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SOLDIERS AT SCHOOL.

EDUCATIONAL WORK AT CON- • ' VALESCMT CAMPS.' NEW ZEALA2© LEADS TH2 WAY. A GREAT \XOW. : (By a member of the New Zealand Press Delegation on tow iu the War Zone.) From a very modest beginning an education scheme of immense importanro to our soldiers aad to New Zealand has been rapidly developed sit New Zealand convalescent camps Ja EnglandThe scheme, though it cad already reached quite considerable dimensions at the time of our visit, wm really only in its infancy, and there appeared to be tremendous possibilities ahead of it. It was, and for oome time no doubt still will be, one of She brightest and most convalescent camp life, not only &crving a* it docs tho immediate purpose "of assisting to divert tho mind of the convalescent soldier from his present ailments and tvorries, but enlarging and bettering his equipment for tho time when he- will return to civilian occupation. He is not only helped more speedily along the road to recovery; and his prospects of bettering his own position in life increased, but he is made a more valuable asset than ever to the community in which he lives. How the scheme oriented may be Viefly told The first idea was to start a 'hobbies" room in connection with the Y.M.CA. hut at HornchuTch Convalescent Camp. Mr Varney, tho Y.M.CA. secretary, who had Kan an instructor in technical tion, appears to lave' been responsible for piving effect to the idea, tta purpose behind it at that time being mainly that of helping the convalescent soldieTs to pass tim» (pleasantly »ad profitably while progressing on the oftentimes tedious waj' to recovery from wound* at fliness. Beginning ivith a small carpenter's shop, the popularity of the movement was eifeh that classes i were soon added in carving, boot rei pairing, basketmaking, raflia. work and similar light forms of employment. These classes Soon spread to otter New Zealnntl camps" at 'Brockenhurst, Torquay, Codford. and Oatlands (Walton-on-Thames) The military authorities nn> der General Richardson appear to have quickly seen the value nf these classic and the important part they might he made to play in makimr easier the return of the soldier to civilian life- The outcome has been that the whole educa* tional scheme is now practically undeT military control, though the military anthorities still work in close harmony with the Y.M.CA., and relv laTeelv on its assistance to develop and extend the

CLASSES VERY POPITLAHTo the average aduiit who can recall he drudgery of hi 3 or lier tckool days he idea of compelling our convalescent oldiera who are fit to do so to attend ehool again may appear Li the Might of very real hardship. Xothing, however, ould be further from the mark. The lasses are so popular with the majorty of the men after they have attended i few terms that in many instances fhere men mios lessona through leave ntervening or other duties interfering, ;hey voluntarily put id extra time at ihe classes to catch up the lost kssunt. rhe secret of the success that is being net with no doubt is to be found largely in the nature of the instruction jiven; the freedom of choice allowed the loldien as to the elacseo the/ \«11 attend; and the liberty pivmittcd ia class to smoke aad take things cosy. For Instance, on * recent viuit to Hornehurch to inspect the >Ji>rk being done there, memlbera of the Ne-nr Zealand Press Party wandering ayound the grounds saw such sights as a class m »gri«ultiire with forty ot fifty men lying nut comfortably unde? the shade of an elm. the majority smoking, but nil listening closely to the lecture which was being delivered on the composition ' of soils and the relation of crops. Another class nearby was being given prac tical lessons in poultry-raising; yet an- i other was being instructed in fruit-i growing with demonstrations ii graf ting; in a "hat nearb;/ was p. r.nol-sorf Ing class, and a few yards away .'. lecturer id economic* had a larse class intensely interested i.i tin exposition of the banking and credit a/stems, loan transactions, illustrated by means of the Dominion's National Debt. Many of the men attending this last-mentioned class, like those out in the open, were smoking,- and the majority were lounging in large wicker chairs, but there could not be the slightest doubt that the lecturer had their full »ttention, and that they were not only Improving and extending their knowledge ia h useful direction, Jmt that their mind 3 had "Been taken off their immediate ailments and worries. The vaiue of the classes from the educational standpoint must, of course, depend on the qualifications of the teacheTs and instructors, And in this respect we have been fortunate in securing the services of men in most cases of high qualifications. 7av instance. Private Condliffe. who has charge of the classes in economics at Hornchurch, was assistant lecturer in economics in Canterbury Oollesre before he joined up with the ff?hting force?; Sergeant Adams, another of the instructors, was r.rofessor of language* at Otago University: the head of the hook-keep-frig class was a well-known Auckland Accountant. But. of course, it is e*«<y to understand that first-class instructors in practicftllv nil departments of education should bo found in a force composed of civilian soldiers drain) from all dections of the comTrnmity. . ._ The classes at TTnrnehnroh at the time of onr visit, with the numbers attending each, were as follow: No. AttendClass ""••t""*'"' enrolled- ance. Thlglisb. French Economics .-«*»?»-:.-•■ • ■-.. 283 218 Bookkeeping «rh>T... 143 120 Shorthand r.w.».-..--- . 71 «» Woodwork . ,w-.v-.. . «S 79 BftsketworE ..-..-... 40 ™ Stained glass ~ • & *° Building construction .23 2j| Wool-clas3ing -.-*.- ''7 ! *i Dairv science Sli *' Oneral agriculture ... ><" ™ FTuit-srnwine .. ](> > ™ Poultrv-kceping ,-•■ • R 7 71 Snrrevins;. etc- . ■-- M ** Bootmaking . . ■ 20 l->

the men show a very real desire to better their position in life by selecting classes of instruction likely to assist them to secure a more highly skilled class of employment, or to qualify for more responsible posts than they had been engaged in before joining up with the military forces. The laborer seeks to qualify himself for some skilled trade; the farm-worker tackles dairy sciecce or wool-classing; the clerk joins the bookkeeping and accountancy classes, and so on. It will be noted with satisfaction, too, that one of tlie "Best attended classes is that in economics, while the various classes relating to work ou the land also enjoy a large share of popularity. It would take a greftt deal more space than is available for this article to attempt anything like a detailed description of the educational work that is being carried on at the New Zealand convalescent camps m England. It muat suffice for the moment to say that it i» in advance of anything of the kind by any othev overseas Dominion or ly the Motherland itself, though it should be said that Britain is now making good progress in this- direction. On the occasion of our last visit to Hornchurßh we were accompanied by a number of leaders of the American YM.C.A. movement, who were seeking information with a view to introducing some form of classes into the American camps. These gentlemen say the New Zealand classes at . work, and the whole scheme in opera-1 tion, and they were very enthusiastic In their expressions of approval, also stating their intention to endeavor." to follow on similar lines. It might be ! explained that our own military author!- I ties in London and the Y-M-C.A, arc I planning to ensure that as far as possible classes will be instituted on the ! transports carrying our troops back t" New Zealand, so that tho interest of the men in their studies may be maintained, and the tedium of the long voyage home enlightened It is hoped, too, that on arrival in the Dominion vmy of the men wjl take advantage 6? the facilities afforded them for attending technical and other classes, and so complete, the good work begun in the convalescent camps overseas. WVTi TOR THIS CRIPPLES. No reference to the educational work j which is being carried on amongst out i.roops in England would be complete, However, which did not make mention of vibe Oatlands Hospital and Camp for maimed and limbless men. There men utrieken on the battlefield and seemingly incapacitated for life through loss of limbs have the dark shadow of a life of idleness and uselessness lifted. Men 1 without legs are fitted with limbs and taught skilled trades and occupations at which they can at some future day find .•mployment and prove themselves still useful and valued members of society. Men lacking an arm or even two find ,iqua'l care, and consideration awaiting them. It is very wonderful to see what skill and patience has done and is doing with an ever-increasing measure of sue-

cess for these men; and still more wonderful, perhaps, to note tho atmosphere of cheerfulness which pervades everywhere throughout the classes of instruction and in tho workshops at the Limbless Convalescent Camp. The keenness which the men display in their wotk and their pride in the progress they are making with the aid of their artificial limbs and appliances are good to see Despondency and hopelessness have been dispelled, and stricken men enabled to face the future with confidence and with a spirit of self-reliance and good cheer*

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19181214.2.58

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1918, Page 7

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,555

SOLDIERS AT SCHOOL. Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1918, Page 7

SOLDIERS AT SCHOOL. Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1918, Page 7

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