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Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 121, 8 February 1918, Page 3

School Life in America. Ail unusually interesting afternoon tea was given at tho Pioneer Club yesterday afternoon, Lady Stout being the hostess and the guests including six medical inspectors of schools in the [dominion—Or. Elizabeth Macdonald, Dr. Ada Patterson. Dr. Eleanor Baker, I)r. Margaret M'Cnhon, Dr. Snndes, and Dr. Irving—also Mrs. Trueblood, the wife of Professor Trueblood, of America, and Mrs. Rarverson. In such a gathering it was not surprising that educational matters formed one of the topics of conversation, and .Mrs. Trueblood was asked many questions as to methods which were followed in America, particularly as they affected girls. Domestic science. Mrs. Trueblood said, was largely taught in American schools and universities, hut it was not a compulsory subject. Many girls took it. and made it their profession, and found it a very lucrative one. The reason that sucli was the case was to be found in the fact that so many people lived in flats and either had their meals gent in to them or else had their meals at restaurants and such places. This opened up various avenues of employment for women who had learnt domestic science as did the various forms of social entertainment which play or did play so large a part in the life of the American woman. In her part of the United States (Michigan), Mrs. Trueblood continued, rio outside examination, such as matriculation, was necessary for entrance to the universities. The girl or boy went, straight from the primary to the secondary schools, and from the secondary schools to the -universities. If, howevor, it was thought that.a school was r;ot up to the required standard in any or the subjects undertaken, the (school authorities were made aware of the fact, and they had' (to "wako up" in those particular subjects. It was particularly interesting in view of recent discussions among our educational experts to learn that boys and girls were educated together in the schools, riot separately. They did have, however. separate_ playgrounds. A great deal of attention was paid to games, and a great feature of school life in the States was_ to be found in the holiday camps which had been instituted, where the pupils go out camping and go in largely for outdoor sports, as well ns such subjects as cookery, woodcarving, swimming, etc. Of course their teachers are in charge of the camps. No sex hygiene was taught in the schools. That came later on in the Universities. Archdeacon and Mrs % 'Williams, _of Tauranga, have been visiting Napier, and left there on Wednesday for Auckland, en route for their home. A most successful garden party was held- in the grounds of Mr. AY. 11. Beetham. Masterton, _on Thursday afternoon in aid of the funds of the Melanesian Mission. Several attractions had been provided, including a "fairj; well" for children, and the music provided by the Municipal Silver Band added to the pleasure of tho occasion. The beautiful "arden, at this time of the year brilliant with blooms of every colour and variety, was yet another source of great pleasure to garden-lovers.

The Dominion Red Cross Conference will be opened at Christctiureb to-dav. The Joint Committee of Auckland Centre of the British Red. Cross Society and the Order of St. John will bo represented by Miss Murray, the Hon. (J. Fowlds, and Messrs. H. D. Robertson, C. F. Bickford. and G. H. Wilson. Mrs. Gunson was also appointed a defecate, but is unable to attend. The delegates left for the south on' lueaday evening. The St. John Ambulance' Brigade Red Cross Society, Star boating sheds, Jervois Quay, acknowledge with thanks donations of money and hospital equipment' from the following:—Keep-on League, Napier, per Mrs. King; Wai-nui-o-mata Red Cross Society, per Mrs. Jenkins; the School, Waimii-o-nmta, per Miss Oswin; Wallaceville School, per Miss Johnson; To Mama School, per Miss Banks; Whareama School, per Miss Turner; Rongoinai School, per Mrs. Thompson; Shannon School, ()or Miss D'aniell; Blickvill School, per Miss Palkin; Mrs. Exeley, £2 25.; re tone District High School, per Miss Slater; Clyde Quay School, per Miss Robinson ; Muritai School, per Miss Cooke; Eketalnina Red Cross Society, £50; lianiua Red Cross Guild; Mrs. AYilsonj Petoue Nursing Division, per Mrs. Yates; Girls' Club, Bulls; Awahuri Red Cross Society, Rongotea Red Cross Guild, Wanganni St. John Ambulance Brigade, Otakeho Red Cross Society, Palnierston North St. John Ambulance Brigade, Mangataihoko Rod Cross Society, ocr Mrs. Thomson. Manaia Red Brigade, Mangatainoko Red Cross Socicty, Makina Rod Cross, per Mrs. In-nes-Jones, Rangiwnhia Red Cross Society, Taikorea Red Cross Society, Auroa Red Cross Society.