The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 42

The Second Annual Report, 1878-9

The Second Annual Report, 1878-9.

The General Committee of Management have much pleasure in bringing under the notice of members the report of the Institute for the past year. In accordance with the amended regulations, the Committee was increased by five additional members representing the Institute; three of the five so elected having found it inconvenient to attend, resigned. The Committee, being empowered to fill up the vacancies, nominated Messrs. A. Stewart, W. Duncan, and W. B. McKay, who have continued to act on your Committee. It has not been thought necessary to call any special meeting of the Institute, and only the usual quarterly meetings of Committee have been held.

As may be seen from the subjoined report, many questions have been before your Committee besides those sent up from the annual meeting. It has been the special endeavour of the Committee to fully cany out and give effect to the resolutions of last Conference.

The Recommendations of the Annual Meeting.

The resolutions respecting the teaching of science in schools were forwarded to the Minister of Education.

The monthly payment of teachers' salaries was brought under the notice of the Education Board by letter, and the application supported by a deputation. The Board readily recognised the expediency of the proposed arrangement, and promised to establish a system of monthly payments on and after the 1st of April.

The valuable suggestions contained in Professor Shand's Address with respect to the Education Act, were laid before members and others interested in education by the distribution of copies of the Transactions of the Institute to the Ministry and Members of Parliament, and also to the editors of the leading journals throughout New Zealand and else-where.

In connection with the educational exhibition, your Committee were of opinion that an exhibition of the industrial work, executed in our schools, would have its advantages, and inviting the branches to co-operate, brought the general scope and character of the exhibition under the immediate notice of teachers by means of circulars. This is of course intended to be supplementary to the educational exhibition, of which notice was given at the annual meeting. Your Committee communicated with the leading publishers in Great Britain, America, and the Colonies, pointing out the objects contemplated in such an exhibition, and sent to each a copy of the Report and Transactions in order to show what position the Institute holds, and is likely hereafter to hold in New Zealand. The specific object of the exhibition is to have before us the latest improvements in school books and school apparatus, with the view of bringing under the notice of the Minister of Education recent and valuable aids to education, and thus possibly lead to their introduction into the schools of the colony. Your Committee intimated to the Hon. the Minister of Education that such an exhibition was to be held, and suggested that the cost of transmission might prevent some from sending who would otherwise be so disposed, and requested that exhibits sent to the Agent-General might be forwarded to the Colony on favourable terms. Your Committee further represented that the exhibition was to be of a purely public and educational character. Your Committee received intimation from Mr. J. Hislop, Secretary to the Education Department, that the cost to the Institute, if any, would be merely nominal, and that the Agent-General had been advised to receive and forward exhibits addressed to him.

Your Committee have to thank Mr. Hislop for his personal interest in affairs of the Institute, and for his endeavours to promote the success of the exhibition.

Up to the present time five of the most influential publishers—T. Laurie, Esq., Wm. Collins and Son, Longman and Co., Clarendon Press, and T Nelson and Sons, have apprised the Committee of their shipment of boxes containing specimen copies of school works, &c.

Your Committee regret to say, that in consequence of some delay at the beginning of the year, it is just possible that some of the exhibits may not be to hand by Easter week.

Your Committee now see that an extensive and successful exhibition is at any future meeting practicable.

The only other matter arising out of last year's recommendations is that your Committee should prepare and present to Mr. Hislop an Address expressive of the Institute's appreciation of his services in the cause of education in Otago. The Address will be presented for signature at the annual meeting.

Library.

The library regulations have not worked so satisfactorily as was anticipated. Your Committee have had the whole subject under consideration.

Various proposals have been made; amongst others, one for the disposing of part of the library. It is thought that as very many of the books are to be found in almost any public library, there should only be such in our library as are of a strictly professional character.

The expense of sending the boxes to and from Dunedin is also objected to. This, however, might be obviated if the method of the Auckland Teachers' Library were adopted. There books, passing from the teachers to the librarian, if addressed as under the care of the Secretary to the Education Board, are allowed to go post free. A similar privilege might be conceded by our Education Board. Your Committee, have, however, refrained from carrying out any alteration, thinking it advisable to await your direction on this important matter.

The Forthcoming Meeting, 1879.

Your Committee earnestly recommend teachers to attend the Annual Meeting. The Education Board has again recognised the importance of the meeting by a recommendation to School Committees to grant the requisite vacation.

Your Committee were pleased to observe a number of female teachers at last meeting, and hope for their presence in greater numbers at the ensuing meeting.

A cordial invitation is extended to teachers in the other Provinces.

Your Committee have to intimate that the Minister of Railways, Hon. Mr. Macandrew, has been pleased to grant that return tickets, available until the 21st, be issued at single rates to teachers attending the Conference. Your Committee have to thank Mr. Pryde, Secretary to Education Board, for his exertions in the matter of securing this privilege.

Programme of Business.

The Meetings will be held on the 15th 16th, and 17th April, 1879, in the Normal School.

A copy of the programme is herewith sent to members. In addition to the ordinary business provided for in the programme, members are invited to bring forward (due notice being given of the same) such other matters as may appear to them worthy of consideration.

Signed on behalf of Committee,

D. White

, Secretary,

Jas. Reid

, Treasurer.