SPLENDID WORK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 45, 2 December 1938, Page 6

SPLENDID WORK

COUNTRY EDUCATION SCHEME.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT YEAR

MISS ROBINS REAPPOINTED. The splendid work carried out by the tutor for the Association of Country Education in the Ashburton Countj dining the past nine months was eulogised by delegates from the various Women's Institutes and Women’s Division of the Farmers’ ion at the final meeting of the year of the advisory committee this morning, when every organisation that had received tuition during the period requested that the tutor return next year. Four additional bodies—the Tinwald Women’s Institute, the Wakanui Women’s Institute, the Lynn ford Women’s Division and the Maronan Women’s Division—also applied for instruction in 1939. It was also decided that the tutor (Miss Ray Robins) be appointed to carry out instruction in the County for a further

period next year. There was an attendance of 23 delegates and members of the committee at the meeting, which was presided over by Mrs F. Curtis (chairwoman of the advisory committee). The guests were Professor A. G. Strong, 0.8. E (Dean of the Home Science School, University of Otago), and Misses Isobcl Crowe and Helen Hayes (Association tutors). The organiser (Miss V. MacMillan) and Miss Robins were also present. Mrs Curtis welcomed the delegates and guests, and expressed appreciation that Professor Strong had come from Dunedin to attend the meeting and the Achievement Day display, at which work by the various classes receiving instruction was exhibited. Success of Activities. The annual report of the advisory committee, presented by Airs Curtis, stated: “During the year five meetings have been held. These have been well attended. Members have asked help and advice regarding the tutor’s lectures and demonstrations, and have always received the ready co-operation of both the organiser, Miss MacMillan, and the tutor, Miss Robins. Looking through the schedules carried out by the tutor, it is realised what a wide variety of subjects have been dis-

cussed, taught and demonstrated, probably the most popular being the dressmaking classes, lectures and demonstrations, suggesting better health gained through diet and meal-planning study, and a very important subject, the diets for the prevention of goitre, which in Mid-Canterbury is very prevalent. “There is no doubt in the minds of the Advisory Committee that the resident tutor service, sponsored by the A.C.E. of Otago University, is the most efficient, practical service that can be offered to all women, especially the country woman who has not such ready access to shops as the town woman. Through the service we have all been able to put into practical use the knowledge which science and experience have to offer. After all is it not through the benefits ol healthy, happy homes that we can all enjoy a. full and vigorous life? “On behalf of the Advisory Committee, I desire to express our thanks to Miss Macmillan for her active interest in Mid-Canterbury activities and to the resident tutor, Miss Robins, who by her adaptability, enthusiasm, and ability has co-operated so generously with the committee, thereby crowning with practical andi financial success the first year of the resident, tutor service.

“Miss Robins has endeared herself to many women in 'Mid-Canterbury, and wo ask that if- the service is eontinned (and we hope that it will be) next year, we will have the pleasure of welcoming her hack amongst us.” The report was adopted. The Tutor’s Report. Miss Robins reported that since the beginning of March she had attended 195 mootings, ■ of which 97 were lor classes and 94 for lecture demonstrations. The total attendance at all meetingsl was 4028. Eglity-one visits had been made to the town office for consultations. In answer to inquiries 110 letters had been written. The amount of fees collected was £125, £25 more than the minimum desired. The Rakaia Institute, having t-lie most classes, was the biggest contributor, £25 10s having been collected from this group. Ashburton was second on the list. The lectures in nutrition appeared to be the most popular, concluded Miss Robins.

Miss MacMillan thanked members of the committee for their co-operation during the year, making special reference to Mrs Curtis who, as chairman, had greatly assisted the Association in its work.

Making suggestions for improvement of the courses next year, Miss Robins said it was difficult to address large groups on certain subjects. She suggested that the best- method lor instruction in dressmaking would be by means of classes, while homecraft also could be taught more easily this way. However, other subjects such as mealplanning and nutrition generally were ideal for lecture demonstrations. The desirable size of a- class was eight. Dressmaking lectures -should be given in balls, where there was adequate table space, and not in private homes. Miss Robins pointed out that it- was extremely difficult to prepare material for demonstrations under existing arrangements, and hoped l that the committee would arrange for the use of a kitchen in the future. An office would also be desirable. New Topics Suggested.

Several members and delegates made suggestions for new topics next yeai, the following being mentioned: A general question day occasionally, house-planning, budgetting lor 10 family, care of the skin and hair, kitchen planning. Now activities veto suggested as follow: More group moo ing)s, all day schools', community P lf) ~ jocts, an inter-institute and Division competition. The now committee was elected as follows:—Central area: Mesdames 4.

Curtis, M. A. Constable. South: Mrs G. Moore (Lynnford). South-west: Mrs D. J. Morrow. North-west: Miss A. Wilson and Mrs R. Ireland. North: Mrs Harvey (Rakaia). North-east: Mrs J. Watson'and Mrs F. Johnston.