NEW COURSE PRAISED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 302, 19 November 1938, Page 12

NEW COURSE PRAISED

MASSEY COLLEGE VENTURE. GARDEN PARTY ENJOYED. , Commendation of the home-makers’ short course which concluded at Massey College yesterday was heard on many sides at a large garden party held in the college grounds during the afternoon. AVhile the weather was overcast, the air was Warm and the many hundreds attending took full opportunity of inspecting the main college building, the refectory and the beautiful grounds and gardens. Among those present were the Mayor (Air A. E. Alansford), vice-chairman of Alassey College Council, and Mrs Alansford, also Air L. H. Collinson, a member of the council, and Airs Collinson. Twenty-eight girls have been engaged jn the course, and yesterday’s gathering was the crowning feature of an innovation which has found favour on all sides. Professor G. S. Peren. principal of the college and Mrs Peren received the guests, and were assisted by members of the staff of the college and the Dairy Research Institute. Visits were paid to the main college building, where great interest was shown in displays of the work undertaken by the students. The whole of the course was suitably demonstrated—cookery, home nursing, hygiene, dressmaking and several other sections. In the assembly hall a mannequin parade was held, Aliss J. Orr (Auckland), one of the students, explaining first the methods adopted in the making of the

frocks and the formation of a foundation pattern. The students then paraded on the stage in frocks they had made during the course. Great admiration was expressed at the dis-

play of a period dress over 100 years old, lent for the occasion by Airs F. A. Sandal] (Palmerston North). Trailing with the queenly grace of its bygone years, the dress was tastefully displayed bv Aliss P. Kingston '(Napier). The eomnatiy, which filled the assembly hall, then repaired to the magnificent la.wn at the rear of the college building. Tables were here set out. with forms and chairs, and afternoon tea was enjoved. THE ULTIAIATE AIM.

Several speeches were made folio ving afternoon lea, the seating accommodation being grouped round a dais on the lawn.

Mr Mansford extended a welcome to those present and trusted that they had been impressed by the exhibition of students’ work. In 1928 the college offered hut four courses, now it had 12. One of the courses the board were desirous of instituting was a home-makers’ course oxtending over six months, and some of the subjects to be dealt with would be bacteriology (with reference to food), ■ elementary chemistry, nutrition cookery, laundry study, textiles, home furnishing, dressmaking, millinery, knitting, fancywork, household accounts, horticulture, poultry-keeping, bee keeping and elementary physical culture. To provide this course would require a considerable sum of money for building, equipment and staff, and such a provision was a matter for the consideration of the Government. The Board of Governors had decided that if a full course could not be given, then a short course would, and the work the visitors had seen was the Jesuit of the first short course.

All would agree, continued the speaker, that the standard of the work was excellent and that it reflected the greatest credit on students and teachers. The students attending had come from all over the North Island, with one from Marlborough, but only four had attended from this district. Mr Mansford paid a tribute to Miss H. Johnson, Sarah Ann Rhodes Scholar, who had l>een in charge of the course: He hoped the students had enjoyed themselves and that they would go forth as ambassadors of Massey College and show what could be learned at the institution. In conclusion, the speaker expressed the hope that the ladies would take a real live interest in the course to seo it continued and extended.

Aliss AT. Millar (Palmerf*ton North), one of the students, then gave a detailed review of the work undertaken in the course of the three weeks’ study. She expressed the thanks of the students to all who had assisted and led a vote of thanks, which was carried by acclamation. AV.D.F.U, ORGANISATIONS.

As Dominion president of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, Mrs J. C. Wickham (AVanganui) expressed thanks for the invitation to be present and commented that it had been a revelation to see what had been accomplished in the three weeks. The ladies had been very interested and had inspected the results with the greatest enthusiasm. Airs Wickham said a scholarship had been offered for the beet description of the course, and so great had been the interest of the 28 students that thev had all entered. Mi's Wickham assured her audience that, after inspecting the work, carried out, she was convinced she had been Ixirn too soon. (Laughter.) To the students and the teachers she extended her heartiest congratulations on their achievements. THE AVOAIEN’S INSTITUTES.

Pleasure at seeing such a large gathering, demonstrating the interest which was taken in the course, was expressed by Aliss A. Kane (Wellington). Dominion president of the Federation of Women’s Institutes. She congratulated the college authorities on having inaugurated the course, and said it was to be hoped that Massey College would continue the work. In order to make the course permanent it would he necessary to extend the college and she hoped that there would be provided a hostel for the girl students. It was a matter in which women could interest themselves, all over the country, and especially those belonging to the countrywomen’s organisations. She was sure that if the point were hrought forward, the women of the North Island would he “putting their best foot forward” to see that Afasscv College had a women’s hostel. Miss Kane congratulated the college authorities on having inaugurated the course and the staff on having carried it through with such signal success. Aliss Johnson was introduced to the gathering and she thanked those who had been associated with her, mentioning in particular Aliss P. ATncalister and Aliss AI. H. AVnrd. the latter being the matron at the hostel. Posies were presented by the students to the thr’o Indies mentioned. DIFFICULTIES FACED.

“The course lias been a great success,” said Professor Peren, “and 1 can say that quite dispassionately because I had very little to do with it. From all points of view it has gone extraordinarily well, and I am very pleased.” It was quite evijdent, added Professor Peren, that there was a very definite need for such a course. He was sure that if the college offered a fuller course there would be a very big response. The authorities did not know how a big course would go, and had therefore undertaken the shorter one. There were difficulties at the moment in the way of the provision of a big course, one being that the hostel would not be available each

year until the men students had left, and the course could not thus be held before the busy period of the summer months. To get over that difficulty it would be necessary to have a women’s hostel. The other difficulty was adequate funds to carry the' course through, and on this occasion the college was deeply indebted to the City Council, the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board, and others for the loan of appliances, and to Mrs Mansford were due the best thanks of those organising the course, for her assistance had been invaluable. A large number of people had helped with the course and there had been a fine shpirit behind it.

“As principal of the college I thank the staff for the excellent work they have done,” said Professor Peren, “and I congratulate the girls, who have worked hard. They have been a credit to Massey College, and I am proud of them.” Last evening the girls enjoyed a dance as the final engagement and today most of them returned to their homes.