Your Committee have the pleasure of presenting the following report of the affairs of the Waitaki Branch for the year 1889-1890.

Eight ordinary meetings and one special meeting were held during the year. The President's opening address dealt with the position of teacher and scholar, and contained many good suggestions.

Papers were read as follows:—"The Teacher as he was, is, and is to be," D. Ferguson, M.A.; "What shall a Boy learn?" P. B. Eraser, M.A.; "Critical Paper on Mason's Grammar," R. Peattie, M.A.

Discussions were held on "Keeping in," "Appointment of Teachers," "Interchange of Teachers for Examination Work," and "General School Work."

The Special Meeting was devoted to the consideration of the proposal for extra reading books in Standards I. and II.

The attendance at the meetings, though at times not so encouraging as the Committee could have wished, has on the whole been very satisfactory, the average being 11.

The Committee again desire to draw the attention of country teachers to the fact that they are always welcomed whenever they can find it convenient to attend during their visits to town. The Committee consider, too, that teachers could do worse than spend an hour or two in this way now and again.

The Science Classes started some time ago were carried on till the end of 1889. They have been discontinued since, as the attendance was not considered sufficient to warrant then-continuance. This seems a pity, as various teachers willingly gave their time to the lectures, which were calculated to benefit page 8 not only young teachers, but the outside public as well. Those who carried on the classes last were Mr. W. G. Don, Chemistry; Mr. K. Smith, Mechanics; and Mr. D. Ross, Heat. The Institute suffers no financial drawback from its connection with these classes. As all subscriptions have not yet been paid, the balance-sheet is not completed.

D. Ross, Secretary.

Annual Report of the Milton Branch.

Officers 1889—90. President: Mr. William Moelrea. Secretary and Treasurer: Mr. James Parlane.

Five meetings have been held during the year:—

7th Sept., 1889.—Annual Meeting; Mr. Mahoney gave a report of the Discussion of the Committee of Management on Mr. White's Case.

2nd November, 1889.—Mr. McElrea read a paper on "Difficulties in the way of Interchange of Ideas between Teacher and Pupils."

7th December, 1889.—Meeting in conjunction with Balclutha Branch at Balclutha; Discussion of the Syllabus for the Council of the N.Z.E.I.

29th March, 1890.—Mr. Dunbar read a paper on "Historical Aspect of Education."

31st May, 1890.—Mr. Reid read a paper on "Individual v. Class Examination."

Jas. Parlane. Secretary.

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Annual Report of the Dunedin Branch.

Officers 1889-1890. President: Mr. G. H. Smith. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer: Mr. A. Pirie.

During the Session of 1889-1890, eight meetings have been held, at which the average attendance has been 17; the highest being 31 in August, and the lowest 8 in November.

A paper has been read at each meeting. The following was the programme of work carried out:—

Miss Eraser—"Our Girls."

Mr. J. Reid—"Essay on Education."

Mr. Chilton—"Natural History Societies for Children.".

Prof. O. David—"Physical Education."

Mr. McPhee—"Political Economy as a School Subject."

Mr. W. Gray—"The Influence of the Scholar's School Life on His Character."

Mr. Paterson—"The Importance of English History as a School Subject."

Mr. White—"The Education Board's Scholarship Scheme."

A. Pirie, Secretary.

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Railway Arrangements.—Saturday Return Tickets available tor one month may be obtained for distances over 20 miles. Saturday Return Tickets will be issued for distances of 20 miles and under on the25th, 26th, 28th, 29th, and 30th of July, and will be available for return until the4th of August, on the production of a certificate from the Secretary of the Education Board.

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