CANTERBURY CHILDREN

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1940, Page 4

CANTERBURY CHILDREN

VISIT TO GREYMOUTH. As guests of the West Coast School Committees’ Association, for the Greyinouth Centennial Week, nearly 200 Canterbury primary school children arrived by special express on Saturday afternoon. On arrival, they were met by members of the 1 Association and billets provided by Greymouth and district residents were allocated. These were .well scattered, some going to Ngahere, some to Dobson and Taylorville, while the remainder were distributed between Greymouth, Blaketpwn, Cobden and Runanga.

Owing to the cancellation of Saturday evening’s celebrations, the visitors had a free evening, but ■ yesterday morning a large number attended a demonstration of black sanding at the Cobden beach, given by Messrs F. Mclntyre, R. Rodda and J. Contessa.

Yesterday afternoon, an official welcome was tendered the visitors at the Grey Main School. In the absence of the President of the School Committees’ Association (Mr. E. V. Ellery), Mr. W. H. Parfitt presided and extended a brief welcome to the children.

Mr. W. Lee Martin (Minister of Agriculture) said he was pleased to welcome the Canterbury children. As Minister of Agriculture he was more interested in the farming’ side of West Coast industry, but he was sure that the visitors would see and learn much that was interesting’ and instructive in other phases of industry in Westland.

Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P. for Westland, also welcomed the visiting scholars. Education, he said, had altered since his day and he felt sure that such visits as the present one were not only enjoyable but also decidedly instructive. He wished all a happy time.

The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) said he was pleased to see so many happy visitors. He trusted that the weather would be all that could be desired, and that, the comprehensive programme mapped out by the committee would be fully enjoyed. Mr. Cartright, Headmaster of the Normal School, Christchurch, who is in charge of the party, thanked the speakers for their welcome and assured them that the ■ children were looking forward to a pleasant and instructive week. Mr. J. S. Barnett (Deputy Mayor ’of . Christchurch) also expressed appreciation of the welcome extended to the children. Mr. Cartright read the following letter from the secretary of the Canterbury Education Board: “Will you please convey to the West Coast School Committees’ . Association, teachers and parents of the West Coast, the Board’s grateful thanks for the preparations made to entertain children of Christchurch schools. Apart from its educational value, the visit should do much towards fostering that mutual good feeling between cast and west which administrators and others on both sides of the Alps are earnestly endeavouring to establish.”

The saluting of the flag and the National Anthem terminated proceedings.

For the remainder of their visit, the children will attend the various Centennial functions and other entertainments will be provided for them.