WJNTER SCHOOL.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1922, Page 1

WJNTER SCHOOL.

THE OPENING CEREMONY

THE OFFICIAL WELCOME

The .Town Hall was well filled this morning at 10 o’clock when an official welcome was tendered the visiting professors and others taking part in the Winter school. The visitors were seat, ed on the platform with the Mayor (Mr (1. A. l’erry) presiding. Mr Perry said the present movement was ft new departure, it being the first time that a winter school had been held here. It was important as affecting the farming industry. He desired to welcome to the district the gentlemen gathered there to-day to give the lectures. They were giving their servics gratuitously and they therefore deserved a hearty welcome. Their lessons would do much good, and lie had great pleasure in extending a welcome. He hoped their efforts would have good results and that the school would prove a great success. He apologised for the absence of Mr Jeffries, ex-chairman of the Progress longue. Mr B. Ward (County Chairman) as representing tlu* outside districts joined in the welcome to tho visitors. Their visit was due mainly to the Canterbury Progress League, assisted by the local branch. He believed that ns time goes cm Westland will progress. They had a splendid climate. Westland was going to be a great dairying district. In again referring to the presence of the visitors lie l said he esteemed their presence as a very friendly act on the pait of the Canterbury people. It was certainly nice of them to come before the tunnel was completed. Vest Coasters appreciated it and certainly want to be flic friends of Canterbury. He hoped the week would lie a pleasant one to them and to those who listened to the information that will he imparted. Mr L. H. Morel (President of the Westland A »nd !’, Association) joined in the welcome and trusted that the efforts of the visitors would meet witthe success they all hoped for.

lion. J. Griminond expressed the pleasure all felt at having the visitors here and trusted it would prove a benefit. to themselves as well as to the people of the district. He felt sure that their visit would do much good. Won. H. L. Michel joined in the welcome to Prof. Shelley and the other gentlemen associated with him. Ihe opening of the winter school has a value that iV would lie hard to estimate. The lectures would prove of a value that should be of great benefit to all. Prof. Shelley on behalf of the members of the staff of the Winter School thanked them for the welcome received since arrival. In connection with the Winter School, for which Mr Belsliaw was mainly responsible, he wished to point out that it is a unique school so far as New Zealand is concerned being the f.rst of its kind. II was felt we could not understand properly the efficioney of the land unless we considered it in relation with the people on the land. To bring them together in a tatfdht like this was a most important ,eature. It was felt that there were not sufficient chances for people. to come together to find out the fundamental conditions of their fellows. Tl was equally difficult for the teacher as lor the pupil. The business of the school is to find out how may the duty of the human being he made liner by tee process. The only capital worth having for the prosperity of a country

was that of human beings. If there was going to be a solid civilisation built up here it is only to he won by the hardest of effort, to make the West Coast the success it should lie. He wanted them to make an effort to understand the big things of life. That was the spirit of the school. Tt was a civic school more than a tpchpical one The staff and others are looking forward with a greaf amount of interest on the results. He again expresserl his. pleasure at the welcome extended. Mr Belsimw made an announcement of the- routine to be followed, the Town Hall and St Audrews Hall being utilised.

Prof. Condfiffe said he was very

grateful for the welcome given and wished to express the point of view from Canterbury College. They were grateful that the College had the opportunity of getting into tjouch with the West’'Coast, 'they felt the institution

was one for the whole district and when the call of the W.K.A. came they had made an effort and got the West Const joined up with the College area, with a desire of extending its sphere of influence. They had sent Mr Belshawi to the Coast to keep in touch and he wished to say ho was one of their best men. (Applause). His record for the past year had heon a very great one. Their endeavour was to help in any way they can. It was their ideal that before long there should bo little extensions of the College, all over the district like this school. They wanted to be kept in touch with the actual problems of the people. They would gladly learn and gladly teach. He thanked them again lienrfity fo,r their kintl welcome. This concluded the formal ceronrpny and the first address ivns commenced hv Prof. ,T. Shelley,