NEEDLEWORK BY POST

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 993, 9 June 1930, Page 16

NEEDLEWORK BY POST

COURSES FOR BACK-COUNTRY CHILDREN SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISE Teaching of needlework to backcountry children by correspondence courses, which the Education Department has introduced, has been exceptionally successful, according to the Education Gazette. The plan was evolved to provide girls with a spare-time occupation besides teaching a useful craft. Aided by detailed directions and illustrations, provided by the department, the children have progressed from elementary stages to garment making. A levy of 2s 6d a head annually was made for materials, which were purchased by departmental officers. This was found to be essential because many children lived so far from the nearest township that they could secure materials only with difficulty. The Gazette states the children had interpreted the method of working stitches, the setting of hems and the picture-making very intelligently, with the result that some splendid specimens of needlework had been sent to the department. According to the Gazette the senior girls’ needlework did not compare favourably with that of the younger girls, this no doubt being caused by the fact that the former had previously has learned poor and incorrect methods at home.