Te Wai Pounamu College Old Girls Hold Reunion

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27489, 25 October 1954, Page 2

Te Wai Pounamu College Old Girls Hold Reunion

The annual reunion of old girls of Te Wai Pounamu College, for which much preparation had been made, opened on Saturday, when for the first time, the Old Girls’ Association held a debutante ball. The gathering was held at the Mayfair, and was attended by many guests who are interested in the welfare of the college and the pupils, as well as by old girls. The debutantes were Miss Mauroa Tuuta, who represented the Chatham Islands, Miss Frances Welsey, of Glenavy, representing the South Island, and Miss Ninuva Aporo, of Martinborough, representing the North Island. They were presented to the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) and Mrs Warren by the president of the association (Miss Kia Riwai). Mrs Warren wore a graceful gown of grey-blue crepe cut on classical lines. Miss Riwai’s frock of black marquisette was hand-painted in floral design. Guests of honour included Mr Daniels and Mrs Daniels (principal of Te Wai Pounamu College), Mr G. Oakleigh Greenwood (president of the college board of governors) and Mrs Greenwood, Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon (president of the Friends of Te Wai Pounamu) and Mrs Mac Gibbon, Mr E. M. Gibson and Mrs Gibson (daughter

of the Rev. C. A. Fraer, founder of the college), the Rev. D. D. Thorpe (chaplain to the college) and Mrs Thorpe, Mrs Joughin (a former principal), Mrs H. Baker (past-president of the association), and representatives of the old girls* associations of the following schools: Timaru, Otago, Christchurch, Southland Girls’ High Schools, St. Mary’s, St. Hilda’s, and St. Margaret’s Colleges, Rangi-ruru, and Villa Maria, and Our Lady of the Missions Convents, and Ashburton Old Pupils’ Association. Members of the ball committee were Miss Riwai (chairman), Mrs D. Munro (secretary), Mrs R. Paku (secretary of the old girls’ association), Mrs Patea (treasurer of the old girls’ association), Mrs M. Stirling, Mrs B. Beresford, Mrs L. Ernest, and Miss A. Tini. On Saturday afternoon members of the committee and the debutantes were the guests of Mrs Daniels at afternoon tea at the college. Members of the association attended a church parade at St. John’s Church, Latimer square, yesterday* and this was followed by luncheon served at the Maori Association’s hall. In the afternoon visits were paid to old girls of the college who are in hospital.