TEACHING THE TEACHERS.

Mataura Ensign, 27 September 1913, Page 9

TEACHING THE TEACHERS.

PHYSICAL TRAINING. A PUBLIC DEiMONSTRATION. . The conclusion of the course of physical training which the district teachers nave undergone during the past fortnight under the Education Department s instructors, Messrs Galloway and and Misses Blackburn and Heritage, was marked by a public demonstration of a number of the principal exercises in the.Town Hall yesterday afternoon, to-which th-3 public v.ere admitted, a privilege thac was availed of to such an extent that the hall isoon became uncomfortably hot. Owing to the smalbiess of the nail it was impossible for all the teacher® to be seen in action at once, so the work had to he performed! by various sections; but the high standard of efficiency which has been attained in so short a time is a tribute to the enthusiasm and diligence which the teachers have given to the teaching of their instructors, ana also to the ability cf the latter to successfully handle this new course of physical drill in which they have been entrusted to instruct the teachers of the primary schools of the Dominion. The work as demonstrated during the afternoon was a revelation to the onlookers, who enthusiastically applauded every fresh movement. The first exercise, consisting of breathing and various physical movements, was performed by a squad' of the men in a very creditable manner. The "Magpies," under the charge of Miss Blackburn, followed, and very gracefully performed several dance steps to the accompaniment of the "Yellow Perils and their brethren's voices, in "Everybody's Doro' It." Various other move, ments were also executed by the ladies in a very effective manner, but owing to the hall being uncomfortably warm Miss Blackburn explained that it was deemed advisable to omit the breathing exer,cises. . As the "Magpies" resumed thenseats a solemn "band, under Miss Hermitage, formed up in funeral procession and slowly filed into the building carrying*a coffin headed by a sombre-looking lady d< lefullv beating a muffled drum. (The latter appeared to be an exceedingly mournful-looking kerosene tin.) In the centre of the hall the depressed cortege halted' and the .pall-bearers gently deposited their burden on the floor. After a solemn dirge had been chanted Miss Hermitage performed' the burial service, which consisted of consigning to utter oblivion an exceedingly dis>-reputable-looking pair of old corsets and a skirt that must have long since outlived its utility. The idea of this httle tableau is obvious, and it is therefore unnecessary to explain it. The only thing to mar the solemnity of the proceedings was the uproarious applause with which the whole process was Various games were then entered into with enthusiasm. Had it been suggested to the teachers a fortnight ago that they would take part in what they would then have termed children® games they would, .have laughed such a suggestion to scorn, but in yesterday's games they displayed as much keenness as the smallest youngster could have evinced. Wheelbarrow races, crocodile races and various ball games each found a place on the programme., the contests on nearly every occasion being between the ladies and the men, and naturally in every case mere man came off second best.^ The most strenuous part of the afternoon was now over, and the "Magpies," to the aocompaniment of rag-time musio, sang a special song of their own composition, which was a testimony to the imaginations which conceived it. fhe title was, "Magpies, That'® Me," the song explaining that "We (the Magpies) are the very special ones." Cries from the girls, "We want the men's song," failed to find a response, the explanation being that their leader (Mr Grenfell) was absent.

PRESENTATIONS TO INSTRUCTORS At the conclusion of the afternoon's entertainment Mr Shepherd (Wendonside) on behalf of the teachers very cordially thanked the instructors for the valuable instruction which they (the teachers) had received during the past fortnight. Whatever misgivings they had had before commencing their course r ". drill had very quickly vanished after vuey ihad actually started, and he was igure there was not one teacher but who was thoroughly sorry that the time had come to return hpme. They were ill agreed that they lhad had a really good time. Two factors were largely responsible for this. They all recognised the intrinsic value of the training they had undergone, which would undoubtedly result in much good to the rising generation. The second factor was the extreme popularity of the instructors. Messrs Galloway and Longworth were heart and soul in their work, and in their teaching methods they had displayed the utmost patience and courtesy. Though he (the speaker) had not come muohi in contact with the lady instructresses, he knew thai they were held in the highest esteem by the lady teachers. As a mark of the male teachers' appreciation Mr Shepherd then asked Messrs Galloway and Longworth's acceptance of a pocket-book each, at the same time expressing the ihope that their late instructors would not forget their old pupils, the teachers in the Gore district. Messrs Galloway and Longworth suitably acknowledged the gifts, both stating that their stay in the Gore district had been one of the most enjoyable they had yet experienced in any educational district in New Zealand.Miss Frew (Wyndham) on behalf of the "Magpies" then presented Miss Blackburn with a writing-case, and Miss Webb (South, Wyndham) on behalf of the "Yellow Perils" presented. Miss Hermitage with a jewel-box and a ser-viette-ring. Both the recipients feelingly responded. "For they are jolly good fellows" was then lustily sung, by all the teachers present. ■,

THE PUBLIC'S APPRTX3ATION. Rey. J. M. Simpson. 8.A., on behalf of the public present proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the instructors and teachers for the magnificent afternoon'a display whicih they had given. Lieu-

'ten.T-si-C.')!i>!■■•:■! Boyrte, who is noted for his enthusiasm in all matters pertaining to physical education, seconded the motion. He said that he had long looked forward to the time when the rising generation would have a better physical training than had been enjoyed in the past. "God Save the King" and "Auld Lang Syne" terminated what migfht bo termed 'a unique but exceedingly enjoyable afternoon's entertainment.

INSTRUCTORS PLEASED. .In conversation with an 'Ensign' representative Messrs Galloway and Longworth both expressed themselves as thoroughly satisfied with the progress which the teachers had made during the fortnight's course of instruction, and Misses Blackburn and Hermitage also expressed themselves in similar terms.

A TEACHER'S PRAISE. All the teachers spoken to were most enthusiastic over the new system of drill. Mr Overton (Mandeville), who is certainly not the youngest member of the visitors, said that he had never felt fitter, and offered to demonstrate this fitness by having a round with the writer, an offer which was hastily declined. Mr Overton said that during the fortnight he had gained 75 cubic inches of air power. Talking of the system of drill, Mr Overton said that if it were carried out properly it could not fail to be of immense benefit to the children. The lady teachers were also emphatic in their praise of the new drill, and all spoken to expressed keen regret that the fortnight had come to an end.