MAORI GIRLS’ SCHOOL

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22662, 17 March 1939, Page 2

MAORI GIRLS’ SCHOOL

ANNUAL MEETING OF COUNCIL OFFICERS RE-ELECTED Hearty congratulations to the council and. staff were expressed by Bishop West-Watson when presiding at the annual meeting o'f the Te Waipounamu School Council, held in the school grounds yesterday afternoon. More than 100 supporters and friends were present. The annual report and statement of accounts, as published in “The Press” yesterday, were presented by the chairman of the council, the Rev. J. T. McWilliam, and the honorary treasurer, Mr A. Hunnibell, respectively. In expressing his pleasure at the progress made, Bishop West-Watson made particular reference to the wise manner in which Sister Kate, C.S.N., had helped to build the school up to its present* standards. "Frequently,” he said, “we see instances of institutions, which have been built up largely on the personality of one enthusiastic worker, crumble away when that personality is withdrawn. In this case, however, the work done in the past has proved a permanent living contribution, and Sister Constance has been able to take up where her predecessor left off.” The Bishop drew attention to the fact that several former pupils of the school are now attending training college and becoming teachers at native schools, and warmly commended this branch of the school’s activities. He was also particularly pleased that services in the Maori language were being conducted regularly by the school chaplain. "It is one of the tragedies of native life in the South Island that the native population is so small and so widely scattered that their beautiful language is dropping out of use. We must help them to have pride in their language. This is one of the things Te Waipounamu can do for the South Island Maoris.” The four retiring members of the council were unanimously re-elected, making the personnel for the ensuing year as follows: —The Rev. J. T. McWilliam (chairman)' Mrs T, E. Chisnall, Miss A. I. Foley, Miss T. WestWatson, Miss Betty Neave, Dean Julius, Canon G. Nolham Watson, Mr J. E. M. Rountree, Mr A. Hunnibell (honorary treasurer), Mr John Stewart (honorary secretary). Mr K. A. Gough (honorary assistant-secretary), and Mrs H. J. Marriner (honorary member). Votes of thanks to the principal and staff, the honorary auditor (Mr H. J. Quarrcll), and to the press were enthusiastically recorded. At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr McWilliam thanked Bishop West-Wat-son for his interest in everything that pertained to the school. Supporters and friends were then entertained at afternoon tea, and an excellent display was given by the pupils. PRESENTATION PARTY MISS E. SCOTT HONOURED A pleasant little gathering was held at “The Farmers,” when members of the staff of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association of Canterbury, Ltd., Christchurch, gathered to present a handsome silver tea and coffee service to Miss Elsie Scott, who has severed her connexion with the firm after being continuously employed there for more than 14 years. During the last seven years she has been manageress of the tearooms. In making the presentation, Mr W. Machin (general manager) expressed regret that Miss Scott’s health did not permit her to continue her duties, and referred to the long term of loyal service she had given to the firm. He conveyed to her the good wishes of members of the staff, and their hope that she would soon be restored to good health. Miss Scott has left for a long holiday in the south, where she will visit relatives and friends. She also intends spending some time in the Southern Lakes district. STRATHEONA HOME-TRAINING HOSTEL A meeting of the board of managers of Stratheona Home-Training Hostel was held at Pleasant Point. Mrs A. H. Gillingham (chairwoman) presided. The matron (Mrs Harper) reported that several of the girls had been in private houses to complete their training. and others had had their fortnight’s holiday before taking positions. A quantity of fruit and vegetables had been preserved. Miss Millicent Jennings and Mr Anderson" (Timaru Gardens) had visited Stratheona, and Miss Jennings had given an instructive lecture on “Herb Culture,” and had presented Stratheona with dried herbs, jars, labels, and pegs. There had been 54 visitors to the hostel during the month. Miss Mcßean had offered to continue her weekly instruction in physical exercises. Appreciation was expressed of Miss M. A. Blackmore’s gift of useful text books to the trainees, and Mr N. A. Corbett was thanked for petrol and for the time he had given in the interests of the hostel. It was reported that women of the Pleasant Point district had held a meeting to make arrangements for an entertainment to augment Stratheona funds. Final arrangements were made for a garden party to be held on the last Saturday of this month. ... Congratulations were extended to Mrs Harper and to the trainees on the fact that every girl who has completed her time of training has been successful in gaining the Stratheona certificate. . , Applications for the services of trainees were discussed, and another enrolment was accepted. It was reported that there was a vacancy for a suitable trainee to enter Stratheona during April. JESSIE MACKAY PRIZE The most important matter discussed this week at the first meeting for the year of the New Zealand Writers’ and Artists’ Society in Wellington was the proposed Jessie Mackay memorial prize for poetry. It was decided to hold an open meeting at an early date when funds received would be given to this object. For writing the best New Zealand play performed at the last Drama League festival, Mrs D. Jesson, a member of the society, received a silver cup. ■