SOUND ADVICE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3610, 5 April 1881, Page 2

SOUND ADVICE.

At the annual meeting of the Waitakl Branch of the Educational Institute of Otago, the President, Mr N Fleming, in the course of his address spoke as follows regarding teaching infants ; —** If 1 had my way teachers of infants would be the ablest of the profession, specially adapted for that work, and the best paid in the school. This is the time when the child is made or marred. This is the time when the mind is to be drawn out, and the intellect opened, and the imagination enlarged. No perfunctory infant teacher for me. One brimful of love, hopeful in character—enthusiasm bordering .on the frivolous—sympathy wide as the poles, with imagery unbounded ; this is my idea of an infant instructor. In closing let me urge upon you the greatness of your responsibility. You have in your hands the making of 'our future legislators, preachers, teachers, and, besides, the moulding of our mechanic’s population. Sympathise with the bold, encourage the promptings of genius, and point the way towards greatness — Honor and fame from no condition rise ; Act well your part! there all the honor hes; . Worth makes the man, and want of the fellow. The rest is all but leather and prunella 1 This is a point you should strongly urge on your school. No matter how,great, no matter how rich, no matter how clever, he is no man at all if he does not do his duty towards his fellows, arid act his part well in his particular sphere.”