THE DENNY DANK IN THE SCHOOL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 792, 22 June 1877, Page 3

THE DENNY DANK IN THE SCHOOL.

We have received the following from the Hon. Sec. to the Society for promoting the Theory and Practice of Economics in the Schools Zealand : For general information, and in answer to many inquiries as to the progress being made in the effort to promote the introduction of the Savings Bank into the school as a means of education, a short summary of the work accomplished and the results thereby effected will afford the best means of'cnabling an opinion to be formed. During the eighteen months previ tmsly to January last there were distributed by post throughout the Colony over 4-000 pamphlets and papers illustrative of the successful working of the Savings Bank in the schools of Belgium and Great Britain, with an intimation that an association, of which His Excellency the Governor and Lady Formariihy had kindly agreed to he the patrons, was in progress of formation for the purpose ot promoting a system similar to that described in these papers into our own’ schools. A. memorial signed by the/ promoters of the movement, was, during this period, also forwarded to the then Postmaster General, Sir Julius Vogel, praying that facilities might he afforded and arrangements made by his department for allowing the same banks to be supplementary 'to the Post Office Bank, and for enabling teachers to conduct thorn with the least possible inconvenience. The reply to this memorial loft nothing more to he desired. The distribution ’of the pamphlets find papers above referred to was followed by many comments, and, on the part of private individuals, perhaps as many of these were condemnatory as wore in faVdr of the innovation. However, that enlightened leader of public sentiment,the Press,” fortunately,—to speak generally— saw much in the scheme to commend, and as the editor of every journal in New Zealand had been specially invited to record iiis opinion, papers on the sub-

jfct wove thereby multiplied to many thousands. Meanwhile, legislator-, teachers, parents, and nil to whom education is a matter of 'daily interest were becoming familiarised with the idea, and about the end of last year the promoters rallied round them the friends of the movement, and further steps were taken towards organising an association. Office-bearers were -elected, ranging from an acting president in Sir John lliclmrdson to a working 'committee in Professor M'Gregof, Mrs Bum, Mr Nonie, Mr Park, Mr R. Gillies, Mr Stout, and Mr Robert flick, a'l of Dunedin, and Miss Dahymple and Mr Downes, of Port Chalmers. Among the officebearers are Mr Lusk, of Auckland, Sir W. Fitzlierbert, of Wellington, and Mr Bonar of Hokitika, and other gentlemen holding as these do, influential positions in our little educational world, who only wait for the completion of promised arrangements by Government for transferring their hearty sympathy with the promoters into active 'co-operation to having the scheme introduced practically into th*e public schools of their respective Provinces. A prospectus of the association was now prepared, in the form of a pamphlet entitled “ A Plea for Economics,” of which an impression of 1000 copies were printed. These were mostly distributed by post in January last. The fee of membership of the association was advisedly fixed at fhe sum of 5s If the interest in the subject were to be measured by the response vouchsafed on the issUe of this little publication, the promoters might have believed they had sufficient reason to abandon their colors, Six applications for membership were the result of the thousand invitations ! This hardly looked encouraging. There is, however, a (Conducted on Fourth Fage.j

asked of them They are, of'course, ad - 1 leased to the Secretary of tho Association. , To begin near home, hero are two from Dunedin:— Dear Sir, —In answer to your circular just received, whether [ think a Penny Bank could bo established in my school, 1 teg to reply that I think it could. I presume a supply of the necessary books, tie., will be sent me. •—I am, ifec. Dear Sir, —In reply to your circular I beg to say that 1 can outer upon the establishment of a penny bank in my school with enthusiasm, for I place much value on tho moral effects of the teaching to habits of thrift. I want the necessary instructions, and immediately on receipt of these with hooks, ike., am prepared to put the machinery in motion. Mv assistants are ready to give their hearty cooperation. The children are delighted, and in anticipation of the penny bank many have already placed their pennies in rny care.—l am, &c. Here are two from goldfields districts ; Sir,— The Committee here have decided to adopt tho penny bank in this school, and as I have no objections to work the affair, you may perhaps be good enough to cause the necessary books, with instructions, &c., to be sent me.—l am, <kc. Dear Sir, —I am in receipt of a circular re the saving bank in the school. It shall be my endeavor to aid the movement in every way that 1 can. I feel satisfied that the institution proposed would be a great boon to the district. Some two hundred depositors would, I believe, soon appear on the books. I shall be glad to have further communications from you with instructions.—l am, &c. The two following are from agricultural districts. The first is somewhat lengthy, bat so characteristic that it must be given : Dear Sir, —Itgives me great pleasure to acknowledge yournoteand pamphlet on “ Economics,” and to find that such active steps are being taken in the extension of saving banks as are likely to connect them with the schools of Otago, or indeed of the whole Colony. If we are to become a people “great, glorious, and free,” we must place to a proper use the proceeds of or industry. . . I was for years in communication with our late Postmaster-General, Sir Julius Yogel, urging upon him the great necessity that exists (in country places especially) for their extension, is I feel confident that our savings are not a moiety of what they should be if placed in the hands of the schoolmasters. I am thoroughly convinced that we are the men to do it, and this without at all detracting from those in public service who have brought the Savings Banks to such a successful issue. As soon as possible please to cause tho necessary papers and books to be sent me. With this is a P. 0.0 for my subscription as a member of the association.— 1 am, <tc. Dear Sir, —I have received the circular signed by you, and have much pleasure in informing yon that 1 am quite in favor of Penny Banks in connection with schools, and will be glad to open one immediately. Will you kindly furnish roe with instructions how to start it, and the books, &c.—l am, &c. Two from Canterbury must complete the selection : Sir, —My scholars are anxious for a Penny Bank. It would be quite a boon in such an extensive district—over seventeen miles from any town or Post Office Savings Bank. lam quite willing to assist in the matter on receipt of instructions and requisites. 1 am, <fcc. Dear Sir, —-As a schoolmaster, I am heartily with the association in its objects, and disposed to advance the •cause as far as lam able. . . My school it not a large one—about sixty pupils. The number of depositors would probably bo small at first, but relying on the imitative faculty of children, I should start with luilf-a-dozen of my own, and I doubt not but that wo should have them all depositors in tire course of a little time. I anticipate that teachers would soon find themselves amply rewarded for any little trouble they might have in management, by witnessing the improved industry of their pupils, which is sure to follow. I enclose 5s of stamps, the subscription of ordinary membership.—l am, <Sc. A lady teacher “ will be most happy to introduce it to and conduct a Penny Bank in her school.” 'The “three exceptions.”—N T o. 1 would not interpose any objections it it bo real'y desired to have it (the Savings Bank) in the school ; but, for himself,’thinks the need of such training in the Colonics overrated.” No. 2 “ highly approves of Penny Banks for children, but does not consider that it is for schoolmasters to work them.” No. 3“ is not at present in a position to start a penny bank in connection with his school.” There lias berm barely time for replies from the North Island ; but the most sceptical must be convinced that there is on tho part of our teachers far above an average desire, since some self-sacrifice will be required to promote the well-being of our rising youth. Remarks on the replies to the memorial to School Committees must be postponed for another occasion, j

species of defeat which only prompts to morn vigorous uction. Moreover, many of the public journals, in reviewing the subject a second time, urged the adoption of .'the proposed scheme in even stronger terms than previously. It was therefore considered advisable to have another edition of the prospectus, and in March an issue of 7000 copies was brought out, and these are now in course of circulation. Every teacher—-public and private—within the Colony, whose address has been procured, must already bo in receipt of a copy, as also every clergyman. Copies are also being addressed to members of both Houses of the Legislature, Justices of the Peace (numbering 1000), and to every person known to be, or supposed to be interested in the onward progress of humanity as far as has been possible to obtain information on this point, A short time ago the committee, through their Secretary, brought the subject specially before the Dunedin School Committee, who have the supervision of several of the largest and most numerously attended schools in the Colony. The overture was received most courteously, and the im mediate action of that body in appointing several of its members as a sub-committee to inquire into the matter, and arrange with the teachers of their schools to have the scheme carried into effect, if practicable, was altogether so satisfactory that the Committee of the Association were induced to think of addressing, by special circular and memorial, the numerous body of school committees and teachers throughout the Colony. Thereupon these separate documents were prepared, and up to the present moment about 700 teachers have been addressed and 400 school committees. The Provinces of Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Nelson, and Marlborough have not yet been overtaken. The following is a copy of the circular to teachers;— The head teacher of Sir or Madam. Referring to a pamphlet on the Savings Bank in the schools of Belgium, sent you last year and recently a copy of the prospectus ot an association lor promoting the introduction of the penny bank into the schools of the Colony, together with the study of economics, I am directed by the committee of the society to respectfully bring the subject under your notice. The committee venture to suggest that you give the matter your careful consideration, and, after having consulted with any assistants you may have, they would feel obliged by your reporting to them whether you,would think a penny bank could be established in your school. Well-knowing the arduous nature of a teacher’s duties, the committee do not think that you might be able to do more, after seeing the business properly initiated, than to give it your occasional superintendence, but they are of opinion that the bank could be perfectly well managed by your as sistants, or oven your advanced pupils, not only r without much trouble but with positive advantage to themselves, as well us to the best interests of the school. On the authority of the Glasgow School Board it is stated that three persons can thoroughly complete; 150 transactions in an hour, and this in cases where the depositors are not known to them, and not under any control. In the case of teachers dealing with their own pupils the work would doubtless be done more expeditiously. It is proposed that the bank be supplementary to the Post Office Saving Bank. The following is an extract from a letter lately received from tire Post-master General, by which you will see that Government is desirous of granting every facility :— The department will supply gratuitously penny bank depositors’ books, together with copies of the form of application front the trustees of such banks for permission to deposit their funds in the Post Office Bank .... To afford additional facilities, the Government would be willing to furnish each bank, free of charge, with the first ledger and journal, and will afterwards provide any additional books required of this description at tire lowest cost at which they can be made, to be defrayed out of the interest allowed to the Petrrry Bank by the Post Office Bank.” Interest will be allowed at the rate of—--If, by any mistake, you have not received tire pamphlets referred to, on application I shall be happy to transmit either or both. At your request it will also give me pleasure to furnish you with every possible information on subject. Though not in any sense bearing on tliis point, one of the main arguments of those opposed to the Savings Bank being made a means of education, has been, “ Teachers will not take it up, they will consider it too ranch trouble.” The best refutation of tins somewhat uncharitable opinion of the schoolmasters’ interest in the well-being of thffir pupils, apart f-om what is strictly duo to them, is to he found in their own sentiments on the subject - Replies to the circular are being daily received, and a selection from among over thirty represents strictly the average opinions of the whole, with three exceptions. The writers’ names are withheld, since permission of publication has not been