SCHOOL AT PALMERSTON N. HOSPITAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4486, 2 August 1930, Page 2

SCHOOL AT PALMERSTON N. HOSPITAL.

Yesterday saw the establishment of a special scholastic class at the Palmerston North public hospital, ilii- being introduced for the benefit of the inmates of the children's ward. Temporary quarters have been .found in the spacious •»<«s.se,| in verandah adjacent to the youthful patients and desks, with full equipment are provided. Miss M. L. Shelton, daughter of Mr. A. Shelton, Chief Postmaster a I Palmerston North, has been appointed to the position of teacher ami indications [joint to this Ibrm of education bearing highly successful results.

Those present at the official opening ceremony included the chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, Air. AY. A. Collins; Messrs .!. S. Tingcy, a member of the hoard; AY. H. Swangor, secretary; J. T\. Tlornblow, chairman of the Hospital Board; Mrs. L. A. Abraham, a member of the board; Afrs. Ifornblow, Dr. AYnrd, medical superintendent: Miss McGliie, matron of the hospital; Messrs \A’. B. Cameron and A. A\ r . Thompson, chairman of the Terrace End school and headmaster respectively and Miss Shelton, the teacher of the special class.

Air. Tlornblow, in a brief .speech, oullined the scheme about to he

< ommeneed and expressed thanks lo the AYnuganui Board for the prompt manner in which they had -ei up the school and provided the necessary equipment. The Education Board had provided the supplies in conjunction with the Deportment. Similar classes, in other centres, had met with great success and the teaching not only maintained the educational knowledge but was also instrumental in keeping the patients' mind occupied. The speaker concluded by adding that he felt sure that the Terrace End commit Lee and Mr. Thompson would lend every ossisinee t" the movement'. .Air. Collins declared that n. simi|;lr school had been operating for nine years at AAang'auni. ft was Mr. liornblow who had fought hard lor the scheme and lie had been heartily supported in his aims by .Mr. S-wn tiger. He fell sure that, although the teacher would have

"a hard row to hoc," Miss Shelton was ably lilted for the work and would allow for the fluctuations in the pupils’ health, it was with the greatest- of pleasure that- he declared the school, open. That the success of the class would depend entirely upon the cooperation of the Hospital Board and the ability of the teacher was the opinion advanced by Mr. 'Thompson, who went on to state that he felt sure it would prove highly beneficial. The teacher had been requested not to worry about examinations but merely to “help along" her pupils where possible. Morning tea was served after the ceremony.