FOR HOUSEWIVES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 147, 6 June 1936, Page 11

FOR HOUSEWIVES

Interesting Address at Otane A very interesting and enjoyable time was spent in the Town Hall on Wednesday, when members of the Otane Women’s Institute invited their friends to meet Miss H. Johnston, who has been giving tuition in home crafts and to view the work of the study groups. The upholstery class had a fine display of covered chairs and loose covers, and it was evident this group hud some very apt pupils. The dressmaking classes displayed models, which are a marvel of simplicity and ingenuity and which should greatly simplify the dressmaking problems of those fortunate enough to possess one. Several well-made garments were also on view. Considerable interest centred around the cookery section, which contained a varied selection of tempting foods most attractively arranged. In the unavoidable absence of the president, Mrs R. H. Tod, Mrs Germain welcomed the guests and introduced Miss Johnston, who gave a delightfully interesting talk on her work. Miss Johnston, who has a sympathetic understanding of the problems confronting the average housewife, told of the origin and work of the home science classes at Studholme House, Dunedin, the only institution of its kind in- the Southern Hemisphere. There the students receive practical training in every branch of work pertaining to the home and the health and well being of its inmates. The speaker stressed the value of right feeding as a safe-guard against ill-health, and showed a collection of photographs of the animals used for food experimental purposes. These left no doubt in the minds of the audience as to the beneficial value of milk and other foods recommended by the speaker. Usually the thought of partaking of a meal containing all the necessary body-build-ing and energy-producing vitamens, as not one to conjure up visions of an epicurean feast, but Miss Johnston demonstrated that it is both possible and easy to serve tempting and palatable meals containing all necessary vitamens that can be thoroughly enjoyed by every member of the family.

Miss Johnston’s advice should do an immense amount of good and be of great help to mothers in the right feeding of their children, and her charming youthful personality should be an added incentive to those privileged to hear her to carry out her instructions.

Opportunity was taken to farewell Miss Johnston, who leaves in a few weeks’ time to study conditions in other countries, especially Canada, having been granted a Sarah Ann Rhodes Fellowship for this purpose. Miss Johnston, who paid a tribute to the organising work of Mrs Tod and Mrs Germain, was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks, members of the various study groups speaking in appreciation of Miss Johnston’s work.