DOMESTIC SCIENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 15

DOMESTIC SCIENCE.

PROPOSED CHAIR IN OTAGO UNIVERSITY.. MR STUDHOLME'S OFFER ACCEPTED. A special meeting of the Otago University Council was held on the 9th inst. to consider the offer of Mr John Studholme, of Canterbury, to endow a chair of domestic economics at the Otago University; present— Mr J. Allen, M.P. (Vicechancellor), Dr Scott, Rev. A. Cameron, Dr Hocken, Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., Mr L. ■Hairis, Dr Shand, Mr D. Stewart, Rev. iW. Hewitson, and Dr Church. An apology for non-attendanca was received from Mr Justice Williams The Vice-chancellor said, to test the question, he intended to move that Mr Studholme's offer be accepted. If that motion were carried it would mean the carrying of some resolutions to 'enable the offer made by the committee, of which Dr Batohelor, Dr Truby King, Mr Downie btewart, and Mr Ritchie were members, to be accepted, and of some further resolutions with regard to authority ( being given to Mr Studholme or somebody else to select a professor of domestic science. He moved, therefore — " That Mr Studholme*3 offer be accepted." The offer Mr Studholme n?axle was to .give £200 a year for three years, provided the University established a chair j of domestic science, presided over by a \ properly-qualified professor, the offer to remain open until the end of. November. There were two main questions, it seemed to him, the council had to keep in mind. The first, though not the most important, was that of finance. Mr Studholme had offered £200 a year, which"" would carry a subsidy. A doubt had been raised as to | whetnev they were complying with the j conditions to secure the subsidy — the condi- j tions as to technical schools. His answer j to ibosp who raised' the question was this: j The syllabus of the domestic science course had tbe signature attached to it of the Inspector-general of Education (Mr Hogben), and had been prepared by him; further, tho Minister knew about it, and if they complied with this syllabus or anything approaching 't they were complying with the conditions that the Government laid down. He had ( no doubt in his own mind they could comply with the condi- ; tions the Government required from them ' without interfering with the Technical School classes — in fact, it was intended that ■ they should run together. They were also ' entitled to whatever they might earn j under the technical part of the Education ! Act- that was to say. they would be enlitied to 3d per hour for every student who ' attended It was possible that might be a fairly moderate 'sum; it might be £50 or £100, or more. Then the committee, whose j letter was read st last meeting, was willing i 1o guarantee £150 a year for four years, ! and that money would also carry a subsidy j •of pound for pound, making a total (not j including the payments of students) of £700 a year. In addition, the committee had agreed to give £100. towards the travelling 'expenses of ihe professor to be' appointed. 'It was intended that the pro- j lessor who was appointed — he had little ! doubt a woman would be appointed — > should go to- Europe qr to America, as the \ case might be, to learn all she could of ; up-to-date methods of domestic science before coming here. In addition, the committee bad offered £75 for the establish- j ment of a laboratory. That money would j also earn ilia Government subsidy. It ■was obrioas to anybody that the provision i being made was provision only for a cer- 1 tain time. The intention was that if the > committee could see its way to make its offer a four-year one — and it had done so, i — the council should write to Mr Stud- ; holme pointing out that the matter was -mar's or less of an experiment, and that to give* it every chance it would be wise i for him to ectend the time for another : year. Therefore, if the council agreed to • the motion, he would write to Mr Stud- : holme sugestinp that he should extend bis ■ generous offer for one year rrore — making, ! it for four years, — and then the council | Avould have £700 a year for four years. Ho : admitted that the council did not now see j ita way as to what would happen at the ' end of the four years. The chair would , lie purely, from the council's point of view, ! an experiment. If it was a failure they ■could drop it at the end of four years without any financial loss whatever. There might be certain i expansibilities to some I •of the students who joined in the second year, and who could not complete the full i course, but those responsibilities, he was i hoping, they would be able to meet satisfactorily when the second year came. On the other hand, if the- experiment succeeded, what was to be the .position of the council with respect to finances at the end of the four years? His answer was that the future must provide for itself. If they made a success of it neither the Government nor anybody else could rcfnss to give the^ assistance required to carry it on. He believed that at the end- of four years they could carry on at leas expense than initially. At present they had no teacher here, but at the end. of foar years they would have more than one trained lady who could do the work at less cost than m their initial stages He did not think that at the end of ,six years they would have to pay £600 to a professor to carry the work o». In answer to Mr Cameron, the Vicechancellor said it was possible that an -appointment might be made in October. The Rev. Mr Cameron pointed out that would allow the professor only six weeks •or so to travel round, and that," he thought, would not suffice. The Rev. Mr Hewitson said he presumed the class would not be started next year, but in- the following year.. The Vice-chancellor said the next question was that of the syllabus. Of course, they were not tied to it absolutely. It was provisional, and was put before them in order that they might see something of the lines upon which, the Education Department thought they should go. He- did not 6ay he approved of everything in the syllabus, but he would accept it as a basis for a start. Among, other things, it provided for a three years' course, with a degree. The New Zealand University had not yd decided to give a degree, but that was a matter that would no doubt come before the Senate. When it was before the S-anata previously, at tie instance of tSc Canterbury representatives, it was not pursued, and was allowed to drop. With respect to what the council could do already in the thrco yeaxs' ""wxse. he had gone to a deal of

trouble to find how far they could give instruction in compliance with, the syllabus as it now stood. They could, for instance, provide instruction in physiology without any additional professor, and there were other items in which they could give instruction — in fact, they could carry out a good portion of it already. The Inspectorgeneral had embraced everything in the syllabus that, in his opinion, was necessary. As to the model-houses, Dr Truby King and Dr Batchelor were not clear about them, but they had virtually told him that if the model-houses were requisite they were prepared to lease suitable houses and plaoa them at the disposal of the council. These houses might be model board-ing-houses, where girls who came into town to take these particular classes would stay, so that the girls would have every opportunity of seeing how a home should be conduoied. For himeelf. he thought the council would be very foolish if it threw away an offer of this kind, which allowed it to see its way for four years. He did not know whether the University should tie itself down on certain specific lines of education. It seemed to him that, so far as it was possible, for them to do it, the wider and more extended the teaching they could give, and the more nearly it approached to the real wants of the people, the better were they doing the work they ought to do. It was a course, too, that if it were made cbmpulsory upon school teachers would be most beneficial to them in many ways. If he had to send his children to school he should certainly prefer to send them to a teacher who had gone through this class. The University, be considered, was indebted to Mr Studholme fox his offer. The establish men t of a Chair of Domestic Science was a subject they could not have faced without the stimulus he had given to it. • He had no fear for the future if the experiment proved a success, and he had no fear about the experiment being a success. Mr Sidey seconded the motion. He did not think there were many persons nowadays who would r«»strict the functions, of the council to the few departments of some 50 years ago They bad seen the extension of the functions of the council in many directions that at one time were unthought of. It was thought by many that there should be schools for every branch of the industrial life of the community. He- did not say these schools should be all connected with the University, because there were certain schools which were more fitted to be under the control of tihe Education Board. One could see, however, at a glance at the syllabus that much of the work outlined was quite fitted for University teaching. One branch of it came within the bcope of the technical schools. Dr Shand said the council was indebted to _th.B Vioa-chanoellor for the full way in which he had put the matter before members. He did not think, however., he could agree with much that Mr Allen had said. Tbe University course, it seemed- to him, was at present entirely in the air: it was premature. The Senate had not decided to have such » degree, and if it had so decided there was no power to confer it. It had not been authorised by act of Parliament. Even if the course were not in the air, how many students would take it? flow many position* were open to people who took a degree in domestic science in New Zealand? In America, where there were 80 million people, it was possible for a small number to obtain positions, but there were no such positions in New Zealand. The salaries at the technical schools would not tempt anyone. His- strongest objection to the scheme was this: Only recently they allowed students in training to attend the University for a two years' course. The elaeaea these students took were almost invariably English, Latin, mathematics, and mental science — all good subjects. But there was not one science subject among them. The principal of the Training College had told him that out of 100 students attending the University only two attended a science class. The excuse given was that there was no time — that the subjects, the students now took up occupied the whole of their time. And under these conditions it was now proposed to make it compulsory on them to take this course. In order to do justice to the great variety of subjects in it. the practical work they would have to do would be something enormous. All their time would be required for his class. Domestic science ought to go to its proper place— the Technical School, where it could be taught at 1 a third of the cost at the University. I Even if he approved of the course, he should object strongly to it °n financial i grounds. It bad been said that the \ financial position was secure, but to hi* mind it was far from being secure. And were they going to drop the scheme at the end of three or four years? He did not think the Government would- take the responsibility of it. There was an menace in taxation facing the country, and met~ad of'the education vote being increased it was likely to be decreased. Father, it would be unfair to bring a teacher here to carry on an experiment, unless when call- [ i^r for applications the fuct was plamlv eefout. As for the students the co W must undertake certain obligations to them and carry them out. Their finances were ?n a reaHy precarious state, and in the act -otto* fact did not mo how the council could even think «f -rabl^mg a ! ££ "LSS? •SSffiJ? "he^hde ; ?erin^° of the University would /"^^M^Cameron .*o supported the 1 c £w It wa« quite proper that they «'vd~nte. When rh? Senar- V a.- Y.ac -U w ih>».d to th. -biect ;r aorc-n^d a r-o:nnnttee to consu'ef it- an.. . .- vnn O O J B owr to grant the .k-j '? d-'l net hold T they mad* it , subject in the ordinary BSc "cour^. He lwl:«ved that the Government vtcu'd yt in-i-r upon iheir teachers being trained in domestic science, it v.as not a question oC what were the openings in X-sw Zealand to those who might hold r.he decree. The way in which he looked

at it was, To what extent could they better fit their teachers for teaching children in the primary schools? It seemed to him it would be a great boon to the educational system and to the community if every lady teacher who attended the University' from the Training College was compelled to take this course, so as to better fit her for teaching m an elementary way in the primary schools what were the fundamental laws of health and simple and wholesome livin"We did not regard the proposal as an experiment. It was a movement to meet a necessity so great that they would find in carrying it out that the community supported them to such an extent* that they wpuld be enabled to go on with it Dr Scott said it would be difficult to make domestic science a subject in the degree of IJ.bc. No one would dream of takin«- such an additional subject/ He was in sympathy with a schooi of domestic economy but did not think the University should take charge of it. Then the finances were very unsatisfactory. The Government was not going to saddle itself with the expenses of the cha.ir. If it did it would cut down its votes to other branches of the University work, and it was surely the duty of the council not to do anything that would injure these other branches. Dr Hocken said he sincerely hoped the council would not attempt what was really an experiment. They had a great deal to do without attempting experiments. He hoped they would do nothing to disturb thp financial arrangements-they had made witih the Government. He would oppose the proposal as being an experiment which was likely to end in disaster.

Rev. Mr Hewitson .said the course- was a very full one, and in looking over it it •eemed to him it was possible to make the subject one worthy of a university. Of course, it was a tentative' scheme. There would probably bs a re-dietribution of the items of the syllabus which could be done by competent hands. With reference to the finances, the q-uestion of risk had basn raieed. Was there anything that had ever moved forward that had not taken some risk? Why have every penny of the money absolutely assured? What a university ought to do in matters of education was to lead,, and it ought to be prepared to take> a certain amount of risk, though not to run into projects wildly.

Mr Stewart had no doubt about the- success of the chair. It would be a misfortune if they did not take Mr Studholme's generous offer and the gu-a-rantee given by the committee-. The Dental School had been started with a guarantee of £1000, and here was a guarantee of nearly £3000.

Dr Church said he would oppose the proposition. This was not a subject for the University's work. He was satisfied that if Mr Studholme had made his offer uncondftional to the community the community would have said, "Put that subject in the Technical School." He was certainly not clear that the finances were assured. If the Government took t'li.s- chair over at the end of four years it would mean so much less in grants to the University for other purposes. ' The Vice-chancellor replied, alter which the motion was carried by* six votes to four. For the motion (6) : The vice-chancellor, Mr Sidey, Mr Harris, Rev. Mr Hewitson, Mr Stewart, Rev. Mr Cameron. Against the motion (4): Dr Shand, Dr Scott, Dr Hocksn, Dr Church. It was reeobrecl — " That the offer made by Dr Batoheloi', Dr Trrrby King, Mr Downie Stewart, and Mr G. R. Ritchie be accepted with thanks. A committee was appointed to communicate with Mr Studholme, who is at present in England, and to arrange a number of details. ! The following is a rough outline of the suggested courses in domestic science: — I I. — University courses — namely : 1, A three-year course for the Bachelor of Scince in domestic science : *2, a two-year course for a diploma in domestic »cience (for instanc*, associate in domestic soienc) ; 3, a s-aort course of one year. ll.— Courses at the Technical School: 1. A one-year course, which might be spread over two or three years; 2, short courees occupying three menths. I B.Sc. (Domestic Science).— Three-year Course.— Preliminary : 1, English: 2. ] Fr<mch j or Germain : 3, arithmetic : 4, algebra : 5, geometry ; 6. elementary chemistry ov elementary physics (heat and light) ; 7, elementary botany or elementary zoology. Intermediate : 1, English, as for B A. : 2. either inorganic chemistry as for nl2cUc.ll intermediate, or physic* as for medical inrr»r- ; mediate (whichever was no; taken in the preliminary); 3^ biology, as for medical intermediate. Final.— l, Physiology, as for the first professional medical (tVe practical work to include "so muoh ana.tomy as is npce«*arv for , the proper treatment of physiology) ; 2, household chemastrj ; 3, foc<ii — («il food p.-o- | duction and manufacture, (b) food prepara- ' tien, pre-rcqaieite or parallel ccms& of 40 lessons (practical} in cookery; 4, nutrition and du*tetrcs, practical work at a chil<Jr-->r.'*i hospital or other institution ; 5, <!on:estic hygiene ; 6, household economics, practk-al work in model house. . , ' Diploma- (two-year course). — Preliminary: J Civil service junior or senior free place certificate (with science). Final: Intermediate | chemistry, intermediate physics, and ofc'-.ev , subjects as fc>r final S.Sc, slightly lower , standard being required ; Ono Year Course (at University). -Pre- , limitiary: As for diplom. ; als' — (1) preliminary work in elementary pnysics, chemistry, and physiology (2) focd prepara- j tion, (3) nutvition and dietetics. (4) comestic hygiene or household economics. J One Tear Course (at Techinical School).— | Fntiance requirement — Ccrt'ficatf of proficiency. S 5 cp-tificate. 1, Elementary , notions of physics chemistry, and physio- j logy; 2, cookery (if not taken before); 3, foods and dietar ; es ; 4, household economies: 5, home nursing, peisonal and domestic hyg-iene Abo English (20 lessons) and household accounts (20 lessons or morel. Fr&o to tho=f> xho hoid a csr. ificate of pro--fi.cier.cy. This couise mijrhr t-2 spread over two cr three --ear<=. . . Short Courses (th'eo montne) Technical Pchool.— Preliminary, S 5 certificate. 1, Cookery (for tbo-> who havo rot taken a. course before) : 2, foods' and dietaries; 3, Iju-^iv: 4, home nursing an-d hy^cnp; 5, I <-ai:-9 of the house an-d hou«o'iold tconoinirs \ (-.vi'.h practical work in itkxlp! hou=e)._ Free 1 *x> 1 hose who hold a certificate of pro-

ficioncv. Mod -I Houses.— lt is suggested that there should bs moupl hou-e« for practical woik in the management of a. home. Two houses are ieeirable (thoroughly hygienic, if possible) — namely, (1) open to those who havo qualified for a. senior free place by (a) matriculation, (b) civil service junior, or

(c) intermediate certificate ; (2) open to all who hold a certificate of competency in S 5 (later this might be a certificate of proficiency S 6).