TRIBUTE TO MRS E. R. McCOMBS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21656, 14 December 1935, Page 23

TRIBUTE TO MRS E. R. McCOMBS

CEREMONY AT /CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL I 1 PRESENTATION PORTRAIT UNVEILED r A portrait of Mrs E. R. McCombs, the first woman member of Parliament in New Zealand, and a former pupil of the West Chx-istchurch District High School, was formally placed in the entrance hall of the school yesterday. I R has been presented by Mr T. An--1 drews, chairman of the school commit- ; tee, who presided at the ceremony. Many visitors attended the function, and the pupils were also assembled. Miss Nancy Ruston, the president of the Old Girls’ Association, unveiled the portrait. It was fitting that the school should pay tribute to a pupil who had had the distinction of being the first 'woman to become a member of her 'country’s Parliament, said Mr Andrews. Mrs McCombs had been a great •woman. She had never found time for frivolities, yet she had had an unusual charm as well as great dignity. “This school has every reason to be proud of its old pupils,” remarked Mr L. F. de Berry, the headmaster. But it' was especially pleasing to be gathered to honour one who had brought a tremendous distinction to the school, he said. This photograph of her would be a perpetual reminder of Mrs McCombs, of her devotion to public service. It would serve as an inspiration to the boys and girls who were yet to pass through the school. A Fine Wife and Mother Mr E. J. Howard. M.P., spoke of the resolve that had characterised the work of Mrs McCombs. She was probably the most remarkable woman New [Zealand had produced, he said. She had seemed always to know just what she wanted from life. As a girl she had gone about putting her house in order, and even then she had, as it were, built it upon a rock. Her ! public activities made her well known, but before she had enterted public 'life she had first been a fine wife, a fine mother, and a fine home-builder. “On behalf of the Labour party I [sincerely thank Mr Andrews for presenting to the school this portrait of one of its greatest pupils,” Mr Howlard said. , . .. Before unveiling the portrait, Miss j Ruston also thanked Mr Andrews for 1 her association. His act was a gracious one, and it was deeply appreciated by the old girls. Mrs McCombs had indeed brought honour to the school, land it was with no little sense of pnj vilege that the association had deputed I its president to take active part in a 1 ceremony in which Mrs McCombs s memory was to be honoured.