STANWAY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 2 October 1936, Page 4

STANWAY

(From Our Own Correspondent.) STANWAY, Oct. 1

There was a large attendance on .Monday evening of householders from Tokorangi and Stanway at a meeting convened by Air E. \V. Cowdrey (Halcombe) to deal with tho proposed consolidation of tho Alt. lliggs, Kakariki, Tokorangi, Stanway, and Halcombe schools. Mr E. Christian (Stanway) was elected to the chair and introduced Air AloAJurtrio, chief inspector of the Wanganui Education Board, who gave a very capable exposition of tho advantages of consolidation. Air Alc.Mnrtrie said the world conditions were rapidly changing, with facilities for safe and rapid transport, an advantage not available a few years ago. There was a decided trend for school centralisation to-day. He cited several districts whore consolidation had taken place and maintained that there was a decided improvement in the children’s education. Various factors to the advantage of pupils were pointed out; the influence of the arrangement of classes, specialist teachers in physical education, and in music and science. He contended that in a small school tho pupils automatically suffered from constant changes of teachers and change of method; it really required an exceptionally efficient teacher to teach several classes and, in a lot of cases, to teach a whole school, and an efficient teacher did not stop long in that type of school, hut was attracted to the bigger centres. In concluding his address, Air AlcAlurtrie asked the meeting to look at this matter from tho advantages that would accrue to the child andrcfloct upon which type of school offered the child the most scholastic and moral advantages. Air G. N. Boulton (secretary of tho Education Board) then gave a brief address and read apologies from Air J. K. Ilornblow and Air Batcholar (local members of the board). After a considerable discussion a proposal that the schools be left as they are was carried by a small majority over an amendment that the meeting favoured consolidation. One would almost think Jupiter Pluvius was immensely displeased about something; it is very unusual for farmers to be so short of grass at this time of year. Old residents consider it one of tho most backward springs for many years.