W.E.A. IN CAMP

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 8, 10 January 1930, Page 4

W.E.A. IN CAMP

THE SUMMER SCHOOL

The nintli annual summer school organised by the Canterbury W.B.A. was held. at Geraldine during the Christmas and New Year holidays, and proved most successfifl from every point of view. The school was under the direction of Professor J. Shelley, who has been in charge of each successive camp since they were first started in Canterbury, and he was assisted by the following lecturers and tutors: Dr. A. G. B. Fisher (Otago University), Dr. C. E. Beeby (Canterbury College), Dr. E. E. D. Milligan (Christchurch), Messrs. J. Johnson, M.A. (W.E.A. Tutor), and E. M. Laing, M.Sc, and Miss. G. -Ferguson, 8.A., who took, charge of the. musical side of the programme, and the^ folk dancing.;.... Mi-. G-. Manning, or-' ganising secretary, was responsible for the very complete "arrangements '^or the ac-! commodation of the students and the run-: ning of the camp generally,,and.the cater-' ing" was in the capable hands of Mr. and. Mrs. Ct. H:'.Bryant. Nearly. 100 students assembled from, various parts of Canterbury and Otago, and from Wellington, the women , being housed in the class rooms of the primary school, while the men camped, in tents in the Domain. Large marquees were erected 'in the school grounds to serve as a dining-room, and for lectures and concerts, and the happy community life- was greatly enjoyed by all who attended the camp. Geraldine is aii ideal situation.for a summer school, and had the honour of being the first town to be re-visited by W.E.A. campers. The hospitality of its residents, and the nat-; ural ■ beauty of the district were thoroughly appreciated by all members of the school, who took full advantage of the < facilities for the various kinds of sport afforded them in the Domain grounds, and also explored the many beauty spots. The school was officially opened by Professor Shelley on the evening of Boxing Day, and the following night the Mayor (Mr. J. Kennedy) tendered a civic reception to the visitors, and wished the camp every success. The general subject for study was "Life in England and Europe During the Glorious Age of Shakespeare." Ind this was treated from various angles by the tutors. In addition, courses of lectures in economics, child psychology, and physiology in relation to daily life were given each morning by Dr. Fisher,' Dr. Beeby>- and Dr. Milligan respectively, and were well attended. A special feature on "The Bryn Mawr Summer School for Industrial Workers in United States of America" was given by Miss M. M'Lachlan, 8.D.5., who has recently returned from a visit to America. In the afternoons excursions were taken to Pleasant Valley, Kakahu Valley (where Dr. Hargreaves's lovely homestead was visited), the Geraldine Reserves, the Waihi Eiver bed, Peel Forest, Mount Peel. Station, (the, beautiful country home of Mr. H. D. Ackland, president of the association, who welcomed the large party and allowed them to wander freely through the grounds and visit the private chapel belonging to his homestead), and Orari Gorge, where' Miss Tripp kindly entertained the visitors in her beautiful home at "Silverton," granting them the free use of her house'and grounds. Mr. Laing gave short talks on the geological nature of the various places visited, and with Professor Shelley returned thanks for the. generous' hospitality extended to the campers. One afternoon was given up to a sports gathering in the Domain, when the local residents engaged in tennis and cricket matches with the visitors, and bowls and croquet were also enjoyed. In the evenings community singing and folk dancing, led by Miss F. Ferguson, 8.A., contributed greatly to the social life of the camp, and several excellent concerts were given by Geraldine residents and by the students. A special feature of _the summer school was the dramatic readings and lectures given by Professor Shelley, who held large audiences spellbound during his presentation of Masefield's sea poems and play "Good Friday," Sherriff's play "Journey's End," Herman Ould's play "The Dance of Life," G. B. Shaw's "St. Joan," and "The Shadow of a Gunman," by Scan O'Casey. Geraldi.ie residents were not slow to take advantage of this opportunity for hearing the drama presented by Professor Shelley, and his readings were attended by overflow audiences. • ; , c . Several enjoyable dances were given in the Oddfellows' Hall, and general regret was expressed when the summer school came to a close. The final session was held on Saturday morning, when Professor Shelley gave an address on the artistic aspects of the sixteenth century and stressed the need for a more aesthetic outlook in modern life. He suggested that the topic for next year's school should be "The Asthetic Approach to Social Reconstruction," taking a book such as William Morris's', "News from Nowhere"/as a text-book, and introducing, the practical side by instruction' in arts and crafts. At the close of the lecture Mr.' G. W. Campbell thanked the director and his staff, on behalf of the students, for their" work in connection with the lectures and the management of .the school. Suitable presentations were made to Mrs. Bryant and her assistants, and Professor Shelley arid Mr.' Manning expressed ' the thanks of the campers to the Mayor and councillors and the residents of Goraldine for a most enjoyable and successful summer school.