NATURAL HISTORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21560, 3 August 1933, Page 11

NATURAL HISTORY

DISPLAYS AT MUSEUM SECONDARY SCHOOL WORK HIGH STANDARD OF EXHIBITS "Competition between secondary schools in natural history work is new, hut, in my opinion, it is an excellent idea," stated Professor H. W. Segar, president of tho Auckland Institute and Museum, yesterday, in opening a special exhibition at the museum of natural history subjects prepared by pupils of Auckland secondary schools. The exhibition, which will continue for two weeks, marks tho first occasion a display of the kind has been arranged. Tho contest, which is for the Cheeseman Memorial prizes, instituted in memory of tho late Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, previously took the form of essays. The prizes are presented by the council of the Institute and Museum, which is particularly eager to encourage field work in studying natural life. Professor Segar, who addressed an attendance of secondary school pupils, commented on the high standard of all the entries, and said a good deal of interest had been taken. Obviously a great deal of attention had been given to the preparation of the subjects. He referred to the lifelong interest taken by Mr. Cheeseman in all branches of natural history,, and said that Mr. Choeseman's work was an encouragement to others to take up such duties. The results of the judging were announced. The Auckland Grammar School and King's College entries were judged as equal in first placo in the boys' division. The Grammar School exhibit shows the methods of natural protection among shellfish, and the King's College display deals with marine life in a particular locality, tho Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, and Matakana Island area.

In tho girls' division, pupils of the Takapuna Grammar School gained first place with an exhibit of plants of tho kauri gum lands. Epsom Girls' Grammar School occupied second place with a display of weeds, classifying harmful plants and also illustrating stages of development. In all cases the exhibits have been extremely well presented. The opening of the display was arranged so that pupils will have an opportunity during the school holidays of inspecting the work.

Preparations are also in hand for a special exhilZion of Persian, Indian and Tibetan art, which will be opened to-morrow afternoon by Professor Segar.