business matters more than occupied the full time of the meetings. Of the matters dealt with, the following are some of the chief:—Discussion of subjects submitted by other branches, and by the Institute; the varied systems of Public School examination adopted throughout the Colony; the relation of School Inspectors to the General Department and to the Education Boards; the enforcement of the compulsory clauses of the Education Act; the "Standards" and "Passes" in them; the delivery of Science Lectures to the Teachers of Southland, by Professor Black, of Dunedin University, and G. M. Thomson, Esq. of Dunedin High School. The lectures of the former were on Chemistry; those of the latter, on Botany. I am most happy to say that these lectures were well attended, and enthusiastically received. At the conclusion of the courses, an examination was held, a pass in which will entitle the holder to a permanent certificate.

Finance.—The finances of this Branch of the Institute are in a satisfactory condition. The total receipts amount to £9 12s. 2d., of which the sum of £7 8s. 8d. is credited to members' subscriptions alone. The expenditure, which does not include the lectures on Science, which were met by special provision, amounts to an equal sum. The lectures on Science cost the Branch £37 7s. 6d. The whole amount is, however, covered by the receipts specially provided.

The hope expressed in the last Annual Report regarding the prosperity of the Branch has been realized in an encouraging degree; let me add another hope for still greater prosperity during the year 1880-81.

James Orr, Sec.