OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13886, 25 April 1907, Page 3

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN.

FOR SENIORS AND JUNIORS.

[Conducted bj .Magistir, to whom all communication! must be addressed.]

fMAGiSTKit will bo glad to receive Nature notes, marked papers containing educational »rti:les, diagrams, details of experiments, ctc, of scholastic interest lo teachers aud pupils. Correspondents using a pen uamo must also stsnd name and address.]

Ill'GJlY v. ASSOC!.iVI'IOX'J3AME AT

PREPARATORY SCHOOLS.

Tiio other week I gave you n note 011 Playing I lie Game" mul added :in appreciation from a Homo paper of the play (if tha ''Springboks" when in England lately.

My note to-day ■ isn't on "Playing the Gamp," but "What Game to' l'lay," though' I am letting someone else speak for me. In lho la.st two numbers of the I'rejxi ra-toi*y Schools Review an animated corrospamkncß has I liken place whether hoys under 14 should pluy "Soccer" or '"Hugger." The correspondence was started by one arguing in favour of ''"Soccer," mainly because it. wafi less dangerous. Of course, " Rugger "-itcs laugh at the idea, and one says ill addition: "I have w}cn, over and over again, how tho weak have laconic strong nnd tills nervous have heoomo plucky, thanks to the grandest gamo Ilia!, was ever invented for the Anglo-Saxon race." This correspondent admits that only about 20 preparatory schools play "Rugger," while 500 play "Soccer." But the letter that appealed to me most was the following. Whether New Zealand footballers will take exception to tho possibility that- New Zealanders oouift bo made to look like "utter rabbits," or whether " Soccer"-itcs will allow that "Hugger" is lo lie tho Mecca, of footballers I'll not hazard hii opinion. "The heading of this article is objectionable. Instead of ' versus.' may we read 'and'? Rugby football is Hie best of games for all hoys. No boy, unless ho has a very strong .natural aptitude for tho game, can make a. really good Ruirby forward without the splendid grounding in footwork afforded by Association. .No .three-quarter will bo the worse if he bases his time for

.on experience gained as an Association forward. 1 Draw the defence nnd then pass' holds good in both games alike, 'l'he pass back, or kid; across, from a wing, which wo see far too little of in Rugby, except of the highest class, is part of a 'Soccer' man's alphabet.

"We are talking- of preparatory schools. Little lioys cannot play Ruirjjy go as to do themselves much good. Tho rough and tumble of tho game, which is so bracing to the nerves, and such excellent I raining for tho temper, is more likely to upset their courago than to increase it. In a preparatory .school of 40 boys, all under 14 or so, one is not likely to find inoro than 20 who can play Kugby with advantage.' Lot them go for 'Soccer' for all they are worth during the Christmas term. In the Lent term play Ituidiy, if only \twice a week, and with 10-n-side on a small ground. The boys' letteia after they have left, will well repay this plan, if they go to Rugbyplaying schools. Hoys who go to Ru"by, Marlborough. Cheltenham, Hailevbury, ele., without having learnt, the elements of tho game, can bear the best testimony to this.

"Then we have lo consider another point. Corinthian 'Socccr' is the finest game (I am speaking as a. spectator) in the world, and good club Rugby is a bit better How many 'Soccer' men are good enough for the Corinthians or Casuals after they leave school? How many 'Soccer' men care to play for thoir town in its league or cup-tie matches? Wo havo to' look to tho futu.ro of our boys. Let us train them to llngby in the future, by grounding them in both games in their early youth; and let no Rugby man despise 1 Soccer.' I believe that if we could sod lien 15 burly Corinthians, and persuade Mr Carlwriglit or Mr Frank Mitchell to coach them for a couple of seasons, wo should get such a side, particularly in tho scrum, as would make New Zralandcrfi, South Africans, and Welshmen look 'utter rabbits,' and would tax the Scotch forwards at their best. No, don't talk of Rugby v. Association! Give us both games, with Rugby as tho Mecca of all good lovers of .football."

THE PHYSIQUE OF SCHOOL

CHILDREN.

As slated lust week, I intend to (rive n series of notes on the physcial development, and medical inspection of children. Next week I shall probably Rive some extracts from Dr Ogston's namphlot. It seems to mo that if we aro going to tabulate heights and weights at different ages we must have some standard for recording observations. What amount, of clothing is to bo worn when weight is lak.cn? Are boots to be oil or on? (presumably of! when measuring; height). When are the observations to be ironic—monthly? I think it will bo found that increase in height and weight will be very much less per month in winter than in summer, which includes the Christmas holidays. What system of breathing is to be adopted? Dr Ogston's table gives the ages in complete years. I suppose the nen rest year is taken. Tabulated results will prove very interesting. Is it true that Southland is producing, in the farming districts, a race of giant.s compared with, let us imagine, the enervated Auckl.imlor? Aro country children in Now Zealand higher and heavier, age for age, than town children?

These and other question* arc suggested by the following article, taken from a IJomc educational paper. I know that, many aro interesting themselves in the physique ind the medical examination of children, and shall Ix; glad have any suggestions made which will systematise and make valuable tho taking of physical measurements

"At. the recent North of England Education Conference, as our readers arc aware, the results of some very interesting and valuable researches into the physique of school children were presented by Dr Ar-'J", ef Liverpool, and Dr Crowley, of Bradford. Dr Arkle, it- will be remembered, ixsr.-.incd 2477 school children, and Dr Orowloy 2000. Commenting on the.ir reports in the Manchester Guardian, Mr W. C. Edward llees says that in such investigations as these tho oart which is most generally interesting and serviceable to tho public is the anthropometric! data. If the children's heights and weights arc generally satisfactory, it must follow that their health cannot he greatly amiss. The weighing-pan is tho best. test , of a man. as that, great anthropologist Dr BchMofs used to insist. The instinctive judgment of humanity has chosen height as the host practical measure of virility. How do the children of Liverpool and-Bradford answer to the application of these tests of height

and weight? Dr Arltle examined 305 boys from Liverpool secondary schools, where, as he says, the sons of lending citizens arc educated. The results malre a. brave shriving. The. ljovs are not very conspicuously inferior to their ooevals of public schools such as IJngby and Marlborough. Tlicy are distinctly superior in height .mil weight to the boys of the Manchester Grammar School. Thus at 13J- wo have the following comparisons: —

Height, Wght,

in. lb. Manchester GiVr Sell. Boy 53:45 S?.oii Liverpool S'd'rv Sell. Boy .. 59.77 85.72 Marlborough Buy .. .. 59.8 03.3 Uug'.iy Boy ' CI.C 08

"Compared with elementary schools, even when the latter are taken from the best typo of school, these secondary schools show a constant, superiority of physique which grows pretty uniformly throughout the years of school life. When the secondary s.chool boys arc compared with iho boys of tiie same age taken from the poorest schools the disparity is great enough to be startling. Tims a Liverpool secondary srhonl boy at 14 is 6iin taller and 2Sjlb heavier than bis coeval of t-ho slum scuool. Striking as these figures arc, they tire not, so striking as others which mil;hi: have been selected. A Rugby boy at lo is Bin taller and 361b heavier than a boy of the same age in attendance at a fculford slum school. The discrepancy is so general and so constant throughout the whole kingdom as almost, to bo susceptible of statement in tb<> form of a law. The height, and weight of school children varies inversely with the density of the population, though not in a calculable ratio to Ihe density,

£ * Dr Arklc? lias observed (Hat industrial school boys gain in hoighl. and, moro notably, in weight during residence, and that In a vca-r or so they take rank with tlie best, types of elementary school hoys. Ho attributes the improvement to the batter feeding and ihe wholesome discipline, and he draws I > further inference that l.lieso factors will account for the whole difference between the physique of the secondary 6chcol boy and that of the poorest grade of elementary school boy. This inference does not seem to bo warranted 1)3" the results of wider comparison. A large part, of the measurable discrepancy, perhaps as much as .half of it., is no donhfc duo to food and _ discipline—and probably moro lo the discipline, which includes fresh air, cleanliness, and reasonable physical training, than lo the food, Heredity accounts for tho remaining part. Tho secondary school children are in the main Ihe otispring of those who hai'e won in tJie competition of life, and a, superior physique is, and must remain, a chief factor ill enabling men to win.

"Comparing these latest results with of tiers which have been reached by earlier systematic investigations of the physique of elementary school hoys, v;o find that the Liverpool boy at nil ngos tends to a very slight superiority of height, over tho Salford or Rochdale Ikjv, a very slicrht inferiority 'to tho Edinburgh or Glasgow boy, and a greater inferiority when compared with the country-bred schoolboy and —this fact is remarkable—with the London schoolboy. In point of lveichf; lie shows rather greater superiority over the Salford boy, but his inferiority to tho Edinburgh and Glasgow boys, who themselves tend to fall below rccotrnised standards, is more marked. Tho Bradford l»y offers no very noticeable feature of comparison, save a distinct superiority in weight, as compared with boys .of the 6amc age in the Lancashire manufacturing towns, and a less marked , superiority over his Scotch rocvals-. _ Both researches so to confirm the previous conclusions that the larro towns—the manufacturing towns especially --are engaged in the production of a ph-jsrally _ degenerate race. But (he statistics given are. rather reassuring than otherwise. _ inasmuch as they show that the deterioration has not yet grown so "eat as mirrht have boon expected. Tho elementary schools in the better working class districts of both cities contain children who, on the average, fully reach the Knsliph norm of height ami weight, nnd therefore, it is fo bo presumed, of hca-Uh and energy. In concliision, Mr Edward Reas savs tho chief wants ef our town population are more space to live in. more w.rsona.l' cleanliness, and a bctlor-difoed h'owledge of, cookery and food values. These List wants can bo almost, immediately supplied by the sounder policy in the education of girjs. for which some of the sneakers at t.iio conference pleaded." CORRESPONDENCE. A Kaikorai schoolboy sends mo a letter asking for some information on mutton bircl&, and I ani sorry I cannot oblige hint. but ask readers to wml mc a few notes'. All I know i'i this: They summer in tJie inlands of IWaurc Sh-ait, and tho Maoris of Stewart Island spend perhaps weeks . tmitton-hirdiug," and send thousands away to tnn North Island. I ain sure sumo Stewart Island schoolboy eaJi gather up enough information lo make a nice little letter, Mill one try? I would suggest lo Hosier Richards that, he buy a'smoked mutton bird, boil it to get. rid of some of its fat and strong flavour, and then broil or roast it, and let mc know how he likes it.

I wanted |,o oblige my young correspondent without bothering anyone els'?, iq turned up "Animals of Xow Zealand," ana the nearest: 1 could get was under the heading ''The Island Mutton Bird, where it says: "This spec-ics docs not form burrows, like the other members of I,lie gonna. but breeds in (lie open. Tito groat variation in plumage is very remarkit has not yet been explained. It is certain, however, that the dark birds aro not the young of iho light ones. Accounts arc rather eonfuttd, 'but it teems probable that three varieties can be recognised with .different hnbiis. Tlicsg ar* ag follow:— Variety A (I.encoplirys), the lower surface, and' often the head, white. Variety B (Noglccta), the lower suvfaoc wliitc, cxccpt a band of brown on the breast; bead brown. Variety 0 (Philippi). the lower surface brown, liko (lie upper. A is Ilia winter mutton bird of the setilers. It. breeds principally upon Meyer Island [where is it?] The time of arrival of the old birds is not known, but Mr Ohocseman saya that lie [oun<l fledglings in August siting' on II tree [what locality?] The other tvyo varieties, known :>«3 the true mutton bird, arrive in great numbers at the end of August and September. an<l breed chiefly on Sunday Island. Capiain Ballons informs lis that members of Variety B commence tn breed rather earlier than tho others, and that they make their nest? mlnnd on little ridges; while Variety 0 alvvnys breeds on the edge of the seacliffs. It_ seems probabic that we have here il very interesting example of the evolution of new npeeies l)v isolation, due to alterations in the (ime of breeding of certain individuals."

that doesn't help my inquirer much, so 1 slui.ll he much obliged if some readers will give us information in a better

form. I know that "mutton-birding" is earned on to ;i. large extent on the islands in Foveaux Strait by Maoris i;i the summer. Hob- many ore caught? Are i.hey caught on any particular islands? When? What, arc their names? How many enpage in the industrj'? Whole families? How many are sent . north? How are i li-r\v I'niokcd? What- is tho wholesale price nf them? Where do they breed? Whore do tl'.ey »o? When?' AVhon do they return? Can anyone rend mo an egg or two? etc., ete.

By-l-ie-bye. Ussier Will has wriilcn cei both aides of (he paper; next lime follow the press rule ami write on ove side only. Philip Anderson's letter is altnehcd. I omitted lo get 11molh described, but shall try for no:;- week, My young readers could catsli a few moths and butterflies and keep ihem in a perforated lw>: in a natural atmosphere and feed them. Try a few drops of syrup, or give them a few prains of sugar, and see if the rap I ivo? dissolve Iheni. You might see them lay their eggs; if so, count how many, and note in what, time they were laid, Put a muslin covering over the chrysalides, and watch developments in' tho spring and let me know-resells.

From "I!. M„" Maiwoouri, I have received the following:--"Re Cuckoos (Shining).—l noticed one here on March 27. the latest dale I remember seeing Ihem. Ilad not. board them whistling for a fortnichl- previous. I am sorry I do not. get more bird observations. One of-our doctors, himself a student of Nature—he. knows every souaro foot of bush about. Dunedin, —said 10 me the olher day: "Boys nowadays do not seem to observe birds and search the faro-its." Is that, tryo? Perhaps ir. is bccause they have further to go to get to the forests, and therefore do not sco native birds as formerly.

Kailiorai School, April 15, 1907. Dear " Magister,"—Lasi, Si-lurday I was on iho 4op of tho clifi's near St. Clair. While I was looking at iho, formation of the cliffs I happened to glf.nco a little way out to sea, and Eaw a. great- many birds flying r.orth, quite oloso to tho water. On inquiry I was told 'these birds wcro nmtton birds, vrliich had been

firing north for several days, but I could not find cut where they came train and where thev wc-re going; so, seeing that, people write to yon t° luid out about sueli things, I am vrriiin;' in ar.lc you it you can tci! 1135 whero there birds cauio from, and where they w?ro what, they are going icr, and how long tiiey stay 1 licro.—Yours truly.

William Baxxeejian 'Richards,

ATittaurn, April 13. Dear " Magister,— I forward herewith . a smail brown uioih. and would b? plor«ss-;l if yen would have it identified for -me. I found Iho chrysalis attached to a leaf of a cherry tire. I put tho chrysalis in a ghiss box, and in f.vo days the niot'i appeared. Perhaps the specimen is one of a sjj.aoie.- that is harmfn! to our fruit.—Yours fidihEnllv,

Phii.mp Anderson.

AN EXPLANATION OR TWO. T.nder the heading of Correspondence! last, week 1 made reference to historical matters not mentioned in Mr Bathgate's letter, but in a private letter I had received doubting the correctness of details siren in "M. ft. T.V pamphlet. Mr Lanarlauds kindly wrote to Mr Monson, of]?ortobsllo. on (lie matter. Mr Monson writes that, his wife, who came over in tho Magnet, says " Magistcr's" account is very good arid suhstantiallv correct." Mrs Monson ' would very much liko one of "St. C. T.'s" pampltlofs-and so should I. Can anyone oblige us? Bv some mistake two' 01* three sheets went astray. Those contained the answers to some geographical and other puzzles and a little more history from "M. G. T.'s" pamphlet.