GIRL CITIZENS

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 6, 8 January 1931, Page 3

GIRL CITIZENS

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ENDS

INTERESTING COMPETITIONS

The Y.W.C.A. conference of Girl Citizens, held at the New Plymouth Girls' High School hostel, has ended. Oil the clay set aside for world fellowship discussion and international relationships, the girl citizens were privileged to have a most interesting address from Miss Elsie Andrews on the work of the recent Pan-Pacific Women'-, Conference, and in the evening Miss Doris Allen, principal of the Xew Plymouth High School, and hostess of the conference, won the absorbed attention, of her audience by her account of her visit to Russia. A dramatic competition caused great amusement, the subject to dramatise being "Queen Elizabeth Sets the Alarm for 1931." The girl citizens found plenty of material to provide dramatic contrasts of present day conditions with the conditions in the Elizabethan era, modern inventions and modes of dress and maimers making the most striking contrasts. The judges, Bliss Allen and Miss Drew, awarded 'first place to the Auckland <>irl* for their very fine dramatisation of a scene at the court of Elizabeth. Miss Ivonayne, who judged the handwork cc placed Dunediii first and Auckland second. The singing contest was won by the Xew Plymouth girls, Diniedin coming a close second. First place in the uniform parade was awarded to Auckland, Christelnirch coining second. An impromptu element was introduced into the competitions in the shape of a test of lighting a camp fire, and cooking a camp meal out of doors. This test took place at a picnic, the scene being a river-bed with an adjacent piece of bush. Campers were divided into groups, each group being supplied with sufficient food for a meal. Points were given for tidying up and leaving no trace of fire. Christchiirch came first and New Plymouth second. As the result of all the competitions Auckland holds the cup for 1931, New Plymouth, the runners-up, holding the flag, Dunedin coming third. On Sunday the conference held church parade in the "Mother Church" of Taranaki, the Yen. Archdeacon Gavin being preacher. A visit was paid in the afternoon to historic old St. Mary's. In the evening the conference had the great pleasure of listening to a music recital by Mrs. P. Davie, Mrs. R. L. Cooper and Miss Marjorie Fearn, which included Bach and Chopin and the first movement of Beethoven Concerto in C Minor. Mrs. Davie's group of Scotch songs and her rendering of a group of French and German songs delighted her audience. At the concluding banquet on Tuesday evening the conference - conferred "New Year Honours" upon those who by their talents and knowledge helped-to make the conference valuable. Miss Fearn, musical directress of the New Plymouth High School, who made music such a special feature of the conference programme, Mies Douglas, whose nature study periods were a delight, and Miss Ashton, who was responsible for the handcrafts section, were all honoured. A special ovation was accorded Miss Allen. In token of appreciation a conference song to "Scotlands" (the hostel), composed by Miss Audrey McCrea, was sung and a gift presented from girl citizens towards the school swimming baths, now in process of construction. The whole conference concluded, with the community gathering conducted by Miss Bridgman, national chief counsellor, when the ceremonial of candle. lighting was shared by the girl citizens, a token of loyalty to the- high purpose to which they pledge themselves to build the spirit of their country.