Reception Of Welcome Given To Lady Norrie

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27500, 6 November 1954, Page 2

Reception Of Welcome Given To Lady Norrie

The Christchurch branch of the'National Council of Women last evening nad the honour of entertaining Her e^ ncy ’, Lady Norrie - at a recep..on of welcome held at the Christchurch Teachers’ College. It was Lady s fll ? t visit to the Christchurch oranch, and members attended in full force to show their appreciation of her jraciousness in accepting the branch's invitation.

.. Lsuiy Nome was, met on arrival by the president of the branch (Miss H K and member ’ of the wore a lovely frock of ; oft pale pink satin with square neckfull skirt ’ and a fur stole. She was accompanied by her - Jly-iD - waiting. Miss Jean Holloway, a dress of brown lace over a « reen scarf with r an-coloured spots. Miss Lovell-Smith wore a dress of □.ack ninon brightened with a red rose ?™. ? V _ e _T y - long .black ninon scarf embroidered in gold and silver. « Th ? P° m inion president of the National Council of Women (Mrs T H Cumberbeach) had come from Timaru ‘°s iS e g T ther j?& ® nd was welcomed by Miss Lovell-Smith. She wore a dress of pale lavender taffeta and a xaily coloured scarf. Miss Lovell-Smith, in welcoming ?SS y^or K rie ’ “id members apprecij honour she had done them, and she hoped Her Excellency would tnjoy her stay in Christchurch. Miss ™£tt a Ute member of the presented Lady Norrie with a bouquet of red roses. -ki. is a ’ery great pleasure to have “P®. °PPoriunrty of meeting members of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women,” said Lady

it, .J ™, .“try 1 TOuW not accept the invitation to open the Dominion conference in Dunedin at the end of August, but as a wife and mother you can imagine that it is difficult for me to leave home too often.” .She referred to the council’s gift to he Queen on behalf of the Westminster Abbey Restoration Fund and said she eould think of no more fitting commemoration of the Royal visit than Jus contribution to England's hal- • Lady Norrie said she noticed the interest the National of Women in Christchurch m children, Particularly in safetv in the home, and said that in this machine age, when housewives had so many different appliances and gadgets to work with, it was no wonder that Jiey needed educating in how to use

them safely and in the necessity of Keeping them out of the reach of their

“My association with the National P ou “cil of Women started in Adelaide m 1 1944 when my husband was appointed Governor of South Australia,” said Lady Norrie. “In South Australia ~e re, only the one National Council of Women, which is in Adelaide, luey do not have branches in the other towns as you do in New Zealand.

“The National Council of Women always gives the Governor’s wife her first welcome after she arrives in South Australia, and they invite representatives from the affiliated societies to be present/’ she said. *1 had lived nearly all my life on a farm and was quite unaccustomed to public speaking or any public appearance at all, so you can imagine my consternation when I found myself on !c e hall Platform facing more than 200 women. However, they were all kind and welcoming, and I think the evening passed off fairly satisfactorily. I always hope that they didn’t realise how my knees were knocking as ( J T r ® se *° re Ply to their welcome. I became very much interested m * the women’s organisations in South Australia as indeed I am in New ZeaParticularly those which concern children,” continued Her ’Excellency “I have come here tonight, hoping many as possible of you individually. I am also looking forward to the musical items on the programme.

May I, as your patroness, congratulate you on the excellent work you are doing in the interests of the women of New Zealand. You will always have my support, and if I can help you in any way, I hope you will call on me to do so.” A short musical programme was piovided by Mr Keith Newson, who played violin solos with Mrs Newson as accompanist, and by Mr Carl Smith, who sang several songs with Mr Newson accompanying him. The three JJtists were later presented to Lady Norrie. Before Lady Norrie arrived at the party Miss Lovell-Smith expressed gratitude to Mr D. Mac Kay principal of the Teachers’ College, who had lent the students’ common room for the party. Miss Millicent Kennedy (a vice-president of the branch), and the students for preparing the room, Mrs Maurice warren. Mrs N. Le Cren, and Mrs A. M. Vile for the artistic floral decorations, and Mr Newson for arranging the musical programme.