TARANAKI SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1916, Page 3

TARANAKI SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S ASSOCIATION.

annual meetixci. Tlio annual mooting of thn Taranaki ■Jflinol Committee;;' Association was hold at the Town Hall. Now Plvmoulh vo---terday, Mi. S. (!. Smith prc'sMinjr d vcr a moderate attendance consisting' of tin: following delegates:-—Rev. A. ii Chap. | oil, Messrs S. Q. Smith, C. IT. Dolbv ami 0. T. Mills (Central); W. ('!. Kocd (Fitzroy): A. J. Bailey (Albert Hoad) ■ J R. Hooper (Ratapiko): .1. Di ens (Leeperton); (J. If. Herbert (Uromii); \V Cornoy (Norfolk); Tims. A. Ihicock (li;iii|iiih:ii; F. P. McDop.a'd (Stratford); Mrs. .lomison (Tarikil: 'Kelford' fOuk'.ira; Old (Uruti), inul• Mildenhali (Oponake). Apologies were received from Me ';rs. ■I. ft. Simpson (Durham), and (!- ',■', White (Kitzroy). '1 lie president formally welcomed the delegates ,ai:d trusted that t!ie usefulness of the Association would be extended by the discussions which it war:, expected would take place that day. lie then called upon the Mayor to welcome the delegates on behalf of the town. CIVIC WELCOME. The Mayor (Mr C. H. Burgess) tendered the. delegates a welcome on behalf of the town and especially those wdio wore more or less strangers to the town. The education question wan large and important, and while no one grudged the large expenditure involved, he considered that it was desirable to obtain the best ifSiiltß for the expenditure. lie wished the delegates a successful mooting and assured them they were heartily welcome to New Plymouth. ANNUAL REPORT. The report stated:-—lt is pleasing to note that the efforts of the Association to arouse interest in matters educational, not only for the benefit of committees, but of householders in general, has met with some success. The executive record their appreciation of the success which attended the efforts of those responsible for the retention of the Taranaki education district. The new board, to be elected in July next, will have the opportunity of justifying the decision arrived at. The inclusion of the new area will make this one of Hie most compact districts in the Dominion, and it is trusted that the incoming board will have the undivided support of all interested in the educational welfare ,of Taranaki. Representatives of the executive have visited Inglewood, Waitara and Stratford, and as a result new branches have been formed at Opunake and Stratford, and it is confidently expected that in the near future these branches will be vicing with the Inglewood branch for pride of place. At the latter centre, under the guidance of enthusiasts, good work is being accomplished. Preliminary jnatters in connection with the formation of a branch at Waitara have been dealt with. In November last the Minister for Education, the Hon. J. A. Hanan, paid the district a visit, and your executive took the opportunity of waiting upon him to bring under his notice several questions of importance to committees. The Minister expressed his willingness to consider at any future time representations from the Association. Mr. ("!. S. White,- who was appointed secretary and treasurer at the last annual meeting, was compelled by failing health to relinquish that position, and the executive desire to record their appreciation of the valuable work performed by that gentleman during his term of office. The vacancy was filled by the appointment of Mr. Win. fi. Reid, who has carried out the duties in a very satisfactory manner.

I j (lie Fdiicafionnl authorities he asked to '■minder (.lie advisability of conmiling a •register for ihe purpose of olit:iiiiins'"iiiI formation with regard to the oceupai tioiiH likely to bo followed by children ' leaving school. [ fie pointed out <he evil clVerl- in Britain of having a large class of the rising generation having no inule, most'of them drifting- into what lie described as i'hlind alley" occupations, leading to nowhere, and closing op avenues of'permanent and satisfactory employment that would have enured their future livelihood. He uracil that data of the occupations which children took up on leaving school should he officially registered In- the Education Hoards in order to facilitate coning with the difficulty, and that in each district a speeial committee should he formed with the object of assisting both town and country parent;: in suggesting and finding suitable occupations for their children,' and thus materially help to solve the problem of preventing boys oecoming wasters, for unless steps were now taken in tin; direction suggested there was a danger of 2\V\r Zealand hoys growing up to cause the sam» evil that was rampant in Britain. (Applause).

Mr. C. 'l'. Miils. in expressing approval of the suggestions, advo.aied that the information as 1.0 occupation-; likely tn be followed by children should bo given as -veil as obtained.

Re,-. A. li. Cliappcll considered there was much of importance in both suggestion:-.. He paid a tribute of praise to Mr. Cray's remarks on luminal and teehni.-al education. lie stressed the faet that the subject of children's occupations was of national importance, and therefore its consideration gave a high tone to the conferencv.

Mr. Peters questini'vd whether the country schools would benefit by llie scheme. He advocated a i.':if.irm system.

Other speakers also appended the proposal. Mr. Telford pointing out that in framing any scheme it, must be remembered that the wealth o< tlu country was derived from its mineral and pnstor.li wealth, and thai, there was the tendency to .gravitate from the countrv to (he town.

Air. Dolby, after replying to the comments made, moved—That the educational authorities be asked to compile a register of the occupations likely to be followed by children leaving school. Tiev. Chappell moved as an amendment—That the information to bo obtained should show (a) what occupations children leaving school desire or are desired to enter, and (b) as far as may be practicable the occupations for which the children show aptitude. The amendment was carried.

UXIFORM SCHOOL BOOKS. The Rev. A. B. Chappell moved-That the conference discuss the desirability of having uniform sets of books throughout the Dominion. He advocated that the books should be uniform and that the Department should make the choice. What was wanted w-as a national and practical system. He failed to see any reason why different books should be used in the, Wangauui district to those in Tilranaki, the practical needs of the children being the same throughout the Dominion. There was unification of inspectors and grading of teachers, so that the tendency towards unification was evident.

Mr. McDonald• (Stratford) strongly favored a uniform system of books, lie also urged tliat the 'Government should print the books so that the parents should not be exploited by the publishers.

Mr. Herbert (Urenui), as the father of a large family, protested against tlic perpetual expense involved in the purchase of the continually changing books.

The report and balance sheet were adopted without discussion. MANUAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. Mr. Cray (director of technical education) read a paper on manual and technical education pointing out the difference between the manual and technical work. On the motion of the Rev. Chappell a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. firay. THE FUTURE OP CHILDREN.! Mr. Dolby submitted the following motion which ho claimed fittingly foll°wed the remarks of Mr. Gray: "That

Mr. Bocnek urged that the Department should supply the boards with books, which shoo Id thou be supplied to the children for use at the schools. Mr. Dolby considered that such books as readers should be purchased by the parents. Rev. Chappell moved-c-That this conference affirm the desirability of a uniform set of school books throughout the Dominion. The motion was carried unanimously. TRANSFER OF INSPECTORS. The Rev. Chappell brought up i\ question of the desirability for tVc periodical transfer of isnpeetors by rotation in a systematic manner. Mr. Dolby: Has Mr. Chappell found

the Methodist circuit scheme such a success that lie wishes it to be extended to the inspectors? * licv. Chappcll replied in the negative.

The motion in favor of the periodical transfer of inspectors was carried. On the motion of Rev. Chappell, it was decided to place o.i record the appreciation of the delegates of the diligent services in this district of Mr. 11. CI. Whctter, inspector of schools, who is to be transferred to Tlawkc's Bay, and wishes him continued success. HOME WORK. A discussion then took place on the subject of home work, during which Mr. Hooper (Jlatapiko) pointed out that while home work might he very advisable for town children it was quite a different mattei as affecting country children, who generally had much farther to go to school and mostly had some work to do at home after school, and therefore were not in a lit condition to do much school work at home. ft was decided that no action be taken with regard to home work.

CADETS. Mr. TCeid (Fitzroy) introduced thp subject of the desirability ot- re-estab-lishing the primary schools' cadet system. He advocated that every boy at school should he instructed in the use of the rifle. In 1-012 the cadets numbered many thousands. The system, though warmlv praised by the late Lord Kitchener, had been ahantloned. He moved that the Department be asked to re-establish the cadet system and institute classes for the instruction of officers.

fn seconding the. motion. Mr. Mills pointed out that boys who had learned the drill never forgot it. The motion was a step in the right direction. Mr. Mildenhail (Oakura) supported the proposal, which he considered tended to make men of the right siamn. Rev. riiappell considered I bat the junior cadet scheme should be of a more free character than was tiie case formerly. lie was, however, strongly in favor of all boys being trained in militarv exercises.

Mr. firay was positive that the general lone of the schools had been adversely affected hv dropping the cadet system, and he strongly hoped that it would be reinstated. There was no difficulty in niiiking the-process fit in with

J hc technical system. Mr. Dolby was doubtful as to how the teachers would regard the classes of instruction.

Tn reply tn a question, Mr. Rrny 'tit-i-il that facilities should no diver, teachers to qualify for commissions if they so desired, and they should receive the rank to which thov were entitled. Mr. 0. Johnson' (Fit;:roy) strongly urfcd the re-cstablMiment of the system v liieli hud r beneficial effect on the girls as well as the boys. The action of the llepartnient in refusing to give the teachers their full military status discouraged them from continuing their elas.es of instruction.

| Mr. MeKlroy also snoke strongly ii. support of the proposal. T!ev. C'happell explained that Ihe objections he entertained were only as to details and not to the general idea. The chairman considered that what the Conference should do was to advocate the re-estahlishinent of Ihe primary school; cadet system, leaving out the question of instructing the. (.teachers. Mrs. Jomison favored the girls being taught military exercises as she considered the girls could do a-, well as the boys. Tt was then decided that the Department be asked to re-establish the Junior Cadet system.

F.XPEXSF.S OF EXECUTIVE. Mr. Uncock moved—That the out-of-pocket expenses of the executive lie paid out of the 'funds of the Association. The motion was seconded and carried, the chairman pointing out the necessity of the • committees remitting their all'ilintion fees. ELECTION" OF OFFICERS. The following officers were eleete<l: President, Mr. S. 0. Smith (a tribute of praise to his services being given by Mr. McDonald); vice-presidents, Dolby (\ew Plymouth.! Mifdonhall (Opunakc;; Corbett (Okato), Tnglewood, Waitara, Whnnganiomona left open; Bocoek (Stratford); committee, Rev. Chappell, Messrs. A. K. Smart. Lister, ai.d It. Ornvling; secretary and treasurer, Mr. W. (i. Reid. Votes of thanks were accorded to the Mayor for his addreses of welcome, to ihe Borough Council for the use of the room, and to the executive.