Central branch line will pay
Speaking last night on the railway estimates, Mr Horn, in the House of Representatives, said that the Otago Central Railway, which had been like a white elephant, would eventually become a paying concern, when Central Otago was irrigated. In any case as the result of the extension of the line the Government had got an increased rental from its lands in the district.
Decline in sheep numbers
In the House of Representative today Sir George Hunter referred to
the fact that the sheep returns for the last four years showed a decrease of over 4,000,000 in the flocks of the dominion. In view of that fact he asked if the Government would place some limitation upon the export of ewe lambs, and also if they would do something in the way of supplying cheap fertilisers, so that, through improved pastures, a greater number of sheep would be carried. The Hon W. Nosworthy said the matter was one for the consideration of the Government. The returns for this year showed that there was an increase in the number of breeding ewes. The Government would, no doubt, be guided by the position as it developed. If there was a good lambing this year and a prospect of the flocks working up no action would be necessary at present in the direction indicated.
Special training needed
The report which Dr Mecredy, School Medical Officer, has submitted this week to the Otago Education
Board on the subject of the training of subnormal children directs attention once more to an important problem in education. Modern education continually presents the difficulty of dealing with a widelyvarying intellectual capacity. In every large class there is the danger of forcing a backward child to undertake tasks beyond its ability.
The members of the board have very properly treated this question in a sympathetic spirit. The solution of the problem is not entirely easy, but we hope the committee to which it has been referred will be able to evolve a workable scheme. The segregation of subnormal pupils is, therefore, necessary in the best interests of all concerned. For the most part the children affected simply require special training. They possess the essentials that make for integrity, honesty, and power of application, and they have general attributes, which, properly trained and developed, will make them useful
citizens. If they were neglected a proportion of them would ultimately become charges upon the State. — editorial
Columba girls raise funds
Besieged by appeals for various praiseworthy objects, as are most people and most organisations at the present time, the girls of Columba College decided to make an effort, in the form of a bazaar and entertainment, the proceeds to be distributed among the numerous funds. Part of the result of that effort was the collection of an extensive variety of saleable articles, tastefully displayed at the college yesterday, and a large attendance of ready buyers, the sum of £110 being secured. The bazaar was declared open by Miss Ross, who expressed the hope that the response would be in keeping therewith. In the evening the bazaar went merrily along, the proceedings being enlivened by a number of enjoyable items. — ODT, 23.9.1922