HOT LUNCHES IN SCHOOLS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 104, 3 May 1919, Page 4

HOT LUNCHES IN SCHOOLS

FINE WORK AT- RIWAKA,

(To the Editor.)' Sir, —I notice, in this evening’s ;• aour 1-x'der under the heading.Lunches in Schools.” As the /Subject - ” »3 one of very great • important, ypu-- . are to be congratulated for introduc-, ing the matter to your ■ readers, vand emphasising the fact that something must be done in this district to provide appetizing and healthful midday meals./ The Nelson district has, many small country schools, and a large percentage; of the children attending these, merely : bring a “snack” which is hurriedly eaten. In some cases the feod proves so dry and unappetizing that it is merely nibbled at and then thrown away. Every country school has -this experience in greater or less degree,, and the problem is how to get the • children 1 to eat their meals, with relish and consequently with bodily .profit, i This was our problem too at Riwaka We had no cookery room or place apart from the Hass rooms where water could be boibi and cocoa provided But teachers and committee saw. the' necessity for some scheme being put into operation, and it was decided that a start should be made as soonas possible. A scheme was made pos? sible by the gift of a 3 gallon fountain, having a tap and a hook for hanging up over an open fire. The children were invited to bring Is and a mug each. The response was great, no ifcsi than fifty shillings and fifty mugs being collected in two days. Co;oa and sugar were bought and arrangements made for children to bring milk in turns. Orderlies were appointed :to supervise the giving out of cups. Punctually at a quarter to twelve they were to proceed to the cup cupboard, lay out the cups on a table, po-tidn out the cocoa, srgar and milk and make the drink. At twelve the children were to “line up,’ eachand eat their lunches out of doors in fine weather, then bring in empty cups and place again on the table ior orderlies . to wash up and puu away, This plan has now been m cperattoii - for a week and seems to be giving every satisfaction, the children eagerly lining up for their cups. • quarter pounds of cocoa, and five pounds of sugar were consumed dthis week, about 230 drinks being given out. The cost works out at abouv one-third of a. penny per drink, a very small cost for such a great gain* . I Sir, I am giving you these partrep- ' lars with the hope that they, may he published for the benefit of the youngsters. The scheme is going well,- apd teachers in country districts can teste assured that with a little 'collaboration' with committes, there _need be ,hp in-, superable difficulties ,in the 'way -of providing hot drinks for children. ‘The wonder is we did not do it before. T am •S. W. STREET. Headmaster. Riwaka, 2nd May . (Thig, shows what can be done. Sooner or later hot lunches will be general inall schools. With the cold weather ap-. proachng, why > pot make -it sooner rather than later ? We will be pleased to publish arrangements made at other schools.)