LEARNING A NEW CRAFT

Chronicle (Levin), 6 May 1947, Page 4

LEARNING A NEW CRAFT

SCHOOL CHILDREN TAUGHT TO CARVE IN WOOD •! The-' pupils^of ,the"'Bevin Prim-" ary School are learning a new craft. Under the able tuition of Mr. M. H. Boyce, the school's woodwork instructor, they are gradually being introduced to the intricacies of wood carving. The scheme, which is at present exclusive to the Levin school, is still in the experimenta stage, and the classes are purely voluntary, being held ern'tirely apart from the normal woodwork periods. Already, said Mr. Boyce, many of the pupils have shown a natural aptitude for the work, which he considers has unlimited possibilities, both as a hobby or later as a commercial enterprise. There was-always a ready market for good samples of carving. • From an educational point of view it had additional value, as it gave a pupil an opportunity and satisfaction of creating, and assisted him in his woodwork classes and gave him an appreiation of roundness and of the fact that there were two sides to every object. Besides providine a break

from the sterotyped woodwork, .such as the construction of tooth • brush racks and candle stick holders, it gave the pupil something to do in his spare ti'me. When a reporter visited the workshop on Friday the first lesson was in progress. Displayed on a trestle table were samples of work done by Mr. Boyce. Two well finished models of rampant horses were a feature of. the display. Also included were novelty items such as a chain carved from a single length of wood. Explaining the procedure to the boys, Mr. Boyce said« that the only material necessary in the initial stages, was a block of wood sawn roughly to the. required shape, with sawn incisions corresponding to the outline of the animal o'r object to be carved. and a sharp knife of good steel, pref erably one made from the blade of a hacksaw. Mr. Boyce first started carving while convalescing after being invalided out of the air force. Many of his finished models were accepted by the R.S.A. for sale in its servieemen's handcraft shops., He recently passed his final exam-' ination in cabinetmaking. He hjas given up carving professionally now, but enjoys passing" on his. knowledge to any of the boys who are keen to learn. He 'also indieated that he would willingly teach any ex-serviceman the craft.