“QUEEN OF THE AIR RACE”

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27148, 18 September 1953, Page 10

“QUEEN OF THE AIR RACE”

CHRISTCHURCH CITY FINALIST NURSING SISTER FROM BURWOOD A 25-year-old nursing sister in the plastic unit at Burwooa Hospital, Miss Patricia M. Livingston, will represent Christchurch in the “Queen of the Air Race” contest, organised by the Canterbury International Air Race Council to raise funds for the LondonChristchurch air race. Miss Livingston will now go forward to the provincial final on September 21 when Canterbury’s representative will be selected. Thirty-six girls in evening frocks, assembled on the stage of the Majestic Theatre, and the audience, waited eagerly last evening to hear the name of the winner of the Christchurch section, which was known only to the three judges, Mr? L. A. Reesby, who is well known in repertory theatre circles, Miss Jocelyn Hollis, director of women’s programmes at 3YA, and Mr F. G. Hill, station manager in Christchurch for Tasman Empire Airways. Mrs Reesby announced the judges’ choice, which was loudly applauded by the other competitors and the . audience.

Before the announcement was made each girl walked on to the stage from the wings and was introduced to the audience by the national organiser of the contest, Mr S. E. M. Moodie. The girls, who were sponsored by organisations. firms, ana individuals in the city and suburbs, received gifts of stockings, and then lined up to await the judges’ announcement. “Christchurch has every reason to be truly proud of the girls who have entered this contest,” said Mrs Rees by. “There are some very talented girls among them, and the judges were surprised to find the jobs of work they do.” Mrs Reesby said that the judges had deliberated for hours, and had reached their decision late m the afternoon. Some of the requirements on which the selection had been based were personality, charm, and plenty of common sense. A girl, to be a successful air hostess, had to have a .way with older people and also with the very young, and had to be able to handle all types of people. Nursing training was a great help. Miss Livingston, who was sponsored by 21 members of the trained staff at the hospital, was born in Dannevirke, and was educated at the Dannevirke High School and the Marsden School, Wellington. Her general nursing training was done at the Wellington Hospital, and -she received specialist training in maternity nursing at the Rotorua Hospital. After completing her courses she gained further nursing experience in England and Canada.

AIRLINE CABIN SERVICES

SELECTION OF AIR HOSTESSES

To assist in the final provincial Judging of the “Queen of the Air Race” contest for Canterbury, Mr E. Mullane, cabin services manager of Tasman Empire Airways, will arrive in Christchurch today. Judging of the provincial finalists will take place on September 21, and Mr Mullane will

be assisted by Mrs M. Chambers, Lady Superintendent at the Christchurch Public Hospital, and Miss C. E. Robinson, of the Christchurch Vocational Guidance Centre. As a member of the company’s air hostess selection committee, Mr Mullane has interviewed more than 1000 applicants in seven years. In addition, he has considered written applications from 3000 His department employs a cabin services staff of 37 flight stewards and hostesses, although he never sees them all together. Most are always On duty from Australia to Tahiti along the company’s 8000 route miles. Mr Mullane travels extensively himself, mainly on T.E.A.L. routes, but late last year he flew 40,000 miles round the world in six weeks to observe cabin service on 13 overseas airlines. He flew by 19 of aircraft, ranging from faithful Douglas DC-3’s to British Overseas Airways Corporation Comet jetliners. His most vivid recollection of his trip was the magnitude of overseas air services and catering services. At Amsterdam, one airline employs 50 cooks working night and day to provide 50,000 meals every 12 days for passengers on the company’s aircraft. When Mr Mullane interviews girls in Christchurch next week, he will be

assessing them in the light of his experience in selecting air hostesses in New Zealand, and also with his knowledge of the service provided by air hostesses on many airlines of the world, including British European Airways, which has entered a Viscount turbo-prop airliner in the transport handicap section of the air race. Mr Mullane has already visited Napier, New Plymouth, Wellington. Blenheim, Nelson, and Greymouth for the judging of entrants in the contest Later next week, he will visit Dunedin and Invercargill.