Principle Of Local Judging Of Pupils’ Plots Is Endorsed

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 June 1948, Page 4

Principle Of Local Judging Of Pupils’ Plots Is Endorsed

Criticism of the system of plot judging by local judges, contained in a letter to the Wanganui Education Board from Mr. J. G. Hogan, secretary of the Taihape branch of the Boys’ and Girls' Agricultural Clubs, and placed before the annual meeting of the Wanganui-Main Trunk Division on Saturday, was unanimously rejected by delegates. After the president (Mr. R. Humphreys, Wangaehu) had contradicted a suggestion in the letter that local judges might not be impartial, and several delegates had indicated their confidence in the system, a motion was passed endorsing the principle of local judging.

"At our annual general meeting we agreed that the question of plot judging was not entirely satisfactory this year,” stated the letter. “It imposed toe much responsibility on local judges, and the pupils themselves were not satisfied with the placings as they would have been had the Judging been done by outside judges. "Distances covered by the judges were too great,” added the letter. "The Taihape District High School could probably enter 40 to 50 plots in the competition, but before that comes about we want an assurance that more assistance will be given us in the way of outside judges.” the letter concluded.

"Two instructors at present can do the judging for the board,” said the secretary (Mr. E. H. Lange), commenting on the letter, “but if we have only one, then it is impossible and the question of limiting entries would have to be considered.”

“Local judges do an excellent job,” said the president (Mr. R. Humphreys). "I have visited schools after the judging and agreed completely with the placings. I know that Taihape bring their pupils long distances and if the petrol shortage continues into the first term of next year it will make it difficult for the local judges,’' he added. The Wanganui-Main Trunk Division's area stretched from Taumarunui to Linton, and unfortunately the biggest number of plots had always been (he greatest distance from Wanganui.

That two judges were sufficient, but that local judging could not be entirely eliminated, was the opinion expressed by Mr. Lange. “Local school committees appoint the local judges," he said in reply to a question.

Mr. Humphreys: In bigger schools, such as Talhnpe, perhaps local judges are not such a popular institution.

Moved bv Mr. T. Ashton, and seconded by Mr. .1. C Batt, a resolution was then passed endorsing the principle of local judging, and recommending that Instructors be asked to co-opt local judges, where necessary.