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Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22005, 1 February 1937, Page 8

"The committee of selection feels very strongly that the class of candidate coming forward for the teaching profession is, on the whole, most disappointing," said a report submitted to the Wanganui Education Board by Messrs E. F. Hemingway, chairman, M. H. Oram, and A. F. McMurtrie, senior inspector, who constituted a selection committee which examined candidates for entry to the training college. "Though there were some individual candidates well up to standard, the average lacked character and personality, and ths quality and accuracy of speech left much to be desired. We feel that so much of the country's future depends on the adequate education of our young people, and that the function of the teacher, in character-building and development of personality along right, lines, is of such paramount importance that no effort should be spared to raise the standard of those coming forward for. entrance to our training college, and to attract to the teaching profession outstanding students in our secondary schools," added the report. "We further feel that heads of secondary schools should be approached to induce the best possible type of boy and girl to come forward as candidates for the teaching profession." Half completed after some months of work, the extensive deviation of the railway line from Palmerston North to Marton was inspected last week by the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple). The deviation has involved the realignment of the main Halcombe-Great-ford road on a wide sweep which will eliminate the level crossing. A bridge 900 ft long is being erected for the railway on the downstream side, and the first pier has been placed in position. The deviation will make a great improvement by eliminating a substantial length of railway line and because of the easier grade. The cost of the work is estimated at £65,000. The deviation will continue right up to the Greatfqrd station yards, where a start will probably be made this week in laying out new shunting facilities. Four miles nearer Feilding a smaller deviation is in progress.