EDUCATIVE DISPLAY

Evening Star, Issue 21878, 15 November 1934, Page 12

EDUCATIVE DISPLAY

NUMEROUS ATTRACTIVE EXHIBITS PARENTS' DAY AT TECHNICAL COLLEGE Expression of youths’ natural machanical ability and artistic sense is given ample scope in the educative courses at the King Edward Technical College. Much that is really as finished as the work of a true craftsman is produced during the course of a year, and there is nothing better than a visit on parents’ day as a means of examining what the school stands for. During the past month or two the roll number of the school has decreased considerably, on account of many pupils obtaining work, and the result is that preparations for this year’s visit of parents have been left mainly to juniors. Previous exhibitions were able to present ranch advanced work by seniors, but it is essentially elementary work that comprises this year’s display. Yet it Joses none of its interest on tjiis account; in fact, the many exhibits are of a character that one will find demonstrative of the important part the Technical College plays in its special branch of educating the community. Apart from the exhibits there are numerous classes which continue their ordinary work, giving visitors a thorough insight into the activities of the school. v

The display, which is being held at the school, will open to-night. Tomorrow morning will be set aside for primary school visitors. Hundreds of boys and girls from Standards V. and VI. of Dunedin schools will be guided through the college buildings by students who were themselves last year the schoolmates of the visitors. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. The various laboratories and workshops in which engineering students are trained present a very workmanlike appearance. In the mechanical engineering laboratory, where a small class is demonstrating, apparatus is installed to cover a wide range of experimental work in statics, dynamics, hydraulics, and the strength of materials. Experiments verifying well-known principles in mechanics, such as the parallelogram, triangle, and polygon of forces and many others are performed with the aid of experimental boards, arranged round the walls, and much portable apparatus. An experiment to determine the friction constant of two sliding surfaces is in progress. Some new apparatus has recently been constructed by students, including a special type of compound pendulum, a flywheel apparatus for energy experiments, an Attwood’s machine for experimental work in the motion of connected bodies, and apparatus for the elastic straining of wire. The testing machine is in use testing metals for strength to resist tensile and compressive loads, while there is also a special machine for demonstrating the comparative strengths of various timbers. Even the uninformed visitor cannot fail to be interested in the experiments with the Fletcher’s trolley, the torsion machine, and the hydraulics tank. In the adjoining lecture room may be seen working models of steam and I.C. engines used mainly for demonstration purposes. The working machinery and blazing forges of the metal workshop immediately attract a large crowd of visitors. The new stores, well lighted and laid out to facilitate the dispatch of tools and materials to students, will make an instant appeal to the practical man. The equipment of the main shop contains machines of all types, while the smith’s shop is ' equally complete. A brief survey siiows work of every description being carried out in an efficient manner. Metals are being turned and screw-cut in the lathes, a sprocket is being cut in the milling machine, while, to show the capabilities of this machine, a replacement for a motor car gear box is at hand. The cylinder head of a 5 h.p. Orion marine engine is having the valve parts bored, sealed, and the openings tapped in the radial drilling machine. Various parts of this engine are to be seen about the benches, with examples of the work of day and evening students. In the blacksmith’s shop acetone welding, forging, and brass moulding are in progress.

In the plumbing shop the work of the apprentices who receive training in all branches of their craft is on view. This includes examples of the bending of pipes, wiping of joints, and trap making. . . The electrical laboratory, _ with its group of efficient workers, is another centre of attraction. Here second-year pupils are performing easy, but interesting, experiments with electric lamps and bells, while third-year boys perform tests on transformers and dynamos. The experimental stands of continuous current and alternating current machinery are used to demonstrate some of the normal tests, while a larger machine is undergoing a brake test subsequent to being repaired. WOODWORKING DEPARTMENT.

There are three workshops open for inspection, in all of which are groups of students from engineering, building, and commercial classes engaged in making a variety of models, incorporating the many joints and assemblies used in joinery. In the first are various building students whose work includes combination chairs, tool chests, step ladders, and bookshelves. The complete staircase giving access to the gallery in this shop has been constructed and assembled by senior students during the past year. In the adjoining woodwork shop boys are engaged in more elementary work, though an inspection of the models shows that their construction entails many exercises that necessitate accuracy and dexterity. The third workshop contains first-year pupils intent on making such useful models as stools, palmstands, and tea waggons. In this class some of the full working drawings of the articles to be made are on display. A commercial pupil is keenly interested in the task of turning a stand for an ash tray on a power lathe. One of the most attractive models is that designed and made by a first-year boy who is busily engaged in the construction of a well-propor-tione dolls’ house—a two-story model with a gaily carpeted stairway, and windows complete with coloured fanlights. Several examples of cabinet work by evening students are deserving of special mention, notably a mahogany clock case inlaid with ebony and boxwood.

The machine shop connected with the woodwork department is an outstanding feature. .Each machine is a separate unit, with its own motor independently controlled and fully enclosed in a panelled guard. This gives the shop a neat appearance, as well as making it safe from the point of view of the operator. The trade drawing rooms are filled with junior boys who are making freehand dimensioned sketches of models and actual machine parts. These are used later in the production of finished scale drawings. Drawings of cranks, valves, and connecting rods, as well as tracings and prints, are displayed. The rooms are well equipped, and the new drawing boards, using clips instead of pins, are a deckled success. la one

room, which also serves as a reading room for students of the trades department, the engineers’ library is housed.

COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT. Owing to the great demand for boys and girls for positions during the past months practically all the senior commercial, students have left school. For this reason there is only one section of commercial work to be seen. In the typewriting department teams of first and second-year pupils are demonstrating the rhythmic system of learning touch typing where the gramophone is being used in connection ' with the various exercises. The gramophone has recently been fitted, by the electrical boys, with an electric pick-up and loud speaker. In addition a group of senior students give an exhibition of highspeed typewriting. ART NEEDLEWORK. Some of the most interesting work in the school is done in the needlework classes, where girls of all ages are taught the art of embroidering in all its many branches. A group of firstyear girls is busy with various tasks. Two pupils arc working cushion covers in applique work, which teaches neatness in working and judgment in applying the different coloured pieces of material to' the foundation. Another group is embroidering sprays of flowers in gay colours on the ends of tray cloths. Hemstitching and coloured threads have been used to finish off the edges. Of great interest is the revival in huckaback darning, which is used for cushion covers, purses, and bags, and here one finds two or three busy workers making purses_ with brightly-coloured cottons in this fascinating and easy manner. An inspection of the finished pieces laid out on tho tables shows what a variety of embroideries is undertaken. One table features applique cushion covers, which evince ingenuity jn designs and in colour schemes, while a totally different style of work is, that on the supper cloths, on which Italian drawn work has been done. The canvas work is interesting, comprising as it does cushion covers, fire screens, and purses. The stitchcry must be evenly executed to be effective, which means that this type of work being purely mechanical shows industry on the part of the workers. DRESSMAKING. The display of dressmaking shows that the girls receive a very sound training. The patterns used are made by the students from block patterns to suit their own requirements. The dresses and blouses made by first-year pupils are characterised by good style and neat workmanship. Second year students are exhibiting some well-made costumes and coats. _ In the room there are girls engaged in the sewing _ of various garments, while two girls demonstrate the methods of patterncutting used in the school. DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT. Domestic students are fortunate in having two sunny, well-equipped kitchens for practice work. Oh this occasion one is occupied by the bovs’ cookery class, but in the other there are two interesting exhibits. The first j shows the. important part that milk

plays in the diet. The other is a striking exhibit' showing the methods of treating and preventing goitre, which is prevalent to- an alarming extent in New Zealand, Domestic pupils are at work, too, baking cakes which will he on sale. ART DEPARTMENT. The work of the art department, whose influence is felt in all branches of the school curriculum,, is attractively displayed in the art rooms, where it has been arranged with considerable care. Added interest will be evoked by watching groups of students carrying on with their usual work. Compositions in oils, landscapes, life drawings, prints, posters, and designs are displayed, and show some original ideas well earned out. A number of modelled heads, likenesses of fellow-students, executed by first and second year and senior students are particularly worthy of mention, as several of them reach a high standard of craftsmanship. Another outstanding piece of work * s , a ,, ?°. r u" tive panel, intended for the hall of the offices of an iron smelting firm. The work done by an- evening class in ticket writing is interesting. The students have reproduced samples of their best work on proper show card board. The script lettering and effective block and relief shading used in these cards are the result of a year’s careful training. In one of the art rooms thereare many fine examples of Roman lettering, which are the work of first-year pupils, as well as some creditable stilllife. paintings and figure compositions in oils, executed by senior students. The prints, including lino, cuts, drypoints, and etchings, are also worthy of mention. In the craft section suede leather work by both boy and girl students is one of the new features of this department. In designing articles of leather an effort has been made to avoid the useless and the tawdry, and to produce good craftsmanship with original and good design. Where fancy papers have been used for finishing and backing leather goods the paper has usually been hand dyed by the student. One original touch worth mentioning is the introduction of the lino, cut as a decora-tion-for leather. A group of students is seen at work at this comparatively simple and effective craft in its various stages—the designing, the cutting, and the printing. -This craft provides the student with an excellent means of selfexpression, and helps to develop manual skill, as well as laying a foundation on which may be built a lifelong hobby. Other students are engaged in varieus kinds of craft work. _ FREE WORK. An innovation in this year’s schedule has been the introduction of a weekly period when pupils may choose their occupations, and when the band and orchestra hold regular practices. The free-work groups thus instituted have covered a wide range of subjects, and have been most popular. Members of the Bachelors’ Club, who became proficient in the. use of the -needle in the early part of the year, were promotedto a cookery class, where they have learned to prepare simple but suitable meals ami dishes for the Boy Scout in camp. Both bachelors and cooks are at work on Parents’ Day. Another group has been busy constructing model aeroplanes, and, although the work calls for fine craftsmanship and

attention to detail, some good models have been completed. A Garden Cmb was formed, which, has done good work in the school garden-. Only an enthusiastic worker would have the heart to work here, where one has to contend against insect pests and the misuse or the gardens by others. But these happy young people take their trowels, forks, spades, and hoes, and go ahead. Indoor games of skill, such as chess, draughts, and string figure making, have occupied others, while a stamp club has had enthusiastic support.; Another group has made some attractive toys, which are to be distributed to children in the hospitals. Woodwork for girls, typewriting for noncommercial students, life-saving, and, the care of school libraries, sports equipment, and theatrical costumes have been among the many other activities undertaken. Free work has achieved satisfactory results, for it has proved, that every child has at least one way in which he or she can be happily and profitably occupied.

ENTERTAINMENT IN THE HALL. No technical school entertainment is now complete without accompaniment by school military .band or orchestra. To-night and to-morrow afternoon a programme will, be presented, which consists of items by the orchestra (under the leadership of Mr T. Vernon. Griffiths) and by the mili-t tary hand. Both combinations have made remarkable progress during the last few months, with the .result that their playing is now a real pleasure to listen to. In addition, a squad of boys will perform a tableau of advanced combination, physical exercises* pyramid building, and advanced gymnastics on the vaulting horse, to the accompaniment of extracts of standard marches by the band. _ The girls’ demonstration will consist of a set of physical exercises, a pierrot dance by juniors, and two sets of advanced exercises with a country dance by secondyear pupils. They will be accompanied by the orchestra.