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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 76

Fifth Session

Fifth Session.

January 4th, 1900. 10 A.M.

The Council resumed, the President in the chair.

Minutes.—The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Executive Report.—The Executive presented the following Report:—

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.

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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.

Interview with the Minister.—On April 22nd the Wellington members of the Executive had an interview with the Minister of Education for the purpose of laying before him the resolutions of the last Council. We were received, as usual, with great courtesy and sympathy. The following matters were discussed:—
(a)Uniform Pupil Teacher system and examination. The Minister undertook to consider the matter.
(b)Better definition of the work in Geography for Standards IV., V., VI., and uniform drawing tests. These have now been met by the new regulations.
(c)A more uniform practice on the part of Inspectors in allotting marks for the purpose of raising the grade of teachers' certificates.—The Minister promised to look into the matter, and intimated that he considered some action necessary.
(d)Uniform Scale of Staffs and Salaries.—The announcement made by the Minister at the opening of this Conference renders it unnecessary to further report on this subject.
(e)Freedom of Classification was also discussed at length. The new regulations show that the long, persistent agitation of the Council has at last borne fruit. If these regulations are not quite on the lines we hoped, they are, at any rate, a beginning, and we could hardly hope that so great a change would be made all at once. No doubt improvement will be made from time to time. Some un-evenness and some friction are sure to arise at first under these new regulations, but it is hoped that by patience and firmness on the part of teachers and Inspectors an improved general education will result.

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.

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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.

Wm. Thos. Grundy

, Secretary to the Executive.

Adoption of Report.—On the motion of Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Parkinson, the report was received and adopted.

Nelson Case.—On the motion of Mr. Davidson, seconded by Mr. Law, it was resolved, "That the Council pay the expenses incurred in connection with the Kelson case."

Wanoanui Education Board.—On the motion of Mr. Gill, seconded by Mr. Eudey, it was resolved, "That this Council expresses to the Wanganui Education Board its appreciation of the courtesy extended to the New Zealand Educational Institute in inviting representatives of the various district institutes to take part in the Education Conference in July last, and also its satisfaction at the tangible results of that Conference.

Report of Committee.—The Committee appointed to consider the letters received from Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs and S. N. Brown and Co., brought up the following report:—

The Committee met to consider letters received from Messrs. S. N. Brown and Co. and Whitcombe and Tombs. There were present Messrs. Macdonald (Chairman), Hughes, Holmes, Newton, Selby and Parkinson.

The letters received by the Council were considered.

It was decided to make the following recommendations:—
(a)That a reply be sent to Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs pointing out that they are in error in supposing that the "New Zealand Journal of Education" had been made the official organ of the Institute for only one year: also, that Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs be thanked for their offer, and informed that the Institute does not see its way to reverse the decision arrived at last year.
(b)That a reply be sent to Messrs. S. N. Brown and Co. expressing satisfaction with the measure of success achieved during the year in the management of the journal.
(c)That the Council again strongly commend the journal to the support of the profession, more especially as it is conducted by teachers for teachers.

Adoption of Report.—On the motion of Mr. Macdonald, seconded by Mr. Eudey, the report was received and adopted.

Constitution Committee.—The Council then resolved into Committee to consider the report of the Constitution Committee.

Upon resuming the Committee reported progress, and asked for leave to sit again.

Adjournment of Council.—The Council then adjourned till 2.30 p.m.