PUPILS INTERVIEW TAUPO BUSINESSMEN ON A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 46, 15 June 1965, Page 3

PUPILS INTERVIEW TAUPO BUSINESSMEN ON A

VARIETY OF SUBJECTS

Intelligence and a shrewd ability in asking fact-flnding questions was shown by pnpils of Taupo Primary School during interviews vvith Taupo businessmen last week. As part of a social studies project, the pupils divided themselves into groups of five, with one member as a leader who arranged tbe interviews and introduced the group to the person concerned. The idea of the project was to teach the groups social graces in the presence of adult,s and what questions to put to elicit the greatest amount of information on a subject. Head teacher for the school, Mr S. K. Christensen, said that in these days when sections of the public, ;

such as parent - teacher groups, tend to think children lack initiative and the ability to act gracefully in public, it can be seen th rough their handling of this project that this is not the oase. He said the questions asked and the letters written to arrange interviews were entirely carried out by tbe pupils. An appointment board was drawn up with times of interviews, the person to be interviewed and the place for the appointment. Shrewdness in asking questions was shown by the fact that pupils consulted businessmen on subjects which were not part of their livelihood. In other words they were after the layman's opinion; on the respective j subject.

All questions were asked in complete seriousness, although some had their amu,sing side. For example, oue transport operator in the town was asked if he thought the idea of a railway to Taupo was a good idea. Some other questions asked were as follows: • Question: Do you think many people will leave Taupo for better jobs at Turangi? Answer (Mr W. L. Haines): Only single men might leave to get more money, but not so many men with families.

• Question: Do you think the change to decimal currency is a good thing? Answer (The Mayor, Mr J. E. Story): Yes, when the change is made it will be easier for exporting and importing with most countries using the decimal system. • Question: Do you think a railway going through j Murupara would make much ; difference to tourism in Taupo? Answer (Mr J. W. Birn- ! ie): No, most people do not

travel by train, but by bus or car. • Question: Do you think we should use thermal heat to centrally heat our homes? Answer (Rev. B. P. Williams): I would rather use electric heaters because thermal water is very oorrosive and it would be necessary to replace pipes at frequent intervals, wtiich would add to the cost of the amenity. Many more questions were asked on a wide variety of subjects. Each interview lasted from 20 minutes to about one hour. This took up the time of busy people

in the town, but Mr Christensen said the businessmen involved were only too pleased to help tbe children with their project. Most of the interviews will be completed tomorrow. Pupils who have taken part were emphatie that they had increased their general knowledge and had learnt a great deal about how to conduct themselves in the presence of