THE EDUCATION COURT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 33

THE EDUCATION COURT.

A REVELATION TO VISITORS. The Education Court, together with the valuable educational work accomplished by the committee? associated with that de partment, ha? taken a very prominent part in Exhibition affairs—a part that ha 9 added greatly to the value of Dunedin's magnificent accomplishment at Logan Park. Since November 17 all who have taken any part in arranging for the visits of school children from all parts of the Dominion, have spared neither time nor trouble with tlie result that complete success has followed the enthusiastic support of New Zealand schools. The court itself has proved one of the most interesting and comprehensive in the Exhibition. More than 1,000,000 visitors have passed through its corridors, and the exhibits from schools, colleges, and universities have given the parent? of the Dominion a clear and striking indication of the wonderful modem educational methods now practised in New Zealand schools. In the course of an interview, the mans, ger of the court. Mr C. A. Strack, gave his opinion as to the results achieved with each phase of the educational work. As manager of a busy, bustling department, he has done all in his power to give the children of New Zealand every opportunity to zoo what Logan Park hat to offer. The

work has entailed a vast amount of tact and infinite patience, but his long experience as a teacher has stood him in good stead. Mr Strack looks hack over the months of splendid achievement, and the thanks of New Zealand teachers and parents which is so freely given is sufficient reward. “it k of course, the visits of the children of the Dominion that have occupied so much of my time,” he said, “and i feel that in uny review of the court and its achievements, these must he mentioned first. In all some 10.000 children have arrived during the past months under the arrangements made by the Billeting Committee. Some came for short periods; others for a week at a time. Had Sir James Parr given us sufficient encouragement in November we would have circularised the North Island as well, but in the face of what occurred when we approached the Government, we were afraid to do too much so far awav from the Exhibition. However, our plans were made known to the people of the North Island by a broadcasted lecture, and this, together with the reports taken bark bv northern visitors. let many of the schools know what we were doing. As a consequence, we have had many parties from the North island —many hundreds—and more than we expected under the circircumstances. “There is no doubt that from an educational point of view the Exhibition ha? been an unqualified success. The teacher? who came with the children entered wholeheartedly into the work and in many cases sacrificed their own pleasure for that of the children. In the courts the children were to be found with their notebooks, like a small army of reporters, each gatherin'* visual and written impressions that will he of immense value in the future. The lecturettes bv the various commissioner? have also been cf the greatest value and we are greatly indebted to tbl gentlemen who so kindlv gave of their valuable time I cannot snv too much in prai=e of the Billeting Committee, with its chairman, Mr I. Somervi’le. Were it not for the enthusiastic and painstaking work of the ladies and trentlemen on the committee, a scb®m® of such magnitude could not have been carri®d out.” “We highly apn r ~eiate the assistance of the caterer. Mr Nicol, whose restaurants have been at our disposal at the most awkward hour? while the staff has been kimlne®* itself to the children. The railway officials have also to be sincerely con Tratulated and thanked, and all visiting narties keenly anpreciated the supplies of fre® literature from the railway station bookstall. Thpre have been ma r v harbour trips—!»in® that were a feature of the visit? to Dun®din and the Exhibition. Thousands of children have been carried down the harbour in specially chartered steamers, and we have lost in all only two cans! The tram® and buses of the Dunedin Citv C’or poration hav P carried 100.000 juvenile pas' «enger= under our scheme and there has not been one accident—a fact that sneaks volumes for the officials in charge of the transport and the men in charge of the buses and cars. There were always the minor ailments to contend with, and for their services in this direction we have to thank Dr R. White and Dr R. Taylor. There wa® th® hi""*"® to he looked after and so well rbd Mr W Steele perform thi® duty that 15.000 parcels have been carried and not one has been lost. On the soeial side wp have a host of willing helners. but T should like to Particularly mention Mrs P. II Young. ‘The Mother of Dundas/ who wj»* in charge of tin* Dowlas strppf girls billet .and Mr 1.. Sanderson. ‘The Father of Knox.’ who superintended the Knox billet for boy®. Both received many little present? to show how much their services had been appreciated." “As far as the court a® a whole i® concerned. I can only sav thnt it ha® been a revelation to visitors from a'l rvirt-® of the Dominion—even teachers People have been very greatly impressed bv the work done today iu the primarv. secondary, training college and university divisions with the technical departments and their work ha® esnecinllv made a deep impression on all who have examined the court.” “The great majority of peoole now realise, some pnrhao® for the first time, thnt thev are getting full value for their money as far n<* education is concerned, and after this 1 am sure th®r® will *->o ""tip who growl at loa"® to be spent in educational channels. I realise, too. that the court has broken down anv harrier that might have existed against the expenditure on technical schools The display made by tb®m is worthy of the best rn fbe Home countries, and nerhaps that is the greatest revelation lies.” Bothin primary and -secondary schools that ideals set before teacher? and scholars in t.ho Education Court must have a lasting effect and be of the very greatest educational value to them. In holidays and snare time dozens of teachers have spent hours closely examining all the examples that are to be found in the various h n vs. and I know of one c» c e where a whole we®k was spent in careful noto-teking—-morning and afternoon. I have had manv inquiries for notebook.®, models, and samoles of special work “We have received the hearty co-opera-tion of teachers and sehool inspectors, boards, school committees, and allied bodips everywhere. T have found the work arduous, hut it has been more than peasant, end has given me mor® hnnnincss than would the winning of the biggest art union in t.h® country- “ After the dose all exhibits w«‘l| he racked and re'urned to the education boards throughout th® country that forwarded them to the Exhibition. Lastlv. the attendances of the public. We took careful not® of t*»» attendance from tim® to time anrl found in the opening of the Exhibition that one in every four reonle w*»n entered Logan Park raid u® a visit. When the popularity of •he court increased and it became known the pumb®rs "rew to ore in three, so w® nr* oof* in Buying that a * : ttl® ever a mil lion people have seen the Education Court.”