HANDWORK IN SCHOOLS

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1929, Page 10

HANDWORK IN SCHOOLS

DISPLAY OF CHILDREN’S’WORK. EXHIBITION AT CORONATION HALL A convincing demonstration of the quality of the instruction given in handwork to the primary school children of Taranaki is to be seen in the comprehensive display of children’s work, which is at present on exhibition at the Coronation Hall, where the teachers’ refresher course is in progress. A feature

of the display is the quality of the articles made, and the very small cost of the materials used. It is the aim of the Taranaki Education Board’s. inspectors to instil into the young minds of the children the idea of making something useful out of the cheapest material available. This idea is substantiated in the articles made, many of which are most original and beautiful, although produced from material which would otherwise have been thrown away or burnt. For a number of years handwork has, to a great extent, been neglected in primary education, and what’ little has been done has been restricted to cardboard work, but the new idea has crept in and almost every article in the display is of practical use. Perhaps the most striking exhibit is that of the West End special class. This class is for children who find the tedious routine • work monotonous and who have difficulty in keeping pace with tjiie more brilliant scholars. The idea is to make the brain work through the agility of the fingers, and apparently it' has proved an unqualified success. Tl»e exhibits show the work in a progressive form from that done by the younger pupils to that done by the elder. The raffia work is exceptionally neat, and many quaint ornaments have been fashioned .by little hands that can be trained even if it is difficult for the brain to keep pace with the usual lessons taught to other pupils. The exhibit convincingly proves that something useful can be done by the. children of the

special class. A special exhibit from a special class has been eent from Otekaike school, in the South Island. This takes the form of a very fine fruit bowl made entirely of pine needles and raffia.

Mangakara, Tokorimu and Opatu schools have specialised in woodwork, poker work and raffia work. Some useful articles have been made from sugar bags by pupils of the Turoto school, while Tatu displays paper flowers ami various paper ornaments. One particularly fine piece of work is a book entitled “The Story of Tatu.” It has been made and printed by one of the children. A rope door-mat is an original idea, and could be utilised instead of the bought article. Raffia worked on wooden bases, baskets, fruit bowls, cake stands and trays comprise a good display by Pukearuhe. Okaiawa has sent in some- of the- finest exhibitions of pen and pencil work to be seen in New Zealand, and a complete drawing-room suite has been made entirely from matchboxes.

The woodwork exhibited by Inglewood Convent gives ample proof of the skill of the instructors and the aptness of the students. Trays, boxes, bowls and cake stands have been carved with the skill of a professional, and the finish in varnish and the objects painted on them, make them works ,of art. This display indicates a refinement ia taste that is being cultivated among the ! pupils of the school. Waitara has specialised in cane, raffia and stringwork, and has on view many articles of practical use. Baskets and trays constitute the largest’ part of the exhibit. '

Perhaps the most original work is that done by the pupils of Mahoenui school. Kerosene boxes, Venetian blind slabs, newspapers, and stamps have all been utilised in making a wonderful collection. Cigarette trays, bowls, aeroplanes and chairs have been made by the pupils with the use of nothing more than pocket knives only. The Kaimiro school, always noted for its comprehen-’ sive display and the excellence of its work, has arranged what it calls a “Bitza Stall.” Bits of everything have been used to make up a wonderful collection. There is a Noah’s Ark, with dozens of animals trooping towards it. “The House That Jack Built” is an attractive piece of work, and the builder has added every detail. “The Story of Black Sambo” is told by means of a skilfully constructed rush hut and wooden figures and trees. Boys of the school have been included in the sewing class, and the products of their imagination are typical. Red Indian suite, hammock cushions, garden cushions, and kitchen sets, all made from sugar bags, are included in the boys’ display.. Mahirakau, Aukopae, Hillsborough and Otunui schools show good examples of woodwork, raffia, rug-making and leather- work respectively, while Inglewood shows raffia worked on canvas, cake stands, and pin cushions made of pine cones. Paper flowers are well made by pupil? of the Purangi school, and Mimi displays good samples of needlework. Otangiwai shows how pictures may be effectively framed with raffia. The Okau school has utilised the bark of the ribbonwood tree and has made some excellent baskets and workboxes from the material.