ssons in Shopping.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 91, 21 April 1904, Page 4

ssons in Shopping.

THE THAINING OF LITTLE lIOUSKWIVES.

"First catch your hare," .Was the advice of the famous Mrs Glasse.und an adaptation of the idea is being tried in liiruiinghnm, where children are taught to buy the things which they are afterwards called upon to prepare for the (able. In other word*, they are being trained in the art of shopping, as a preliminary to being given lessons in cooking. The tuition is carried out on practical lines by the Birmingham Education Committee. To the bland and unsuspecting shopkeeper who has just taken down his shutter. l '/ for the day there arrives a deputation consisting of six tiny girls with very big tam-o'-shanters and very small baskets. They are students of the local cookery '•'centre'''' in quest of niat'c.rials for lire day's studies behind them is a reserve force consisting of one young and blushing teacher. And woe betide the hapless tradesman if his wares are not above suspicion ! The tam-o'-shunters arc jealous guardians of the public purse, and are instructed, if necessary, t'o ".take their custom else-' where," and they do so. As yet the shopping classes are in (lie experimental slage, but their success is such (hat they will soon become general in the fifteen or so centres where Binuing'ham girls are taught to cook. "The scholars much enjoy the outing," said the superintendent of the City Council, which is respon-' sible for the innovation. • "The girls of the poor classes particularly are keen shoppers, for they know the value of money far better than the pupils in the higher grade schools. In fact, they are commonly entrusted by their parents with the greater part of the family purchases, and the tuition is, in consctiuence, of immediate benefit." A curious fact is that some of the cleverest shoppers belong to the deaf mute class. Though stone deaf the children can articulate plainly, and li|i-reading enables them to * translate the shopkeeper's eulogies of his wares.