Not long since the Otago Educational Board, finding itself faced with some conflicting opinions, asked its inspectors and the Otago Educational Institute to report on the question.
A reply was received from the institute yesterday recommending that a conference be held, and the whole subject of free school books be discussed by the parties interested.
The inspectors, in reporting on the matter, pointed out that free books should be in the schools by the first week in February, for that was the time when the children would be promoted and would require new books.
The department's proposals for the supply of free books applied only to the primary classes and Standards I, II and III.
It was, however, understood that Standard IV would be included in the scheme of 1910, Standard V in 1911, and Standard VI in 1912.
Whatever might be done in respect of the books of the classes up to and including Standard III, no change should be made in those of Standards IV to VI, for in the meantime other and better books might come into the market.
Moreover, the introduction of new readers in these classes at the present time would lay upon parents a burden of expense that was not necessary for the efficient teaching of the art of reading to the children who would be called upon to furnish themselves with new books.
It was resolved, on the motion of the Rev Mr Fraser, that a conference be held to discuss the matter of new school books.
• A strawberry grower on the Frankton road has adopted an ingenious contrivance wherewith to combat the small-bird nuisance (says the Wakatipu Mail).
He has made a small wooden wheel which is attached to a shaft, and by means of a jet of water continually revolves.
One or more of the spokes of the wheel which are apparently longer than the rest come regularly in contact with a piece of tin, making a noise similar to that of a person hitting a kerosene tin.
To make the contrivance all the more effective a sham man is rigged up alongside.
It is keeping the birds away splendidly from a strawberry patch just now, but Mr H.
Angelo, who is the inventor, says that the birds are so cheeky that they may drop down to the little game. - ODT, 27.11.1909.
