KARANGAHAKE NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4666, 25 February 1924, Page 3

KARANGAHAKE NEWS.

FOOTBALL. Al a siiiuke concert held reveiitlj the medal donated by Mr Hibbs for tlic.m»st improved player in the local team during the last, seasovi was presented to Mr M. McLeod amid the heartiest congratulations of his fellowplayers. Several practice matches have al ready been played by the local enthusiasts in anticipation of taking an active part in the fixtures for the coming, year. - GOLDFIELDS BRANCH, N.Z.E.I. A meeting of the above branch of the Educational Institute was held in the Young Citizens’ League clubroom at the local school on Saturday last. The president, Mr A. Bell, occupied the chair, and there was a fair attendance of teachers. The resignation of the president was accepted with regret. Messrs Smith, Phillips', and Armstrong spoke eulogistically of the work of Mr. Bell during his term of office as president and secretary, and as the representative of the branch on the Central Management Committee. Mr Bell suitably replied. Mr Wilkes, of the Paeroa District High School, was elected president, while Mr Armstrong, Waibi Central, was appointed branch representative on the Central Management Commit-, lee ard Mr Jones, Karangahake, secretary to the branch in place of Mr Armstrong. After discussing.several matters of interest to teachers the meeting was closed, and those present then inspected a handwork display by the children of the local school which had Iren prepared at the invitation of the Institute. HANDWORK IN SCHOOLS. Thk branch of the school work is in many cases neglected, so with the object of placing before teachers the value of the subject a comprehensive display was open for' inspection. The leaching of handwork is exceptionally valuable for many reasons, some of which are enumerated below It provides ample scope for the correlation of most of the subjects in the syllabus. It cultivates the powers of observation and develops an appreciation or form, while habits of neatness and order are fostered. The habit of attention is cultivated with the least expenditure of energy, while manual dextei ity is also developed. The hands and lingers arc kept in a pliable condition, and yottng children, especially, are placed under ideal conditions of work, inasmuch as the brain, the eye, and the hand work in unison. The valuable use to which handwork may be put in the infant depart-, ment of schools was demonstrated by many exhibits. Paper-folding and Paper Tearing. A vanable assortment of'this work W9s on view, including pictures, lanterns, flowers in vases, and fish, animal, and bird forms. Paper mats, showing' the method of paper-weav-ing, were also to be seen. Building with blocks and stick lay--mg also provided an opportunity of ■ howing what interesting work can le done by children under proper guidance. Tablet Designing.—This branch of the subject is usually very interesting to the children, as it provides good training in the teaching of colours, nuffibers, and designing, while it gives the imagination freedom of scope. Tablets are a variety of coloured paper forms, which are used for the making of designs. These tablets can be easily made from the ’waste paper of paper-folding and cartoon lessons, and are the means of providing valuable training. Modelling.—Very favourable com-, ment was passed on the models done in plasticine, nodor. permodelle, playwax, and glitter wax. This bran'ch of hadwork is one which affords ample opportunity for the correlation of agriculture, history, geography, drawing, and nature study. A comprehensive, display of this work was on view, including models ot flower -pray.s in glitter wax, playwax, and coloured plasticine, while numerous illustrations of agriculture, nature study, and history objects were to be seen. Exceptional interest was show a in the pay models, which demonstrated what interesting lessons are provided by teaching geography by this method. The illustrating of nursery rhymes and the making of pictures in coloured plasticine also added to the variety of uses to which this material may be put. Raffia work, weaving, and sewing were also provided for In the exhibit, and received the favourable comment of the visitors. Drawing.—This branch of the work vas represented by copies done in pastel, watercolour, and pencil, and was greatly admired.

The headmaster, Mr Jones, explained the work of each branch of the subject, and was accorded a vote af thanks at the conclusion of hi,s address. A vote of thanks was also accorded'the members of the school staff, Misses Scott, Close, and Milroy, f»r the valuable help they had given ii* preparing the exhibit. At ,he request of several teachers who were unable to be present on Saturday it was decided to leave the i display open for inspection until Fri--3 day next. An invitation is extended to anyone interested in the work to view the display during the present week.