The students were kept busy explaining matters to friends and others interested. The general purpose of this department of University work was well illustrated, the benefits of applied science being shown to be as real in the home as in farming or manufacturing pursuits. Little attention was bestowed on the kitchen; the visitors spent the majority portion of their time in the other rooms, studying food values as shown by analysed results, hygiene, and various processes in the light of scientific knowledge and investigation. The danger of the common house fly, of unwashed hands, and the ‘‘broom’’ was clearly illustrated by a number of exhibits showing the bacteria present, cleanliness and the ‘‘vacuum cleaner’’ showing a superiority that impressed itself strongly. Food for infants, for the growing boy, and for the adult was revealed in the light of chemical fact, and the superiority of numerous methods of cooking and preserving over others clearly established. An analysis of soap was also an interesting feature, and an exhibit of various cleansing processes with regard to stains, etc. A large amount of literature was laid on benches for the benefit of those wishing to go further into matters, while the various exhibits contained directions that needed but to be read to make the whole comprehensible.
Railway strike
If it is any satisfaction to the members of the Locomotive Engineers, Firemen, and Cleaners’ Association to know that, by their determination to begin a strike at midnight last night, they have taken the community completely unawares and at a disadvantage, that satisfaction is assuredly theirs. Not only have they taken the general public by surprise,
but, as far as can be gathered, the members of other railway societies were wholly in the dark concerning the intentions of the locomotive section of the service. The decision in favour of a strike was, it will be seen, adopted at meetings of branches of the Locomotive Engineers, Firemen, ad Cleaners’ Association on Sunday last. According to an official statement which has been issued by the Association, ‘‘there has been no predetermined action in striking at this particular juncture.’’ Apparently, however, it was concluded that a time when the political and permanent heads of the Railways Department are absent in the northern portion of the dominion and when the visit of the Prince of Wales has led large numbers of people to make preparations for travelling by train to the centres of population affords a favourable opportunity for a strike. If so, the members have blundered most signally. Their action may have the effect of embarrassing the authorities temporarily. It will not be remarkable if it does. But it is not likely to involve any material alteration of the plans for the Prince’s tour through New Zealand.
Racial attack
Another attack was made on the Chinese quarters in Timaru on Saturday (states the Herald), when a large piece of iron was thrown through a window of the laundry at the corner of Sophia and Sefton streets. This is the second time these premises have been attacked. — ODT, 28.4.1920.
