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Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 149, 25 June 1915, Page 8

WHAT THE INSTRUCTORS HAVE DONE TRIBUTES BY EDUCATION BOARDS. Physical fitness, as well as mental alertness, ia now one of the object* aimed at in connection with the educational system of this Dominion. The Education Department (under the control of the Hon. James Allen, Minister of Education), recognising that the body as well as the mind had to be looked to if the maximum of efficiency were to be attained, some time ago instituted a teachers' physical training department (formerly in charge of the late Mr. Royd Garlick) and a staff of about a dozen instructors conducted classes in various parts of New Zealand tot the purpose of imparting physical training. These classes were each attended on an average by between 200 and 250 teach* erg, and it was as the outcome of the instruction given and handed on by the teachers to the scholars that the excellent physical drill exhibition by 700 oi 800 children at the Palmerston North Show this week was made possible. The display was one of the features of the Show, and on all sides evoked admiration. The Education Boards in the various districts have not been slow to show their appreciation of the benefits derived from the holding of these classes, and the Minister (Hon. James Allen) has received copies of various resolutions eulogising the good work done. One of these is from the South Canterbury Education Board, which says : "It cannot be doubted that the course has been a great benefit to the teachers, and a word of praise is due to the Department's instructors for their excellent methods in conducting the whole course." North Canterbury writes stating that it parsed the following motion : "That the board express its satisfaction with the excellence of the instruction, supervision and general management of the teachers' physical training classes in the North Canterbury district, and is satisfied that many of its teachers will now be qualified to impart to the children the benefits of physical .training. 1 " The letter adds that one of the board's experienced teachers has written express-, ing the pleasure he experienced in attending the physical instruction l classes, while quite a number verbally expressed themselves in similar terms. In a letter from Mr. S. M." Park, secretary of the Otago Education Board, the writer states: "I have to say that the members and officials of the board frequently visited the teachers' physical ! training ciasaus in Dunedin, while these were in progress and formed a very high j opinion both of the ability of the in- j structors (male and female), and of their courtesy and tact m dealing , with the teachers. The management of the classes ' was excellent, everything that was requisite being provided. The good-will and heaity co-operation of the teacher* were secured from the outset, and the work was carried out with much eu thusiauni," The Blenheim Education Board forwards the following resolution : , "At jesterday's meeting of the board hearty appreciation was expressed of the mannei in which the recent elapses in Blenheim were conducted, and oi the special results obtained. The. board feels that if the scheme is properly carried out there should soon appear a marked improvement it the physique of the children in the Dominion. Similar .tributes have also been sent on to the Minister from the Nelson Education Board and the president of the Marlborough Educational Institute.