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Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1926, Page 2

The effort to encourage thrift among the young is a wise one, for the early training is more likely to lie respected all through life. Reference has been made before to the savings bank scheme being brought into operation at Auckland, but the matter lias now come to a head by the Auckland Education Board adopting the scheme and with the aid of tho teachers if is hoped to produce 'useful results. The scheme adopted, is that propounded by the Auckland Savings Bank, and it. is hoped tho scheme will teach children to save their pennies in the way their fathers and mothers are said to have done. It was reported to the Education Board that the headmasters were willing to give every assistance to the scheme, which was considered workable. Rival schemes were fully discussed, and it was resolved that provided the Headmasters’ Association fell in with the view of their representatives, the scheme put forward by the Auckland Savings Bank be adopted. The Post Office scheme was one authorised by 1 lie Education Act of 1877, and except in Otago, it was .said, bad never been used. It had the advantage that it could be adopted in all schools in the province. but it bad the disadvantage of having to be dealt, with by stamps, and whilst it might he worked in small country schools it would he difficult to carry out in large city schools. The Auckland Savings Bank scheme is roughly as follows: The account was opened by any-child in the school. A day in the week was set apart in each school, and a time fixed for the collection. Tile class teacher collected the money from the children and entered the amounts on a form. This, together with the money, was banded over to tlie headmaster. An officer of the bank visited the school at a given time on the same day, collected the cash, and entered it up in eaeli child’s savings bank book. It was suggested that for safe custody these books be retained by the class teacher unless the parents desired otherwise. If a child desired to withdraw money it must be done at the savings bank.' The bank agreed to allow interest at -IJ per cent, on every ton shillings banked in place of a pound. Tlie scheme was considered a good one. It would encourage tlie children to practice thrift and would not entail much work on tlie part of tlie teachers. Tlie bank was anxious to make it a success and modified its first proposal in the mode of working in order to lessen the work thrown on the school teacher. Advice was also received that the Headmasters’ Association fully endorsed tlie proposal, and would do its best to make it a success. The sub-committee recommended that .the authority of the board be given to the scheme, and that the hank lie asked to inaugurate it at an early date. The report was adopted and the scheme is being put into operation. The Hokitika School Committee, it is understood is movingin the same direction, and no doubt the management of the Hokitika Savings Bank would be glad to co-operate in order to assist a similar scheme here or for any district schools where tlie teachers could arrange to send forward the savings weekly or monthly. Teaching the young idea to be thrifty in this way is an excellent lesson for future life, and is an object lesson as to bow increment is brought about bv reasonable saving methods economically applied.