TEACHERS MEET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 87, 23 January 1935, Page 6

TEACHERS MEET.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. REVISION OF SYLLABUS. (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, January 22. . The annual conference of the Catholic Teachers' Association of New Zealand opened this morning with Solemn Pontifical Mass in St. Joseph's Cathedral, celebrated by Bishop Whyte, who was assisted by the Rev. Fathers J. Gavin (deacon), J. F. McMahon (subdeacon) and M. Klimeck (assistantpriest). Two hundred nuns and brothers, delegates to the conference from all parts of New Zealand, occupied special seats in the cathedral, which was well filled by a large congregation. A special feature of the ceremony was the beautiful singing of the plain chant of the Mass by a specially trained choir of children conducted by the Rev. Father A. 'Loughnau. The opening session of the conference was held at 10.30 a.m., the Rev. Brother M. M. O'Connor (St. Kevin's College, Bedcastle) presiding. After Bishop Whyte had welcomad the visiting delegates and formally declared the conference open, the pre sident read the annual report, which made reference to the invaluable work in the cause of Catholic education already achieved by the association, and offered suggestions to future activities. The rest of the morning was spent in discussing a provisional syllabus of religious instruction for, primary schools, and considered opinions were given by delegates representing the Dominican Nuns (Dunedin), Sisters of Mercy (Dunedin), Sisters of the Missions (Christchurch), Sisters of Mercy (Auckland), Marist Brothers and Christian Brothers, and by the Rev. Father F. H. Terry (Diocesan Inspector, Auckland) and Rev. Father J. F. McMahon (Diocesan Inspector, Dunedin). The afternoon session began witii an address on educational literature by Mr L. J. Cronin, editor of the "~Se\v Zealand Tablet." The consideration of the primary syllabus of religious instruction was then continued, Bishop Whyte and Bishop Brodie making important contributions to the general discussion. A sub-committee consisting of the Rev. Father Terry and the Rev. Father McMahon and ones representative of each of teachers orders was set up to make a final revision of the syllabus.