SCHOOL OF DOMESTIC INSTRUCTION.*

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 3, 1 September 1895, Page 3

SCHOOL OF DOMESTIC INSTRUCTION.*

That good housewifery is not instinctive only too many women have sadly found. And yet how often do we act as if it were as natural for a woman to know how to wash and bake, to clean and sew, as for a dog to know how to bark or an infant to cry. A girl who has never he»d nousehold reins marries, and has charge of a house', cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, sewnng. arid nursing await her inexperienced hands. Many are the failures, the perplexities, the mortifications she meets with. Her maid is probably quite as ignorant, having had no opportunity of seeing how work should be done \ and so the home struggles on with but sorry comfort for all. To remedy this itate of affairs women are rousing themselves. «md classes for practical instruction in all housewifery arts are everywhere springing up. And not only will the homes be benihtted ; the individual labourer be she mistress or maid will be qualified to command respect and take her place as one of the skilled workers of the world. Such a school has been in existence in Christchurch for some time. Wishing to learn something of the success attending the efforts of the promoters, I called one morning on the lady superintendent. Unfortunately it was holiday time. 1 had therefore no opportunity of seeing the classes actually at work, but Mrs Gardner kindly gave me all the possible information. The fees are exceedingly moderate—classes 'or children, girls engaged in business, and domestic servants, 5s per term ; other classes, 10s 6d per term. This fee admits to one two-hour lesson per week, and the hours are arranged so as to sui all comers —morning, 10 to 12; afternoon, 2 to 4; evening, 7 to 9. Every morning a complete dinner is cooked, for w'hicn each pupil has to prepare some one dish (and have it ready to time), the good things concocted in the afternoon and evening classes being somewhat less substantial. Several young men are preparing for up-country life by attending the evening classes. In the laundry, the whole process of sorting, soaking, washing, and ironing clothes is gone through, while special attention is paid to the getting up of such varying articles as shirts, dresses, and laces. Needlework is another important department. Instruction is given in all branches. Dressmaking is taught with use of the Columbia fitter. Any girl who chooses to take a thorough course of instruction at the school will, of course, receive a certificate to that effect.

Though only in its infancy, the school numbered over 120 pupils last term —a most gratifying beginning. Space limit prevents further particulars, but we certainly advise those who w’ish to thoroughly prepare their daughters or themselves for household duties, as misstresses or maids, to call, inspect, and enquire for themselves.