HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 269, 3 January 1929, Page 5

HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE.

WHE 1928 PRODUCTION. 7 /Sports and Literary Work. -The 1928 official organ of the Mata/mata Junior High School, a 54-page illustrated magazine,. entitled “Te Whareroa ” (meaning “ The Lo-ig 'House,” an allusion to the structural form of the school) has just been issued (Matamata Record press), and is in most respects a fine production, reflecting credit on the teachers and Tjppils. Incorporated in the maga--Sfitie is the “ Old Boys’ Courier,” and the Old' Girls’ Association also has a section devoted to the chronicling of its activities. About fifteen pages are devoted to the school sports, and in basketball, ■ football, general athletic sports, cricket, tennis and shooting, the record of activities is wonderful, showing good results and excellent esprit •de qorps. Respecting the literary section, one feels bound to endorse the remarks «f the headmaster (Mr. J. F. Wells) ■who, in his foreword, deplores the dearth of literary talent, which seems fo indicate a one-sided development. There is evident an almost complete failure to launch out along original iines. In literary work—and, indeed, in almost all walks of life—originality is the precious metal that lights ■up and makes attractive and interesting all that it reflects upon. Even the class of verse known as “ doggerel rhyme,” or indifferent prose, if original, would be better than the cleverest parody with some wellknowii classic as the framework. Moreover, for a theme something pertaining to this locality would be preferable to even so famous and classical a lampoon as “The Houseboat on the Styx.” Furthermore, purely New Zealand settings appeal more than even the famous Venetian “ ditch,” of .gohdola memories. The instinct of nationality developed is what gives us individuality. Originality is what the world craves for and admires, and an ounce of it is worth more than a pound of imitation. However, the contents, allowing for the weakness mentioned, are very readable. The personal notes in the Old Boys’ Courier are pithy and interesting, and keep faithful track of the Old Boys. A. Hutchison, Form V., contributes an amusing interview with the gentleman adorned with horns, securing first prize for the senior story. Jean Gordon’s first prize senior (poem, “ The Coromandels,” is the land of effort that appeals most, for it is patriotic and not an exotic. It is worth reprinting:—

Countless centuries you have stood Cloud-capped, purple range, Silent watcher o’er field and wood, Witness to many a change. Saw you from yoflr wooded heights The moa’s giant form; Saw you the brown men’s tribal fights, The pahs they loved to storm. You saw, I know, the white man’s sail Come gliding to the shore. You saw him blazing many a trail. You heard his cannon roar. And now you look o’er smiling farms— Those days of strife are o’er — Twixt brown and white no war’s alarms, For brown and white one law. Wanda Taylor and A. Hanfling follow with fairly good stuff. The first prize junior story, “ The Wishing Watch,” by Mary Brisco, Form lA, is good for her class, and W. Forbes, B. Turkington and E. Hope follow with commendable verses. W. Forbes’ “ Lays on Modern New Zealand,” a skit on Sidey Time (with apologies to Macaulay) is highly amusing. A. Cranswick (first junior prize poem), like Jean Gordon, displays a feeling for poetry, and J. Banks gives ns a refreshing Arcadian lilt. An entertaining skit on a certain mild scare in the science room - is contributed by A. Ruthe. A good description of a forest fire (another typically New Zealand subject) is given by A. Hanfling. In ““What is a Ford?” Jean Gordon (highly commended) does as well as

could be expected with a thread-bare topic. The final versification, “ Give Me A Book,” by G. Scott, Form 1118, seems to us to be more meritorious than some other efforts that have met with higher acknowledgment but tastes differ and for tastes they say there is no accounting. However, here it is: readers may form their own conclusions:— Give me a book that I may be Borne far away across the sea; That I may live another life Far from the world of care and strife, Where all the troubles of earth will cease And I shall taste of heavenly peace. Give me a book that I may find The truths revealed by a master’s mind; The words passed down by the sage of old, The wisdom more precious by far than gold, The wonderful thoughts of a mighty . age, And inspiration in every page. .4 Give me a book and I have the key Of all that the world can give to me; More pleasure far than is found in

gold A book with its printed lines will hold— No matter how poor I may chance to be. If you give me a book I’m in luxury. .Elsie Connolly, Elaine Hampton, Jeannette Wells, Wendy Stevens and v Turner make contributions of promise. All in all, the magazine is a fine production, and it is hoped that this, with preceding and successive numbers. will be treasured as mementos of the Matamata Junior High School.