Recipes And Household Hints From Subiaco (1914). Part Two.
There was such a great response to the previous posts about the recipes published in newspapers from the women of Subiaco in the early years of the Western Australian colony, so more have been included, this time from 1914.
This blog post is part two. Part One "Recipes And Household Hints From Subiaco (1914). Part One" is published next. This blog post highlights some of the household hints shared by the women of Subiaco. Many of the creative solutions to household problems like making breadcrumbs from fresh bread, to make new boots fit easy, to clean burnt pans and saucepans, for rough or chapped hands and whooping cough woman experienced in 1914 can be applied and used today.
In 1914, The Sunday Times ran a recipe and household hints competition offering prizes each week to women readers who shared their recipes and household hints. Nearly 100 recipes and household hints from the women (and men) of Subiaco were published during 1914 alone.
The recipes or household hints could be taken from any cookery book or newspaper. Readers were encouraged to share original recipes. Competitors were required to fill out a coupon to make sure they were a genuine reader and enter as many enteres as they wanted to. Women were also able to request and respond to requests for recipes and household hints. A copy of the entry coupon is copied below.
Women, both single and married entered throughout the state, from interstate and even overseas shared recipes and household hints that won prizes and received honourable mentions. The letters were published in newspaper.
The women of Western Australia and Subiaco showed to be creative homemakers sharing a variety of recipes and household hints.
By July 1914 World War One had been declared. Australian men were volunteering for the services and leaving to go overseas. There were food shortages as food was redirected to troops and labour shortages. Those at home experienced rationing and were encouraged to be self sufficient and have chickens and grow fruit trees and vegetables in the backyard.
The articles are from Trove the databased of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
The Sunday Times 5 April, 1914
Household Hints
Honourable Mention
To Make New Boots Fit Easy.
If new boots or shoes blister the heel or hurt the feet in any way put a cupful of lukewarm water in each boot; let it remain for a few minutes, then pour out the water. Put on the boots with without stockings, and wear for an hour or two. You will have no trouble with them. Tried with success many times.
Miss Earle, 265 Hamersley-Road, Subiaco.
The Sunday Times, 27 September, 1914
Household Hints
Honourable Mentions
For Rough or Chapped Hands.
Put a little sugar in the palm of the hand, add enough olive oil to moisten, then rub it well into the hands, and wash well with warm water and a mild soap. This will, make the hands soft and clean.
Mrs Oliver, 212 Park-Street, Subiaco.
The Sunday Times, 12 July, 1914.
Household Hints
Honourable Mentions
To Clean Burnt Pans and Saucepans
Pans and saucepans that have been burnt should never be filled with soda water, as although this removes the burnt portion it also makes the saucepan liable to burn again next time it is used. Instead of soda water fill it with water to which a little salt is added, leave till next day then slowly bring to the boil. The burnt particles will come off without any difficulty and there will be no ill effects.
Mrs. A. E. Manley, 87 Mueller-Road, Subiaco.
The Sunday Times December, 1914.
Household Hints
Honourable Mentions
Whooping Cough
Sunflower seeds, browned as you would coffee beans, and made as you do coffee sweeten the decoction and let the child drink it freely at night.
Mrs. C. Slaney, Subiaco.
The Sunday Times, June, 1914.
Household Hints
Honourable Mentions
Hint to Make Breadcrumbs From New Bread
Hint to make breadcrumbs from new bread, remove the crust and divide into small pieces, dredge each piece with flour, and it will then crumble as easily as old bread.
Mrs. J. Kevan, 20 Campbell-street, Subiaco.
The Sunday Times, November, 1914.
House Hint
Honourable Mentions
Mend Broken Glass
Useful Hint : A simple way of mending broken glass is to apply a little condensed milk to either side and press firmly together.
Mrs Christie, 318 Subiaco-Road, Subiaco.
