W.E.A. NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 934, 2 December 1933, Page 29 (Supplement)

W.E.A. NOTES.

(Contributed.)

A very interesting evening was spent by the students of the psychology class last Monday. The play “Symphony in Tltusion” was read by the class, and Mr .T. Johnson analysed the problems presented in the play. The students <f |S * cussed the subject very thoroughly, practically every student taking part. The next lecture will be given on Monday evening, December 11, by Mr .T. Stout, the subject being “Tension. This will be last class night for the year, and it. will re-assembie on Monday, February 5. A. Tutor in England. A letter was received this week from Dr Winifred Haward, who is now organising tutor for extension work with the Hull University. Students of the W E.A. will remember that Dr Haward tutored the Waimate class and gave lectures at the last summer school m Timaru. in her letter she appreciates very gratefully her experiences with the W.E.A. in Canterbury. Although back in her homeland. Dr Haward would like very much to return to New Zealand. In comparing New Zealand students with English students, she states: “A New Zealand audience is more obviously animated, though not necessarily more interested than an English one.” She extends her best wishes to all W.ELA. students. Personal. It is with great regret that we have heard that the director, Professor Shelley, is indisposed. His numerous activities throughout the session have no doubt taxed his strength, and among those activities his services to the W.E.A. are dominant ones. In addition to being director he has taken the drawing class throughout the session. When it is remembered that this class has an enrolment of 200, it can be seen how this class has called upon the tutor’s energy. Tt is hoped by every student of the W.E.A. that Professor Shelley will soon regain his normal health and

be able to take up again his great services to the people of this city. Exhibition of Art. A novel piece of adult education work undertaken in the. car scheme or travelling library is the exhibition of pictures in the rural areas. Dast year both Professor Shelley and Mr F. A. Shur-i-ock visited the country districts in company with the travelling tutor ami took with them paintings by New Zealand artists. While the paintings were being shown the tutors spoke on the an appreciation of art may be stimulated. In a report received from Norway this week it is indicated that a similar work is done there. The report states: “On the initiative of a Norwegian group a committee has been appointed to handle the question of sending travelling exhibitions of art throughout the country. The first exhibition, consisting of twenty-six paintings borrowed from the National Gallery at Oslo, was sent through the district of Gudbrandsdal last spring, stop-! ping at six places and remaining for one week at each place. The public interest in the exhibition was tremendous, the total of attendance amounting to 3000.” These facts indicate that the W.E.A. in Canterbury is not behind other places in seeking out experiments in adult education. A similar work to the above will be done at the summer school, when Mr Shurroek will lecture on art and display the work of New Zealand Timaru District. The annual report of the Timaru Committee indicates that two tutorial classes and two box scheme groups were, in session last year. The committee organised twelve public lectures and a two-night debate on “ Douglas Social Credit.” The students of the literature class produced three plays at the summer school, entered the competitions of the Drama Deague ant? secured second place, presented a play at the annual meeting of the Deague of Nations Union and another at Waimate. Four of the students took part in the first repertory production in the South Canterbury district. At the official wind up of the session three one-act plays were presented. .These facts give complete evidence that adult education is a great factor in the life of the Timaru people, and that the W.E.A. is a strong I force in that development.