During that period 20 of our large schools have, by local effort and subsidy from the board, erected and equipped large gymnasiums, and the board has continuously employed an able instructor - Mr Hanna, who has also carried on the physical instruction work for the Governors of our local High Schools.
For 30 years pupil-teachers' training classes have been held on Saturday mornings, and attendance thereat has been compulsory, except in special cases.
During the same period the training students have been regularly trained, and the result has been that students leaving the college to take up work in our schools have had from two to six years' special training.
Every year Mr Hanna has spent his mid-term holidays (six weeks a year) visiting the rural schools and helping teachers, many of whom had not enjoyed the benefits of his instruction at the Saturday classes or at the Training College.
Mr Hanna compiled a series of breathing exercises for use in the schools, submitted them to several medical practitioners for approval, and the board, recognising the importance of this matter, insisted that they should be regularly carried out by the pupils in our schools. This work has been carried on unostentatiously, regularly, and efficiently over a long period of 30 years at a cost to the board of 165 per annum.
While our teachers have brought the two branches - physical training and military drill - to a very high state of efficiency, they have not neglected to take their full share in organising and directing the sports of their pupils.
I regret I am not able to testify from personal observation concerning this phase of school life, but I know that every Saturday morning teachers are out with their pupils on football, cricket, rounder, or hockey field, at no small personal sacrifice to themselves.
• Notwithstanding the fact that a large sum of money has been expended upon the construction and upkeep of the abattoirs to ensure the supply of wholesome meat to city residents, it would appear that the manner in which slaughtered pigs are disposed of at times is little short of scandalous.
We have been informed by several eye witnesses that on Wednesday afternoon seven pig carcases arrived from the north by train, and were simply thrown out of the van on the mud alongside the signal box.
Needless to say, the carcases had not a vestige of covering to protect them, and the ground being muddy after the recent heavy rains, the condition of the carcases after being dragged clear of the line and dumped into a heap, may be easily imagined.
It is almost unbelievable that pork intended for human consumption should be mishandled in such a manner.
• At the monthly meeting of the Otago Harbour Board, to be held next week, Mr E. C. Hazlett will ask a question as to whether there is any intention of installing a wireless telegraphic system on the new tug Dunedin.
Mr Hazlett stated yesterday to a Daily Times reporter that if a wireless system were installed the tug, when her services were required outside the Heads, might be directed from the land.
He further remarked that at the time the Kotare broke down when off the Bluff, the Plucky was sent in search of her, but could not locate her, and had to come back to Cape Saunders and wait there till Dunedin could be communicated with and the whereabouts of the Kotare more definitely ascertained.
- ODT, 22.8.1913.
