BLENHEIM NEWS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21805, 10 June 1936, Page 2

BLENHEIM NEWS

A pleasant dance was held at Miss Margaret Churchward’s studio, the occasion being the opening night of her dance club. During the evening Miss Churchward gave an exhibition of dancing, which was much enjoyed. Those present were Mr and Mrs W, T. Churchward, Mr and Mrs S. T. Critchley, Mr and Mrs G. M. Spence, Mr and Mrs C. Cunningham, Mr and Mrs Rewi Murray, Mr and Mrs H. Houghton, Mrs B. A. Moore (Wellington), Mrs H. E. Burden, Dr, and Mrs P. J. Fogarty, Misses Lindsay Adams, J. Moffett (Invercargill), J. Moore (Wellington), Nedra Mac Donald, Dorothy Furness, Diana Grace, M. Weld, N. Teschemaker, M. Mac Donald, Jean Grace, D. Craig (Hawke’s Bay), and Marjory Coulter, Messrs F. Morrison, P. Johnston, P. Goulter, Miles Adams, J. Balfour, P. Vavasour, Hugh Adams, and G. Dillon.

An enjoyable bridge party was held at the Marlborough Women’s Club by the members of the bridge club. Mrs S. T. Evatt won the prize. Those present were Mesdames L. L, T. Bush, G. K. Stocker, A. J. Maclaine, W. de Castro, S, T. Evatt, C. G. Teschemaker, G. M. Spence, B. Green, J. J. McLeod, J. H. Wadworth, T. S. Maskew, J. J. W. White, Colin MacDonald, A. A. Edwards, P. C. Monro, J. Stevenson, B. Clouston, and P. Wilkinson.

Mesdames P. C. Monro, N. G. Parker, C. T. Smith, G. J. Penney, and J. S. C. Thomas were hostesses at an enjoyable party which was held at Mrs Monro’s home at St. Andrews. The guest of honour was Mrs L. A. Sprosen, who will shortly leave Blenheim to live in Christchurch.

Mrs Sprosen received a handsome silver teapot from her friends and two posies of flowers. The drawing-room was decorated with yellow chrysanthemums, daisies, and autumn leaves.

Mrs Sprosen wore a frock of royal blue lace and georgette. During the evening songs were sung by Mrs W. K. Gill and G. Robinson, and Miss Cecily Mills. Mr F. Mogridge won the prize for a competition. Those present were Mesdames J. J. Corry, E. J. Harvey, F. Bull, C. H. Mills, A. A. Edwards, W. Priddle, J. J. McLeod, P. M. Hillman, T. Julian, Colin Mac Donald, W. G. Rudd, F. B. Lloydd, A. M. Mills, R. Jellyman, C. Rabbits, G. A. Lester, A. J. Mills, V. L. Powell, F. P. Fuell, B. Green, H. R. Bagge, L. H. Bohmann, T. G. Fitzell, L. F. Ball, L. C. Cotter, D. S. A. Weir, J. G. Bacon, L. S. Casey, W. H. P. Wiffen, R. Scott, R- Pigou, P. R. Wilkinson, J. Balfour, J. McCallum, A. Robertson, R. A. Dickie, W. Fairweather, and R. Dickie, Misses M. Monro, A. Neville, E. Lewis, Avery (2), H. Mowat, Greaves, B.' Best, and C. Mills.

Mrs C. Morrish, who has been staying with her parents, Mr and Mrs H. E. Burden, has returned to Wellington.

Mrs F. Mclntosh is visiting Canterbury. Mrs B. A. Moore and Miss Jocelyn Moore (Wellington) are the guests of Mrs H. E. Burden. Mrs C. G. Teschemaker has returned from a visit to Christchurch.

Mrs J. Logan (Nelson) is staying with Mrs J. H. Wadworth (Brancott).

Miss M. Churchward, who has been spending a few days with Miss Weld (Flaxbourne) has returned home. _

Miss D. Craig, who has been the guest of Mrs W. T. Churchward ("The Moorings”), has returned to Hawke's Bay.

GIRLS’ FRIENDLY SOCIETY

Tuesday being the day set aside by the Girls’ Friendly Society throughout the world as a day of intercession and thanksgiving, a service was held in St. Saviour’s Church, Sydenham, in the evening.

There was an excellent attendance of members of council and associates, and members from all the city and suburban branches of the society. The service was taken by the Rev. C. Mountfort, who gave an address taking as his text, “Ye have not Me, but I have chosen you.” After the service, a social was held in the parish room, when an enjoyable programme of games, charades, and competitions was arranged by the Sydenham branch. A dainty supper was provided and the programme concluded with dancing.

WOMEN TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

A well-attended meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the Women Teachers’ Association was held at the Chamber of Commerce buildings, with Miss O’Brian presiding. Reports of recent teachers’ conferences held in Wellington were presented by Misses Sapsford, Watson, and Turner. After the general business, Mr Service, chief inspector of Canterbury schools, gave an address on “The Principle of Balance.” Introducing his subject, Mr Service said that one could see the principle of balance in the physical world in two aspects, that of rest, as in buildings. and that of motion, as in riding a bicycle. In the educational world man had progressed far during the last 30 years. Instead of being treated as one of a mass, the individual child was now being studied, and his individuality respected. A difficulty here had been that most child psychologists had not been teachers, but now the educational theorist was often practical. He studied the child from two aspects, (a) as an individual, (b) as a social unit. In former days, the martinet type of educationist believed that original sin was inherent in the child, and it was his business to knock it out. As soon as the individuality of the child was recognised, the pendulum swung the other way, with the result that some believed that a child must be allowed to have his own way in everything, and it was very necessary to observe the principle of balance. Balance should be maintained also in dealing with both curriculum and method. Mention was made of the “group” and “project” methods of teaching history and geography. Each had its merits, but it had also its weaknesses.

Among subjects dealt with in detail the speaker commended the effort being made to cultivate speaking by the children. After all, man spoke before he wrote, said the speaker. In composition. if children could be interested, and given something to talk about good written expression would follow.

Speaking of art, Mr Service put in a strong plea for education for leisure, and for fuller and more complete living. The man cutting a hedge had a right to possess abundant food for thought, and the ability to appreciate the world of nature about 'him. In children’s art work it was good to see not necessarily perfect work, but a perfect record of the child’s own observations.

On the motion of Miss Pinlayson, the speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.