Ways O' Wallace

NZ Truth, Issue 1147, 24 November 1927, Page 6

Ways O' Wallace

TOO many public speakers prate about the merits of certain ele-

ments m education! too few appreciate its importance. Still fewer are they who really understand the import of their own utterances.

The daily press is replete with the voluminous nothingnesses of these politico-educationists, and sorry indeed is the impression on the public mentality.

Therefore, as revolving earth glides from the squealing storms of winter to the smoother influence of summer months, so do w.e gladly turn to the frank, well-informed orderliness so familiar m, the narration of a speech by James Wallace, chairman of the Otago Education Board for many years. ,

As a Scotsman, his flair for a somewhat unbridled bluntness, supplemented by immovable determination, has guided his willing feet often into the ways of bitter conflict, although the ultimate honors did not always remain with himself.

As a chairman of meetings or as a commoner, he reveals attributes both pleasant and estimable, whilst as a partner ln a Dunedin printing house he has contributed much towardß the success of its enterprise.

Possessed of a wit that is impetuous rather than spontaneous, often his quips are barbed, maybe unconsciously, with sharp tinges; his aotions and mental gestures are, nevertheless, nothing if hot well-founded on. the model of good intent.