A Very Fine Exhibit at the Show

Franklin Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 23, 28 February 1940, Page 5

A Very Fine Exhibit at the Show

HIGH SCHOOL DISPLAY NEW ZEALAND IN 1840 JOO YEA lIS OF P HOC BESS WHAT THE PUPILS CAN DO One of the features of the bail at the Franklin Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s shows is always the Pukekohe Technical High School’s non-competitive display, and this year’s exhibit was among the finest ever staged and it attracted keen interest.

The motif of the school display was Maori carving which was done in the school colours of red and black. The main background was of red and black crepe paper, while in I lie centre was a large bead of a Tiki. Along the back was a series of eight posters depicting the four chief towns of Hew Zealand as they were .Hid years ago and as they are today. The first sailing ships sailing up I lie harbour amid the blaze of poliutukawa was the early Auckland poster while modern Auckland showed the tall buildings of the city and of the North Ffiinv* with ships in the harbour and an Imperial Airways plane landing on the water.

The Southern Cities The V huts ol early Christchurch v fliefi the settlers had brought out from England were a contrast to ihe poster of the Cathedral in Cathedral Square, Christchurch. Dunedin was a picturesque scene of lights and rebellions at night. The posters of eaily Otago and Wellingtorp saowed ihe settlers’ houses and ilieir sailing ships with a J’ew of the early settlers in 1 lie foreground. The poster of modern Wellington, was of a Maori girl looking towards Oriental Bay w : th the buildings of Wellington in the loieground. These posters, anti oilier examples of art were (he work of Lucy McWatt, Gloria Freeth, Noeline Ogden, Shiela Boyle, Barbara Membery. Dorothy McWatt. Down McConnell, Valerie Macßae, Lily Irvine, iieien Thomas, Audrey Finlay, Merle Svendsen and Shirley Callister.

Poker work and marqueterie included fruit bowls, boxes, bread boards, btok-ends, vases, etc. Many of the best examples were by Maisie Lorenz, Helen' Thomas, Noeline Ogden, Edna Kirkwood, Helen Hewitt, Verna Short, Merle Svendsen, Valerie Macl’ae and Lcrotliy Penny. Preserves, jams, jellies and sauces were displayed by the domestic girls. Sowing was also on display such as frocks, blazers, bloomers, pyjamas, dressing-gowns, and some needlework, including handkerchief sachets, cushion, tea-showers, and d’oyleys. There was a knitted patch-work quilt- and a scarf hand-woven in Ihe school on a loom, by Barbara Membery. Some leal her purses and albums which had been done by the pupils were to be seen, and some excellent examples of book-binding were shown iu photograph albums, autograph alliums, etc.

In the wood-work section was a large selection of articles ranging from a trousseau box lo small models of gates, buildings, doors, etc. One interesting exhibit was a chair which when inverted formed a small stepladder. There were some line cabinets, Power stands and hook-shelves.

Other Noteworthy Examples of Work Some of lliis work was made by girls, a noteworthy example being a bed-table in ply wood by Barbara Membery. Among the hoys responsible for the wood-work the following names may be mentioned: H. Low'e, I). Uaskeil, D. Litchfield, R. Morgan, .!. Bilkey and most of 3 and i D. In the metal work section were turned bolts and screws, trays, dustpans, trowels, metal boxes, etc., all showing a high degree of finish and skilled workmanship. There were also flower stands, an electric lantern, and a weather cock, all finished in bright enamel. These articles were the work of A. Woodward, N. Bond, M. Darker, R. Brooke, S. Clendon, D. Carter, M. Cummings, William Garth, R. MoEldowney, D. Murray, W. Tliwaites, .1. Smith, T. Williams and E. Wade. In the very centre of the display tlic Dominion's progress was illustrated by ;i large coloured model map of New Zealand. Set m a silver background events in our history were depicted in colour and connected by red ribbons to their places on the map. This was surrounded and surmounted by the familiar Maori carving motif. Directly below was an excellent model of a Maori wluire made by W. Bond. Finally in the centre of the lower tiers were displayed the five school honours boards dating back to 1921. These proved a source of great interest to old students of the school. The whole made a very fine exhibit and reflected the greatest, credit on teachers and students.