BISHOP REDWOOD ON HOME EDUCATION.

Kumara Times, Issue 1647, 9 January 1882, Page 2

BISHOP REDWOOD ON HOME EDUCATION.

.In distributing the prices to the pupils of the Wellington Convent schools, Bishop Redwood, after complimenting the pupils on their proficiency in all the branches of instruction in the school, made a few observations which would be said perhaps to run counter to their ideas of acquiring a kuowledgo of German, French, fancy needlework, and fine things of the kind; but the subject on which he desired to speak was, to his mind, of more importance than all the rest. He hoped the young ladies would complete their education at home, and perfect themselves in household work, for it was a thing which would last for a lifetime. This could not be taught in a couvent. There were thousands of things to be done at home which were necessary for/ domestic happiness ; therefore he hoped when the young ladies were told to do household work, they would be delighted to do so. It would stand them in good stead throughout a lifetime, and they would not only be able to bear themselves with propriety and elegance in society, but they would be able to render those, with whom they would live through life, comfortable, happy, and contented. This he defied them to do unless they had a proper knowledge of household work. Even if they became the highest ladies in the land, and nevef had to soil their fingers, it was still necessary that they should be able to see that those under them did their duty. Nothing could be more important than this in a colony like New Zealand, where it is so difficult to get good ser-< vants. Halt of the mistresses had to teach their servants how to go about their work, and if a mistress was ignorant of it herself, what misery would there be in the house! Therefore he hoped the pupils would learn to cook and do laundry work, &c. He warned them not to despise those who had such knowledge, and endeavoured to show that other accomplishments were enhanced by the possession of such acquirements. His Lordship concluded—- " Don't think what you acquire here is all the education necessary. The greater part must be learnt in your homes. If you hearken to what I say, and carry out in your lives what I recommend, you will be a credit to yourselves and a joy to the homes in which yon live."