“WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG, BAD ‘PRO.’?”

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1936, Page 2

“WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG, BAD ‘PRO.’?”

SCHOOL-ROOM BOGEY SLIPS INTO THE PAST

OUR “IN MEMORIAM ” PAPER

YOtJNG NORTHLANDERS’ FITTING FAREWELL

TJURBAH! Scores of young New Zealanders will echo the shout as this year’s proficiency papers are handed in to the examiner, and then Primary School Bogey No. 1 will disappear for all time. Teachers and pupils alike will be glad to see him go. Let iis give the “Pro.” a fitting send-off. After all the sighs, the groans and sleepless nights that this exam has caused, let us get a laugh from it for a change. Who’s afraid of the Big, Bad “Pro. . No one ! He’s done all the huffing and puffing he’s ever likely to do, and, with the aid of many teacher friends, Kupe has made him into just such a stew as the Three Little Pigs made from the Big Bad Wolf. And won’t Northlanders enjoy this stew I it’s in the for m of a “Memoriam Paper”—a dummy Proficiency, consisting of the strangest questions, most of them suggested by men and women whose task it has been to set examinations in the past. Only too willingly have they assisted to prepare this send-off paper to the “Pro.” Many have lent a helping hand, and, if space permits, due acknowledgment might be made to them later.

But on with the Im-Proficiency exam. Remember it’s quite different from the Proficiency you have known for so many years. You don’t frown over each question; you smile; you don’t worry about blots on your paper; you don’t worry if you can’t find the answer to each question—just .ask the examiners. They might know, though I doubt it. In other words, you don’t take the paper seriously. But read it through carefully. This, remember, is an epoch-making event. Think of the years ahead —of telling children and grandchildren how you to ok part in farewelling the schoolboy’s greatest Bogey —the Proficiency Examination—his Public Enemy No. 1.

SCIENCE Section A (Physiology) Explain with diagrams: “The farmer is the backbone of the country.” Section B (Nature Study) Which end of a calf gets up first? Give reasons. Section C (Sewing)— Explain the different stitches used in (a) sewing' up a sack of potatoes; (b) mending a rip in a pair of dungaree overalls; (c) stitch in the side. Section D (Cooking)— Describe the effects of rough cooking. Section E (Dairy Science) (1) Why are there mites in cheese? What chemical action has taken place when cheese “walks”? (2) Explain the usual differences between farm butter and factory butter? (3) Give effects on flavour of (a) scrubbing brushes; (b) old boots; (c) mice. HANDWORK AND DRAWING (1) 'Draw the plan and elevation of a calf. (2) Illustrate action of a man pursued by an angry bull, the fence of the field being barbed wire and eight feet high. (3) Draw a design, incorporating farm studies for decoration of front of door, to keep cows amused during milking. (4) Model some suitable object using the mudtrays found round some North Auckland farm sheds. (5) Make useful articles from the following: Old inflations; cow horns; blackberry vines; bulls-eyes; and used ton trucks. HEALTH (1) Describe the symptoms of a “nervous cow.” (2) Give the symptoms and treatment for the complaint known as “Land Hunger.” (3) Give a simple remedy for: (a) Milker’s Rash; (b) Dirty Finger Nails; (c) Wet Feet;-(d) Perpetual Grouch; (e) Disinclination to go to Bed. GEOGRAPHY (1) Draw a map of a paddock. (2) Name the one country in the world where the farmer is over worked and over taxed, (3) To what country are bobby calves exported, and in what disguise do they return? (4) Suggest likely markets for the following New Zealand by-products; (a) Unused Kauri stumps; (b) second-hand milking machines; (c) disgruntled farm labourers: (e) rusty nails; (f) broken alarm clocks; (g) time saved through Daylight Saving Bill; (h) Taranaki gates; (i) Commercial travellers.

HISTORY AND CIVICS U) Give a list of all the taxes a farmer has to pay. (Answer to be limited to 10 pages). (2) Write what you think of a mortgagee. Explain the difference between a first mortgage and third mortgage. (3) What is meant by the following expressions: Working for the Bank; An Order on the. Milk Cheque; Minimum Farm Wage. (4) It is said of the pig: “Everything is utilised but the grunt.” Discuss this and suggest a possible method of utilising the grunt. y (Any reference to Parliament will not be excepted). ENGLISH (1) Explain the following terms: Calf Love; The Worship of the Golden Calf; Cafe-teria; Cow Cockie; Hayseed: Squatter; Armchair Farmer. (2) What is the meaning of: The farmer’s lot; a hard row to hoe; making hay while the sun shines; a harrowing task; ploughing a lonely furrow; the golden fleece. (3) Rewrite with correct punctuation; (a) Said an old bull to a young calf why do you walk so crooked child walk straight father said the young one show me the way will' you and when I see you taking a straight course I will try to follow. (4) Rewrite, inserting direct speech where possible; The teacher asked one of the boys, whose name was Tommy, to make a sentence using the word “seldom,” After Tommy had thought a moment he triumphantly replied that last week his father had three bobby calves but this week he selled ’em. (5) Write a letter to your storekeeper “Putting him off” until the bonus pay out. (6) Write an essay on one of the following: (1) Winter on the Farm; (2) How to Make a Farm Pay Without Capital; (3) How the 40-Hour Week has Benefited the Farmer. ARITHMETIC Answer any six of the following questions:— (1) If A can milk a cow in 5 minutes and B in 7 minutes and C in 10 minutes, how long will it take the three of them together to milk two cows? (2) A farmer sells his milk to a dealer at 6d per gallon. If the dealer separates every fifth gallon testing 4.5 and, after selling the butterfat, adds the separated milk to the new milk, is the milk above or below legal standard? What profit would the dealer make by selling this milk at 3d a pint? (3) If the roots of a large tree cover all the area within a radius of five yards of the tree, find the square route of the tree. (4) On a farm there are; 50 cows each with 10 ticks; 40 cows two with ringworm; two hedgehogs: 50 hens; four horses; 12 children; two centipedes; 20 white butterfly caterpillars. State; (a) total number of legs on the farm; (b) the average number of legs per person or beast.