BHIGHTEST BOYS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1920, Page 4

BHIGHTEST BOYS.

A WOMAN’S TEST

FINDING 12 FOR THE U.S

LONDON, Dec. 19

Britain’s brightest boys have been go. ing through an acid test in brillancy at the hands of a young woman. More than 300 lads from all parts of the country have submitted to the ordeal, and 12 have passed with honours. As soon as arrangements can be completed they will sail for the United States under the care of the Sulgrave Institute and learn farming at an agricultural college at Morrisville, a quiet little village 400 miles from New York. Three will go to the Colgate Institute, where they will receive a four years* training in academic subjects. All expenses will be paid, and at the end of the courses the boys will return to England, where, it is hoped, they will find full scope for the practice of their American experience.

When the New York branch of the Sulgrave Institute asked for 12 of the brightest boys Great Britain could produce, the officials thought they had a stiff task. They had, for the first batch of applicants actually demanded to be considered- the brightest boys obtainable, and refused to budge from the room till the .adjudicator showed signs of agreement IRISH CONFIDENCE. Many saw an opportunity in the scheme to see a little of the world. They wanted to compare, for instance, the “beauties of London with the ugliness of New York,” as one “bright” boy put it; but such bright ideas failed to appeal to Miss Palmer, who was making the selection.

Another lad, coming from Ireland, bounded into the room, said he was the brightest lad in the Isle of Erin, that lie must sec New York quickly, was positive bo possessed all the necessary qualifications for the trip, bad never been seasick, and could soon “learn to speak American.” He was too bright, and it required considerable tact to persuade him to return home. Miss Palmer’s test of brightness ini boys is very simple—so simple, indeed, j that most of the applicants failed as' soon us they entered licr room. She was; soon able to classify the boys into' different groups, such as: Bouncing Demure Venturesome | Aggressivo Boastful Inquisitive | Romantic Obstinate I THE TYPE WANTED. The majority of the boys fell into one of those groups and wero soon dismissed. But there were others- who oamel more closely to the idea of “brightness.” They were polite, gentlemanly 11

in their ways, expressed a desire to know more about the scheme, and ventured the suggestion that they felt “quite able to undergo the course successfully,” and to return to the great task of the “awakening of British agriculture,” appreciating the responsibility with all the seriousness of Empirebuilders. This type was preferred by Miss Palmer.

The final selection has not yet been completed, but it is hoped that the lads will be able to sail early in the New Year.

Girls who have been envying the boys since the scheme was first announced will welcome the efforts now being made to organise a similar trip on their behalf. The American Ambassador in London, Mr Davis, is doing all he can for them ,and it is believed arrangements will soon be completed.