DOVEDALE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 7 November 1910, Page 2

DOVEDALE.

(From a Correspondent.) SHEEP-SHEARING MACHINERY. Messr s W. Win- and- N. C,olvin have purchased the old creamery owned by the-late Dairy Company, and are erecting an up-to-date plant for sheep shearing. They are installing four of Lester's Shearing Machines, which will be driven by an oil engine. It is hoped their enterprise will be rewarded. SICKNESS. At present there is more than the

- # . 'istral extent of sickness in the diß'■iot. It is mostly i 11 ll n * * i i - : i; 11! :: ■(light which affects the eyes. principally of children. Mrs Arthur Keriyon is reeo\ering .'rom a rather .serious iluiess. THE TELEPIIOXi-:. In a very short time telephone communication will be cstabJ i.'uOti between Wakefield and Dovedalc. The Department's Engineer was in the district ><;n Friday, and it it understood that the poles etc., wil: be erected right away. SUNDAY SCHOOL TREAT. Ths annual .tea part.)' and c.nieer: n connection with the Pnbi:c Schoo: xas held on Friday. ami a- on jrevioua occasions the function wa.i succes-s. The .weather was peifec: .iurino; the day. A Tennis match between Stanley 3:'ook and Dovedale reams wa-

played; it proved a good game, iitnnley Brtnik winning by a few points. There was aiso a cricket I :".:m-.h, and races. t=er:iinliies. o(e., for children, a free tea also being vided for the latter. A large number sat down ro the adults' tea, .which was presided over by the wives of members of the t.tee, and other helpers, the 11: lI being decorated with ilowers etc. The building was well fitted for t'ne eon cert. Mr W. Lock, a member of ..ha Education Hoard, presided. m<,>. ..'i the items bc-'ing much appreciate.;.-. A number of items were given by the school children, who had bee'u train•d by the Jen the:-. .Mr j>. Uanper. Tiifv I eri ta-ion.--, so::gs. and dialogues (in character). Among the items given bv the adults were songs by Mrs A. Win, Mr R. Croudis, Mr E. Win, a trio by Mr. Mrs and Miss Tunicliffe. selections of •'American Ilumonr,'' Mr Lock, and a pianoforte duet by .the Misses Thorn. The Chairman presented the prizes, including those for sewing, and a school medal for writing. Before doing so he addressed the gathor ing, expressing pleasure that to-day parents were- alive to the fact that 'their children imist be equipped educationally, and many were making sacrifices to accomplish this ■object. Our system was' the .most costly in th'e world; but New Zealand .was doing a great work in giving 132.000 a sound and practical education. The large number of small schools was prejudicial to obtaining the best results; there were 569 schools with an average attendance under 15 (a quarter of the public schools iu the Dominion). There were 126G with an attendance not exceedingf 35. He contended that girls did not have equal chances with boys, they commenced school later and were .withdrawn earlier. For every 91 girls there were 100' boys- .in tile primary schools; but in the secondary schools there were only 63 .girls to 100 boys. -Many parents considered that it was sufficient for girls to have little more than half the schooling given to bny.s. Educational expert® agreed ifchafc both should get the best possible education available. Germany's advanced position as a European Power was attributed largely to the superior education of her people, and Sir Cr. H. Reid said recently that we had more to fear that Nation's education than her Dreadnoughts' guns. To-day the man was not considered greatest .who had the greatest prowess, but culture and ■ mora], worth and character were valued most. Referring to the teachers, as a whole. Mr Lock said that they were more efficient than formerly, and they we?;e on a better financial footing, so' the scarcity of male teacher® would soon be overcome. There was room for /improvement in the attendance the Nelson district being about the lo.west in the Dominion, 56.9 per cent. Tn districts where fruit culture was, among the staple industries the attendance was lowest. He trusted the attendance would improve, and that the school would have a successful year. Votes of thanks to the Committee and all who 'had helped to make the celebration a suceess, as well as to the Chairman, .were passed. The committee worked hard to make tbe affair a .success