DOMINION SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27911, 7 March 1956, Page 8

DOMINION SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Conference Represents 6000 Members OPENING SESSIONS IN CHRISTCHURCH Delegates from 26 school committees' associations are attending the national federation’s conference, which opened in Christchurch yesterday morning. They represent 860 school committees with a total membership of more than 6000. The Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan), in opening prayers, the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.). and the chairman of the Canterbury Education Board (Mr S. J. Irwin) in addresses of welcome referred to the tremendous volume of voluntary effort given by school committee members in the interests of child education. Life Members.— The first life members elected to the federation for services to school committees and education in general are Messrs A. Greenwood (Canterbury), C. Frewin (North Taranaki), E. N. Rowe (ManawatuOroua), and J. Riach (Otago). Loyal Resolution.— An unusual practice which pleased visitors to the conference for its opening yesterday morning was the presentation of a loyal resolution. It is the habit of the federation to offer the resolution to the Governor-General for transmission to the Queen. Swimming Pool Subsidies.—Particular appreciation of the recent increase in the Government subsidies on learners’ swimming pools from £3OO to £450 (£5OO in special cases) was expressed by the president (Mr A. Greenwood). This was an improvement which school committees had sought for many years, he said.

Timing Speeches.— The cooking timer often used also in photographic development has a new use at the conference. As each speaker rises, the junior vice-president (Mr V. Wilson, of Timaru) winds the dial to five minutes for a mover or three minutes for others, and when the time has expired and the bell rings, all speeches are terminated. With addresses by the Minister of Education (Mr R. M. Algie), the Director of Education (Mr C. E. Beeby), and the Dominion president (Mr A. Greenwood), committee reports, and 76 remits, the conference will be hard pressed to finish its business in the three days allotted, so there has been no disagreement on the need to limit speakers strictly. Entertainment of Visitors.—The Canterbury School Committees’ Association last evening held a reception at the Christchurch Teachers’ College for conference visitors. This morning, wives of delegates will visit Kaiapoi and be received by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs N. E. Kirk); and tomorrow morning they will inspect a Christchurch clothing factory. This afternoon, the whole conference will make a scenic tour of Christchurch. and also visit the new Burnside Road School and the Heaton Street Intermediate School.