DOMESTIC TRAINING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23362, 30 November 1937, Page 16

DOMESTIC TRAINING

MR T. D. BURNETT'S OFFER For some time past the question of establishing a training centre for housekeepers has been under discussion in South Canterbury, the preliminary work having been done by representatives of the Associated Women's Institutes of South Canterbury, the Women's Division of the Farmers Union 'and the Young Women's Christian Association. The proposal has had the keen interest and support of Mr T. D. Burnett. M.P., who made an offer to be considered at a public meeting of those interested. ~ This meeting was held on Friday, when Mr Burnett's offer, which was as under, was considered:—Mr Burnett offers to find a good reconditioned house, free of rent, interest rates and insurance, modernise it so far as it is wise to do so: install and pay rental of telephone: provide cows, fowls, pigs and all outside help; and furnish the house to the extent of £250. The lease is to extend over a period of five years, the executive to find the matron superintendent, pay her, find fuel, electric light and heating, draw up rules and run the school generally under a duly appointed board of management, representative of the various women s organisations. The school is to be absolutely non-sectarian. In a letter to the meeting, Mr Burnett pointed out that the proposed property, which would be situated near the Pleasant Point School, would comprise, besides the house and outbuildings, 37 acres freehold and 37 acres leasehold. The land would be run in conjunction with the Pleasant Point, farm school, and profits from cows, pigs, and fowls would be credited to the hostel. The hostel was to be known as the Strathcona Homecrafts School. "This offer gives an opportunity to the women of South Canterbury to put into, practice the urgent need of training girls of good average type in the art of house management. It should follow as closely as New Zealand conditions will permit, on the lines of similar national schools meeting with such pronounced success in the Scandinavian countries. . The meeting decided unanimously to accept Mr Burnett's offer, and appointed Mesdames S. Unwin (Orari), J. O. J. Oliver (Temuka), J. A. McLeod (Tycho), and B. E. Evans to meet Mr Burnett in Timaru to consider the matter further.