CHILDREN’S ASSEMBLY

Northern Advocate, 8 November 1934, Page 7

CHILDREN’S ASSEMBLY

VISIT OF DUKE I VOLUNTARY RALLY '[Special to "Northern Advocate ” 3 AUCKLAND, This Day. A statement making it clear that the Auckland Education Board is entirely in favour of the proposed voluntary assembly of school children at the Domain on the occasion of the Duke of Gloucester’s visit to Auckland was made by the chairman, Mr. T. U % Wells, at yesterday’s meeting of the board. The Mayor, said Mr. Wells, had been anxious to arrange a display and welcome by the school children at the Domain, but the proposed date of the rally was unfortunately/ten days after the schools would have closed for the summer holidays. The board had felt that, it could not call upon the children and teachers to undergo the necessary training out of the school term that would be necessary if the display was to be a credit to the schools and the city. The board’s view had been confirmed by the schools, and it had been pointed out that already a number of teachers and families had made arrangements to be out of town for the holidays. The Mayor, continued Mr. Wells, had then announced his intention of having simply a voluntary assembly of children at the Domain, which he, personally, thought was an excellent idea. Mr. Hutchison had appealed for voluntary workers to help in organising and staging the „ assembly, and he understood that he had received a good response. He had been informed that one of those volunteers had visited a school to make inquiries as to the number of children likely to attend, and had been informed by the headmaster that he could not do anything without the authority of the board.

“I want to make it clear that the board is entirely in support of the proposal,” said Mr. Wells. “We can’t call upon teachers to do anything, but we shall be delighted if they offer to help in staging the assembly.”