BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1935, Page 9

BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES

SCHOOL PERSONALITIES OUTSTANDING NEW ZEALANDERS. SPECIALISTS FOR SUBJECTS. The careers and qualifications of the lecturers, leaders, of New Zealand thought in their particular spheres, are briefly given in the following thumbnail sketches:— Mr. D. M. Rae,' the president of the Summer School, founded the movement at Riverton, Southland, in 1924 and has been closely associated with it ever since. A map of vision, with a practical grasp of affairs, Mr. Rae was educated at Otago University, taking his M.A. with first-class honours. He has a wide knowledge of the field of education and has made a special study of New Zealand and Pacific history. Mr: Rae was recently given a Traveller’s Grant by the Carnegie Corporation, New York, to enable him to study education work in the United States, Britain and Europe. He has just returned and will lecture at; the school on educational tendencies overseas. Mr. Frank Milner, C.M.G., rector of the Waitaki Boys’ High School, is one of New Zealand’s leading educationalists. He is a prominent Rotarian and an expert speaker and thinker on international affairs. Mr. Milner has frequently represented New Zealand at overseas conferences, and is well-known in the Empire. His recent lecturing tour under the auspices of International Rotary won for him a very high regard as a brilliant speaker and as a fearless and original thinker on social and international problems. Mr. Milner will give a series of lectures on present-day world questions. Professor W. A. Sewell, professor of English at Auckland University College, has held his post at Auckland only this year but has already shown that he is determined, through his university position, to make a valuable contact with the community. He is much in demand at Auckland as a public lecturer, and has shown that he believes that to think dangerously is better than not to think at all. His series of lectures on the Theatre will make a wide appeal. . Today, when dramatic work is showing a revival in New Zealand as in other lands, there will be more than ordinary interest in Professor Sewell’s lectures. He is young and vigorous but has already shown himself outstanding by his work as a student, writer and lecturer. Dr. A. G. Butchers, of the Correspondence School, Wellington, is well-known in New Zealand as the author of Young New Zealand,” “Education in New Zealand” and numerous books and pamphlets on education. A very good speaker, Dr. Butchers will direct a series of discussions on educational problems. This “forum” discussion is a recent popular development of the summer school movement. It gives an opportunity for every member to make a personal contribution to the work of the school. With a comprehensive and expert knowledge of the history and principles of New Zealand’s educational system, Dr. Butchers is well

qualified to handle this department of the school’s work. Mr. M. Jenner, A.K.A.M., lecturer in music at the Christchurch Training College, will be in charge of the musical side of the school—always one of the most popular activities. Mr. Jenner is well known throughout New Zealand, not only as. a .brilliant pianist and organist, but as a skilled teacher of vocal music and concerto singing. Mr. Jenner will lecture daily on Music and Musical Legends and each evening, before the public, lecture at eight o’clock, he will also direct in capable fashion community singing. ... Mr. Johannes C. Andersen, librarian to the Turnbull Library, Wellington, is of Danish descent, having been born at Jutland in 1873. He was educated at Canterbury College, • entering the Government service as a cadet at the age of 14. . He joined the staff of the Parliamentary library in 1914 and in 1918 was appointed to take charge of the Turnbull Library of Pacific Publications and English literature, the storehouse of the best of New Zealand’s historical treasures. Mr. Andersen has written extensively, being the author of “Songs Unsung,” a ‘ translation of Oehlenschlagger’s epic “Hrolf Krake” and “The Lamp of Psyche.” Other publications include “Maori Life in Aotea,” papers in transactions on Maori music, “Bird Song and New Zealand Song-birds,” a jubilee history of South Canterbury, “Maori Tales," “New Zealand Tales,” “Place Names of . Banks Peninsula,” “Maori String Figures,” “Laws of Verse,” “Myths and Legends of the Polynesians,” and “Kapiti.” Mr. Andersen, who was honorary editor of the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute from 1920 to 1929, and was also joint editor of the journal of the Polynesian Society, is an authority on his subject, Maori Art, Mythology,. Religion and Folk-lore. Mr. K. C. Reid, lecturer in physical education at the Auckland Training College, will give a course in “Folk-Danc-ing.” The re-discovery of rhythm and its place and importance in times of increasing leisure make folk-dancing a social activity that is rightly attracting increasing attention to-day. While no doubt less interest has so far been taken in this activity in New Zealand than in. other lands its importance has been realised. Mr. Reid is well-known in New Zealand to all individuals and societies that seek to base their work upon sound physical principles. He has the rare distinction of holding the Distinguished Service Medal of the Royal. Life-Saving Society for his work in connection with the development of swimming and life- ' saving instruction in New Zealand. Apart from his interest in folk-dancing Mr. Reid is one who believes that the laws of physical well-being and health are of supreme importance in our general educational system. An enthusiast and an expert in his important fields of work, Mr. Reid will make an appeal not only to the teachers but to those of the public who come to his interesting folk-dancing „ periods each day. »