SCHOOL FURNITURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2721, 9 May 1906, Page 30

SCHOOL FURNITURE.

THE INDIVIDUAL DESK SYSTEM.

Messrs Prorating and Winter, represent* ing Mr E. J. Forbes, of Wellington, exhibited certain modern American school furniture in the Education Office on Saturday night, and a large number of teachers ana school committeemen attended to inspect. The desks exhibited on Saturday were the Eithersido ball-bearing combination adjustable desk, the automatio triumph single desk, and the automatic triumph dual desk — separats teats. The adjustable desk 6 are triumphs of 6imple mechanism. Desk anc? seat can be raised or loworcd at will, to Buit tho requirements of any scholar. The seats and backs are true to healthy anatomical requirements. Indeed, it is difficult to see how any further improvement could be arrived at. The desks are made of Americar kiln<lried maple and cherry. They have an excellent appearance, and are very strong. Mr Forbes at present is making} close inquiries regarding New Zealand timbers, with a view to peeinar whether the desks can be made of colonial" wcod by colonial labour. One ippint is stressed. *There has been an idea that the adoption of individual desks would necessitate increased provision) of space, enlargement of olars-room?. This is an absolute mistake. These desks are constructed on what is known as the " negative distance " 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 the most advantageous and preferred position for effective and healthful work. When tho pupil rises his seat springs up flat against the back, and the back is fixed to the fronts' of the desk behind. A class-room fitted* with automatic adjustable single desks, withi aisles between each, can be made to accommodate more pupils than the regulations permit, while etill enabling the teacher to get among the pupils more readily and! freely than under the present system. So> that one primary objection to the modern 1 system is at once removed. There do noti seem to be any other valid objections— apart from the one of expense.

The Auckland police are in a quandary, (says the New Zealand Herald). It doea not often happen that they are nonplussed^ but this time the problem appears to be very difficult to solve. A pig was_ found? trotting up Queen street at midnighti on Monday, and as it was wander*ing at large without visible mean* of subsistence, a constable took iff into custody, but' not_ without a>m^ trouble, and resort to '» few jiu-jita* wrinkles. It is Tiot clear whether he caiw rietl the pig or led it with a piece oft string, which all policemen, as ia well known, carry about with them. The pigj is tied up in the station yard, and appear^ to be very happy there, but it cannotf remain there long without infringing tha city by-laws. In the meanwhile tho con* stables, when they pass the animal, thinki i ot roast E9ik afid »Pl?i§ gauce p,est Sundjjv,

— The arrangements for the Invercargill show are well in hand, and there is every indication of a large entry. Mr J. Maude, of Australia, will again judge all classes. The society has recently purchased SCO pens, which are being made by Mr O. Bills. .