MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14532, 21 November 1910, Page 7

MEETINGS.

_ . ♦ THE TEACHING* OF POETRY. . Desfite the heavy rain, about 50 teachers and others interested attended at the Training College on Saturday morning to hear an address on "The Teaching of Poetry" in schools by the principal, Mr. H. A. E. Milnes. Professor Egerton presided, and in his introductory remarks emphasised the need for the study of good English and the selection of suitable pieces to be committed to memory. , The lecturer then gave a very lucid exposition of his subject. He dealt with such problems as "On what basis, should pieces bo selected?" " The use of gesture," " Should simultaneous recitation be allowed?" "What is the best way of committing verses to memory?"* "Should the voice be kept up at commas?" "How can the sing-song style be avoided?" etc., etc. He then gave the audience copies of Eugene Field's " Wynker. Blynken, and Nod," and showed how he would proceed to teach it to a class. The value of coordination with other school subjects was pointed out, and a class from th© Normal School, in charge of Mr. S. Green, sang very sweetly and in good taste the poem dealt with. As the lecturer remarked, lyric poetry was , intended. to bo sung, and the audience thoroughly appreciated the illustration. After the song two little girls from Standard 11. of the Normal School gave Geo. Macdonald's " Baby" in excellent style, and some original free-arm drawings were shown. These' were done by children, and illustrated their id«as of poems learnt. At the conclusion of the address Professor Egerton expressed himself as being almost wholly in accord with the views of the lecturer, particularly as regarded simultaneous recitation," which he characterised as most pernicious. He proposed a vote of thanks to, the lecturer, which was carried with acclamation, after Mr. Metgo headmaster of the Newton East School, had ably seconded the motion. • GOOD TEMPLAR LODGES. , The district deputy grand master. Auckland district, 1.0.0. F. (Bro. F. T. Hiding), accompanied by . his officers, attended a meeting of the Awhina lodge at Mamaku. There was a good attendance of members. The usual business having been despatched and the meeting closed, the D.D.G.M. proceeded to open a lodge of the Rebekah degree, to be known as Te Kaponga Rebekah Lodge,. No, 15. The new lodge was most successfully instituted, 18 ladies and 16 male members being ~ initiated. The following officers were then installed:— Sister Macey; "V.G.,/ Sister Cowper; secretary, Sister Roe; treasurer. Sister Bannatyne; recording secretary, Sister ! Skeflern; chaplain, Sister Thome. The business having been despatched the proceedings closed with a social and dance. Subsequently the D.D.G.M., supported by Bro. A. J. McLean (degree master), Bro. F. Wilkinson (district secretary), Bro. Rowe (N.G., Excelsior Lodge), and a large contingent of enthusiastic " Excelsiors" from Pukekohe, visited Bombay and instituted the Star of Bombay Lodge. « The following officers were installed:—N.G., Bro. C. Buttimore; V.G., Bro. A. Cornthwaite; ; secretary, Bro. E. Evans. ; . : . • ■ .-' ~~ ~ j "THE CREED OF HEALTH." . An excellent lecture dealing with " The Creed of Health" was given by Dr. Dowell in. the Bible-class rooms of the Baptist Tabernacle yesterday, between ;" 60 and 70 young men attending. The lecturer dealt with his subject in an interesting manner, and hiß remarks were highly appreciated. SOCIETY OF THE NEW CHURCH. ; Anniversary and floral services were held in connection with the Auckland Society of the New Church yesterday at the hall Pompallier Terrace. All the services were well attended. The hall was tastefully decorated by a committee of young people. At the morning service Mr. G. Clements gave an address on "Gardens: The Flowers that Grow in Our: Mind," and Mr. R. Strong spoke-on "Flowers and .Colours: Their Spiritual Correspondence." In the afternoon an address on "Order" was given by Mr.. J; Russell, and an interesting talk to the children was given by Mr. Hyatt. Miss Edith Rhodes officiated at the organ, and special hymns were sung by.the scholars and choir. At the afternoon service Mrs. Hamilton Hodges rendered most artistically the solos, "In Heavenly Love Abiding (Larson) and >■' Fairest Lord ~f Jesus" (melody :by Batiste), and in th© evening Miss ! Gertrude Strong sang the solo "A Dream of Paradise." The annual church meeting will be held to-morrow evening.