Educational Institute Meeting

Northland Age, Volume XVI, Issue 6, 22 October 1946, Page 3

Educational Institute Meeting

A sub-committee comprising Messrs. A. W. Bird, H. N. Freeman, E. Smith, G. Greensmith and Mrs. K. Ball was set up at Saturday’s meeting to co-operate with the A. and P. Society to go into the question of presenting an exhibitive display of school work at the A. and P. Show instead of competitive as in the past. Exhibitive work would comprise writing, nature study and art, said Mr. E. Smith, who proposed the motion. Mr. Boon, Te Kao, presided, and he introduced to the meeting Messrs. Cartwright and G. Ashbridge, President and Secretary of the N.Z. Educational Institute respectively. The work of both these men in Wellington was well known and appreciated, said Mr. Boon. “My first trio north of Auckland has been an eye-opener’,” said Mr. Cartwright in commencing his address. He had found many teachers doing wonderful work under most difficult conditions, and he had nothing but admiration for the teachers in the country districts. As a body,

teachers were tackling their job thoughtfully and were doing a great job. Some of the credit should go to the Government, however, said Mr. Cartwright, for the advance of education, especially as far as lighting and equipment were concerned. The war conditions had affected many other improvements and no time should now be lost in getting school buildings up to the standard that the children of New Zealand deserve. The position with regard to housing and accommodation of single teachers was in many cases desperate. Mr. Cartwright was certain that with regards to accommodation the commun- | ity itself could do more. The Institute | had to concentrate on these important factors. Young teachers were at a distinct handicap, going into the difficult existence of a country district. “By making conditions better for the.teachers we make them better for the children,” said Mr. Cartwright. “Revaluation of education as a major social service is our main plank,” he continued. It was the most important factor in the development of a nation. He was particularly anxious that both teachers and parents realised that matter. It was pleasing to see -that we were now departing from the time when parents thought that education was merely a matter for the teacher —today parents were taking more interest in it. Through the Pavent-Teacher Association, a direct interest was now forthcoming, and by lealising the importance of education steps wer» being taken to preserve it. “That is our aim,” said Mr. Cartwright, “the realisation of the status that education should have.” As a Dominion Executive, his organisation had kept before the Government many immediate problems. Progress had already been made in the struggle for smaller classes. Connected with the new salary schedule was a Readjusted staffing schedule that Mr. Cartwright hoped would operate from the new year. There would, however, have to be sufficient teachers and accommodation avail-

able to introduce this revised staffing schedule. The three major problems were salaries, grading and superannuation. A position of finality had been reached with the salary question and a fairly satisfactory solution had been found. Grading was before teacheis at the present time. The Grading Committee, however, hail confidence in the new gi'ading scale. It had been tested out and it now went before the teachers of N.Z. for approval or disapproval. Superannuation had been improved and the Act operated from the start of this year. Elaborating on the salaries question, Mr. Cartwright stated that they had been insufficient to attract the full share of the best people from high schools and universities. The important profession of teaching should have a more attractive salary scale. Mr. Cartwright continued to outline the fight that the Dominion Executive had put up for a stabilised and satisfactory scale for teachers, and he felt sure that something had now been attained. In conclusion, Mr. Cartwright paid a great tribute to the work of Mr. Ashbridge in the cause of the teaching profession. Mr. E. J. Wills of Ahipara then moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Cartwright, and this was carried with acclamation. In the afternoon Mr. Ashbridge spoke on grading, and answered several questions on the subject. - -

“Toasted tobacco,” said the reporter, “has come to stay; we all know that, because every other bloke you meet is smoking one brand or another of it. But what is the toasting process exactly? How is it done?” “There’s a good few would like to know that, if you ask me,” replied the whiff merchant, lighting a cigarette. “Every industry has its secrer.s and I reckon that’s one of the secrets of the National Tobacco Co., the pioneers of the tobacco industry ir. New Zealand. But ‘toasted’ caught on from the jump, you know, and no doubt toasting had a lot to do with that—cleans up the nicotine in the leaf and helps to give the six blends, Cut Plug No. 10 (Bullshead), Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Cavendish, Riverhead Gold, Desert Gold and Pocket Edition, their distinctive flavour and fine bouquet.” “If I only knew all about the blanky process,” mused the scribe, “it’d make a story, that would!” “No doubt,” laughed the tobacconist, “but the manufacturers are hardly likely to give away the secret just to oblige you!” 501

MANGQNUI NEWS Shipping The scow “Success” was in Mangonui over the weekend with a load of coal for the Oruru dairy factory. Personal Mr. Duncan of Russell is the guest of Mrs. Rayner. Mrs. R. T. Wrathall ha*, returned home after an extended holiday in Auckland. Shining Cuckoo Heard Miss B. Houston records having heard the call of the shining cuckoo on October sth. Last year it was recorded about a fortnight earlier. Shipment of Basic Slag A shipment of fifty-three tons of the genuine Belgian basic slag, the first for over six years, was landed at the port this week. The whole of the shipment was purchased by the Oruaiti farmers. There was also over forty tons of general cargo for Mangonui on the same boat. VISIT OF METHODIST MINISTER Mangonui was favoured by a visit from a former Methodist minister in the person of the Rev. W. T. Blight, who was in charge of the circuit in 1914. There was a gathering in the Methodist church on Thursday afternoon to meet the minister, who was accompanied by the Rev. L. R. Gilmore of Kaitaia. Many old faces were recognised by the Rev. Mr. Blight, who in reminiscencing recalled how he had landed in Mangonui by the “Clansman” one Thursday morning and was met by a niece of Mrs. Maria and taken up to their home on the hill, where he spent a pleasant year as home missionary. There were no motor cars in those days, and travelling was done by horse at first and then by bicycle. The speaker jokingly referred <:o the way many of the institutions formerly located in Mangonui had been removed to Kaitaia, a straggling village in those days, and even wqhdered why the name “Mangonui” was still adopted by the county. However, he was of the opinion that Mangonui would recover some of its former importance owing to its fine harbour and its geographical position. A short service was held, after which afternoon tea was dispensed by the ladies. Later on a departure was made for Oruru, where a gathering was to take place the same evening.