AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28700, 25 September 1958, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS

Bigger Problems Than N.Z.

For all its problems in education, New Zealand is better off man Australia in many respects, according to Mr J. L. Hunter, senior inspector of post-primary scnools in tne South Island. He aas recently observed developments in Tasmania, Victoria, and i'lew South Waxes, and met leading educationists from tne otner oiates.

Australia was experiencing tne general trials of rapiaiy-expand-ing senoox populations, providing secondary education suitable lux an pupns instead of for the few who might proceed to nigner studies, and finding sufficient quauned teachers for [he task. Mr Hunter said metropolitan Sydney nuw naa a population approacning mat oi tne wnole of xxew Zeaiana, and Melbourne was oniy a nttie smaller. It was much more difficult than in New Zealand to nnd suitable high school sues of sumcient area uiiu piaying nelos could not be provided on tne Dominion scale. Rapid building to meet urgent demands had been facilitated, particularly in iNew South Wales, by modern mass-production mehods, Mr Hunter said. Sixiqoi," pre-cast, pre-stressed concrete siabs weie turned out in me factory and quickly assembled into scnoois of various designs. a big block of classrooms coma be nnisned in three months. Maintenance of buildings and grounds and provision oi school equipment did not appear to reach New Zealand’s hign standards. Administration

There was a marked difference in administration. Control was centransed in State departments of education, and mere were no school boards as in New Zealand, mere are certain advantages and disadvantages in bo-tn systems; but we would find it strange to be without . our boards, and vvouid deplore any lack of local interest,” Mr Hunter said.

However, the public, parents, and former pupils seemed to nnd ways of Jftlpmg their schools, in many places, Mr Hunter said, mothers (.working on a roster) attended botn primary and secondary schools regularly to assist in the preparation of school meals, which were now an accepted responsibility. The education departments usually provided a ouilding or shelter for service on a cafeteria system. The profits employed limited permanent cafeteria staff and also provided money for some school amenities. Independent or private schools attracted a larger proportion oi the school population than in New Zealand, said Mr Hunter, even though their fees were higher. The best of these schools were held in high public esteem

Rapid thawing in warm water is the best treatment for frostbite, recent research reveals, it is claimed. Mythology, Hippocrates, and at least 2000 years of opposition to such a concept notwithstanding, immersion of the frozen part in a bath at approximately 108 degrees Fahrenheit minimises the risk of gangrene and tissue loss.