HOME SCIENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23598, 7 September 1938, Page 6

HOME SCIENCE

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY TRIBUTE BY THE MAYOR SUCCESSFUL FAIR OPENED The study of foods and nutrition, housing and furnishing, textiles and clothing, viewed from the standpoint of science, economics, and art, forms the basis of the exhibition and fair conducted by the Home Science School of the University of Otago in the Town Hall Concert Chamber The fair, ..which attracted large attendances yesterday afternoon and last night, was officially opened by the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) in the afternoon. The fair is attractively staged and well conducted and is being held to raise funds for a new wing for Upper Studholme House. Opening Ceremony Welcoming those present, Professor A. G. Strong outlined the objects of home science, and said that the demand for a larger number of teachers, dietitians and institutional managers had urged upon them the necessity for a larger and better hostel, which it was proposed to erect as a wing to Upper Studholme House. The exhibition and fair was being held for the purpose of bringing this need before the public, in the hope of raising funds for the undertaking. She then requested the Mayor to open the exhibition. Opening the fair, the Mayor expressed gratification at the large attendance. He spoke of the debt Dunedin owed to its pioneers who, nearly a century ago. seized upon the opportunity of making the city the educational centre of New Zealand by setting aside substantial endowments for the maintenance of not only primary and secondary education, but also for the establishment and maintenance of the University of Otago. “Apart altogether from the advantage we enjoy of drawing pupils from all over the Dominion to our University,” he continued, “ our city receives distinction, throughout the English-speaking world at least, from the distribution in those countries of the very able graduates of the University of Otago, Amongst the subjects taught, and possibly the most recent, is that of domestic science, which is that part of a girl’s education which enables her to become an efficient wife and mother so that she may make the best out of her home surroundings and opportunities in life. The character of the home depends primarily on the mother, for it is her sphere of action.

“ The fair which we are attending to-day is for the dual purpose of showing what the Home Science School teaches and of raising money towards the building of a new hostel. If we expect girl students to attend our Domestic Science School, the duty devolves upon us as citizens to provide ample and comfortable accommodation.” Record of the School The school had been in existence for 27 years, he added, and of the 388 who had completed the training 211 were professionally engaged in teaching or as dietitians and institutional managers; 27 had gone abroad for advanced study, securing masters and doctors’ degrees in leading universities; but almost all had returned to the Dominion to continue their professional work. In addition, 227 young women had taken partial or group courses for home-making. The total number of students who had passed through the school was, therefore, 615. The present enrolment was 115. In spite of this, the public and private schools were making increased demands for graduates, and institutions, such as hostels and hospitals, were calling vainly-for those trained in home science.

To enable this valuable work to be carried on and extended, a new and modern wing to Upper Studholme House, sufficiently large to accommodate all the present students and others that were offering was very necessary, he continued. The present hostel accommodation consisted of four old buildings and the newer Upper Studholme House. The older buildings, in addition to being cold, were unsuitable and inconvenient for present requirements. The proposed new wing would not only provide all the accommodation required for some time to come, but would enable all the students to live under the one roof. It would also reduce administration costs and make living conditions more comfortable.

The students, staff and graduates raised £9OOO for the purchase of the present property, which provided ample ground on which to erect the new building. The estimated cost of the new wing was £30,000, towards which £IOOO had been received from a bequest by Mr John Edmond, and one graduate had promised £SOO. A further amount might be available from the sale of the old hostel. Not only was the present accommodation insufficient to hold all the students offering, but it did not provide room enough to train sufficient graduates to meet the present needs in. the schools and other training institutions. An essentia] part of the training was living in the home so that the girls might take their part in the actual work of home life. In conclusion, Mr Allen referred to the wide scope of Home Science work, and congratulated the school, the dean, and the staff on what was being done for the community, not only in Dunedin, but throughout the Dominion.

Thanking the Mayor for opening the fair, Mr W. J. Morrell, chancellor of the University, added his congratulations on the work that was being done, and said that, while the University Council could not contribute towards the cost of the new wing, it was fully in sympathy with the project. Interesting Exhibits The wide scope of the Home Science student’s study is fully shown in the exhibitions which include displays connected with foods and nutrition, housing, furnishing, dressmaking and child development. At one end of the Concert Chamber are exhibits showing the food values of various articles. Five pairs of white rats are used to illustrate the respective food values of whole milk, butter, cream, skimmed milk, and cheese. By the condition of the animals and by charts, it is easily seen that milk is considerably better than the other four foods. _ It is rather surprising to find skimmed milk and cheese coming next, mainly because of their mineral content. Butter and cream are not nearly so beneficial. Ideal meals are displayed and the food values of each shown. The benefits to be derived from keeping household accounts and

budgeting are also explained, and varying income and expenditure accounted for. - Child nutrition played an imoortant part in the exhibition and the value of teaching boys as well as girls the benefits of correct diet is also stressed. The model kitchen and the “ muddle ” kitchen showed the value of good arrangement of furniture and fixtures, and harmony, propor'ion and balance are displayed in two furnished • sitting rooms. Laundry work, dressmaking and A.C.E. work also figure prominently in the exhibition. During the afternoon and evening an attractive mannequin parade was held of frocks, coats, suits and gowns made bv the students. A short programme of films was also shown at both sessions. The fair will be open for the public this afternoon and evening.