DOMESTIC SCIENCE CAR

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 69, 15 December 1923, Page 17

DOMESTIC SCIENCE CAR

FIRST IN AUSTRALIA “Domestic science, without doubt makes for the good of the home and the nation.” With these words His Excellency the Governor, Sir Matthew Nathan, sent the first Queensland domestic science railway car on its way with “Good luck” as his final message of good-will. The car is the first of its land in Australia. At first glance the one outstandingfeature is the spick and span appearance, and the extra elbow jgrease polish given to the woodwork.* Across its chocolate-coloured face, in conspicuous letters, appears the inscription, “Domestic Science Travelling Car” ; on the other side were the words “Department of Public Inspection.” A closer inspection showed that the windows were narrower than the regulation size, and protected from the too intrusive advances of the summer sun by green blinds (states a writer in the “Sydney Morning Herald”). The interior of the car claims attention, first for the attractive decorative scheme, harmonious colour tones blending throughout the woodwork and equipment. The walls and arched roof are painted cream, with a wide oak-coloured dado presenting decided contrast. The second claim on the spectator’s attention and admiration is the compactness of the fittuyzs. One insensibly quotes, “Much in little,” a “place for everythin? and everything in its place,” and other bromide sayings, and then feel that there is cause for something further in the descriptive vein. The saloon is divided into three compartments, the main being termed the schoolroom. Three tables are fixtures down the centre, under each being a cupboard, containing the usual requirements of a kitchen —bowls, rolling pins, wooden spoons, pie dishes, etc. A feature of the arrangements are the little wooden fixtures to keep bowls and dishes in place during the motion of the train. Fixed compactly underneath also were cooking boards and movable folding lath chairs, painted white. Round the walls were books of instruction in simple cookery, notes for mothers, and laundry work. In one corner is a roll with needlework instructions, illustrating the various processes in hemming, stitching, etc., and on the wall adjoining a little blackboard for illustrating lectures. > Provision is made even for the hats of the prospective pupils by a series of pegs in the roof beams. The window ledges are not allowed to be idle, for they, too, are pressed into service for holding small canisters, a wooden bar, which mav be lifted when the contents are required, acting as a barrier, also to prevent the motion of the carriage displacing them. Separated by a partition is the instructor’s retiring room, fitted with a wide cushioned couch, a cupboard wardrobe and a folding full-length mirror. This also during the tuition . of dressmaking does duty as a fittingroom.

And then come the glories of the miniature kitchen situated at the further end of the saloon, and opening from the schoolroom. On the right is a tank, containing thp water to be t-fed, and which is obtained by manipulating a small hand pump. An ice

chest is its next door neignbour, m which the perishables are stored. Opposite is a glass dresser, in which are a dainty tea set and dinner set, all held in wooden receptacles to prevent displacement'Trom the usual jolts of travelling. To the left is a brave show af aluminium pans, all held securely in place, while the. whole eno of the carriage is occupied with a wood stove. Every available space holds cupboards and shelves for canisters and other recsptables for stores, while two full-sized machines are comfortably stored somewhere without destroying the. line harmony of the set- " Mrs. Grimes, the lady officer who has ths honour of , taking the first Domestic Science car over the line, is a member of a well-known pioneer family. She is well equipped both m personality and knowledge of her task, and Queensland born is accustomed to meeting and overcoming difficulties. The car which will accommodate 14 pupils, either school girls or adults, left for Charleville. Western lino, where instruefcion will be given for two days to the fourth and fifth classes of school girls. The journey will then be continued to Cunnamulla, where a Rix weeks’ course will be given to the school girls of the district.