SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1927, Page 7

SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS

COURSES BEGUN YESTERDAY. SPLENDID SUPPORT GIVEN. “This must be something like a record for New Zealand,” said the senior inspector (Mr. N. R. McKenzie) yesterday morning, when addressing 325 men and women teachers assembled in the Workers’ Hall, New Plymouth, to commence the week’s refresher course conducted under the auspices of the Taranaki Education Board. He was referring to the fact that of all the teachers in the district only 15 were absent. Several of them were so far away that it was practically impossible for them to attend, while others Lal been to the recent camp at Cambridge. Therefore there would actually be only six or seven of' the board’s teachers who would not have been to any summer school this year. Mr. S. G. Smith, chairman of the board, extended a welcome to the teachers and hoped that they would find the lectures not only interesting but most usetul as well. Thougn the board bad been hampered to a great extent in its arrangements by the department, lie was confident that they would demonstrate that the couri? was a useful institution and that there would be another next year. Socia’ly lie hoped the visiting teachers would have a good time.

The Duke and Duchess of Y’ork would be visiting Taranaki on March 3, and it was entirely the fault of the Gov•ernment that the stay of the Royal party in the province was to be limited to one hour iu New Plymouth, and ten minutes each at Stratford and Hawera. The Government would pay the expenses of travelling on the railway to the nearest of those towns to all country children in standard 3 and over, and would provide meals for them. The board itself would arrange for the conveyance of children not on the railway, and for their meals. The teachers were asked to find out how many children would be coming from their schools. After mentioning the remarkably good attendance, Mr. MacKcnzie specially welcomed the 31 nuns from New. Plymouth, Waitara and Opunake who were taking the course. He hoped they would make themselves at home. They were all teachers and there were no distinctions.

Mr. P. J. H. White said that as a member of the board and as a citizen of New Plymouth he was very pleased to see so many teachers present. It denoted a real interest in education. Similar remarks were made by Mr. H. Dempsey, another member of the board. Mr. R. G. Ridling, who witn Sir. MaoKenzie is supervising the course, said that 50 would be going in to camp, the ladies into the Technical College building in charge of the Misses Harper and Hodgson, and the men at the Central School in charge of Messis. W. L. Wagstaff and C. V. Smith. The course had been divided into two section, one for teachers of infants and juniors, and the other for teachers of middle and senior divisions and head teachers. The Misses Papps, Harper and Andrews and Messrs. G. Lisle and 11. F. McClune had been appointed a social committee. The Vogeltown, Fitzroy and New Plymouth

bowling clubs had extended invitations to the visitors, while the Ne>v Plymouth Tennis Club could accommodate a limited number of players. Tennis could be played on the courts at Kawaroa Park and East End, but they would have to be booked.

Yesterday’s programme included an inspection of handwork in the Central School and, for those taking section B instruction in toymakiug and Maori art. In section A a course in rythmic movement and folk dancing was commenced by the Misses Hurst, of England, and Payne, of Canada. In the afternoon, Mr. E. Douglas Taylor gave the first of several lectures, his subject being singing. In the evening a social gathering was held in the Kawaroa Park bungalow.