THE FLORIZEL DISASTER.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16148, 28 February 1918, Page 9

THE FLORIZEL DISASTER.

» HOW THE SURVIVORS ESCAPED. (By Cibk—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) ST. JOHNS (NEWFOUNDLAND), February 26. The total rescued from the liner Florizel numbers forty-four. The survivors escaped because they barricaded themselves in the forecastle and the •wireless room, remaining without food for three days. Giant waves swept over the bridge and deck, engulfing scores of passengers. The sea smashed in the smoking-room, trapping a dozen men. The wreck is now breaking up on the rocks. Many gallant rescues wore undertaken by the Newfoundland fishermen. A suggestion has been made in Victoria that on account of the scarcity of paper the Stato primary schools could economise by reverting to the use of slates, and that home work could be dispensed with. In South Australia slates were discarded by the Education Department about ten years ago, and enquiries made last week by a representative of the Adelaide "Advertiser" showed that on hygienic grounds the school authorities would not be inclined i to have them used by the children i again* except as a, last resort. The teachers and pupils havo been directed ■ to economise in the consumption of . paper by utilising cver v scrap that has , writing space upon it, and the supphof exercise and notebooks is said to be ( holding out well. Many of the old i slates on being superseded were stored, and the frames have been eaten by white ants. Others were purchased bv ' private schools. Thero are still several ■ cases of new slates at the Education ' store, but it is hoped that they will not ; have to be put into use. As far as homo work is concerned, the regulations state that teachers may require a modo- ' rate amount to be done by children in 1 grade IV. and upwards, with the proviso that those in grade IV. shall have 1 no written exercises of any kind. In I summer, when the weather becomes i enervating, homo, work is to be reduced ' or entire!v dispensed with.