The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1926.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1926.

TEACHING THE YOUNG IDEA. Tub accounts received of the experiences of the young folk fortunate enough to vist the Exhibition at Dunedin with the school parties go to show that the trip should prove ol great value educationally. The occasion is a

rare one. Such an opening may not occur again for many years. Tlio hoys ami girls of to-day "ill by that time he the men and women of the period, and perhaps the memory of their experiences will stir them to attempt to do something similar for tho youth of their day. As to the tour now undertaken, it- should be of great educational value. The youngsters enjoy a. range of travel which is a unique experience for a party of such youthful years. Some of the country party, we understand, had never been off the C'-oast ; some had not oven been to Hokitika. To those in particular passing through the Southern Alps, the experience- must have been something of the nature of entering a new world. 'l'lio life and movement of the cities visited would be new to most of the young travellers, and in flic large towns they would see much that was new and a great deal that would ho impressionable to them. The main objective was the tour of the Exhibition. There are said to ho some seventeen miles of avenues in the exposition buildings, and at every step they would see something fresh. Tt would be in that quarter where the greatest knowledge would be acquired. The report of the attractions of the great exposition all reach' tho superlative. If it is one thing, it is certainly educative. Of the profit to l>e derived from a study of the exhibits, there is no doubt. As to the pleasure side, the thousands who visit the area set apart for special enjoyment—much of it on very novel lines—testify to the facilities provided so successfully. The young idea may thus glean knowledge in a. world altogether more 'attractive. It "ill he something achieved then for the 120 or 150 children from Westland to have seen so great and notable a display. Those responsible for the organisation have undertaken a great task. 'Rio ladies and gentlemen at Dunedin who work so hard all day and night to make the youthful visitors happy and mm Portable, are performing a notable work, and laying the foundation for great results. The thoroughness with which the reception and entertainment of the visiting school parties is carried out is tving applauded by all connected with the trips. The children are met and directed to their billets who—they are comfortably quartered. Rood meals are provided within the Exhibition grounds in a regular and orderly way. As to sight-seeing, time is the only limit to the tours undertaken. In every "‘ay possible too health and comfort of the visitors are attended to, even to eating an “apple a day” fr»health’s sake. The organisation of

these trips appears to bo excellent'. In-

deed it must bo or it would have broken down ere this. Upwards of soven liunderd children are billeted every week, and eared for daily. In addition scores of childn?n from adjacent centres arc catered for on daily trips—that is, meals have to be provided and all arrangements made for the transport and care of the young folk. It will be seen that the organisers are not sparing themselves in their self-im-posed task, and parents in particular and the country at largo should bo grateful for what is being TTbne to give the growing generation the fullest opportunity of gleaning what they can from the great exposition of which New Zealand as a whole is now so justly proud. The educational side of the display is beyond question, and young as well as old have alike chance to learn much of the world at large, and a great deal of their own country which will be new to them.