SCHOOL SYSTEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24971, 14 August 1944, Page 4

SCHOOL SYSTEM

moke public interest accommodation PROBLEM "In spite of the war there has been a growing public interest in education and an increasing demand for educational services from all sections of the community," states the annual report of the Minister of Education, Mr Mason. "There is evidence to show that much of this new interest, both here and overseas, springs from a growing understanding of the part education must plav in the post-war world." One of the distinctive features in New Zealand over the past 30 years had been the steady increase in the number of pupils taking advantage of the provision of free secondary education, In 1943 no less than 76 per cent of the children leaving primary schools and 82 per cent of those leaving intermediate schools and departments went on to full-time secondary courses. Vocational Guidance Service Reference is made in the report to the work of vocational guidance officers. The Minister affiarms the belief that they are giving a valuable service to the children of the Dominion and saving large numbers from the unhappy fate of a lifetime spent in work for which they have neither aptitude nor taste, lhe work in connection with applications by servicemen for bursaries and scholarships and guidance of the men to lines of training for which they are ocat fitted is steadily increasing and efforts are being made to train new vocational guidance officers to assist when lull demobilisation begins. An encouraging feature of the .Native Schools Service has been the growing number of Maoris qualifying as teachers in these schools. The numbers of Maoris now in the service are: Certificated head teachers, 4; certificated assistants, 16; uncertificated teachers. 14; probationary assistants, 13; junior assistants, J/, training college students. 34. Agricultural High Schools Saving there had been a spontaneous burst of interest in agricultural high schools, the Minister adds: "I should like to see a number established, but there is no type of school so liable to failure, and I am having the whole situation most _ carefully investigated before any step is taken." Referring to the serious effect of the war on the school building programme, Mr Mason says the accommodation problem is most pressing in and about Auckland. He expresses the hope that increased supplies of materials and labour will enable an acceleration of the building programme. The total expenditure on education for tlie year ended March 31.1944, is given in the report as £5,272,/40. OBITUARY MR J. 0. WEBSTER The death has occurred of Mr John Croome Webster, a former town clerk of Devonport, aged 82. Well known in racing circles, -Mr Webster had been associated with the Auckland Racing Club, the Avondale Jockey Club and the Auckland Trotting Club. He is survived by his wife, a son, and two daughters. MR JAMES PUEVES (0.c.) WESTPORT, Sunday The death occurred last evening at Westport of Mr James Purves, aged 81. Mr Turves was formerly foreman for the Union Steam Ship Co. at Westport and Wellington. He recently celebrated 50 years as a Freemason and he presided over the lodge on that occasion. "OUR MISS GIBBS" BRIGHT, TUNEFUL COMEDY The Auckland Amateur Operatic Society's choice of "Our Miss Gibbs" for its 1944 musical comedy season has proved a happy one, and the reception which appreciative audiences accorded the production when it opened at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday, promises well for the success of the season. The work abounds with tuneful melodies and colourful costumes and settings, making it ideal wartime entertainment, and the inclusion of one of the most polished ballets seen on the Auckland stage in recent years adds to its delight. Full credit must be given to the vitality of the society which, in spite of wartime easting difficulties. has_ assembled a company of over SO artists, headed by a strong group of principals. Joy Asquith imparts a delightful freshness and light-hearted gaiety to the title role' of a shopgirl who loses her heart to a youthful lord, admirably played by Don Mearns, and Svbil Phillipps makes an engaging Lady Betty, his unwilling fiancee. Lionel Stone scores one of the show's Jttisjoc successes' as an amateur crook in high-society, and his solo "Yip-i-addy-i-ay' y received bv Saturday night's audienco.Vjth all the enthusiasm which must fthv£ .greeted its original presentation a couplo, 0 f decades ago. George Clapham, as jii ss Gibbs' diminutive country cousin lK m Yorkshire, scores most of the laughs, and he is strongly aided and abetted by Zena and Christine Laird. The Xettleton-Edwards ballet, featuring Margaret Scrimshaw as premiere danseuse, is seen in three excellent numbers, the Hungarian peasant dance which opens the second act proving most popular with Saturday's audience, although tho bizarre "Moonstruck" finale also drew generous applause. The ochestra is under the capable baton of Mr Colin Muston. JOURNALIST WOUNDED A war correspondent for the Daily Sketch, London, and Lord Kemsley's Allied Newspapers, Ltd., Mr Graham E. Beamish, husband of Mrs G. E. Beamish, of 21 Eastbourne Road, Rcmuera, has received severe leg wounds in Italy. Mr Beamish had previously had a very narrow escape when two correspondents were killed when the jeep conveying a number of war correspondents in the forward area in Italy came under heavy mortar fire. Before the war Mr Beamish was a reporter on the staff of tho Auckland Star. FLYING-BOAT ARRIVES A Tasman Empire Airways living-boat, arrived from Sydney on Saturday afternoon. Among the passengers were: — Messrs E. J. Pve, W. Thorpe. Mesdames G. S. Grev, G' E. Ellis, R. H. Pye. J. M. Marshall, J. Y. Smit A. M. Dalgleisli, R. Pennvcock and F. Higgs. FIRE BRIGADE OLD BOYS The following officers were elected at tho annual meeting of the Fire Brigade Old Boys' Association: —President, Mr ,T. G. Patterson; vice-presidents. Messrs C. Kean and T. Steel; committee, Messrs L Chapman. G. Davidson, G. Hedlnnd. W. Harkins and C. Copland; trustees, Superintendent w. L. Wilson and Messrs W. Hill and H. Smith: hon. secretary, Mr E. Paterson; auditors. Messrs H. Smilh and C. Kean.