Amazed By N.Z. Women

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30980, 9 February 1966, Page 2

Amazed By N.Z. Women

Amazingly practical and efficient is the way Miss Patricia Davies, the new lady superintendent at the Methodist Deaconess House, describes New Zealand women. Miss Davies came to New Zealand from England in 1953. and has worked in many parts of the country.

"The women here can cook up a meal in no time,” shie said. “I have a friend with six girts in her family, and

she is always so calm, and such a good cook and housewife.”

While her new appointment will mean many changes for her. Miss Davies has experience in most aspects of the work. She has been highly trained for domestic service and has served in stately homes in England, Scotland and Ireland.

She has worked in the headmaster’s house at Eton Col-

lege, for the Guinness family at their homes in Park lane and Surrey, but she has not found life in New Zealand dull. “I worked in hotels, homes for the aged, and at the girls’ receiving home here,” Miss Davies said. During the war Miss Davies joined the Red Cross, and would have liked to train as a nurse.

“I could do the practical work, but you have to start the theory young,” she said. “But I enjoyed nursing at the old folks’ homes.” Miss Davies does not feel at all daunted by the thought of being in charge of 29 young girls, and is looking forward to her new life. “I will enjoy managing a house again as I did in England, for I sometimes think I was trained too well, for if I dust and clean I do it thoroughly. New Zealanders may be more free and easy, but they enjoy life more,” she said.