Report of Executive, January, 1900.

Your Executive has the honour to present its usual Annual Report to the Council.

The Executive has much pleasure in reporting that a Branch Institute has been established in Marlborough, and therefore now every educational district in New Zealand has a branch affiliated with the New Zealand Educational Institute.

The following matters were handed over by the last Council meeting to be considered by the Executive: (a) Investment of legal funds;(b) English Superannuation scheme; (c) Revision of the Constitution;(d) Members of the Executive to be members of the Council.

We deal with these seriatim.

Legal Assistance Fund.—As requested by the Council, the Executive submitted to the Branches the advisability of investing with Trustees all amounts in the Legal Assistance Fund over £250. The branches which have replied are all favourable to this way of dealing with the Fund.

Constitution.—Your Executive desires to state its opinion that all propositions for radical changes in the Constitution must emanate from the Council itself. The Executive being a body scattered over New Zealand, finds it very difficult to deal with a large question of this sort which needs long discussion. Notes from Otago and Auckland are at the disposal of any committee which may be appointed by your Council.

General Conference.—Your Executive points out with satisfaction that members of the Branch Institutes were invited to attend a joint conference of Board members, Inspectors and teachers.

The Executive thinks that the courtesy of the Board prompting the conference should be recognised by your Council.

Technical Report.—Your Executive would draw the attention of the Council to the report on Technical Education drawn up by the Special Committee appointed by the Council at its last meeting.

Nelson Case.—In the early part of the year your Executive had under its consideration a case from Nelson. The headmaster of the Boys' Central School refused to place in Standard IV. a boy who had passed into that standard at a previous examination, but who had been absent from school for a lengthened period after the examination, and who had, in consequence, gone greatly back in his work. The parent protested and appealed first to the School Committee (which body supported the master's action) and subsequently to the Board. The Board upheld the parent's demand. The master applied to the Executive, and a case was stated for the opinion of our solicitors, who advised that the master was strictly within his legal rights, and suggested an appeal to the Minister of Education. The Minister upheld the master's action in every point. Your Executive incurred an expense of £7 7s., subject to a discount of £2 2s., and suggest that this amount be voted by the Council in payment of the costs. The headmaster concerned reports to your Executive that the action taken has had a most salutary effect on the attendance at the schools of the Nelson district.

In conclusion your Executive would suggest the advisability of making provision for payment of travelling expenses, if necessary, to members of the Executive for, say one meeting during the year. This would enable the whole Executive to meet together once a year if any very important matter cropped up.