Obituary MISS I. F. MILNES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28895, 15 May 1959, Page 2

Obituary MISS I. F. MILNES

The death occurred this week in Christchurch of Miss Irene Fortesque Milnes. Miss Milnes was for seven years, until her retirement at the end of 1956, first assistant at the Christchurch Girls’ High School. Her concern for the best traditions of the school was recognised by pupils and colleagues alike. Her honesty and clarity of thought and purpose is for many of them now part of the school’s tradition. Miss Milnes taught at the school for 33 years, with special responsibility for the department of mathematics for the later years. Her retirement was marked by the gift of a cup to be presented to the dux of the school. The gift was made by Miss Sally Page, one of several brilliant students who recognised with affection and gratitude the foundations of their mathematical training laid by Miss Milnes’s teaching. Miss Milnes was educated at the Elmwood School and the Christchurch Girls’ High School, where she was dux in 1916. She graduated with honours in history at the University of Canterbury and. in addition, carried through advanced work in mathematics. For the last two years she was president of the Old Girls’ Association of the school. She was also president in Canterbury and Dominion president of the Federation of University Women; and served for the last three years as secretary-treasurer of its fellowship fund, an extension of the federation’s work which facilitates the research of graduate students in New Zealand and overseas. Miss Milnes has also served for many years as one of the federation’s representatives on the National Council of Women. Miss Milnes’s ideals of service to the community have been expressed in many ways. As a schoolgirl she served with her mother at the community centre established during the influenza epidemic of 1918. She shared with her friends her wide interest in music and drama. People in many walks of life will remember the gracious hospitality of her home, her depth of culture, her wit and humour, and her genuine and warm friendliness. Miss Milnes was the daughter of the late Mr and Mrs H. T. Milnes. She is survived by her brother. Mr R. E. Milnes, of Riccarton.