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Evening Star, Issue 21751, 20 June 1934, Page 12

“ The board has been impressed with the efforts made by many school committees to find part of the cost of modern furniture, interior renovation of classrooms, and improved heating facilities,” states the annual report of the Otago Education Board. “Some committees have willingly accepted responsibilities which even in good times would have demanded a great deal of faith in the loyalty and support of a district. This desire to provide the children with the very best—to assist with improvements which might well be regarded as the duty of the State—is evidence of the the success of the New Zealand system of local control in fostering a public-spirited interest in all pertaining to the welfare of the local school. This year school committees either found the money for, . or committed themselves to expenditure on, improvements of this nature totalling £B7O. Due recognition of the efforts of the committees would come naturally in the announcement of the return of the Government subsidy of pound for pound. This may not be immediately possible, but even 10s for each pound would be a welcome measure of encouragement.’ As a subject for school study agriculture presents an abundance or material of appealing interest to the. youthful mind, and in an annually increasing number of schools is made an effective educational instrument, the Otago Education Board states in its annual report. The accurate observation of concrete realities in tho. pupil’s environment, with the training in reasoning and inference, extend the range of his interests, ideas, and . experiences, and lead him to an intelligent appreciation of the fundamental principles upon which the practice of our basic industry depends. The practical work involved in the growing of plants and in the beautifying of the school grounds also provides the pupils with the desired Opportunity of being active agents in producing the results, and thus contributes the important kinaesthetic factor in their learning process. By no means the least important of the. educational values that may be credited to the teaching of agriculture in many schools Is the consequent creation of interests in plants and animals, and an appreciation of the beautiful in environment. As a source of unending intellectual \ pleasure such interests will later contribute materially to the mentally and physically healthful enjoyment of leisure. The beautifying of the school grounds forms a more or less prominent objective in most schools, and m many cases the results call for favourable comment. It is gratifying to record the increasing practical interest of school committees in this valuable phase of school activity.

Icebergs, one of the dangers of the Atlantic, are expected to be more numerous than ever on the North Atlantic route tin's season. The usual crop is 300; about 600 are anticipated this year.

The Royal Courts in England, of which there are to be four this season, cause the spending of £1,000,000, to the benefit of manufacturers of materials and shoes, dressmakers, florists, etc.