SCHOOL TRAVEL SCHEME

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26633, 19 January 1952, Page 3

SCHOOL TRAVEL SCHEME

HOLIDAY TRIPS FROM PUKEKOHE 24 YOUTHS TAKEN TO MOUNT COOK "The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND. January 18. The boys and girls of the Pukekohe High School are seeing New Zealand. At week-ends and in vacation time they go far afield on cycling, camping and other trips organised by enthusiastic members of the school staff. Mr L. V. Bryant, the headmaster, has taken 100 to Ruapehu in the last three years. They all reached the top of the mountain, 30 girls included. Other parties have visited the Waitomo Caves, Karapiro power station and the Bay of Islands, scene of much of their history reading. This summer 90 were away on school trips. A large party of girls with three teachers went to Mount Egmont. Others were in the Far North, and 24 youths, aged between 14 and 18. spent 10 days climbing in the Mount Cook area with Mr Bryant, who is an experienced mountaineer. Only two had been in the South Island before. They returned thrilled with all that they bad seen. Experienced Leader Mr Bryant believes in travel. He has been overseas three times himself and climbed in Switzerland, the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the Himalayas in Shipton's 1935 Everest expedition. He is an enthusiast eager introduce others to the mountains, and wherever he has taught he has taken school parties climbing. He introduced the travel scheme at Pukekohe school when he first went there five years algo. “Every youngster should try to see New Zealand by the time he Is 20.” Mr Bryant says. “Boys and girls should visit towns and cities, see farming methods in different parts, get into the mountains and tramp through the bush. They should find out how other people live and work. Getting away from their own ‘village’ is an important part of their education. It matures them and broadens their outlook."

The boys at Pukekohe were eager to go on the South Island trip. Within two days of the first announcement Mr Bryant’s party was full. The cost for 14 days was £l7 10s. Other less expensive trips were also very popular. _ “This trip was a success," Mr Bryant said. “The boys were no trouble, there were good cooks among them, and several will make very good climbers. I propose to repeat it and. tn time, we will organise a party of girls to go down to the mountains. They should do just as well.”