The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 42
Report of the Waitaki Branch
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 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.