DOMESTIC SCIENCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1737, 30 April 1913, Page 4

DOMESTIC SCIENCE.

PROPOSED UNIVERSITY CHAIR. EXPERTS DISAPPROVE. Tho Wellington Education Board hail before it yesterday the proposal of tho Society for the.Protection of Women ami Children thiit. the trustees of the Macartliy Bequest siiouht lie asked by tuo various educational bodies to endow n chair of domestic science 'at' \ ictoria College. The proposal lias already hccii discussed by the Jjoai'd of Governors of W elUngton college, anil the Wellington Technical School Board. Referring to tno proposal at the board s meeting yesterday, tne chairman (llr. Lee) remarked twit any expenditure by the Macartliy Trustees in respect of domestic scienpo would, they would all agree, be very praiseworthy. But that tne commendable object of the society ci-uld best be achieved by establishing a chair at Victoria College was arguable, it seemed to him, after threshing _ tho matter out with tlio expert officers of tho board, and of the Technical School, that tlio most practicable means of giving effect to tho principle of the idea was by establishing a hostel, where our future teachers could receive at first-liand tlio best kind of practical instruction irom a properiy-quiuilied teacher of domestic economy. That, he considered, would be infinitely more advantageous than anything that could bo conferred by a chair of domestic science, the metier of which would be to discuss theories atul principles only. , ~ Mr. J. G. AV. Aitken doubted whether the girls would consent to go into a hostel—it would be a gaol to them. Air. Lee: I can't see how you can say such a thing, Mr. Aitken. Mr. Hogg suggested obtaining a report from the inspectors, for the guidance of tlio board, which could further discuss the matter at its next meeting. Mr. T. 11. Fleming (Chief Inspector) said that the establishment of such a chair as was suggested by tho society would bo a mistake—that had becn'thu general opinion of those with whom he had discussed the matter —Mr. AY. S. La. Trobe, Director of the Technical School, and Mr. J. S. Tennaut, Principal of tlio Normal School. Speaking broadly, he thought that the best method of approaching the question, would bo to extend the primary school course, suitably develop it in tho secondary schools, and provide proper instruction for the teachers at tho Training College. Ho thought that Mr. La Trobe's suggestion (published a few days ago) was a verj good one. There was already a chair of domestic science at Otago University, and that, ho considered, was sulhcient for the Dominion. After further discussion, it was resolved," on tlie motion of Mr. A\. H. Field, to arrange for a, conference to be held between the ladies of the society, the chairman mid chief inspector of the board, the chairman and director of the Technical School, the principal. o t the Teachers' Training College, and the chairman of the Victoria College.