SCHOOL FURNITURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13586, 7 May 1906, Page 5

SCHOOL FURNITURE.

THE INDIVIDUAL DESK SYSTEM.

Messrs Propsting and Winter, representing Mr E. J. Forbes, of Wellington, exhibited certain modern American school furniture in the Education Offico on Saturday night, and a_ large number of teachers and school committeemen attended to inspect. The desks exhibited on Saturday were the Eitherside ball-bearing combination adjustable desk, the automatic triumph single desk, and the automatic triumph dual desk —separate seats. Tlio adjustable desks are triumphs of simple mechanism. Desk and seat tan be raised or lowered at will, to suit •the requirements of any scholar. Tho seats and ; backs are truo\ to healthy anatomical requirements. Indeed, it is difficult to sec how any further improvement could bo arrived at. _ The desks aro made of American kiln-dried maple and cherry. They liavo an excellent appearance, and are very strong. Mr Forbes .at present is making close inquiries regarding Now Zealand timbers, with a. viow to. peeing whether (he desks_ can he made of colonial wood by oolonial labour. ■

One ipoint is stressed. Thore ha.s been an idea that, the adoption of individual dosks would necessitate increased provision of space, enlargement of ekss-rooms. This is an absolute mistake. These desks are constructed on what is known as the " negative diitancc " principle. That Is to say, when the pupil is seated, the front of the seat projects under the front of the desk, and the pupil is thus placed in tho most advantageous and preferred position for effective and • healthful work. When tlio pupil rises his eea.t springs up flat against tho back, and the back is fixed to' the front of the desk behind. A class-room fitted with automatic adjustable single desks, with aisles between each, can be made to accommodate 'mow pupils than the regulations permit, while still enabling the teaohcr to got among tlio pupils more' readily and freely than wider the present system. So that one primary objection to the modern system is at once removed. There do not seem to be any other valid objections— apart from tho one of expense.