Title: Official Guide to the Government Court: N.Z. Centennial Exhibition

Author: Centennial Branch

Publication details: Centennial Branch, Department of Internal Affairs, 1940, Wellington

Part of: The New Zealand Centennial Publications

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Education Department

The Court consists of three main sections: (1) Sunken court and terresphere;

(2) main display court; and (3) side court. Visitors, as they enter, will be impressed immediately by the large revolving globe (24 feet in diameter) of the world in motion. The globe dominates the whole exhibit, reminding people of the unceasing course of educational progress, and of its world-wide scope. Against this international background New Zealand's place in education is shown, by a large-scale map modelled to give physical features and displaying, by means of coloured pins, the position of every State school and educational institution in the Dominion. On one wall there is an exhibit of historical documents showing the growth of education in New Zealand, with a Maori school diorama as the central feature; and on the other, a photographic display of the activities and equipment of the latest schools, and the University Colleges. At the far end, opposite the globe, is a raised stage (with cloak-rooms attached) on which pupils and students will, from time to time, give demonstrations in arts and crafts, and the more active sides of school life generally. When not in use, the stage is available as a lounge for the public.

Passing through the entrance hall, with its decorated panels, visitors enter the main court, where they find representative displays of creative work from the schools, Training Colleges and the University Colleges, along with photographs and posters showing the development of New Zealand education. All the sculptured figures and mural paintings are the work of pupils in the schools and students in the art schools. : From the primary schools there is a varied display of the arts, wood-work and metal-work, needlework and weaving, and interesting projects in English, history, geography and nature study. Of special interest is the Maori exhibit, which includes a large model meeting-house and pa, wood-carving and ornamental work in the Maori tradition, as well as the application of Maori ornament to European design. The secondary schools are represented by more advanced work in arts and crafts, project studies, wood and metal work, home science and agriculture. The technical schools have contributed a fine range of exhibits of mechanical and electrical engineering, carpentry and cabinet-making, weaving and designing. The Teachers' Training Colleges have a display of models, handiwork and posters, and there are photographs of the buildings and grounds of the University Colleges, arranged on six plyons bearing the arms of the colleges.

Finally, in the side court, there is an informal display featuring the creative aspects of leisure, the place of hobbies in education, and unusual work done by primary school children.

It is hoped that, as the visitor passes from stage to stage of the exhibits, he will realise what the education system of New Zealand is doing to prepare our childen for work and leisure in a democratic community.