OVERSEAS TEACHERS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 283, 15 November 1923, Page 7

OVERSEAS TEACHERS.

A COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL. On Friday evening last a complimentary social was held in the Oddfellows’ Hail, Hastings, under the auspices of the Hawke’s Bay branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. The entertainment was tendered as a compliment to visiting teachers who have exchanged with New Zealand teachers for a time. The guests of the evening were Mfss Shearer, of Canada, now at Hastings Central School; Miss Brain, of London, now at Mahpra School, and Miss Dent, of Canada, now at Waipawa District High School. Air. Florance, vice-president of the Hawke’s Bay branch of the N.Z.E.1., presided, and expressed pleasure in welcoming the visiting teachers. The system of exchange was a good thing, and should, be encouraged as much as possible- • The Mayor. on behalf of the citizens, extended a hearty welcome to the ladies, and said that he would be pleased to confer the freedom of the city on them if they would decide to settle in Hastings and become citizens of the town ; but if they must return to their own countries he wished them a pleasant voyage. Ideas in regard to education, as in other. matters, were changing, and the visits of teachers from other countries and the consequent exchange of ideas should he of benefit to all concerned. Mr. Gilbert McKay. M.P., as member of Parliament and also a member of the Board of Education, also welcomed the evening’s guests. He would liko to see the system of exchange extended. so that many more teachers could visit the country; but. . they should he given bettei’ opportunities of seeing Now Zealand and its various schools while they were here. Mr Strachan, inspector of schools, spokp on behalf of the Education. Department and the Board of Education’s staff. The enterprise of the lady teachers in visiting New Zealand showed that the spirit of adventure was still alive, even if only in the socalled weaker sex. He hoped that when they returned home they would be able to look back upon their stay in New Zealand as a time profitably and pleasantly spentMr. F. E. Garry, as vice-president of the N.Z.E.1., welcomed the guests, not merely to Hastings, but to New Zealand Although not an emotional people given to display of their feelings. we had a warm place in our hearts for our kinsmen—and kinswomen —from overseas. Up to the present chiefly lady teachers had taken advantage of the system of exchange, but it would be realised that that was largely duo to the fact that men teachers had more “encumbrances” than women teachers and could not so- easily make the necessary arrangements. He could assure their guests, however, that any visitors would be r?c?ived with open arms. Misses Shearer. Dent and Brain, in neat little speeches, responded and thanked the speakers for their kindly remarks. Miss Brain said she had already made a great many friends, and she knew that it would ciuse her much regret at parting from them. She adw mitted that it was largely the spirit of adventure that had caused her to -set out on her travels, but she had learnt much, and would carry back most pleasant recollections of Now Zealand and its people. During the evening songs were contributed by Miss Bain, Mr. D. Crooks and Mr. Pegler, and a. recitation was given by Mr. McNeil, all the items being encored.

The remainder of the evening was spent in dancing. The entertainment proved most enjoyable, and the opinion was generally expressed that similar social gatherings might' he held more frequently.