LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 530, 11 May 1920, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

LITERARY AND DEBATING I Sir -Youi leader in the "TimesH of the 7th inst. anent a Literary aaH Debating Society for Pukekohe h«H my hearty endorsement. '^^M There must be at least, a few iiH tellettual people in the district whH could form the of aeil eiety, snd thus give to many the OjH portunity cf digging deeper into thH wealth of litexulure. Certainly, sucH need for intellectual improvement iH evident when one listens to thH speeches made in public, and by thH inability of the many to discuss witH fluency or sane reasoning any sut^| ject, whether of economics or philH osophj. There are many, I feel sur<H who would be glad of the opportunH ity of skilful guidance in the puiH suit of knowledge, and also of thH chancre to practice their ability to exH press thoughts in public. In your leader you touch a persorH al note by referring to the lack oH interest taken in such matters bfl the clergymen, but I think' a worsH I neglect could be recorded* When ■ think of my schooldays there o^ttteH before my vision a picture ofe^oH schoolmaster—a man of puffiotfitH knowledge and deep sympathies-rWhH taught us not only the rules of arithH metic atid the syntax of grammafl but let us know also the beauty ofl language, through the best autnorH and thi.it; opened to us a field, ofl knowledge in which we could labOTjH with pleasure and profit when gonfl from his care. And to such teacher! we owe many a debating and literary society; it is for such teachers 9 community must be thankful, as, acl cording to its intelligence, so is it! progress. Unfortunately, many disfl tricts are afflicted with teachers whfl teach text-book knowledge only, and to such we must lay the blame o that apathy to which you refer. I trust your leader will have, th effect of bringing into life a societ; which will be of inestimable benefi to the district. FAIRE SANS DIRE.