The Globe. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1075, 7 December 1877, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1877.

IN a former article we directed attention to some correspondence on the subject of teaching domestic work in our public schools, as a means of removing the distaste for domestic service on the part of our colonial girls. The new Education Bill which comes into force on January Ist, provides for the teaching, in the case of girls, of sewing and needlework, and the principles of domestic economy. In what manner and to what extent this teaching will bo given, remains to be seen, but it is satisfactory to find that the importance of domestic economy is recognised. In the meantime it will be interesting to note what is being done in the same direction at home. The Education Department there last year adopted a code of instruction which makes the teaching of " domestic economy" a specific subject of education in the elementary schools. The Australasian, to which we are indebted for the following information, says that the process of instruction embraces three stages, " the first em- " bracing food and its preparations, "clothing, and materials; the dwelling. " wanning, cleaning, and ventilation. " washing materials and their use; and " third, rides for health, the management " of the sickroom, cottage income, expen- " dituro and saving." Each of these subjects is to be taken separately and in successive years. " The thoroughness of " the instruction given will be apparent " if we enumerate what is comprehended " under the head of food. The teaching " in reference to this embraces an expla- " nation of the properties of various " kinds, fiosh-foi-miug, hoat-giving, &c.; " haw to choose an 4 how to cook them;

" cheaper kinds of food, such as liver, " tripe, fry, and how to cook them in the

•' least wasteful and most palatable man- " ner ; the importance of avoiding waste, " and how to make good and nourishing " soup out of what many persons throw " away; tlie importance of cleanliness in "person and apparatus whilst cooking; " instructions for the economy of fuel, " and other kindred subjects. Under the '• head of clothing is taught the import- '• ance of adapting it to the eircum- " stances, employment, and means of the " wearer; the most serviceable kinds of '• material for the clothing of women and " children, and how to preserve, clean, " and repair it; together with, instruction "in sewing and knitting. In the second " year's course, the principles of sanitary '• science are popularly explained and eu- " forced; and the pupils are also told " how the dwelling may be duly wanned " without unduly excluding fresh air, " especially in the bedrooms at night; '■ how the air, inside and out. should be " kept as pure as possible, by removing li all refuse; how to clean the house, and "how and when scrubbing should and should "not bo done; how the furniture shoidd "be cleaned and preserved; the need tor " frequent washing of articles of wearing " apparel, especially those worn next the "skiu; the principles which should pre- " vail at the wash-tub and the ivoniug- " board; something about the deleter!- " oils effects of certain washing pow- " dors; with other similar subjects." It is evident that the Education department in England attach the greatest importance to those branches of instruction, and look upon them as the means of improving the material welfare of the community. Here in New Zealand we hope to see the example set ai home followed. An examination of the cases which are brought almost daily before the resident magistrate will convince any one. that there is a vast amount of misery in our midst, directly traceable to ignorance of the first principles of domestic economy. This misery shows itself in a variety of ways, and directly touches the pocket of every taxpayer. Drink no doubt contributes the largest share of the victims which till our charitable institutions. But domestic discomfort, the result of ignorance and sloth, ruins many homes also, and forces husbands to desert their wives and families, leaving them to lie supported by public charity. While thus directly contributing to swell our taxes, the want of " frugality, management, and selfdenial," in many a home, drives the husband to drink, and so is indirectly also the means of throwing many a family upon public charity.