P. B. TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3331, 25 September 1911, Page 7

P. B. TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE.

ADDRESS BY PROFESSOR MILLS. A meeting of the above Institute u as held in the Gisborne School on Saturday morning, when auout 50 teachers and others interested were present. Mr. J. McLeod, of Ormond, presided, and explained that the meeting had been called to listen to an address by Mr. H. Hill, who has just returned from a trip round the world. Mr. Hill stated that he had taken on himself to request Professor Mills, who is visiting Gisborne, to give an address on educational matters, - and Mr. Hill would give his address the following Saturay. A most entertaining and instructive address was then given by the Professor, who explained that he himself had been for a great number of years teaching both in primary and secondary schools. His address concerned principally the methods adopted by his State, Wisconsin, U.S.A., in the management of schools and universities. In that State all matters affecting the welfare of the country are placed before the University Board, where they are discussed, and every information that is possible to get. is collected from all parts of the world. This University does not confine its attention to doing the work that we in New Zealand associate with universities; but studies every subject that may have any influence upon the social or material welfare of the country. Any new laws about to be introduced are studied by committees of that institution before being brought before the Legislature. The Professor believed in forming a central school in scattered districts and conveying children to that school. By this means economy was observed and better teaching could be given, because a more capable staff could be maintained. The school should be made the centre for all social gatherings, and should be the institution that parents should look upon ts the place that they ought to take a special interest in. The ideal place for a school,-' in the Professor’s opinion, was in the country. He .believed that it would be better to do away with town schools and build schools in the middle of fields. Children could be taken by trams, and they would be more in touch with Nature. He believed that children should be trained physically as well as mentally. No education was of any benefit that developed the mental and neglected the physical side of a child.