WOMEN'S CORNER

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20610, 28 July 1932, Page 3

WOMEN'S CORNER

OBITUARY.

MRS EMMA WADMAN. Mrs Emma Wadman, one of Canterbury's oldest pioneers, died at 41 Fitzgerald avenue yesterday, at the age of 03. Mrs Wadman was living in Canterbury before the arrival of the Canterbury Pilgrims, at a time when the only family in Christchurch were tho Deans, of Riccarton. Her family moved from Day's Bay, Wellington, to this province, in 1848, following the great earthquake. Mrs Wadman was a member of the Day family, well-known ill Canterbury's eaiiv years. She was born in 1839 in England, her grandfather having been a Kentish farmer. The outbieak of pneumonia, which killed thousands of cattle a century ago in Great Britain, impoverished her family, and thry decided to emigrate to New Zealand, making tho voyage in 1841 in a brig called the Arab. They settled at Day's Bay, which was named after her father, and lived in a mud house on the beach. Proper accommodation was extremely scarce, and it was in the recollection of Mrs AVadinan that liit-n, for lack of a better shelter, would sleep m large crockery barrels with their feet out, until they could build sod huts for their families. She wrote that wl ion people were fortunate enough to secure housing in the immigration barrack's, they had the experience of having to sleep under umbrellas tied over the bed whenever it rained. The Day family farmed a holding at Day's Bay, living there throughout the Maori War, ivithin sound of the guns in action in tho Hutt Valley. _ Tlie earthquake of 1848 so frightened tho Days that they decided to seek comparative safetv in Canterbury, and' in 1848 came to Lvttelton in a brig railed the Sisters. They lived in a hut ab the Lvttelton foot of the zigssag, on the Sumner-Lyttelton road, of which, incidentally, Mr Day superintended tlio construction. He also built the seawall at the foot of Scarborough. Tn Lvttelton, at the time of Mrs Wadman's arrival, there was only one pump to provide water for the whole settlement. The arrival of tho First Four Ships created little, excitement in the port, she wrote, when giving her reminiscences some time ago, all being too busy constructing their own homes. Mrs Wadman remembered the tragic incident associated with the arrival of tho Pilgrims—the death of a man named Williams, as ho stood on the top of the Bridle Patli with his wife and family, surveying for the first time the vast "Canterbury Plains. Later Mrs Wadman's people lived in tho solo building at Sumner—the store —which sold goods brought from Wellington by whale-boats. Mr Day . purchased tho store, and added to the building the first accommodation house in Sumner. Mrs Wadman's first husband was a cousin of Lord Jellicoe. He arrived in Canterbury in tho Charlotte Jane. Later incidents in her life, associated with tha progress of the City, were the first service in the partly-erected Cathedral and the opening of the Lyttclton tunnel. She was remarkably active, for her age, almost until the time of her death, and was able to do much of her own work. Recently her eyes had been failing. She was survived by none of lier family. NAVAL RESERVE I>ANCE. The Royal Naval Voluntoer Reserve Headquarters, in St. Asaph street, were gaily decorated with flags and blue, orange, and gold streamers last night, when a very enjoyable dance was held. The dance music was supplied by Denza's band, and extras were played by Miss Elaine Moody's Hawaiian trio. The committee in charge of arrangements comprised Chief Petty Officer Urry, Petty Officer Buriss, Petty Officer Lowther, Messrs H. Hudson, J. Rhind, :N. Thomas', G. Thomas, and S. Wright. Signalman A. F. Bunting was M.C., and Sub-Lieutenant Phipps acted as officer of . the watch. Slipper arrangements were in charge of Mrs-A. B. Urry and Mra M. Martin. Among those present were Mesdames G. M. Williamson, A. L. Williamson, W. Downing, M. Nelson, and V. Soott, Misses Joyce Coyle, Kathleen Dempsey, Irene Stuart, Esme Knowles, Agnes Govan, Annie Leathern, Dot. Bunting, V. Moodv, Mavis Neale, Marjorie Fraser, Edith Jennings, Rita Brooker, Joyce Fraser, Eddie Wade, Dulcie Willcox, Margery,, Havertson, Lucy Wollcott, Annie Anderson, Muriel Arnold, Pere Damey, Bella Oddie, Marion Cooper, Vera Shaw, Dorothy Robinson, Gladys Buckley, Gladys Rugg (Sydney), Mabel Bacon, E. Walker, I Horniman, Doris Evans, Alice Quaid, Kathleen Thompson, Pat Gilooly, Peg Gilooly, Elaine Moody, Esther Coffee, Peggy Bennett, Vie Gibbons, Muriel Whent, Elsie Ullrich, May Taylor, Bernie Mitchell, B. Smith, N. Smith, Constance' Moore, Gwen Campbell, Winnie Parkes, Patricia Simpson, V. Yeatman, N. Atkins, and V. Carter. , PLUNKET SOCIETY. KIRWEE SUBiBRANCH. At tho monthly nfeeting of the Kirwee sub-branch of the Plunket Society, Mrs Sowden presided. Others present were Mesdames Dysart, Penney, McManua, A. Irvine, E. Belgrave, and W. Irvine. Nurse Finlayson read a letter from a Pluaket Nurse in China describing the conditions in the orphanages there. Afternoon tea was served by Mesdames Penney and Belgrave.

(CONTINUED.)

! FARMERS' UNION.

WOMEN'S DIVISION. The July meeting of tlio Women's Division of tlio Farmers' Union, -which, was held in the Y.M.C.A. buildings, was well attended, delegates from Dariicld, Dunsandel, Fern side, Motukararu, Springfield, Tai" Tapu, and West Eyroton being present. Members of the Christchurch branph were also present. Mrs C. Mcintosh presided. It was decided unanimously that the Central Committee should be formed into a provincial executive. Mrs C. K. Wilson, a member of the Pio Pio Women's Division, has worked out a scheme for the employment of boys. Mrs Wilson says: "Inasmuch as we consider that the very worst phase of the slump, the most demoralising, the most far-reaching, is the non-em-ployment. of boys and youths, we are putting forward a scheme whereby they may be settled on the land." The sehemo as suggested is as follows: "Take a large block of Crown Land—land in the virgin state (-0,000 acres should place 500 boys). It should be placed fairly near a railway, or, if it is necessary to take more remote land, a tramline should be run out to the settlement. The farm should be worked communally, and all workers should bo taught to consider the farm as their own property. There is hardly a trade or calling that is not needed in the starting of a farm —carpenters, navvies, drainer?, etc." At the executive meeting held early this month in Wellington one member spoke of the necessity for organisation in the Women's Division. This wfts unanimously agreed to. At the executive meeting it was decided that, the Women's Division should support the Biblo in Schools movement. It also made itself responsible for the maintenance of two Flock House boys. Arrangements have been made for the division to give an exhibition at tho forthcoming winter show, and preparations are well in hand. Demonstrations of spinning, weaving, glove-making, etc., will be given, and there will also be many other exhibits of work. CHILDREN'S PARTY. In connexion with tho jubilee celebrations of the Ridgely Lodge, No. 3(5, 1.0.0. F., a very enjoyable children s party was held at tho Ridgoly Hall last night. Tho hall was decorated with streamers and coloured lights, and tho hosts of little ones, all childi*en of .Lodge members, had a* woncloiiui night s run, and Brother E. Wood caused much amusement with his vontriloqual items. Brother W imams manipulated a magic lantern, an c other members did conjuring tricks and similarly amusing turns. Tho Jubilee Comhiitteo comprised Brothers E. Braggins, N.G., VV. Greenslade, G. Morrow, H Garratt, L Bicrman, H. Withell, R. l'raser, A: Aldridge, G. Scarlett, and L. 1. The adults present included Mesdames W. Greenslade, H. Garrett, G. Morrow, A. Aldridge, A. laylor, Jones, W. McDonnell, J. Biggs, G. Scarlett, assisted by others. , Children present were Jean omiti'i Jean Florence, Miffy and * ,Gwcn Waddley, Annio Helen and Jean Biggs, Nathalie Harris, Molly and Olive Tapper, Lester Barnett,PPr° r e eu Banks, June Newberry, Valnun McCullough, Yvonne and Norma l'raser, Joy Roper, Aileen and Beverley Marriott, Patsie and Jean Oliver, Nola Dunne, Ngaire Hudson, Lela Hudson, Nancy Taylor, Pamela, Bonnie, and Rosemary Helsdon, Edna, Maiiorie Peterson, Freda Brealy, Joan Johnston, Marjorie Phillips, Isoeleen Stevens, Vera and Frances Buckley, Winifred and Joy« T° wus ® d ' Patricia and Nina llhams, Jean and Aileen Denton, Eileen Moorfield, Pauline Hawortli, Eleanor, Ada, Kathleen, and Betty Cullamore, Kathleen Joughin, Nellie. Vera, and Edith Wise, Madge Bellamy, Brenda l ayne, Fiona Mclvor, Marjorie and 1 atricia Shand, Patricia Tabley, Carol Bamford, Beryl and Dorothy Thomson, Molly McCammon, Jean Manhirc, Marjorie Nelson, Dorothy Clark, Nancy and Jean Wende born, Connne Chamberlain, Betty Williams, Borrows, Marie Legros. „ Aitken, Joan Pilkington, Violet Rothwell Molly and Jean Myall Alma Hay, Dorothy Smart Clare %aire, arid Quita Joughin Alfred and Robert Wise, Raymond Bellamy, Roy loister, Jack Payne,, Ivor Mclvor,DonaldMcIvor Harold Williams, Lionel Madden,' Tommie Dullow. Sid, Frank and Fred Underhay, Teddie and leter Stroud Ray Jackson, Ronald BamfoT Lawrence and Joseph Williams, Roger, Jack, Donald, and Victoi Smith, Ewan Tipping, Max and - Greg Stevens, Russell Humm Eddie l'" 1 " lips, Leslie Roper Noel Phillips, rick and Noel Tabley, Russell Lawmice, Jim and Jo Biggs, Reg, Ernie, and Tom Clarkson, Ivan Smart, Ernest Hay Rav Lawson, Keith Masters, Rex Holmes," Len Biggs, George Biggs, Alan Burnett, Edwin and George Banks, Warren Falloon, 1< rank. Max, and Jack MiHan. Fmnk, Hugh, and Bill Williams, Keith and Peter Svdnev Legros, Leslie Aitken, • Colin and Donald Myall, Ivan Smart Charlie, and Peter Priestley, Jim Macfarlane, Ron Melvinley, Garry Lathanl, Douglas McDonald, Clifton Chapman 1 eter and Dick Moorfield, Billy and Desmond Neave, Norman Scarlett, Keith and George Mapston, Albie Joughin. Bobby Sparrow, Gerald, Ivan and Keith Thomson, Bob McCammon, TMc Braggins, Ronald McCracken, N™l TVWta" wf E- Kay Dnwker Will Hudson, Leslie Dunne, Alan and Donald Webster Tom Robertson. Noel and Colin Taylor. TIMARU NEWS. SOCIAL AND PERSONAL. Mrs P. A. Elwortliy (Gordon's Valley), who is the guest of Miss Julius (Christchurch), is expected home to-day. . Miss Ulrich (Dunedin) is the guest of Mrs F. F. A. Ulrich (Elizabeth street). , j Miss Patricia Strouach . (Duncdni) will arrive to-day .to stay with Mrs Harold E'worthy (Craigmore). Miss Cara Pinckuey- (Glenaray) will arrive at the end of the-week to stay with Mrs Basil Unwin ("Silver Ilill," Albury). ' , . Miss Jill Hislop (Geraldme)- is the guest of Miss Loo Cartwright '(OrbclL street). ' . Mr and Mrs Peter Hull (Christchurch) have returned home after a visit to Mr and Mrs Bruce .Murray (Godley Peaks). - . Mrs T. Northcote (Waiau) returned homo yesterday after spending a few days at the Bungalow. Miss Scota Stevvard (Sealy street) is on a visit to.Wellington. Miss Hennah (Christchurch), who was the guest of the Misses Woollcombc (Trafalgar street), left on Monday to stay with Tripp (Orari Gorge).