CRAFTS DISPLAY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19952, 9 November 1934, Page 12

CRAFTS DISPLAY

WORK OF TECHNICAL SCHOOL

FINE EXHIBITION To those unacquainted with the work which is being done at the Timaru ; Technical High School and College, l the display of samples of students’ , craftsmanship which was opened last > night must have come as a pleasant surprise. In all departments of the » School’s extensive curriculum the : students showed a remarkably high i standard of efficiency—a fact which the large attendance of the public was not slow to appreciate. The building was thrown open to the public and parents and others interested in technical edu- ' cation were afforded an opportunity of inspecting the various classes at work. As one passed from room to room it became apparent that the pupils were being thoroughly fitted to occupy any position in business calling for skill and knowledge of commercial and trades work. In the Workshop. One of the most interesting departments was the metalwork shop, where boys were seen making all manner of useful articles. A varied collection of camp stools, pokers, vyces and jacks testified to the high standard of workmanship maintained by the boys, while considerable interest was taken in the engineering class which was engaged in welding work. This section of the curriculum has proved very popular with evening students, and recently the plant has been extended to provide additional torches. In plumbing the students showed themselves to be well equipped for their trade, the samples of beaten lead work and pipe joinery being of a high standard. Many fine pieces of furniture were displayed in the woodwork shop, the range extending from tables, cabinets, and tea waggons to fireside kerbs and inlaid trays. An innovation was a display of woodwork done by girl students who had made finely finished boxes and other useful articles. Thrifty Housekeepers. Dressmaking and needlework play a prominent part in the technical education of a girl and the manner in which the students are being trained to be efficient and thrifty housewives was demonstrated by an impressive display of their work. The room was filled with a variety of clothing, including evening gowns and complete outfits of coat, skirt and blouse, while of more , practical value were garments made of j short lengths of material, calculated to inspire thrift. There was also a fine array of needlework, all of which was of original design, a feature being : several samples of cut work. Out- : standing in the display w’ere an en- ! urely handmade eiderdown which one I pupil had filled with wool from sheep j on her parents’ property, and a neatly ! executed stitchery picture framed in j passe-partout. In one corner of the j room were arranged marquetry, cane, j reed loom and leather work in which j great ability was shown. This is the age of diet, and the pupils of the Technical School are being i trained to keep abreast of the times, j ! Many tasty dishes were set out with j i interesting charts showing the correct ! foods for children, sufferers from j aenemia and even a slimming diet. For those not so particular about what they eat there were tables laden with all manner of cakes and delicacies, including a birthday cake carrying 80 candles which one girl had made for her grandfather’s anniversary. House Planning and Decoration. The handwork of first year domestic ; science pupils was arrayed in a room I devoted to “His Majesty the Baby.” I The room was arranged in the form cf i a creche, complete with artistically I draped basinette, prams and a wide j range of baby clothes. Here also were j displayed samples of house-planning 1 and interior decoration, the students ! being required to plan houses suitable ! for persons with incomes of £SOO and j £BOO a year, and to evolve suitable j colour schemes for the various rooms. Striking posters, water colours and pastel work provided a good deal of interest in the art room, one poster depicting New Zealand’s wool exports being outstanding. It was executed by the same student who arranged the School’s window display in Stafford Street. Ticket writing and lettering is a strong department of the School’s curriculum and some outstanding work was exhibited. Less interesting to the visitor, but nevertheless important in the commercial students’ training, were examples of typewriting, shorthand and bookkeeping, all of which showed a high standard of efficiency. The School will be inspected this morning by a combined party of members of the Farmers’ Union and Women’s Division, and will be open to the public again this afternoon and evening.