COLLEGE WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1941, Page 7

COLLEGE WORK

DEMONSTRATION & CONCERT LAST NIGHT’S PRESENTATION. MANY INTERESTING FEATURES. The demonstration of work held by the pupils and staff of Wairarapa College last evening was witnessed by a large attendance of parents and others. The display was right up to the standard of excellence to which the public has been accustomed during past years. From 7 until 8.30 p.m. the classrooms and workshops were thrown open to the public and those interested had a fine opportunity of gauging the value of the training which pupils have been receiving during the current year. An excellent concert followed from 8.30 to 10.15 p.m. and this again was well attended, the Assembly Hall being packed to overflowing. The trades section attracted a great deal of attention. This comprised the woodwork department, the engineeringdepartment, and the plumbing department. Pupils of the college were at work demonstrating turning, surfacing and dovetailing and explaining the use of band saws, overhead crosscut saws, circular saws and planing machines, to mention only a few. Also in evidence were finely finished models of all descriptions, vases, bowls and well-con-structed pieces of furniture. It was noticed that the College possesses its own paint spraying plant and a beautiful collection of New Zealand timbers. As an adjunct to the workroom, the woodwork department had a spacious and well-ventilated drawing room where the pupils plan their work. The engineering department was another hive of activity. Here pupils were busily demonstrating brass moulding, turning, milling, shaping and fitting. Interesting exhibits were a two-stroke engine (made on the premises), a driving generator and a model lathe capable of full-size work. Armature Winding, and all phases of wiring work including battery chargers, were dealt with by the electrical side of this department, which also was responsible for a display of morse keys, made for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. From here the scene shifted to the plumbing department, where were seen displays of work which had been done by hand. Pupils here are trained with a View to passing the Technological and Plumbers’ Registration examinations.

Although last night day-pupils were mainly to the fore in demonstrating these machines, it must not be forgotten that instruction is also given to night-pupils.

WOOL-CLASSING. In other parts of the College buildings, interest was attracted by the wool-classing department, where fleeces and grading charts were laid out ready for inspection; by the typewriting section’s display (examples of typing being exhibited) and by the library, which is well-stocked and organised in such a way as to promote the greatest facilities in the choice of reading matter. Always the object of much attention and praise is the College flat, comprising a lounge, dining alcove, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen—all full-sized. Here the girls are taught the principles of domestic management and the exceptionally well equipped kitchen and laundry enable them to learn the elements of both cooking and hygiene. To demonstrate the excellence of the girls’ cooking, savouries and slices of Col-iege-made bread were presented to all who desired. Very notable, too, was the general effect of the needlework and dressmaking room which was hung with a display of art needlework done by day pupils. Specially featured was a Victory sign, beautifully constructed by the skilful manipulation of red, white and blue flowers.

Much interest was created by the display in the art room. One noticed particularly here the still life painting done by members of the Wednesday afternoon adult class. These studies showed good drawing, fresh colour and were surprisingly vigorous. A varied selection of art and craft work done by day pupils was at hand, among which were noticed a. cartoon for a mural painting in the form of a threestoried house (the rooms variously and amusingly occupied), examples of modelling and casting, design and drawing, book-binding and fabric printing, and a good display of showcards from the evening class. A very popular attraction was the screening of educational films in one of the classrooms. These were shown through the courtesy of Mr H. A. Harcombe and included films on “Blood Circulation,” “Coal,” “Work of Rivers,” “Ignition System,” and “Life, Saving.”

CONCERT IN ASSEMBLY HALL. The concert, held in the Assembly Hall, opened with two stirring selections by the Pipe Band, and the general effect was most pleasing. The pipes were tuneful and drums were not too heavy for them, an achievement which is extremely difficult to realise when a band such as this is playing indoors. A play, “I ondon Front,” by Harold Brighouse, followed. This met with great appreciation, more so as the subject was most apt, dealing, as it did, with the changed conditions in England during the present struggle and having the scene set in the basement kitchen of an English town house. The part of Mrs Murdoch, the cook, which held the play together, was excellently played by Pauline Macalister, while B. Donnelly, as the practicallyminded Canadian soldier, handled a most difficult role in skilful fashion. Joe Murdoch, as taken by D. Stewart, was another difficult role, but its playing left nothing to be desired. G. Orsborn gave a bright and breezy interpretation of .an Aircraftman (R.A.F.), while Mary Shouler as the housemaid also deserved congratulation. The stage-setting and effects further illustrated the great amount of care and preparation put into this production, which was very well received. J. Cunningham played the part of Sir Philip Mapleson, of the Home Office, the master of the house, and he proved his versatility by appearing later in theevening and giving very, artistic renditions on the piano of Mendelssohn’s “Hunting Song” and a Scottish tone poem, “Cloud Shadows.”

Two folk dances were daintily presented by the girls and then the final item was reached. This was a song scene, presented by the College choir, and entitled “There’ll Always Be An England.” The scene was set in an air raid shelter during an air ■ raid where a singing party was quickly or-

ganised to pass the time away. Apart from items by the choir, individual items were presented, the whole, lasting about 30 minutes and covering a wide variety from an imitation of Cyril Fletcher to “Silent Night.” The setting was very informal and was a great relief from the usual type of choir presentation, and brought a most pleasant evening to a fitting close.