Report of Dunedin Branch.

1896-7.

President.—J. Garrow, B.A.

Secretary.—O. J. Hodge, Esq.

During the year the Executive have held eight meetings all of which have been well attended.

In reply to a request to the Committee of Management to recommend to the Board the advisability of showing on Scholarship and Pupil Teacher Examination papers, the marks allotted by the examiner to each question, the Executive were informed that there was little difference in the number of marks allotted to each question.

In view of the increase made in the requirements in Scholarship examinations the Executive supported the Hon. John Macgregor's motion to raise the age limit to 13yrs. 6mths. and 15yrs. 6mths.

As you are aware the increase proposed is withdrawn for the present year.

The question of Corporal punishment bulked largely in teachers' minds during the year and the Committee of Management was the object of many unkind remarks on the part of teachers.

The Executive viewed with alarm the attitude the Committee was reported to have taken up on this question, but on enquiry found that the interests of the teachers were being carefully guarded by that body.

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Acting under directions given by ten at the general meeting of members, the Executive arranged for holding a picnic at the Glen Outram.

Unfortunately the weather proved unfavourable. Those who were present expressed themselves as thoroughly pleased with the outing, and the Executive is of opinion that the teachers' picnic now inaugurated, will in its yearly recurrence prove a great means of bringing teachers together in social intercourse.

The success of the picnic under adverse circumstances leads the Executive to the conclusion that the time has arrived when one or two evening gatherings could with advantage be held.

Another of the recommendations of the General meeting was, 'that a room should be obtained in which teachers might meet, and in which educational books and journals could be read.' After obtaining information as to the rent of suitable rooms, the Executive decided that for the present at least it would be better to use one of the rooms in the Normal School. The library is now in that room, and Educational papers will be filed. Teachers will in turn be in charge of the room on Saturdays from 9a.m. to 4p.m. and all members of the Institute will be cordially welcomed and are invited to make the freest use of the room.

It was thought that on account of the Diamond Jubilee, schools should be closed from June 19th to July 3rd, and that the Inspectors' examinations should not begin till a fortnight after the re-opening of the schools. Suggestions to that effect were made to the Board through the Committee of Management, bet the proposals were not favourably received.

Your Executive also took into consideration another matter that seemed to them of pressing importance; that was the payment of subscriptions. Though the Branch has been supported this year even better than last there are many teachers who are not members. The custom has prevailed of paying page 23 subscriptions at all times before the year begins and after it has closed. This leads to confusion both as to membership and as to the actual financial position of the Branch—a state of affairs that should not be allowed to continue. The Branch now forms a part of a duly registered society, with a legal standing, and if membership is of any use at all, teachers should see that they are on the roll of members. The Executive have therefore to recommend to their successors the urgent necessity of devising some means of collecting subscriptions and compiling the roll in the beginning of the Institute's year, as a roll is absolutely necessary, now that the Branch forms part of an incorporated society.

Another matter that must soon be considered is the drawing up of a set of rules for the Branch, in accordance with the Constitution to be drawn up by the Institute.

While convinced of the greater facility in the despatch of business obtained by present arrangements, the Executive consider that the general monthly meetings were of good service, and would recommend that arrangements be made for again holding general meetings.

When Unions of all kinds are so flourishing it is strange that "The Teachers' Union," which has for its object, not only the improvement in the position of teachers as a body, but also the advance of general education throughout the Colony, should be so feebly supported.

The Incorporation of teachers as a legally registered society, the gathering in social intercourse, and the opening of a teacher's reading-room are the main distinguishing points of progress during the past year, and these, the Executive trust will be effective in destroying the apathy which at present so largely exists, so that our Union may become more powerful, not only for the furtherance of the interests of teachers but also for the good of the whole community.