They will be constantly visiting the farms and dairies, and will not be a small body of reformers making unexpected visits, and not knowing the conditions of the industry.
The inquiries will be made by men who have a maximum amount of knowledge of the whole question."
Discussing the question of child slavery with a Post representative of the Palmerston dairy show, a teacher gave as an example the case of a boy in one of the larger South Taranaki schools.
The boy's parents milked a large number of cows.
The youngster in question was regarded by the headmaster as one of the dullest pupils in the school.
His faculties seemed absolutely deadened by premature physical labour.
For some time the boy lingered at the bottom of the class, but one season he showed a remarkable transformation.
From the bottom of the class he jumped to the top, and became one of the shining lights of the school.
The head master was curious to know the secret of the sudden change, and made inquiries. He found that the boy's father had installed milking machines.
• A discussion on University overstrain by members of the Wellington Education Board arose (says the Dominion) out of a statement that the physical breakdown of a lady teacher who was applying for leave of absence was mainly due to the fact that, in addition to her ordinary schoolwork, she had attempted to attend and carry out the work incidental to no fewer than four university subjects at Victoria College.
"It is a most unreasonable undertaking," commented the board's senior inspector (Mr T.R. Fleming).
The board unanimously adopted his recommendation that the professors at the college be advised of those of their students who were public school teachers in active service that they might take steps to prevent these particular students from overburdening themselves with university work. - ODT, 29.6.1908.
