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Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1919, Page 2

At the School Committee meeting on ( ' Monday night, Mr Preston suggested a '_j revival of the breaking up functions which mark the advent of the Christ- 1 mas holidays at all well regulated ; ‘ schools. The occasion is an opportunity ( for staff and scholars alike to be "review- ] ed as it were by the parents. There i should be more intimate relations be- < ■ tween the parents and the school work 1 than there is, and the annual breaking- ] I up function supplies an opportunity for such a desirable reunion. A public interest in the work of the school is good to foster. It encourages the tea- , chers, and creates an interest among the J scholars. The war caused a cessation of prize-giving, but these rewards made a part of the break-up function add to the special interest of the occasion, and cultivate that health emulation in the classes which tends to improved scholastic results. The parents should attend to-morrow’s function in force, and by .11 their patronage show an interest in the S. work done by the teachers. Characil- ter is formed largely during the period of school life, and the parents, (as the public generally) are much beholden to the teachers for the care and attention they put into their work in assisting to mould the characters of the future men and women of this Dominion. A IV successful public gathering to-morrow, and the School Committee might be t encouraged to again revive prize-giving at the end of next year. In any ease

tci-morrow’s gathering should be an appreciative reunion for the teachers, whose work will be recognised, and for the scholars who will be wished heartily a merry Christmas holiday period. Adthotjgh the general (election and licensing poll are proceeding quietly, enough to-day, there is a general simmer of suppressed excitement as to the probable result of the voting. A jeprriespohdent fiends u« a tip from headquarters that the probable strength of parties will he Reform 33, Liberals 32, and Labor 11. This does not account for Maori members. If the figures given are approximated, it will mean that the party results were very much as in 1914 when the percentage of seats won (excluding Maoris) was: Reform 51,32; Liberal 40.79 and Labor 7.89. After the 1911 election, held in February, ‘,1912, Sir Joseph Ward’s Government held the Treasury, only on the casting vote of the Speaker. The voting was 39 each. Shortly after the Government- was reconstructed, with Sir Thomas MacKenzie as Premier. and on July 6th,, 1,912, the Liberals were defeated by 45 to 84. Mr Massey took office on July 10th of that year, and on August 12t1i., 1915, the National Ministry was formed. The National Ministry was dissolved in August last. To-night’s news will decide the political destiny of New Zealand covering the new Parliament now in course of ejection, The national polls on the liquor question have been as followes: — 1911 Continuance 205,661 Prohibition 259,943 1914 Continuance' 257,442 Prohibition 247,217 1919. Continuance 264,189 Prohibition ... 253,827 The soldier votes in April last was: continuance 31,981; prohibition 7,723.