Mayoress Invested With Chain Of Office

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 2

Mayoress Invested With Chain Of Office

When the Mayoress of Christchurch (Mrs G. Manning) next appears on official duty she will wear a handsome new chain of office, the gift of the women of Christchurch. The chain was formally handed over to the Christchurch City Council yesterday morning by Mrs W. Grant, president of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women, which sponsored the fund for the insignia. The presentation was made in recognition of the outstanding contribution to the community made by mayoresses of Christchurch over the years, Mrs Grant said.

Mrs Grant said that because women appreciated the importance uf the office of mayoress, the council sponsored the gift. It was particularly anxious to do so when it realised that Christchurch was the only major city in New Zealand where the mayoress did not have an insignia of office. “It was also felt that the presentation of this chain would compensate in some small measure for the lack of a town hall,” she added-

Overseas visitors had often expressed surprise that so few women in New Zealand took part in public and community life, though they had had the right to vote since 1833. she said. Few women were willing to accept civic responsibility but this lack of participation in public life did not apply to mayoresses, she said. They had given generously to many and various public demands. They had also provided a restful background at home so necessary to a busy mayor. "I would say that no mayor today could carry out successfully his heavy responsibilities without the full cooperation and help of his mayoress.” she said. "We are delighted that you will be the first to wear this chain.” Mrs Grant said to Mrs Manning “The presentation is a tangible proof of the big!. regard in which mayoresses have been held. And your charm, your quie’ dignity, and your genuiness

have won the respect and deep affection of all. Your unfailing interest in the work and welfare of women has been an inspiration.” As a result of Mrs Manning's example. Mrs Grant said, she hoped more women —capable women with much to give—would come forward to accept civic responsibility

After the presentation, made tc the Mayor for the city. Mrs Grant invested Mrs Manning with the chain of office.

The ceremony was attended by nearly 100 representatives of women’s organisations. which had made donations to the fund, and other contributors.

Miss S. Lilly, secretary of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women, read a short history of the campaign to have the chain made

Miss M. G. Havelaar, who has had a long association with women’s organisations in Christchurch, paid tribute to the city’s past mayoresses Mrs Manning said she felt

greatly honoured to be the first Mayoress of Christchurch to wear the new chain of office and proud that the project was sponsored by the National Council of Women. Mrs Grant and Miss Lilly had given much time and' enthusiasm to make the gift possible to the Christchurch City Council. ’’l sincerely thank the women’s* organisations and civic-minded women of this city for their contributions to a fund to provide this chain of office.” she said The chain looked particularly effective on the navy wool georgette jacket frock, which Mrs Manning wore with a matching turban hat The Deputy-Mayor (Mr H P. Smith) said the gift was a charming and impressive gesture in recognition of the work being done by the mayoress of Christchurch Mrs Manning would wear the chain with distinction, said Mr Smith.