EDUCATION AND COOKERY.-!!.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6736, 18 September 1883, Page 4

EDUCATION AND COOKERY.-!!.

TO THE BDIIOB. "

Sib, —To pursue the subject a little further. Let anyone take up positions where he can obtain views of the entrances to'the various . manufacturing establishments throughout the . city, say, during the usual dinner hours (scil.), or about the usual time of ceasing work: those troops of young people (of both sexes), many ' : evidently of tender years,' are certainly not pupils attending school. That pale complexion, that stoop, that precocious, prema-turo-age look, thosj pent-up animal spirits, eager, after a hasty <evening meal, tojoih the first throng and give vent to the ribald jest (passing for wit), or practical effect to thoughts and fancies suggested in the factory-room, whose outcome is larrikinism—these' suggestive ■ indicators are assuredly not the products of the schoolroom. Again, let anyone start in the early morning and extend hia walks through the streets and suburbs. Where . are all those troops of young people hurrying ? What is in that little bag, or bulging out the coat-pocket? There has been tbeliasty morning meal—that ia- the midday meal,-^-and that is all which a'young growing frame receives as nourishment during 10 or 11 hours of physical .labour. No wonder the fire bums low. It ss too early for school, but he hoed not inquire where they are goinp. Hesawthemthe evening before, and can easily account for the. pale looks and tirod stoop of yesterday's hour at closing . labour. It would lead away from the point to' join some of the groups and hear what A said yesterday, or how last evening was spent, although 'tis both suggestive and instructive. ,• The serious question is this, to put the matter pointedly and plainly: Is such training-^ such feeding, in fact—the way to bring up the future fathers and mothers of the" nation ? Let it bo noted that the above touches only the physical development of the people; yetevery person will admit the comprehensive truth involved in the trite old adage, " Mem eana," fee, •'■■- - - ■ \ .■■■ ■ ■ '•■■■. The foregoing prefatory remarks, though" perhaps somewhat lengthy, are necessary to lead up to the argument aimed at. In the foimer communication it was- hinted that means might be adopted, in connection with our educational boarding establishments, and even in our day-school?, whereby pur- girls might obtain a practical.; knowledge iof ; cooking, and some of. the. pupils be greatly benefited thereby. -- ~ ,: ;:,;■:..<'■ The point of. the argument now is: Is it not possible that a room can be found in "or con.riected with'the manufacturing establishment, ■•■ and means adopted whereby the boys^and girls employed therein can get a good, plain, ' substantial midday meal ? And, as ,aa easy deduction from tho foregoing—in the preparation of such meal, is it not possible that arrangements canbe made where girls (and boys if they choose.) may obtain a-practical kaowledgo of the culinary art ? ' The plan is carried " out/only to a limited*extent howtevor, inthe ' Old Country, but it does not exist in' thaV Colony—in Dunedin at least.""", '""'■•-* ';"'.■'' "■'. " The duties and responsibilities,; both1 of'the manufacturer and parent, in the employment ■, :to such an extent of juvenile labour—of. tender years especially—is a question whichr hasi'occu- "'-.' pied the earnest, attention of legislators'and philanthropists for generations, it may.be'said, ; and apparently will continue-to do so.; It is one beset with difficulties to,such,an'.extent that its solution to .many minds se'ema an impossibility. It has, however,'nothing to do, directly at least; .with 'the.'present.:, argument. .But there is another .'question of ■ easy—certainly of very much easier—solution, 'V which demands the immediate: attention; not ' only of our governing educational, bodies and legislators, but of'every.right:thinking manj and it iB this:' The Legislature: has. wisely placed the Fourth as the minimum standard of education for what we may. term" the; legal school course, which'may in all ordinary cases . be easily attained within the legal minimum school age—viz., 13 years. The carefully compiled returns of the ■ Education Department reveal this suggestive ; fact—that during ;the' time the present Act has been in foreej under 34 per cent.-of pupils passed in the three junior Standards have been presented* in, or ■, paEssd the Fourth. How many of those juveniles trooping to'the factory have reached' tlio Fourth, the legal standard of education? On this question there possibly may be" a few thoughts further suggested by * '."' . : '. ; ■ •■- . '■ . : «.■•"■. Thbift. September 17. .....; ;.; : ;'." ;. ' ;„.""■.