PROPOSAL BY LETTER

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

PROPOSAL BY LETTER

WELLINGTON GIRL TO MARRY IN BRITAIN (From the London Correspondent of ’The Press") LONDON, October 26. Miss Georgina Smith, aged 19, has come 13,000 miles from Wellington to marry an Englishman who proposed to her by mail, and she has brought her trousseau with her. Her husband-to-be is a 22-year-old army cook, who had to get special leave to meet iier when she arrived in London last weekend in the Rangitiki. She met her fiance, Allan Williams, two years ago when he was a steward aboard the Sydney Star, and she described that meeting as “love at first sight.” Twelve months ago he made his last voyage and the courtship had to continue through letters. Mr Williams had to do his national service training with a visit to Korea. The important letter arrived nine months ago when Mr Williams asked her to pack up and sail for Britain for the wedding. With her has come her younger sister, Josephine, to act as bridesmaid. The date of the wedding has still to be settled. Georgina’s mother would like her to marry in the Shetland Islands, the place she lift 28 years ago to settle in New Zealand. Mrs Smith felt that it wduld maintain a family link. The couple will settle in Britain, though they hope, eventually, to return to New Zealand. Georgina is the daughter of Mr and Mrs George Smith, of 42 Dupper street, Berhampore, Wellington.

COUNCIL OF OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATIONS

The annual meeting bt the executive council of Old Girls’ Associations was held at Te Wai Pounamu College. The principal of the College (Mrs Daniels) welcomed the members. The visitors inspected the college and were entertained by the pupils with traditional songs and dances. The year’s activities were reviewed by the retiring president (Miss C. Bertram). She mentioned the sponsored child in England and said donations had been made to the New Zealand Crippled Children Society and the “Save the Children” Fund. During the winter an enjoyable bridge party had been held to raise general funds. The following officers were elected: president, Miss O. Eslick (Christchurch Girls’ High School); vicepresident, Mrs J. Garland (Nga Tawa); secretary. Miss Mavis Reese; auditor, Mrs E. Upjohn. Miss Hilda Nottingham proposed a vpte of thanks to the retiring president. The patron (Mrs A. H. Rothenberg) thanked Mrs Daniels on behalf of Ihe members for her hospitality.

OPENING OF MARY POTTER HOSPICE

The Most Rev. P. B. • McKeefry, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Wellington and Metropolitan of New Zealand, accompanied by Archbishop Liston, of Auckland, will arrive in Christchurch .this morning to attend the opening of the Mary Potter Hospice by the Governor-General (Sir Willoughby Norrie) tomorrow afternoon. Bishop Foley, S.M., Vicar Apostolic of Fili, who will also attend the opening of the hospice, arrived ip .Christchurch last evening. A liturgical reception will be tendered to Archbishoo McKeefry in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament at 7 o’clock tomorrow evening.