W.E.A. NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 833, 5 August 1933, Page 19 (Supplement)

W.E.A. NOTES.

(Contributed.)

This association has lost the services of a valuable offie'er and student by the death of Mr W. IT. Wicks, who passed away on Monday last. Mr Wicks was a superannuated school master, and when his work in that department of life was completed he joined the W.E.A. in order to receive further education on the subjects most dear to him—literature and drama. As a youth li'e was a brilliant scholar in the Dunedin Training: College, and at a very early age was appointed to assist in teaching physics. Plis love of education continued with him throughout his long life. Even this year he was appointed librarian for the District Council, librarian for tire drama class and the delegate of the drama class on the District Coun-

cil. Last year he was one of the vicepresidents of the association. Thus it

can be truly said he gave of his best to the services of adult education. His leisure time was utilised to great purpose, and this association will miss him. rhe sympathy of the District Council is extended to Mrs Wicks and the family.

Last Monday evening the psychology class took the form of a students* evening-. Mr Dalziel acted as chairman, and four students delivered talks on topics of their own choosing. Miss G. Galt spoke on “ The Psychology of Riots.’’ M-r E. W. King spoke on “A Psychological and Sociological Study of Freezing Workers.’’ Miss E. I„e Page dealt with “ The Psychology of Sickness.’’ Mrs C. D. Wilson took as her subject “ Parents.’’ This method of allowing students to give talks before the class shows quite cPearly that they are taking the principles learned in the class to the experiences of their everyday life.

The class in •• International Relations ” enjoyed a lecture on “ Facism,” given by their tutor, Mr L. Webb, on Wednesday evening. This is the first of a series of three lectures which Mr Webb is giving in political theories. The second will be “ Communism ” and the third “ Democracy.’’ A keen discussion, in which many students took part, followed on the conclusion of the lecture. During the coming month the subject of “ Psychology ” in its various aspects will be dealt with by two W.E.A. lecturers, over the air. Mr R. Winterbourn, M.A., will give four lectures on “ The Psychology of Emotional Life,” and Mr A. It. Noonan, M.A., will speak on “ The Psychological Factors in Everyday Life.” These talks should prove of great interest to the listeners.

There was an attendance of sixtyseven at the Public Speaking Class on Monday evening, when the tutor, Mr John Rigg, delivered a final lecture on logical reasoning, and gave some instruction on the subject, of “ How to Learn to Speak Fluently.” Addresses were delivered by students as follows: Mr A. A. Dingwell, ‘‘Lloyd George”: Mr B. R. M’Laren, “The Nobile Art of Cookery”; and Mr W. G. Campbell, “ The Circulation of the Blood.” The speakers delivered were criticised by the tutor, and votes of thanks were accorded to the speakers. The value of education in these times of struggle and stress or seeming chaos was shown -quite recently in an article in the “ National Education.” The writer states, “ A notable feature of the revival of confidence is that in its hour of trouble the world is turning to the trained brains whose task in life has been to study, to search, to question, to find out the truth wherever it may be and whatever it may be. The movement is the acknowledgment of the value and power of education and of educators.” The need of adult education is more pronounced than ever if only to develop an appreciation within the community of the trained and educated mind.