INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 274, 12 August 1908, Page 2

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

SCHOOLS ESSAY COMPETITIONS. ' ■ A meeting of the Wellington Industrial Association was held last night. There were present : Mr, F. C. Grease (president), and Messrs. A. W. Newton, H. W..Scaton, L. L. Partridge, Thos. Ballinger, J. P. Luke, C. Palliser, W. Cable, G. Winder, H. Read, E. Bull, S. S. Williams. t 11 va « s tiat the,annual meeting ot the Association bo held on September 22. On the motion of Mr. G. Winder, seconded by Mr. J. P. Luke, it was agreed that the incoming committee take the necessary steps to recognise the opening of the Main Trunk line. ' '~ ; A deputation representative of the;headma f ® P J' an d suburban schools waited upon the Association with 'a view of pointing out the desirableness of alterations being made in connection with the conditions relating to the essay competitioiis held during Industries Week. ' . Mr. M'Morraii, head-master of the Terrace School, remarked that'teachers generally ap. proved of the idea-.of holding such competitions. They had done all in their , power to direct the attention "of their pupils to the laudable objects for which Industries Week was held. 'It 'would be a good plan ,-if in. future the time given to instruction in geography during Industries Week were de-voted'-to''the consideration of the extent and value of the industries of the Dominion. In connection with the competitions one school should not bo pitted against the other.- - Mr. Foster, head master of the Mount Cook Boys'. School, said that teachers generally recognised the advantages to be derived by holding essay competitions, among school children. ' The only point of divergence between them and the members of the Association was whether it was wise to offer prizes under conditions similar to those which ob-. tained on the last occasion. The pitting of one school against' another produced rather disastrous results. It left the'way, open, for methods that were not above reproach.' Essays should not be written at home—he was not' making any reflection with reference to the previous competitions—because . there could be no guarantee that the essays wero the work of pupils. It was not necessary that prizes should bo given. The competitions should be between the scholars in 'each separ.. ate'school, and might be held under the supervision of the Association. ; During, the discussion which followed a suggestion that liabre frequent' visits shoiild be paid to manufactories oy scholars was generally approved. Members of the Association expressed the hope that the teachers would co-operate with them in formulating suitable conditions in connection with future competitions. It pointed out also s that,on'the last occasion there was not sufficient liinfc in which to obtain the views of the teachers. ■ A hearty vote of thanks was" accorded tlia depiitationists. " ;