HON. O. FOWLDS INTERVIEWED.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 174, 16 April 1908, Page 9

HON. O. FOWLDS INTERVIEWED.

v ■ HOME FOR' CHILDREN OF' WEAK ' ■ INTELLECT. ,RESEAIICn SOIJOLARSHIPS. ■ (NT TELEGKArn.—SPECIAI, ConnESrOSnENT.)' - . Gliristol.iurch, April 15. !, Tho ,Hon, G. Fowlds, for, Education, speakin's'-.to a reporter on. his 'arrival in Christchurch last night, 'said tho most interesting episode' in his Southern tour was. Ill's-- visit that' day to. tlio Otekaiko .estate.. TJio Government was establishing 'a new. institution' in 'tlio form'of : 'a school or .home for children of iweak -who, although; capable . of . ' being, .trained to take, care .of themselves, ■'and v to' earn their own living, -.were - not sufficiently bright to',bene : fit by tho tuition in ordinary schools'; ./The Department . had taken tho, homstead and about 390 acres'of land,, whiehwero beautifully situated. ' ;!\Vith a'..comparatively,, small ■oipendituro,. the 'place- .Could .bo-..'made to accommodate a good number'of children. The director (Mr. Benstead) and ..his wifo wero alro'ady'in possession.>l Repairs were , being proceeded; with, and ho expected that the place would .jbc, ready l ,within .the next few. weeks. ' ■

■ Regarding the research scholarships, the Minister said that; nothing ■ would bo finally decided' upon :'until tho suggestions from ail the scieiico , professors in. the c&lleges had been.. received. ..- Mr. G~.:, Hogben, «• InspectorGehoral of-Schools, had .conferred with: the Dunedin professors, was conferring with those in, Wellington; 'and"'would meet'thoso in Auckland next .'week; When all the information available, had been acquired particulars, and regulations' Would be gazetted.' The selection of candidates would be in'the hands of a Board composed of the professors acting .with Mr.; ' "