A NOVEL MAP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21982, 13 December 1934, Page 15

A NOVEL MAP

MOUNT EDEN SCHOOL TEACHING IN PLAYGROUND CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE The large concrete map which is being constructed at the Mount Eden School just inside the War Memorial gates is now nearing completion and will be officially opened next Tuesday evening. The map will probably be the most complete of its kind in existence, and it is expected to nrovc" of great educational value to the schoolchildren. Planned and designed by Mr. F. W. Sinclair, a member of the school committee, the main map is 44ft. long by '2Bft. wide. It is 011 Mercator's projection and the physical features of the land masses are brought out in relief, while the oceans are suitably represented by water. Concrete material of varied colours has been used to indicate the heights of the mountains, giving a much more permanent finish than if the material had merely been painted. The sea-bed also is represented in varying shades of green, to represent the depths of the oceans. The map is surrounded by an iron rail and a concrete platform, from which the various continents can be conveniently studied. Key Map and Charts At the base of the map, mounted j 011 a pedestal, is a key map, indicat- j ing the political divisions and chief j cities of the world, trade routes, the variations in time at different points on the earth's surface, and other useful points of information. Circular 1 charts of the Auckland district, within a radius of 10 miles from the school, i are mounted at the sides. One chart i shows the physical features of the area and the other the man-made divisions, j while the direction of more distant j places is indicated on the outside of < the circles. The whole is enclosed in J a strong metal frame with a plate- j glass top. On the base of the ped- j estal is inscribed the motto, " 'Tis always morning somewhere in the j world," and the fact that the map was designed by Mr. Sinclair as a j tribute to the present headmaster, Mr. A. Macgregor. At one corner of the large map a burnished metal globe, loin, in diameter, has been erected on a small pillar. A motor situated below will revolve the globe in the same manner as the earth, and it is expected this will counteract any impression likely to be gained from the main map that the earth is flat. At another corner is a sundial, with a graph to show corrections during the various seasons. Substantial Construction The large map is of such substantial construction that the children will be able to walk about on it and sail their boats in the water to and from the principal ports of the world. Formal lessons will be given by teachers beside the map, but it is expected that the unsupervised and almost unconscious teaching the children will receive as they play around it will prove of even greater value. Viewed by the floodlights which have been erected for the opening ceremony, the map presents a most impressive sight. It will be opened by Mr. T. U. Wells, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, and addresses will also be given by the acting-senior inspector of schools, Mr. M. Priestley, the chairman of the school committee, Mr. L. E. Falkner, Mr. Sinclair and Mr. Macgregor. JPupils will give demonstrations of the practical value of the map.