DEGREE TAKEN AT 50

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27213, 3 December 1953, Page 2

DEGREE TAKEN AT 50

Auckland Woman’s Feat

BEGAN COURSE ON SILVER WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

(iveu, 6e<u««rt UrexA AxMomutonr AUCKLAND. December 2.

A 50-year-old Auckland woman. Mrs F. J. Gair, has learned that she has her Bachelor of Arts degree Mrs Gair, who is a grandmother, has looked after her husband and two of her three sons as well as attending lectures. Since her marriage she had hoped to take a degree, “when the family grew up,’’ she said today. It was on her silver wedding anniversary that she resolved to begin the course. Her major subject was philosophy, and her course covered also Greek history, art, and literature. political science, geography, anthropology, and English. Members of her family now hold seven university degrees. Her husband is principal of the Avondale Intermediate School, and her eldest son. George, a former journalist, is Auckland's Public Relations Officer Her 24-year-old son. Frank, has his M.Sc. degree and is preparing his thesis in physics. Roger, aged 21, is assistant manager of a rubber plantation in Malaya. "I think I must be a natural student for I just love reading and study.” Mrs Gair said. Her interests include all of the arts, especially * drama and music. She has produced many plays, from comic opera to Shakespeare.

Mrs Gair's next ambition is the world tour she plans to make with her husband within a year. They hope to visit Europe and Canada.