NEW ZEALANDERS OVERSEAS

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26869, 23 October 1952, Page 2

NEW ZEALANDERS OVERSEAS

MRS E. J. CORDNER RENEWS FRIENDSHIPS Renewing many former friendships while on a visit overseas gave great pleasure to Mrs E. J. Cordner, of Fendalton,, who returned to Christchurch this week by air after a six months’ visit to Britain and America. Her primary reason for taking the trip was to see her daughter, Mrs Youatt (Miss Quita Cordner,) who now lives near Leeds, Yorkshire. Her husband, who formerly served in the Navy, is an electrical engineer and is in charge of the electricity department of the city. He and his wife share an interest in the breeding of dogs. Many Canterbury residents will be interested to learn that Mrs Blackford, formerly Miss Olive Strachey, and her husband now live near Shrewsbury in what Mrs Cordner describes as a little New Zealand colony. Her neighbours are Mr and Mrs Fox, and Mrs Fox was well known in Wellington and dn Christchurch as Miss Gwen Millais, and Mrs Blackford’s daughter is training as a nurse at Westminster Hospital and her parents were gratified to hear that she had passed her final examination at the head of the list. Mrs Cordner spent a few days with Mrs J. Corry, only daughter of the late Sir Cyril and Lqdy Ward of Merivale lane. .She now lives in a charming house in pleasant surroundings near Seven Oaks. Mrs Corry, who revisited her brothers and friends in Christchurch a few years ago, has three children—two girls and a small boy. Mrs Cordner was pleased to meet at Seven Oaks a friend whom she had not seen for some years—Mrs Pratten, a sister of Mrs Douglas Anderson, of Armagh street west. Another old friend whom she met was Mrs Parker, formerly of Christchurch, now of Felixstowe, a sister of Mr Frank Morrison, of Riccarton. The Hon. Mrs Tahu Rhodes Mrs Cordner found as kindly and hospitable as she had been during her residence at Meadowbank, Ellesmere. Her two married daughters live in the district near her, and her youngest daughter, Miss Pamela Rhodes, does useful community work amongst girls and in youth clubs and youth centres. Another New Zealander whom Mrs Cordner visited was Mrs Noel Newton who lived for a time in Rossall street. She and her husband have a flat at Knightsbridge, their son is at boarding school and their daughter, Annabelle, is training at the Great Ormond Street Hospital. At the Royal garden party, Mrs Cordner was surprised at the number of New Zealanders, especially Canterbury people, whom she met.

On her homeward journey, she stayed near Boston with Mr and Mrs Irving Carney and visited their daughter, Virginia, now Mrs Britten Bender, who has her home near New York. Another daughter lives in Boston. At Honolulu, Mrs Cordner stayed with Mrs Grace, who will be remembered in Christchurch as a delegate to the Pan-Pacific conference in January. Mrs Grace, she says, has very happy memories of her visit to New Zealand and sent greetings to her friends in Christchurch. MISS G. WIDDOWSON HONOURED NORTH CANTERBURY RED CROSS Miss G. Widdowson, who, at the end of November, will relinquish her position as lady superintendent of the Christchurch Hospital, was the honoured guest at a tea party given yesterday by the executive of the North Canterbury centre of the Red Cross Society. The guests, among whom were several old friends of Miss Widdowson, were welcomed by the president (Lady Wigram). “We of the Red Cross owe you so much.” said Lady, Wigram to Miss Widdowson. “We'shall miss you v§ry much and' are sorry to say goodbye We wish you a very happy future.'*’ She mentioned that Mrs Herbert Smith, who is ill. had sent a message of gratitude and goodwill to Miss Widdowson. Lady Wigram presented Miss Widdowson with a suitcase and shoulder spray on behalf of the centre, and Mrs H. Wales, on behalf of the North Canterbury voluntary aids, presented her with a silver powder bowl and thanked her for much sound advicq and valuable help. “Ever since 1918. when I began my training at the Christchurch Hospital I have looked upon the Red Cross as a fairy godmpther,” said Miss Widdowson in gratefully acknowledging the good wishes and gifts. She recalled that after the First World War Mrs G. Rhodes and her helpers had visited servicemen in the hospital with cheerful smiles and many gifts, and that during the last war, when emergency hospitals had to be established at Addington and at the Waltham orphanage, the Red Cross immediately sprang into action. She especially mentioned the work of Miss M. Bain, who had directed the kitchen at Addington. “I did not feel alone and fearful when these emergencies arose.” she said, ,“for I knew I had the Red Cross to call upon.” The society had continued its work to the present day, and she thanked members for their help and co-operation.