TEACHING CHINA PAINTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20219, 2 April 1929, Page 10

TEACHING CHINA PAINTING.

TECHNICAL SCHOOL WORK.

"AN EXPENSIVE HOBBY."

I Whether or not china painting, as ! taught at tho Technical School, was mora of a hobby tlian a "utility" art subject, with tho dependent question of whether the board would, be justified in making an expenditure of £32 10s for a small furnace, necessary for the carrying on of this type of' work, was the subject of some discussion at a meeting of tho Wairarapa Secondary Education Board. It was decided to refer the matter to tho education committee to make further inquiries, and report to the next meeting of the beard. Tho director of the Technical School, Mr. F. W. Martin, stated in a report that there was a strong demand for china painting, a craft that offered endless opportunities for tho exercise of originality and design in the production of useful articles, permanent in character and of strong domestic interest. Ho staled that a small oil or gas-heated furnace was required for the work, and that a suitable one could he secured at a cost of £32 10s. If the board's funds would permit it, ho recommended that a kiln, such as appeared to liavo been designed for school purposes in America, where china painting was a popular school craft, be purchased. "Well, 1 don't know what you think, but my opinion is that we would bo providing an expensivo hobby for only a few pupils," said the chairman, Mr. T. Jordan.

Mr. 11. M. Peacock thought it was a very good thing to have a hobby. In any case, he said, if tlio equipment was provided there would bo an increased fee to students taking such a subject. A number of members spoke, some favouring and some opposing the proposal. The matter was then referred to the Education Committee.