Education Up-to-Date.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XIX, 7 November 1903, Page 59

Education Up-to-Date.

the manual training system. VISIT TO PONSONBY CENTRE. The mammal training schools established by the Auckland Education Board for the city schools have now been in operation several months, and the system has received the local test so necessary to convince some people of its utility. The result is a complete triumph for the innovation, for the scholars have taken to it with eagerness, and it is already demonstrating its good effect in turning out the thinking yet practical boy required to make a useful man in the world. Manual training does not scorn theory, but puts it to the test, demonstrates its soundness, and gives the scholar a more thorough insight of what he first merely repeats parrot fashion. This is what the mannual training centres are doing, and a “Star” reporter spent a very interesting afternoon at the Ponsonby training school watching the process. There were 30 boys, ranging in age from eleven to thirteen, and during the two hours they were given a lesson in elementary geometry, the method of using carpenters’ tools and practical wood-working. They carried out their tasks with a readiness often lacking when the lesson had only to be done with the brain, and it was quite pleasing to notice how the handling of tools and models enabled them to clearly grasp principles. Each boy had a drawing-book, and the practical lesson for the afternoon was in oblique grooving. The scholars had learned how to draw the diagram in their books, and they were now called upon to produce the model in wood. Starting with a plain piece of wood the size of the drawing (which they planed up themselves) they formed an interested circle around the instructor as he demonstrated how to put theory into practice. The use of the tools required was carefully explained, and various boys were called upon to follow out what they had been listening to. The whole class profiled by their mistakes, and then everyone “turned to” at the miniature benches. Each boy had the side of a bench to himself with a vice, a toolchest, and a brush to keep all clear of sawdust and shavings. Occasionally the instructor saw that something still required explaining, and the tinkle of a bell brought all to “attention.” There wa a a call to order to witness the correct sharpening of a chisel, and another to show how the gauge was used. Judging by the maimer in which the boys tackled their bits of board, the explanations had been clearly grasped. No slovenly work was allowed. One boy had marked the smooth surface of his board with the diagram, but he had scratched some double lines, so he planed everything out and started afresh. The lesson was taken with the utmost seriousness, but the boys enjoyed it. “I wish we had it every day,” said one to me as he deftly used the chisel. No doubt the boys like the change from ex-

clusively brain work, and the training school is so light and airy that it is a pleasure to spend the afternoon there. Practical demonstration is the aim all through, and there are models everywhere. The instructor at Ponsonby, Mr A. T. Trendall, has made a splendid collection of woods and devices for demonstrating his facts with a lucidity unattainable with wards. How wood shrinks is demonstrated by a clever wooden hydrometer. A long tongue of porous wood is glued to a veneer which has its grain at right angles to it. The expansion and contraction of the one. depending upon the amount of moisture in the air, causes the tongue to bend one way or the other, and the boys watch their wooden hydrometer closely to see how it coincides with the weather. Elementary lessons in botany are given, so that the boys know how the timber they work upon has grown- The uses of different varieties of woods, where they grow, the bye-products from trees, the method of seasoning timber, and the manufacture of tools are explained, and, having the timber, the tools and the bye-products before their eyes, the scholars grasp the facts with a readiness which excites envy in the heart of the hard working teacher who gets less extraneous aid. The boys do not always “hit the right nail on the head,” as a story told by Mr Trendall demonstrates. He had explained how glue was extracted from hoofs, bones, etc., and, commencing his useful cross examination of the class to ascertain deficiencies of knowledge he suddenly asked “Upon what tree does glue grow?” The answer came from one boy, “The glue-gum tree, sir.” He thought the “blue gum” must have something gummy about it, and thus provided his original answer. The school is thoroughly well equipped, and everything has a place, neatness being strictly observed. Mr Trendall’s collection of woods is remarkably complete and highly educative. The different rates of the growth of trees is strikingly shown by cross sections of their trunks, beautifully polished and mounted .A section of a pinus insignis, which had been growing 18 years, measured 21 inches, but the English oak. planted 77 years, had only reached a diameter of 13 inches. Just at present the boys visiting the school are in the elementary stages of woodworking, but already their knowledge makes them more useful at home. The first step is edge-grooving, then oblique grooving, inlaying, housing and tongueing joints, chamfering, vertical paring, and dove-tailing. Each step is learned and at once put into practice in the construction of a model- If the work is well done the scholar takes home his model, and this is found to provide a wonderful incentive to careful work. The articles are not merely geometric designs in wood, but take the shape of useful things like watch-stands, toothbrush racks. colander holders, flower-pot stands, and lamp brackets. In the more advanced stages the scholars will make their own T squares and set squares, and will be able to construct pretty diamond mats in parquetry, Oxford picture frames, and ornamental wall brackets. A class for teachers is held each week in order that country scholars may. in due course, secure the benefit of the manual instruction which the town boys so thoroughly appreciate.