1.—13 a.

4

[j. STUDBOLME.

36. Was it the American or the English school that impressed you the more J —On the whole the American, because the Americans have made a strong poini of this teaching in universities for a very much longer period than the English people. It is only of recent years thai England lias been taking it up. 37. You were responsible, were you not, for the selection of Miss Boys-Smith? — Yes. 38. You had some difficulty at the time in getting a professor? — A very able lady undertook the appointment from America, and it was all arranged, but her health broke down. Then I was asked to endeavour to find a substitute for her either in America or in England. 1 think the wish was that if possible I should find somebody in England. ;ji). Was that wish expressed by the Committee? —It was only a sori of feeling I had that some one from England would be more acceptable from a national point of view. 40. Now, the amount that you suggest should lie applied towards a capital fund is. 1 think, two years' contributions: they would amount to £1,0001 — Yes. That would be the two years after the Ist January next. 41. You now tell the Committee that you would agree u> the suggestion of the Citizens Committee as to the application of that money to a laundry and kitchen only on condition that the laundr} 7 and kitchen should form part of what is to be ultimately a hostel: is that so?— Yes, that is my present view. 1d( t care how this money i-- spent so long as it is spent in a way that will best further the interest of the Chair. My present view is that any buildings that are put up ought to be, at any rate, the nucleus or a part of a hostel the whole plans of which have been thought out and approved. 42. Could you give any idea at all as to the possible cost'/ —1 know that the Christchurch hostel, which is a little smaller so far as accommodation is concerned than I should like to see at Dunedin, but which is very complete, being a brick building beautifully carried out in all its details, cost, with drainage and one thing and another, nearly £5,000. 43. Would that include a kitchen and laundry?— Yes. 44. How many students would it accommodate? — Fifteen. 45. You think that would be sufficient?— No. I think that is the only criticism 1 could make on the Christchurch hostel. It is a pin it was not built big enough for at least twenty or twenty-five students. 46. With what institution is the Christchurch hostel connected? —It is for the students of the Technical College there. A certain number of students live there, and all the other students of the home-science department come to the hostel for certain parts of their course. 47. I think there is a suggestion that another hostel should be established—if it is not already under way —in connection with the Presbyterian Church at Dunedin. Do you think it would be desirable that the hostel which was used by the students for domestic economy should be exclusively used for them? —No. not necessarily, only 1 think it would be in the best interests of the University and the Chair itself that the hostel should be a pail of the organization of the University. I was looking at it solely from the point of view of the University. What we want to avoid is overlapping or unnecessary expenditure. 48. Hon. Mr. Allen.] You were two or three times in America, were you not ! —Yes. 49. Do you remember the time you went there subsequent to your offer to Canterbury? —Yes. 50. Can you let the Committee know, shortly, what you found to be the development in scientific opinion and public opinion with respect to the teaching of home science and the domestic arts from the time of your offer to Canterbury to your subsequent visit? —1 only know that the value of this teaching is becoming more and more appreciated, anil that more universities are taking it up. It is a movement that is going steadiry forward. 51. Was there a marked growth in it in America between those visits of yours? — l think there was. 52. Did you notice any growth in England?— Yes, there is a distinct growth in England. The home-science department of the King's College has grown from very small beginnings to quite a large part of the University. It lias now been attached to and forms part of London University—l mean, the teaching of home science at King's College. They have lately raised a very large sum and pet up magnificent buildings in the way of hostel and workrooms* When I first saw it the accommodation was poor, but it has been steadily growing, f may say that certain professors at the Leeds University have been anxious for a long time to get a university course established there. The teachers at the School of Domestic Science in Leeds go to the University and get a good deal of their training there. 53. Did you come into contact at all with educational authorities and discuss the question with them in England or in America?— Yes, I came in contact with the head of Cornell University, the head of Teachers' College, Professor Bailey, Professor Robertson, Sir William McDonald, the head of the Guelpli University, and the head of the home-science department at the Toronto University. There is a complete department of home science attached to the Toronto University. I understand that St. Anne's College is now affiliated with the McGil] University. It was not to begin with. 54. What is the opinion of these educational authorities? —They are enthusiastic about it. 55. In England did you come across any?—l came across the Director of Inquiries of the English Education Department, the chief lady Inspector of the English Education Department (Miss Lawrence), Professor Smithells, who is looked upon as a leading male authority on the teaching of home science in England, the head of the King's College department of home science, and several professors there. They are all enthusiastic about it. 56. What induced you to take an interest in it?—l went to America Hist to study what was being done in the way of agricultural education, and in going to the universities to see what I could of the teaching of agriculture I happened incidentally to see what they were doing with