Welsh Journals

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, CARDIFF. The University College, Cardiff, is, from the standpoint of the student, rapidly approaching an interesting moment. Much is being written and said of a New Medical School and it cannot be doubted that the establishment of such a School is of vital im- portance, expecially to the Welsh Medical Student. At no distant date, with the requisite staff provided and the admirable hospital facilities available the Welsh medical qualification should rank among the first in the country. A portion of the old college buildings will shortly be demolished, and the departments affected housed elsewhere. Unfortunately the al- ready congested science or applied science depart- ments must suffer still further congestion but there seems to be no alternative at the present time. The ensuing session is the first for the mining department under the new scheme. The Diploma hitherto granted by the college alone, must now be taken as a joint diploma, one year's work being'done at the college and two years at the affiliated School of Mining at Treforest. This arrangement has settled a problem presenting many difficulties. Arrangements are contemplated for carrying on at Cardiff advanced research work in coal and other mining, either by post graduate students, or by men granted post diploma scholarships to the College Recently the Students Representative Councils have arranged unofficial meetings of the students at all the constituent colleges with the Secretary of the Appointments Board. Various occupations were discussed and the requisite qualifications indicated. This is excellent, but should not the student be approached earlier in his career ? The advice was addressed to students who are approaching the end of their college education. It is now too late to change their course or to add additional qualifications likely to attract employers. We may suggest that students should consult the Secretary from time to time with regard to progress and probable openings. Thus, much ultimate disappointment might be avoided. THE APPOINTMENTS BOARD FOR WALES. Secretary-Mr. R. Silyn Roberts, MA., University Registry, Cathays Park, Cardiff. The Appointments Board for Wales has been formed to undertake the solution of one of the gravest problems that has arisen out of the recent developments of our national life. The output of the Colleges and Schools has been so great that it appears at present as if the supply greatly exceeds the demand with the result that a large and increasing munber of educated young people find it difficult to secure suitable careers at the end of their education period. To attempt the solution of this problem the Ap- pointments Board for Wales has been created. It consists of 27 Members and a Secretary. The Board is not an Agency in the usual sense of the word: it is not a money-making concern. It charges the employers who use it nothing and the Registra- tion Fee of five shillings paid by the applicant for a post seldom covers the clerical expenses involved. The Board deals with (a) Students of the Univer- sity, and (b) Boys and Girls above the age of 17 from the Secondary Schools, the Technical and Evening Institutions and the Higher Elementary Schools of the Principality. In the first seven months of its existence the Appointments Board has assisted some sixty young men and women to suitable situations: two have found good berths in India, one has gone to the Straits Settlements, one to South Africa, one to Canada and one to the United States six young graduates are engaged as Works Chemists and several have entered the teaching and other professions. A good number of those who have registered have Fellowships and Studentships and are doing advanced and research work at home and abroad. So far the Board has been feeling its way with the sympathy and active co-operation of friends at home and abroad its work will prove of inestimable value to the young men and women who have worked so hard and for whom parents have sacrificed so much to secure the benefits of higher education. THE MOTHERS' AND BABIES' WELCOME. SWANSEA. The chief work of the Welcome is the feeding of needy and expectant mothers. Those unable to obtain sufficient food are fed for three months before the birth of the child and during the whole nine nursing months if necessary. During the year 11,570 dinners were provided, some mothers paying three half-pence per meal. In addition to this, Dr. M. Ritchings has been in attendance every Wednesday afternoon to examine ailing babies and give advice to their mothers, and the babies of mothers receiving dinners were medi- cally examined every fortnight. Lessons in cooking, sewing, and health are given to the mothers, and the upper standard girls from the Councils School are taught Mothercraft. A baby show was recently held, where out of 300 babies exhibited only 20 were artificially fed. A nurse mid-wife has been engaged to help the superintendent in the Welcome and attend some of the poorest mothers during their confinement. The experiment will be watched with interest. Information may be obtained from The Lady Superintendent, 149, High Street, Swansea.