ART TEACHING.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 250, 21 October 1924, Page 10

ART TEACHING.

I A very interesting lecture was given last evening in the lounge of the Lyceum Club under the Arts nnd Crafts Circle, | when Mrs. Weir, a Canadian teacher, who is visiting New Zealand, spoke of : the great need of properly teaching art lin the public schools. The speaker of the evening was introduced by Miss Reave, the convener of the circle. Mrs. Weir explained that in Canada the importance of this subject in building up the children's characters was greatly appreciated, and in the universities the teacher took diplomas in art work, and this had a remarkable effect on the , children's after-life in aiding them to 'appreciate both nature and art. The | pictures that are allowed to be hung in the schools of Canada and the caleni dars, are chosen by people who have a knowledge of the best sides of art, and | are usually copies of the best works of the great masters of the world. Every school possesses an art supervisor, who | directs the training which is given in j art. Materials are provided, such as pencils, charcoal, paper aud paints, and I the lessons proceed in organised order. The child is taught to appreciate tone in colour, and is then taken outside to study light and shade in nature. They are also grounded in the elements of true design. They draw from copies and then from memory, and their individuality is allowed to expand in their work. Some interesting examples of the work of the children was shown by Mrs. Weir, who urged upon those present to brin« their influence to bear in obtaining for the children a really well-organised system of art training in our public schools, so that a true appreciation of, the best in art and life might be their iuheritanee for the future.

ROTORUA NOTES. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson have left for , Australia, where they will spend a i month's holiday. Mrs. F. \V. Chatter- j ton, Amohia Street, is spending a holiday in Auckland. Miss Tanner lias left I for Auckland, en route for Australia. where she will spend a month's holiday. Miss Ivy Young, professionally known as Miss Ivy Norton, lias returned to Rotorua from the East, and is with her ! parents. Mr. and Mrs. W". D. Young, Pretoria Villa. Pukaki Street. Misses Kitty and Kathleen firibble are visitin- Australia. Miss Mavis Voun-. Pukaki Street, and Miss Kelly, of (Irande Vue, are on a visit to Australia, and are the guests of Mr. and | Mrs. Albert Fisher, of Bondi. Tlie Misses Bissett-Russel are on a visit, to Rotorua, and are the guests or Miss Williams, Amohia Street. A successful garden party and gitt afternoon was given on Tuesday by Mrs. T. McDowell, at her residence, Euera Street, Rotorua, in aid of the coming spring fair in November, in connection with St. John's Presbyterian Church. : There was a very large gathering, and an enjoyable time was spent with pro- | gressive croquet (Mrs. J. McDowell and Mr. R. Miller in charge), the winners being Mesdames Manson and J. Mc- , Dowell. Two competitions were held, > the winners being Mesdames Forsythe and W. McLean. Songs were sung by! Mrs. Mays and Miss Kathleen Hall, a I dramatic recital by Mrs. Mays, musical ; monologue by Mrs. George Steele and Miss Ethel Sharp, and a ventriloquist j item by Mrs. George Steele, and a piano j solo by Miss Hazel Rowe. Mrs. Hewitt | acted as accompanist. Mrs. McDowell j was assisted by the members of the St. John's Ladies' Guild, and a dainty afternoon tea was served. A large number of gifts were received, also a large sum of money. On Monday evening an enjoyable social and dance was held under the auspices of the Rotorua City Football Club, in aid of the club funds. The hall, besides the usual decorations of old gold and primrose-coloured streamers, with golden and purple butter- ■ flies, was effectively arranged with ferns I and greenery. In the. Monte Carlo I dance, the winning couple was Miss • Hawkin and Mr. F. G. Reed. A card | tournament was held on the stage, the j lady's prize being won by Miss Onion, ' and the gentleman's prize was won by I Mrs. A. Smith, while the ladies' eonsoj lation prize was awarded to Mrs. M. > Fairlie. and the gentlemen's to Mr. J. Laage.