EDUCATIONAL REFORM

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 36, 6 November 1918, Page 6

EDUCATIONAL REFORM

NEEDS OF THE FEATHERSTON DISTRICT. Tho Town Hall, Feathcrston, was well filled on Monday night, when Professor T. A. Hunter, lecturer on mental scienceat Victoria College, Wellington, delivered a lecture 'entitled "Our, Faith in Education ■" under the auspices of tho leattierston Educational Reform Association, in co-operation with the School Committee. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Card) presided, and in his remarks introducing tho speakw.fqr tho evening referred to the importance of education in relation to conditions creat- v ed by the war, and incidentally expressed the great pleasure the recent cheerful news had occasioned all sections of the community. A vwse of the National Anthem was then sung by the audience. Mrs. A. E. Wickens jiresiding at the piano. Professor Hunter traversed a .wide range of features of our national life bearing upon the question of education, and at the conclusion of an address full .of information nnd helpful criticism displayed a number of lantern slides illustrative of school conditions in this country, also tho Homeland and tho United' States of America. He was vorj heartily applauded for his illuminating discourse The following lesolution wasjnoved by Mr. A. C. Holms, on behalf of tho School Committee:—"That this publio meeting representative of Feathers-ton and district strongly urges upon ijw Government the pressing necessity M very substantially increasing tho grant for education, in order that the demands v of a bold forward policy of imperial, so. «ial and industrial development uiaj bo niu'ciuntolv met." The mover emphasised the' fact that if .£14,000,000 could bo found annually for war purposes, to increase the education grant from (01,400,000 to several millions for meeting present needs in tho way of educational facilities and attention to the phyniciil development of children as well as post-war problems would nut 'unduly strain our resources. Mr. H. Bnnfield seconded the motion, endorsing the easo submitted by Professor Hunter. Mr. F. L. Combs, M.A. (Master-ton), a prominent educational enthusiast, eupported the motion, nnd paid a high tribute to the lecturer for the additional light ho had thrown upon the question of educational advancement. Tho motion was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. M. B. Tait, who briefly outlined the essential features of local disabilities, the following resolution was unanimously adopted. Major R. H.-Cathenvood, military chaplain, being the seconder: "That the Feathcrston School Committee be accorded hearty support in again impressing upon the Education authorities the urgent claims' of the area for improved educational facilities, the buildings being inadequate to meet tho increased attendance; the surroundings -unsuitable; and tho purchase of n- new site a matter w-"'. /& ■ immediate- attention." >