OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 October 1943, Page 4

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

OVERSEAS SERVICE (To the Editor.) Sir, —I would be very pleased if any one could give me the reason why our soldiers on furlough, married men included, who arc being examined for overseas service again arc being rushed through by the doctors by being asked: “Do you feel fit?” If the answer is yes they arc passed O.K. Now surely cur men who have been there for three years or more want a thorough overhaul. Several men who have been passed fit, I know are not fit, including my own husband who is suffering from a complaint for which he was in hoS; pital several times while overseas a complaint caused by sand getting into his food. Is this fair to them or the country? I suggest they should all be re-examined with a good overhaul. Why take the married men again? Surely their wives have waited long enough now. Thanking you.—l am etc A SOLDIER’S WIFE. Masterton, October 18. MAORI HOCKEY SHIELD (To the Editor.) Sir, —Unfortunately the valuable Maori-carved hockey shield, won by a Wairarapa team some considerable time ago, has gone astray, and efforts to locate it have proved unavailing. Perhaps some of the hockey players in your district might know of its whereabouts. The undersigned would be pleased if any person knowing where the shield is would communicate with him.—Yours, etc., H. NICOLSON, President of the Horowhenua Hockey Association. Box 12, Otaki, October 16. CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL EXTENSION OF. PARENTS' ASSOCIATION. FORMATION OF EKETAHUNA BRANCH. Much is being heard about the teaching of country children by correspondence. Although the Correspondence School of the Education Department is in Wellington, the pupils carry on with their lessons in almost every country district throughout the Dominion. This is made possible under the direction of the headmaster, Dr. A. G. Butchers, with his staff of 147, preparing and forwarding assignments and correcting the work received from the pupils. The enrolment now stands at 3.500. The assignments of prepared lessons are posted to pupils in the remotest ports. These are worked as examination papers are worked in city schools, and the work returned to the school for correction once a fortnight. Co-operating with this big institution is the Correspondence School Parents’ Association. This was formed by the Headmaster in 1936, when some parents and pupils were visiting Wellington for the first exhibition of the pupils’ work. About twenty foundation members, scattered far apart, wondered what achievements could result from such a movement. Mr S. H. Roberts, Shannon, was president till 1941, when he was succeeded by Mrs J. D. Inglis, “Ratahiwi,” Woodville. Mrs H. A Corrigan has done splendid work as honorary secretary for the seven years.

So groat has been the growth of this movement owing to the keenness of the parents and their desire to improve the teaching facilities of the country children, that the membership is now in the vicinity of 1500. The executive has for some time thought it was too big to run from Wellington, and has now entered into a campaign for branches of the Parents’ Association. As the Correspondence School was opened in 1922 and attained its coming-of-age this year, this seemed a fitting way of celebrating such an event.

On August 26 a branch wos opened at Dannevirke by the Dominion president, Mrs J. D. Inglis. Other branches have since been formed at Pahiatua and Palmreston North. Eketahuna had a most enthusiastic meeting on Thursday last, when a feurth North Island board was formed. Mrs T. R. Hancock, Putara, was elected branch president, and Mrs Brittain hon. secretary. Mrs Hancock has had a long association with the school through which her family has received education and looks forward to a very successful branch operating in Eketahuna. Mrs Brittain has been interested in the school for 17 years. Among parents present were: —Mrs O'Neill, Mauriceville; Mr and Mrs H. C. Percy, Alfredton; Mr and Mrs J. S. McKay, Alfredton; Mrs Payne, Rongokokako, whose daughter, Ursula, exhibited a very creditable display of commercial art done through correspondence. Sewing samples were also shown which gave the parents of primary pupils an idea of the advancement shown in the work with time and practice. Miss Dennehy, the visiting teacher, was also present. This system of visiting teachers, sent out by the Department to visit homes and advise parents, is much appreciated. Mrs O’Neill’s sons, although not near a district high school, receive secondary lessons from the Correspondence School at their school in Mauriceville. These are supervised by the teacher, Mrs Childs. The president outlined the history oi the Correspondence School and that of the Parents’ Association and some of its achievements.