TIMARU AND SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20421, 16 December 1931, Page 5

TIMARU AND SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS

TIMARU. - PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The Theatre Royal was crowded on Monday evening for the annual speech night and presentation of prizes of the Timaru Boys' High School. Mr J. ,Bitchener, M.P., chairman of the Board of Governors, presided, and -he had with him on the platform, L)r. H. G. Dcnham, Professor of Chemistry Canterbury College, the Rector, Mr W. Thomas, the Mayor, Mr T. W r . Satterthwaite, the Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P., Mr T. 1). Burnett, M.P., Mr A. N. Leslie, president of the Old Boys' Association, and members of the Board and tlaff. The chairman expressed appreciation on behalf of the Board of the large attendance at this, the break-up ceremony of the Boys' School. He could well remember the time when there was not such interest taken .in the function in Timaru, but he was delighted in the kindly interest that was now taken in the school. lie could 'not say a great deal about the work that had been accomplished; that would be covered in the Rector's report. The Hector's next report would be his twentieth. In his annual report the Rector (Mr W. Thomas) stated that 516 boys had been entered on the school register during the year. Of this number 47! had been secondary pupils, while 45 had been preparatory, and 151 boarders had been in residence. The increase in numbers had given the school another teacher in Mr G. Guy, B.Sc. No other staff change had takeu place. During the speaker's absence in tho first term, Mr Kemshed was acting-Rector, and to him and to his colleagues the School must be grateful for the efficient manner in which the w<jrk was done iu this emergency. Dr. Dcnham said that education had been divided into tho training of the will (morals), the training of the intellect (science), and the training of tho emotions expressive of art, corresponding with tho view that the three main motives which actuated the human spirit were the love of truth, the love of goodness, and the love of beauty. The development of the moral and emotional side of one's nature fell mainly, lie thought, within the province of his colleagues of the arts and allied, faculties. The training of the mind, the development of the love of truth, was perhaps more exactly given by the study of science and such allied subjects as mathematics® and . philosophy than in any other way. Science, as such, had nothing to do with tjhe conquest of peoples, the uprooting of dynasties, nor yet of industrial exploitation. Tho speaker went on to illuminate his remarks in regard to science and education by referring to the lives of two scientists, Davy and Faraday. Speaking to the boys, the, speaker said that they could make the fullest use of the educational opportunities before them. The old parable of tho ten talents still held good. What was given to tlicni they should use. If they got hold of tho scientific points, then they had a weapon to use in after lifo which they could bring to bear on problems of politics and economics. There was something in Nature of a reasoning intelligence that enabled them to make their choice. The Mayor, Mr Leslie, Mr Clyde Carr, M.P., and Mr Burnett, M.P., also spoke. Dr. Talbot moved votes of thanks to the speakers, these being carried by acclamation. Cheers wero given by the boys for the chairman and members of the Board. Several rousing "Maperus" were given. The School Band played varied selections for half an hour before the function commenced. The school was heard to advantage in several numbers, including t.lio "School Farewell Song" and the school quartet also sang a bracket of two numbers. , Hector's Address. "I desire to say a few words about the problems that are confronting us," stated the Rector (Mr W. Thomas), at tho prizcigiving function of tho Boys' High School. '/There are som« thousands pf boys in New Zealand unable to find openings; for the .moment every walk of life seems closed, and the only j fortunate, boys are those whose fathers have farms or businesses of their own, or who are- entering the University next year. "I suppose, tod, we have fully 50 boys . who in normal times, go into trade, business, or office, at this time of the year." The only consolation we can offer them is that, if they persevere wjth their opportunity will come,' and then, in future years, tjiey will likely look back to those days of waiting as a. mero episode in their career and perhaps as a blessing in disguise. Wo may say to the parents, too, that a sound education is tile best asset a boy can have iu these days, when material treasures are still corrupted by moths, and bank balances arc liable to vanish-into thin »air." ■ "There is a tendency to make an inductive leap without justification," said Mr Thomas, "and to tho secondary school education of £Tew Zealand is of poor quality because in odd boy or girl has failed in a particular calling. The ninety-nine who succeed are forgotten. May I illustrate? In spite of the fact that everybody at our school is urged to take an interest in music, there are a few boys" whose singing can be compared only with the drones of the bagpipes. They will never make good singers. In the same way there are others who will never make good clerks or good business men. If all employers would do what I rejoice to say most do now—inspect the school records before malting an appointment—this criticism would soon disappear. Again, it is sometimes said that some children attend only for a year at a secondary school and leave before they derive any benefit. As a matter of fact, in Timaru, very few boys do not complete the second year. We contend, moreover, that if a pupil is only a year in the school he really benefits by that year. Even for one year discipline in mind, and body is worth something to an adolescent. As a junior in the school, ho realises, too, that there are worlds of thought unconijuered by him. He then enters life better prepared." Mr Thomas said the boys had had a good year; led by earnest prefects they had done some things' better than they had been done by many past groups. To those who wero fortunate enough' to be able to commence work, lie wished the best fortune; to all he wished a pleasant holiday. Personal. The Mayor, Mr T. W r . Satterthwaite, was appointed by the Borough Council on Monday evening as its represe tative,on the South Canterbury Executive of\ the Unemployment Board. New Cargo Hook. A £IOO prize offered by the Maryie Department for a new cargo hook that would reduce risk > of accidents when handling cargo has been won by Captain A, A. E. Pennefather, Timaru, from a_ field of 20fr competitors. Tho designs were invited 'early this year, but

as each hook had to be tested by the Department's engineers sonio time elapsed before an award could be made. The results were as follows: Hook No. 1188, Captain A. A. E. Pennefather, 26 Craigie street, ■Uighfield, Timaru .. 1 Hook No. 132, Simplex Safety Hook Syndicate .. ..2 Hook No. 127, A. H. Rowson .. 3 The conditions provided' that each design must be accompanied by a sample hook constructed of material and to dimensions to meet the requirement of the Safe Working Loads Regulations for a working load of not less than 2 tons 12cwt. Thtrhook designed by Captain Pennefather has been protected by patent rights, and the inventor purposes exploiting it in the markets of the world. High School Board. A meeting of the High School Board of Governors was presided over by Mr J'. Bitchencr, M.P. The steward of reserves (Mr W. Seaward) announced that since the last meeting he had inspected the "Willowbridge reserve which was in very good order throughout. The Geraldine County Engineer had informed him that his Council would not arrange for transport of unemployed men after the holidays, and had asked what the attitude of the Board Ajould be. The matter of finding transport for the unemployed was-left in the hands of Messrs Bain and Brodie and the steward to pursue enquiries as to costs. It was announced that the Finance Committee " had decided that the boundary fees should be reduced by £2 per term for prompt payment next year. ' Accounts amounting to IDs 5d were passed for payment. Creclie at the Bay. At a meeting- of the Borough Council on Monday evening a letter received from Miss M. Wade asking the permission of the Council to establish a creche on Caroline Bay, x "whero children could bo cared for. She pointed out that up to the present no provision had been made to relieve tired mothers of their charges during portion of their stay on the Bay. The writer expressed the opinion that there were many highly competent among the unemployed women who would be prepared to take charge of such a creche for a relatively small remuneration. Without discussion, the Council granted permission for the establishment of a creche. WAIMATE. At the monthly meeting of the Plunket Society Mrs d'Auvergne presided over a, good attendance of rtiembeis. Nurse Simpson reported that there were now 297 cases under supervision. She had paid 179 visits to homes and 189 visits had been paid by adults and children to the Pfiinket rooms. TEMUKA. The holders of the sil,vcr fearnleat brotx-hes of the Ladies' Howling Club, Mrs, Hancox and Mrs Thomson, were beaten' in a challenge match yesterday afternoon by Mrs J. Davis > and ih's E. Blackniore. The brooches were presented to the club by the Mayor tor pairs challenge competition The executive ol the Temuka. U.S.A. met on Monday evening. Present: Messrs Jus. King (president), P. Thomas, J. Maze, G. Paterson, W. Oldfielu, H. Wilson, W. Spillane, and W. F. Evans. The South Canterbury Patriotic Society advised that a grant of £lO had been made to the Association, and the position would be reviewed when a report of the expenditure was received. The town clerk advised that £3O hafl been granted to subsidise the Association's _ grant of .C.'iO to be spent on the relief of unemployed returned men. New members were elected as follows: Messrs S. Higgin bottom, H. Darby, J. McAllister, W. Reilly, and W. Looker. The president invited discussion on the matter of a Christmas party for the children of unemployed returned soldiers. It was decided that 2s 6d be graji'ted to tli© children of returned ineu, as last year, and that in addition a dinner and Christmas tree be provided, the latter for tho children_ of all returned men in tho district, whether unemployed or not.