USEFUL EDUCATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 919, 18 February 1882, Page 3

USEFUL EDUCATION.

Captain Russell, of Napier, although he was hauled up by the electors some time ago for sending Home to have his trousers made, evidently does not wish to send them Home to get mended, remarks the Rangitikei Advocate. To encourage the use of the thread among the children of the public schools in Hawke’s Bay, he offers annually prizes for sewing, etc. This year he gave a Singer’s Sawing Machine to the girl who could best perform the somewhat difficult task of seating a pair of trousers ; a prize of a work box for making a night shirt and cutting out a pinafore ; and a “ lady’s companion"’ to the best darner of stockings. The result was there were ton worn-out trousers “'fixed up” equal to new, four night-dresses made, and seven pairs of stockings darned. Captain Russell is doin? good work in this direction ; and Sir William Fox also recognised its importance by the encouragement he gave children while distributing the sewing prizes in Marton. “ Girls,” he said, “ learn to sew buttons on and mend clothes. If I accidentally tore my trousers at the knee, or my coat, and wanted a button sewn on my shirt, you could not well do the repairs needed with a sewing machine ; they would have to be done with a needle and cotton. It is of the utmost importance then that you should learn to sew.” Turning to the boys, he said: “ Some of you will be married one day if you behave yourselves. Well, supposing your wife brought you a nice clean shirt to put on, and when you Ihad got it on you found a button', was gone, wouldn’t there be a row}”

“Yes, y s, ’ shouted the hoys. ‘‘And how foolish you would look” (turning to the girls) “if you were not able to sew it on. I remember hearing that iu America an addition had been made to the marriage service-?-Wilt thou sow this mau s buttons on V’ The girls laughed heartily, but the words are sure to be remembered, and will bear good fruit in years to come.