Mr F. Rasey, the hon. secretary, passed through Dunedin recently on his way north, and he suggested several useful spheres of activity which he thought were open to the club.
He stated that there was such a thing as organised pessimism in existence, and it was right that this organised pessimism should be met with organised optimism.
The time was ripe in New Zealand for a movement to find a better way of living than to remain in a state of perpetual industrial warfare and half-concealed animosity.
The present intention is to form branches in each centre, and, if possible, form sub-branches in various districts.
As the idea has already been received with approval by a number of well-known business men in Wellington it is probable that more will be heard of it in Dunedin in the near future.
- Victoria is at present devoting a great deal of attention to the teaching of domestic economy in all its branches, in the girls' colleges and schools.
Mr Frank Tate, Director of Education in Victoria, stated recently that in addition to the College of Domestic Economy, there was a hostel where 30 girls could be accommodated as residents for a two years' course.
They were granted each a Government allowance on which they were required to conduct the place, just as they would conduct a home on a salary. The allowance was, with the practice of economy, sufficient and to spare. A special feature of college training in domestic economy was what was known as the ''engagement ring''.
This was a separate class, comprised solely of girls who were contemplating early marriage; hence its title.
Girls were taught not only how to become good housewives in the matter of everyday work, and the art of making the most out of every penny spent, but, under medical supervision, they were instructed in the principles of hygiene as affected the person and the home.
- There have been certain large firms in Dunedin who, by reason of their insuring with companies outside the dominion, have escaped the payment of any contribution to the local Fire Board.
This has now been altered under ''The Fire Brigades Amendment Act, 1913'', which provides that ''every broker, agent, or other person who negotiates any contract insuring against fire any property in New Zealand, on behalf of any insurance company not carrying on business in New Zealand, is, for the purpose of the section himself deemed to be an insurance company.''
The previously exempted firms will therefore be upon the same footing as those insuring with New Zealand companies, and will have to contribute to the upkeep of the fire brigade by which they are, and have been, protected.
The Fire Board notifies by advertisement in this issue that the penalty for failure to make the return required by the Act is 5 for every day during which default is made.
- Mr J. M'Ennis, District Engineer, Public Works Department, visited the fishermen's landing at the Nuggets on Monday (the Clutha Free Press states), in company with Mr Howard, who will be in charge of the work of extending the breakwater at the landing, for which the Government has voted 500.
The work will be commenced in the course of a day or two. It will consist of concrete blocks rolled into position. In the engineer's opinion the blocks will be more effective than a solid wall, and last longer.
- ODT, 23.5.1914.
