SCHOOL TALENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19758, 13 December 1935, Page 6

SCHOOL TALENT.

MAGAZINES REVIEWED. TWO HAMILTON PRODUCTIONS. A creditable addition to the list of school magazines furnished for review is made by Taniwharau, the official organ of the pupils of the Hamilton Technical High School and The Hamiltonian, the magazine of the Hamilton High School. Both are produced by the job printing department of the Waikato Times. Every phase of school activity is reflected in The* Hamiltonian. Staff, school and form notes are compiled in bright fashion, a welcome touch ol' variety and ingenuity being added fo a permanent but oft-times drab feature of school productions. There is on interesting section dealing with the activities of old pupils and the work performed by the Old Boys’ and Old Girls’ Associations.

There is some work of real merit in the original section. Rona Graham contributes several instances of charming verse of which the following stanza dedicated to Lake Rotoiti might be classed as a good example:

Great Shimmering expanse of azure blue Shadowed with changing shades of purple

hue; Great winking sheet of water calm and

still, Reflecting many a lofty, hush-clad hill; Great sparkling mirror where the sun

delights To cost nery trail of golden lights; 0 wondrous lake, what other could com-

pare With beauty such as thine, so rich and fair

Audrey Seddon contributes a translation from the French of Francois Fabie In four stanzas of neatly-de-signed verse but the prose section as in past years is sadly neglected. There is little attempt at fine writing and the few examples that are given barely rise above mediocrity. A Practical Production. Taniwharau is essentially a practical production. Through the original section there is a gratifying attempt not to idyll on the abstract —a common fault with young writers—but to deal with essentially commonplace and practical things and ideas. , The reader learns of Hie possibilities of the soya bean, reads an informative opinion on the possibilities of aviation in technical schools; has described to him the process of brick-making and is told something of the technical side of television. Generally, tills section is as fascinating in its Interest as it is pleasing in its outlook. Joy Clicsterman contributes a diverting sketch in “ Dead Heat ” which shows infinite promise of real ability but the remainder barely comes up to the same standard and some of the verse borders ontriviality. However, throughout the production a note of topiealiiity is struck and more than redeems any occasional lapse. House notes occupy a considerable space, sporting activities are fully chronicled and form notes are also provided. A budget of old pupils’ notes concludes the issue.