MT. COOK SCHOOL

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 150, 26 June 1937, Page 6

MT. COOK SCHOOL

RADIO INSTALLED

=j A radio set and equipment prescnt'•ed to Mount Cook School by the Home kiand School Association was officially, opened at a pleasant function this week. Those present included the Acting Prime Minister and Minister •of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser) Mr. ■■ Dempsey, headmaster. Mr. Blair, chairman of the school committee, Mr. Harker. president of the Home and School Association. Mr. Harker pre- ■: Vlr." Harker stated that the purchase of the equipment was the outcome of :,a special effort initiated at the last • annual meeting of the association at .which a committee was set up with the of raising funds to equip the school with radio. He thanked all who ihad contributed to make the eftort a 'success and called upon Mrs. Gent, the -'honorary organiser, who gave a derailed report. : i Mrs. Gent stated that, although the "committee had been seriously nandif. capped by the infantile paralysis epidemic which had prevented the holding of any function this year, the effort had been successful and the association was able to purchase a more ambitious set than anticipated. The set comprises a handsome console allwave receiver with gramophone combination, together with four classroom sneakers and a large portable speaker for outside use. Two additional classrooms are wired ready for speakers . when reauired., ' Mrs. Gent thanked all who had ; helped and contributed. She added [that she did not intend closing the 1 fund until sufficient had been collect;ed to purchase a microphone, which ■ would be necessary to make thp set complete. [ Mr. Harker handed over the set to '.the school committee, which was accepted by the chairman, Mr. Blair, who . expressed thanks and appreciation of the gift and made eulogistic references to the work of the Home and School ■ Association. He asked Mr, Fraser to ■ open the radio on behalf of the school committee. . Mr. Fraser stressed the value of radio equipment and film projectors from an educational point of view and said he hoped that in the near future the provision of such equipment would form a special part of the Education Department's activities. Meantime these things must give way to more urgent and pressing needs. As Minister of Education and member for the .district he felt a personal gratification at the interest and enthusiasm shown ;by those who had made the gift pos- . sible and he congratulated the committee upon its success, paying a , special tribute to Mrs. Gent for her . report. Mr. Dempsey, headmaster, expressed .the pleasure the radio was giving the ; teachers and scholars. It would no i doubt prove of invaluable benefit to ,the school. While nothing could replace the personal contact between •teacher and scholar, there was no doubt that radio and film projectors - would take their place in the educa'.tional system of the future. ? During the evening an enjoyable programme was presented by the following;— Dawn Sargent, Joan Sargent, ]and Edna Magee, Kae Gent, Mr. and >Mrs. P. Clarke, and Lola Scott. The •.accompanists were Miss Margaret ]Oakes and Mr. G. Thorne. I The rest of the evening was spent :in. dancing and community singing, iJVIr. W. Grant acting as M.C., with Mr. "<G. Thome as pianist i An excellent supper was served by Hhe ladies under the direction.of Mrs. iJSToung.