"That, in the interests of girls attending the primary schools, and of the nation, a committee consisting of four members of the board and such added experts as the board may think advisable be set up to go into the whole question of domestic science instruction in the manual training schools under the control of the Auckland Education Board."
Mrs Baume said that, personally, she did not believe in vocational training in the primary schools, but was a strong supporter of compulsory continuation day schools, at which vocational instruction should be given. As, however, continuation schools had not yet been established, instruction in domestic science must necessarily form a part of a girl’s primary school education, more especially in view of the fact that, out of every 10,000 girls attending primary schools, over 6000 did not go any further. At present girls in the primary schools must take lessons in cooking and laundry work. The classes, however, generally contained upwards of 35 pupils, whereas the authorities had stated that the limit for one teacher should be 24 pupils. At present pupils were given two hours twice a week, but this was quite inadequate to teach cooking. If the girls were given a lesson lasting three hours once a fortnight it would be better than the present arrangement, for there would be time to give instruction in some very necessary branches of cookery which at present simply could not be touched. The motion was carried unanimously, and a committee was appointed to draw up a report.
• Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday in connection with the new school at St. Clair, The Hon. J. A. Hanan, in emphasising the importance of domestic training for girls, said the aim of all education was to enable each boy and girl to take an intelligent part in the life of the community according to his or her nature and capacity. If they recognised, therefore, that by far the greatest and noblest part women could or ever would play in the life of the community was the part of a home-maker, then they must brand as a positive failure any form of education for girls which ignored that self-evident fact — (Applause.) By all means; said Mr Hanan, "let us give our girls all the intellectual culture we can; but let us, above all, remember that they are girls, and will soon be women."— (Applause.)
• The Waitahuna Horticultural Society’s autumn show was held in Carmody’s Hall on Wednesday, and from every point of view the society is to be complimented upon its success. The judge’s terse comment: "The best autumn show yet held," sums up the position. The pot plant section, though not particularly strong, shows improvement year by year, and will no doubt eventually develop into a very attractive feature of this show. The collection of cut blooms was very creditable to the district, being, generally speaking, well grown and in perfect condition for exhibition purposes. But the most satisfactory feature of this section was the fact that in all the classes there was keen competition. The floral decorative work was up to the high standard of previous years. There was a fine exhibition of fruit, and in all the classes competition was close and keen. Some exceptionally fine specimens of apples, pears, and plums were shown, and gave convincing proof of the suitability of the district for the production of these classes of fruit. The Waitahuna people have already made a feature of their vegetable section, and this year was no exception. For some years the growers were inclined to favour size in preference to quality, but, says the judge, they are beginning to realise the difference between garden products (suitable for the table) and farm products. In this section Mr D. Martin, of Beaumont, who is an enthusiast in horticulture, showed a collection of potatoes which the judge remarked were an education in themselves. — ODT, 6.3.1917.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
