HOME-MAKING COURSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24748, 23 November 1943, Page 4

HOME-MAKING COURSE

MASSEY COLLEGE PLAN DEVELOPING RURAL BIAS The creation of contentment with their life among the women members of rural communities was the object behind courses in home-making to be given at Massey Agricultural College, said Mr. G. Grey Campbell, chairman of the board of governors, who has returned to Auckland after a conference at Palmerston North with representatives of women's organisations. Indicative of the interest already aroused, Mr. Grey Campbell said, was the fact that about 500 individual applications had been received other than those arising from the prospectuses sent out.

"The principal courses are in homemaking for servicewomen and postwar courses with an agricultural bias for all women," Mr. Grey Campbell added. "With the principal. Professor G. S. Peren, I met representatives of the National Council of Women, the Federation of Women's Institutes, the ■women's division of the Farmers' Union, and of the Sarah Ann Rhodes Scholarship trustees. With regard to servicewomen, it was decided to approach the Director of National Service." The Primary Objective A full academic year course in homemaking would be conducted after the war. Subjects to be included were food and nutrition,,,health, elementary child psychology, dental hygiene, clothing and textiles, spinning, weaving, and other handicrafts, planning and interior decoration of homes, home furnishing, horticulture, and other farming subjects. The organisation of social activities such as debating, drama and musical clubs would also be undertaken. "The basic idea is to provide for the women in rural communities the amenities available in the towns," Mr. Grey Campbell continued. For those who could not undertake the full year's course, there would be shorter courses, timed for the convenience of farmers' fainilies. Tt was hoped to interest pirls in the Women's Land Army who desired to continue living in the country. Accommodation would be available in the present students' hostel, and the board of governors was negotiating for special accommodation. Not lor Training Servants It was emphasised that the courses were not for the training of servants. They were to enable farmers' wives and families to make their lives as attractive as possible in rural communities, and as far as the family purse would allow. The work would be given an agricultural bias to enable the trainees to teach others what they had learned, and it was probable that after the war the staff of the college would undertake extension work on both practical and cultural subjects. Members of the board of governors of Lincoln Agricultural College were the guests of the Massey College during the conference, and the visit will be returned in March.

WATER FOR OTAHUHU ERECTION OF NEW PLANT Ah adequate supply of water for the borough of Otahuhu was assured, according to a report presented by the engineer, Mr. S. Annabcll, at last night's meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council. The report dealt with tests carried out last week at the new Gin. bore in Sturges Park, which has been sunk to a depth of 195 ft. Tests made showed that 28,500 gallons an hour had been pumped over a period of six hours, stated the report. The use of the bore had failed to make any impression on the depth of water in the well or pumping level, or on the rate of delivery when water-was being pumped from both. The results could he viewed with satisfaction. The. engineer recommended that a pumping station be erected, and suban estimate of £789 for the installation of the necessary plant. Difficulty would he experienced in completing the scheme on account of the shortage of labour and materials and it was estimated that three months would be required for the work. The report was adopted and the expenditure approved. THEFT OF SILVERWARE BURGLARY IN CITY More than £SO worth of, silverware was stolen by thieves who broke into the premises of the City Electro-Plat-ing Company, Limited, at 40 flohson Street, on Sunday night. The silverware, which was in a showcase in the window, included silver teapots, entree dishes and cake dishes. Entry to the premises was obtained by forcing the front door. The thieves also stole a drawing set and instrument^owned by the manager of the firm. It is believed that the intruders wrapped up the stolen articles in a curtain taken from the window.