NEWS FOR WOMEN ARTS AND CRAFTS SCHOOL

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26512, 29 August 1951, Page 2

NEWS FOR WOMEN ARTS AND CRAFTS SCHOOL

ADULT EDUCATION PROJECT

Sixty women from all over Cantertmry are attending the second arts and crafts school at Canterbury University College, arranged by the adult education department of the college. The school offers four-day courses tn embroidery, pottery and fabric printing and silk screen printing. About half those taking courses are from the country.

The director of the department (Mr G. W. Southgate) said yesterday that the object of the school was to raise the standard of handwork in each group through the example of those who had received expert instruction at the school. Much of the work he had seen at local handcraft exhibitions showed expert needlework, but much of it was wasted through poor design and wrong use of colour. “There is too much ‘crafty art’ about,” he said. The school started yesterday and will finish on Friday. The fabric and silk screen printing course, with 25 students, is proving the most popular, but all those attending the school will have a chance to see the work done on the other courses. Last evening Mrs E. L. King gave a demonstration on floral decorations in the home, and Miss Ethne Tosswill will demonstrate cake icing to-morrow evening. Instructors tor the course are Mr J. A. Johnstone (fabric printing), Miss F. Adkins (embroidery), and Mrs D. Holland (pottery).

Last year’s school was for country women only, but this year’s school is open to all women. Some of those who attended last year have enrolled again.

NATIONAL BALLET OF AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND TOUR Theatregoers in Christchurch will welcome the visit in October of the Australian National Ballet Company, which will open a New Zealand tour in Auckland on Saturday, after completing highly successful seasons in State capitals as part of the Commonwealth jubilee celebrations. The company was formed in 1949 when some of the leading dancers of the Ballet Rambert were invited by the National Theatre Movement of Australia to remain and form the nucleus of a company of Australian artists, to be subsidised by part of the grant of £31.000 which the Government of Victoria makes annually to the movement.

The director of the company is Joyce Graeme and the choreographer of most of the works is Rex Reid, both of whom also appear as dancers. For the first time in New Zealand, the company will present the complete four-act version of Tchaikowski’s “Swan Lake." The second major work in the repertoire is John Antill’s “Corroboree,” based on authentic native ceremonial dances, which the company staged for the first time in Sydney last year, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer. In addition to “Aurora’s Wedding" and “Les Sylphides,” the company will bring several original productions, including “Romshtlc Suite” (music by John Field), “The Listeners” (music by Dohnanyi), and “Les Belles Creoles," set to Aaron Copland’s “El Salon Mexico."

FESTIVAL GIRL

CIVIC RECEPTION AT AUCKLAND

Interested spectators watched Miss Judy Breen, the Festival of Britain girl, enter the Auckland Town Hall for a civic reception held in her honour. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr A. S. Bailey), who was accompanied by Mrs Bailey, welcomed Miss Breen and paid a tribute to her refreshing personality. In her .reply, she thanked the people of New-Zealand for .the hospitality which had been extended to her during her visit and remarked upon the flowers which had awaited her in her hotel room upon her arrival.

CURRENT NOTES

Miss Philips Lorimer (Nelson) has returned from England and Norway. While overseas Miss Lorimer studied modern physiotherapy She intends to practise in Christchurch. Coloured lights and ferns were effective decorations used in the Gaiety Hail, Akaroa. where members of the Akaroa Golf Club held their annual ball. The ball was a great success and attracted many guests. Member* of the ball committee were Messrs A. W. McClelland (master of ceremonies). T. G. Langdon (chairman), J. Hennessey. Miss S. McCulloch. and Miss Cdlleen Mcßride, who were assisted by Messrs J. Bruce, H. Hamilton, and C. Bryant.

Mr J. F. Lockington gave an address on the aims and progress of the National Party at a meeting of the Federated Business and Professional Women’s Club. Miss E. Rowe thanked the speaker after a number of questions had been answered. Miss I. Rubins presided.

Miss Iris Rains, Christchurch, will leave next month for England to attend refresher and general courses in physiotherapy. Miss Rains will also spend some months at one of the leading thoracic surgical units, where she hopes to gain further experience of these cases. Mrs W. Grant presided at the monthly meeting of the board of directors of the lt was reported that £152 had been raised at a fair last month, and as a further effort to raise funds for the association It was decided to hold a garden party at Bishop Julius Hostel early in December. The general secretary (Miss K. Mcßae) reported on the activities of the various clubs. Arrangements were made for the visit of Miss Winifred Galbraith, a religious education specialist, Who will be in Christchurch next month. It was reported that the Riverlaw hostel, purchased less than five years ago, was now cleared of mortgage. The board reported that Miss Cook had been appointed matron of the Latimer Hostel in succession to Mrs Richardson. A letter in appreciation of her good service had been sent by the board to Mrs Richardson.

ENGAGEMENTS

The engagement is announced of Vera May (Maisie). second daughter of Mr H. A. Boundv and the late Mrs Boundy, of Christchurch, to Francis Henry, fourth son of Mr and Mrs W. A. Keen. Owaka, South Otago

Mr and Mrs W. S. Marshall, Winchmore, wish to announce the engagement of their second daughter, Shirley Margaret, to Robert Bielbie. second son of Mr and the late Mrs B. Maw, Mount Hutt.