WINTER SCHOOL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2282, 29 August 1908, Page 3

WINTER SCHOOL.

Yesterday was the last day for tlio Teachers’ Winter School which luis been conducted in Gisborne under tlio auspices of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board for the past ten days. In tlio morning Mr Clark continued bis class in mathematics, and Mr. Grant followed with a lecture and demonstration of -agriculture as applied to schools. Tho afternoon work was devoted to a demonstration of the correct- method of teaching singing mid voice culture. by Mr Sidobottom, and Mr G. Darton’gave a short lecture on surveyor's measurements. During tlio lunch hour tho teachers and officers -attending tho classes wore photographed ill the school grounds.

THE CONVERSAZIONE

Tho session of tho (School was brought to a close by a largely-atten-ded conversazione in llis Majesty s Thontro last evening. Among those present were the Mayor and .Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. \v. D. Lysnar), Messrs S. McLernon, G. Darton, and AV. Morgan (members of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board), and tho gentlomon who have been instructors to tho school. . In the unavoidable absenco of Sir William Russell (Chairman- of tho Education Board), Mr. C. A. DeLautour occupied the chair, -and in extending a welcome to all present, said that he had to apologiso for tho absence of Sir William Russell, who was unexpectedly utiablo t-o be present in account of urgent public business. He wished to express his high appreciation of the - voluntary action of tho teachers in giving their holidays so that they might niako themselves efficient for their duties. . Such a sacrifice holds its own certain reward, but that did not diminish tho sacrifice, and' the teachers deserved tho best thanks. The Winter School had enabled tho Education Board, on. which were seated two Gisborno citizens, to euclothe a noble thought in a rich way and hold a school to further education in tho district. The High School Board of Governors was striving to induce the Education Board to provide a course of instruction suitable to tho needs of tho sons and daughters of settlers. Tho Governors did not wish to detract from tho good work of the school, but to supply subjects .that were not being tauglit. Opportunities would still bo given to students to study for matriculation, and for the professions, but it was desired to also supply a course of instruction that would enable the sons and daughters of settlors to go to their homes with their hands and minds trained for their occupation. He sincerely hoped that next year such ail optioual course would bo offered to scholars, but while tho subject had been discussed nothing definite had been settled. The sclio-o] would also continue to give certificates of proficiency, there would ho free places, aijd probably certificates of competency, but these wero details vet.-to be arranged. Wtill, on behalf of the Board of Governors, lie was able to promise that with the aid of the Government and tho InspectorGeneral a scheme would ho offered to tlio district that would be second to none in the Dominion, and settlers would take advantage of the scheme. At the commencement of the Winter School he was able to offer a word of congratulation to the teachers for the opportunities that had been given to them to study for their work, but at the close he wished to express gratitude for the good the school had done for the district. He hoped tlio school would encourage tlio teachers to pursue their ideals, to live for the future, and to let the past bury its dead. (Applause.) Mr, W. Morgan then announced that the Education Board had granted another week’s holiday to the teachers as a mark of appreciation of the work of the school.

Songs were then given by Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Sliierlaiv, Miss Foubert, and Messrs L. Brown, F. Teat, and Gray. Mr. Hobbs gave a humorous recitation-, for which he received an encoro. Mr. Harold Piper acted as accompanist. Speaking of tho work of the Winter School, Mr. McLernon said tho school was instituted chiefly for the benefit of the younger teachers, for it was felt that it would be -an advantage to them to be able to listen to lectures from, and seo the methods of work adopted by older members of the profession. He had been gratified to learn that the young teachers had shown great interest in the school, and felt sure they would return to their work with fresh inspirations, and the schools at which they taught would in turn be benofitted. A Winter School was not possible without financial assistance. When the Education Board decided to hold the school at Gisborne, tho question-of ways-and means came up, but- Mr. Morgan at once set to work to raise sufficient funds to allow the school to be established. The High School Board of Governors voted £25, the Cook County Council £ls, and the Poverty Bay Agricultural Association £2O, to which sums was added a subsidy, making a total of £95, and with such a sum success was assured. He wished t<> thank the Societies and local bodies, for their generous donations, and to' assure them the money was well spent. He also wished to thank the Wanganui Education Board for the assistance of their instructors, Messrs Clark and Grant, ami lie expressed gratitude to tho other gentlemen who gave lectures and demonstrations. He also tendered the thanks of tlio Board to the Veil. Archdeacon Williams, the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Mr. Hogbon (Inspector - General of Schools), and other gentlemen who gave public lectures in the theatre and in Holy Trinity' Schoolroom. During llis address Mr. Hogben had told his audience many interesting facts about schools in foreign countries, but during tlint address ho did not hear the Inspector-General once hint at or advocate any change from the three great principles in the New Zealand educational system, free, compulsory, and secular. Ho agreed with those principles and thought the audience would also support thorn. During the last few years great advancement had been made in educational matters. The doors of secondary education had been opened wider, and it was now possible for tho child of tho humblest parents to obtain a university education with very little cost. That alone was something to ho proud of. The teachers had also been benefitted by the passing of the Superannuation Bill. In conclusion, he hoped the school would do a great deil of good, and that tinresult would be to teach the children to rise to a high .sense of their duties to themselves and to the State.

Air. F. J. Rowley, headmaster of the Gisborne School, on behalf of the teachers, expressed their gratification at the result of tho AVinter School. Tho te ichors had been brought together from all parts and their relations with each other and with the various officers had been most cordial. He desired to express the thanks of the teachers of tho Hawke’s Bay Education Board, the AVanganui Education Board, and to the Inspectors for their assistance in the. work of the school. On behalf of the teachers he presented Inspector Hill and Afr. AV. Aforgan with a handsome piece of plate, and also suitable presents, as tokens of their services to the school, to Inspector Smith’, Messrs Clark, Grant, Darton, and Sklebottoni. Inspecor Hill and Air. AA r . Morgan briefly returned thanks for the presentations, and dancing was then continued.