WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11539, 28 March 1898, Page 2

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

The fortnightly meeting of the Canterbury Women’s Institute was held on Friday evening in Hobbs’s Buildings. Mrs Simpson, vice-president, occupied the chair. Correspondence was read from Mr Saunders aceeptingthe Institute’s invitation to lecture on Proportional Representation on April 1, and stating that at the close of his address he would like to conduct a trial election to show how simple the electors’ work would be under the Hare system. Prom the Christchurch married men employed on the Midland Railway line, asking the Institute to use its influence to have them removed to the Springfield end of the line, the fact of their being at present employed at such a distance from their homes entailing on themselves and families many hardships. At the request of the Institute, Mrs Williams undertook to make inquiries and report as to whether the Institute could move in the matter. A letter was also read from Sister Frances, suggesting sources from which information could be gained in regard to the neglected children in Christchurch. Mrs Wells explained fully the scheme of Sister Frances, as set forth in her paper entitled “ Save the Children,” and suggested that the Institute should organise a committee to deal with the matter; that the duties of the committee should be to collect data as to the number of children who could be described as vagrant and neglected, and to bring such information before the public; that the committee also approach the Education and Charitable Aid Boards in regard to the appointment of, and provision of a subsidy for, a lady organising-secretary to deal with such children as suggested by Sister I Frances. Mesdames Black, Blake, Hen- ! derscu, and Miss Hookham were appointed the Institute’s representatives on tho committee, and the Secretary was instructed to write to other societies asking them to appoint representatives. The committee was given power to add to its number.

A discussion then took place on education. Papers were read by Miss t'ercy, and Miss Bain spoke at some length. Miss Percy in her paper dealt principally with the mental and manual aspects of education, and these she contended ought to go on together. In addition to the ordinary subjects industrial classes should be formed. She also spoke of the instruction given at present in schools as being a mere loading of the memory instead of a training of the mind. The gravest error, however, was that in our school system there was an almost total omission of anything that could bo called a technical training, and it was this phase of education that the spirit of the times seemed to demand. Miss Bam said that from infancy the child should be trained in habits of selfcontrol, cheerfulness, unselfishness and health; that whenever possible out of door instruction should ho given in gymnastics, art, botany, geology and so forth. She also urged that education should be secular, but that morality should he inculcated throughout, and that every manifestation of the warlike spirit should he discouraged in toys, games and studies, and that children should be taught to show consideration for the weak and for dumb creatures. She also urged that there should be some modifications in teaching grammar, history and geography; that technicalcontinuationclassos be established, and that a university course should be open to all.

Mrs Wells summarised her ideas on the subject in the following report, which she submitted to the Institute, and which was adopted : portion of time should, be given to reading and exposition in our public schools. (2) That instead of the long list of geographical names and uninteresting facts and figures, geographical readers containing lessons descriptive of the country, life and habits of the various peoples be used, (3) That historical readers containing lessons dealing with the history of the life of people at various parts of their story should supersede the recital of unconnected dry facts. (4) That science readers should supersede the bare lecturettes given on science. (5) That the taste of the children should be cultivated by graduated readers containing extracts from our noblest thinkers. (6) That power of expression should be diligently cultivated by frequent verbal paraphrase of the various studies. (7) That grammar should be taught as having a vital connection with speech, and that composition be considered the chief end to be aimed at. (8) That much more attention should be given to the [esthetics of the schoolroom; reprints of high-class paintings, replicas of statues and quotations from the great world philosophers should adorn the rooms. (9) That our pupil teachers should bo pupil teachers in reality, acting only under supervision, and having much more free time for study. (10) That the classes are too large, debarring the teachers from giving the individual attention each child requires. (11) That a higher attainment of education than that now afforded by the Fourth Standard be compulsory on all children. (12) That public central technical schools be established. (13) That the art schools should afford free education to the children who have passed out of the schools. (14) That classes for scientific instruction be free, and that practical help be afforded to such of our youth as desire to prepare for an agricultural career. (15) That schools of mines be free, so that our miners may participate in the benefits of the latest scientific discoveries. (16) That the Industrial Schools Act be amended so as to include within its scope thb children of parents who are vicious or criminal. (17) That it is absolutely essential for a Christian .State to keep it? orphaned and neglected children beyond the age of fourteen, and to prepare such children for the work that seems most suited for each. (18) That a free university course is essential for all who desire to qualify as teachers. (19) That in every centre a lady should be appointed by the State to act on behalf of the neglected children, such'lady to be in communication with the truant officer, Charitable Aid Board officials, police and philanthropic organisations: (1) Toenforceregular attendance at school and to provide clothes and books for the children of the merely unfortunate parents. (2) To have the children of the vicious and criminal committed to State homes. (3) That the staffs

of our industrial schools should consist of men and women of high culture. Miss Smith moved that the following resolution should be added: —“ That the Institute recognises the deep responsibility resting upon the teachers, and that next to tho parents teachers are tho most important factors in the building up of our future citizens. It feels that only those who realise this responsibility and have a love for and an interest in tho whole welfare of .the child should bo intrusted with its education.” The motion was carried.