INVENTIVE INGENUITY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 39, 14 January 1944, Page 5

INVENTIVE INGENUITY

SHOWN BY N.Z. TROOPS. EXHIBITION~OF AYORK. (Official War Correspondent.) '■■: IN THE SOLOMONS, Jan. 7. All the inventive ingenuity of a New Zealander is exemplified in a collection of art and utility objects on exhibition at the headquarters of a brigade in a forward Pacific area. .Men of all ranks have put many hours of what? would otherwise have been idle time into making examples of handicrafts of exceptionally high standard. In most instances such work as carving and intricate metal design has been carried out with pocket knives and small tools mado on the spot. The objects on display range in nature from a comfortable cane'chair down to a minute fully-rigged sailing ship carved from coconut shell and polished to a rich natural colour. Judged as the best exhibit is a canteen of cutlery, comprising knives, forks, and spoons in three sizes, fashioned from aircraft duralium and finished to a high degree of perfection. The set is enclosed in a lined wooden case also made by the soldier. In the woodwork section are exquisitely carved boxes of various sizes, a' fine pipe, and ornamental kiwis and elephants. As a prize in a sports contest, one entrant has designed a shield of mahogany complete with smaller metal shields to bear the winners' names. There are nicely balanced walking-sticks made from some of the many beautiful timbers found on these islands. Many hours of • patient, accurate work are contained in fine inlay work that would attract attention in any jeweller's window. . •

The metal-work section contains such exhibits as cleverly-mounted model planes cut from aircraft aluminium, ash-trays made from shellcases, and complete smokers' sets of high practical as well as souvenir value. First prize in this section vyas taken by an attractive reading lamp. When New Zealanders came to this forward area, more than anything they wanted musical instruments. It was not long before some musichungry soldier began experimenting with steel signal wire and various kiiids of sounding boards, finally producing a ukulele of excellent tone. His example was quickly followed by others, and now on this island there is a complete band of ukuleles, guitars and other string instruments, all made by the men. These instruments, made of teak and mahogany, have attracted considerable attention in the exhibition. In one instance a, cake-tin from home has been used for a sounding box, while in another instrument a Japanese flare-case dropped in combat, is embodied. FINE ORNAMENTS. Tho islands environment is reflected in fine ornaments of tortoise-shell and sea-shell that would delight any feminine heart. Photograph frames, replicas of the Now Zealand overseas badge, and numerous smaller personal ornaments have been fashioned from these materials. Plastex "glass" used in aircraft has been made into watch-straps and paper knives, while sheath knives of beautiful finish and variety, of design'are made from jeep springs and aircraft aluminium. In water colour, pencil, and pen and ink, artists have portrayed island scenes, still-life studies, cartoons and sketches of friends, forming an attractive addition to the wide variety of the exhibition. Since the fighting in this area ended the troops have had much spare time on their hands and so turned to making some of the articles described. Brigadier L. Potter saw some of the objects, and hit upon the happy thought of offering prizes for the best and combining them, all in a Christmas exhibition. Lieut. A. A. Congalton. A.E.W.S, officer, organised the exhibition, and was largely responsible for its success. So impressed was the G.O.C. Third Division (Major-General Barrowclough) that he has expressed tho desire that itbe sent to New Zealand for general display.