SCHOOL IN A TRAIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19015, 10 November 1923, Page 10

SCHOOL IN A TRAIN.

FOR DOMESTIC SCIENCE. QUEENSLAND’S NOVEL SCHEME. .From Our Own Correspondent.: SYDNEY, November 1. Queensland, which last year adopted the New South Wales idea of reaching outback children by means of a school correspondence system, and has so far succeeded with it that to-day there are 1300 on the roll, has now devised a novel scheme of its own for carrying expert instruction in domestic science to school children wherever the railways run. This takes the form of a specially fitted up saloon in charge of a well-qualified lady. Attached to a train it will run from centre to centre, staying several days in each, and making return visits at given intervals. It is regarded as an experiment which, if successful, may be extended and applied to other subjects. The saloon is divided into three compartments, the main being termed the schoolroom. Three tables are fixed down the centre, under each being a cupboard containing the usual requirements of a kitchen —bowls, rolling pins, wooden spoons, pie dishes, etc. A feature of the arrangements is tho little wooden fixtures to keep the howls and dishes in place during the motion of tho train. Fixed compactly underneath also are cooking boards and moveable folding lath chairs painted while. Round the walla are books of instruction in simple cookery notes for mothers, and laundry work. In one corner is a roll with needlework instructions, illustrating the various processes in hemming, stitching, etc., and on the wall adjoining a little cupboard for illustrating lectures. Provision is made oven for the hats of the prospective pupils by a. series of pegs in the roof beam. The window ledges of the compact compartment are not allowed to be idle, for they, too. are pressed into service for holding small canisters. A wooden bar which mav be lifted when the contents are required acts as a harrier to prevent the motion of the carriage displacing them. Separated by a partition is the instructor’s retiring room fitted with a wide cushion couch, a "covered wardrobe, and a folding full length mirror. This, also, during tuition in dressmaking, does dulv as a fitting room. Then, corns the glories of the miniature kitchen, .situated at the further end of the saloon, and opening from the school room. On the right is a tank containing water to be used and which is obtained bv manipulating a small hand pump. An Do chest is its next door neighbour, in which the perishables are stored. Opposite is a glass dresser in which are a dainty tea set and dinner set. all hold in wooden recop tables to prevent displacement from the jolts of travelling. To the left, is a brave show of aluminium nans, all held securclv in place, while the whole end of the car-riaue D occupied with a wood stove. Every available space hHds cupboards and shelves for canisters and other receptacles for storage, while two full-sbed machines are comfortably pWed somewhere without destroying the lino harmony cf the sotting.

Prior to the end of the sixteenth century glass was a rare substance, available only for the wealthy, said Mr C. R. Ford daring the course of a lecture in Auckland (says the Star). No more valuable and appropriate gift could be made by wealthy people to a bride than a complete window, or set of windows, which would make it possible for her to have sunlight in her bedroom the year round. The breaking ot a window was a serious incident in the life of a householder in those days, since it. involved the loss of much money. This perhaps explained the origin of the custom of breaking a man’s windows as a mark ot disapprobation, which had endured to the present day. Some of the beautiful oriel windows depicted on the screen were worth many thousands of pounds. We did not erect windows of that type to-day, observed the speaker with significance, while a voice from the darkness of the hall replied, ‘‘Because wo haven’t the money to waste.” The nineteenth anniversary of Court Pride of the Port was celebrated on Thursday night in the Town Hall, Port Chalmers, Bro. W. Love presiding. There was a good attendance of members, parents, and visitors. The chairman said it was pleasing to see that the advantages attaching to juvenile Forestry were winning such wide approval. The evening’s entertainment included an attractive programme of musical and other items, rendered entirely by local talent, and principally by the juveniles themselves. A special feature of the evening was the presentation of prizes as follows: —Framed P.C.R. certificates to Bros. R. Milnes and W. Hill; for introducing largest number of new members during tne year—watch and chain to Bro. Telfer; second largest number, safety razor, to Bro. W. Hill. Shooting competitions—first prize (watch), Bro. H. Bayne; second prize (pocket knife), Bro. G. Thomson; third prize (pocket knife), Bro. M - Miller. Quoit competitions—first prize (watch), Bro. L. Lewis; second prize (fountain pen), Bro. E. Thompson. Supper concluded the programme. The fortnightly meeting of Ivanhoe Lodge was held on Wednesday evening, when A.D. Bro. Reid presided over a fair attendance of members and visitors. Bards reported on siefc members, and sick pay was passed for payment. A Druid competition was subsequently held, P.D.P. Bro. M‘Beath acting as judge. After a keen competition Bro. J. ..Clark (Pride of Mornington) won the first prize, Bros. S. Workman (Enterprise) was second, and Bro. A. E. Jelley (Pride of Mornington) third. Bro. Simmons reported that the Booklet Committee had the new book in the printer’s hands, and stated it would be ready for next quar ter night. The usual toasts were honourec and responded to. The members of Nursing Divisions of St. John Ambulance Association held their annual gift evening on Monday last in the Cavorsham Baptist Schoolroom. The chair was occupied by the Rev. V. G. Bryan King, who was supported by Miss J. Stewart. (Lady Corps Superintendent), and Miss E. L. Applegarth (Superintendent Caversham Nursing, Division), The chairman explained the object of the evening, and formally handed over the numerous gifts, etc., also £5 9s fid in cash to Sister Barclay (head of the District Nurses’ Staff of Dunedin) to be used as Christmas cheer among the sick and noor patients. Mr Bolworthy suitably replied on behalf of the nurses. A musical entertainment was provided, the following items being con-tx-ibuted:—Piano and violin, Mr J. Maloney and Mr A. Frye: cornet solo, Mr Matbieson; humorous recitation. Miss M. Smith; songs. Misses Joyce, Collie, Denford, and Mr G. Newton. Fancy.dances were given by the pupils of Miss N. Keates. A guessing competition (the naming of a doll) was won by Miss M. L. Applegarth, the name being Ella. At Heck Station, near Selby, Yorks, a loaded coal wagon crashed into the bedroom of the Stationmaster’s house. A King’s Cross fish van special, bound for York, owing to engine trouble, was stopped, in order to allow the express running behind time, and at Heck was stopped in order to allow the express to pass. But the signalman, instead of moviiig the lever to divert the van to another'line, threw over the “double points” by mistake, with the result that the train ran into a dead end, where it crashed into a loaded coal wagon. The force of the impact sent the wagon clean through the deadend and across the statkmmaster’s garden, where it ran through the wall of the house and into the bedroom. The guard’s van crashed on to the roof, Imocking out the gable end. The stationmaster and his clerk, who were in the office, immediately under the bedroom, bad a thrilling escape.