GIFTS OF NEW TESTAMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 25546, 14 December 1944, Page 10

GIFTS OF NEW TESTAMENTS

COPIES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN It was the desire of the Otago and Southland Bible Society to present a copy of the New Testament to every child who passed out of Standard 6, stated a letter from the chairman of tire Invercargill branch of the society received by the Southland Education Board at its meeting yesterday. The scheme had been approved by the Otago Education Board, and during the past two years 400 Testaments had been presented to children leaving Dunedin primary schools at an official ceremony, continued the letter. The society was not yet in a position to cover all the schools of both provinces, but it was felt that a start should be made in Invercargill. The chairman, Mr S. Rice, said he understood copies would be presented to pupils leaving the town schools. A letter was received from the clerk of the Mataura Presbytery asking the board to receive a deputation on temperance teaching by ministers in schools under the Nelson system. It was decided to receive the deputation at the February meeting of the board. TEACHERS’ REMOVAL EXPENSES A letter was received from the Education Department stating that the Minister of Education had approved the payment of a grant not exceeding £l5 to cover expenses, not otherwise recoverable under, the removal expenses regulations, incurred by married teachers in adjusting household effects in their new residential quarters, that is, alteration to floor coverings, soft furnishings and so on. The approval applied to only those cases in which the removal expenses were paid by the Government. A deputation from the Niagara School Committee waited on the board to discuss the transport of pupils. Twenty-nine pupils were affected and some had up to eight miles to travel to school, it was stated. Mr Rice said that the board was sympathetic and would examine the position. Those present were: Messrs Rice, H. Smith, W. Bell, H. E. Philp, C. E. Haywood, D. A. McDonald and W. Excell.