NEVW ZEALAND ITEMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3123, 20 January 1911, Page 3

NEVW ZEALAND ITEMS.

PROFESSORIAL 'VISITORS. LPER PRESS ASSOCIATION.! WELLINGTON, Jan. 18. Among passengers b" the Ulimaroa from Sydney yesterday were several of tlie professors of-the New Zealand UniYtrsP who bad been attending a meeting of the Australasian Science Congress in Sydney. Piofessor H. B. Kirk, of Victoria College, and Mr. A. Hamilton, director of the National Museum, were returning to Wellington. Professor Labv, of Victoria College, was still in Australia, spending part of bis vacation there. Dr. Marshall, of Otago Univeisity, also returned bv the Ulimaroa, and there were with the party two Australian scientists, Professors Skrats and Payne, who arc payin'- a visit to New Zealand. rilli: DISTRESSED VESSEL. NELSON, Jan. 18. The barque Helen, which recently was in difficulties, is now sheltei ing at Torrent Bay, and lias been.sent to Nelson for additional canvas. A STATE. ENTERPRISE CLOSING DOWN. - , WESTPORT, Jan. IS. The State mine briquette ivories are temporarily closed owing to the scarcity of orders. OVERCROWDING IN SCHOOLS. DUNEDIN, Jan. IS. At a meeting of tho Education Board yesterday, reference was made to overcrowding in schools in and around the city, and in a lesser degree in the country’schools, especially in the infant departments. 'Applications were received from the North-East Valley, Albany Street, and Forbury schools for increased accommodation. On the motion of Mr. W. Scott, .seconded by Mr. Fleming. it was decided that the Minister of Education be requested to visit the schools in company with a deputation of Board member’s, or in the event of his being unable to attend, the Inspec-tor-General be requested to come. In the course of discussion, Mr. McKinlay expressed the opinion that the time was opportune for the erection of separate infant schools. The Hon. T. Fergus, chairman of the Board, said that the over-crowding was so serious that the health officer would be justified in turning one-third of the children out of some classes. The Minister was perfectly aware of the conditions prevailing. The whole trouble was confined to the .infant classes, there being plenty of accommodation for the higher classes.