“MISS UNIVERSITY” LIKES TURTLES

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31981, 7 May 1969, Page 2

“MISS UNIVERSITY” LIKES TURTLES

An attractive, green-eyed brunette, who admits to being fascinated by turtles, became “Miss University, 1969” in Christchurch yesterday.

Miss Brigid Mcßae, aged 20, said her interest in turtles stemmed from her study of zoology, which she is taking, coupled with psychology, for a bachelor of science degree.

Miss Mcßae, now in her third year at the University of Canterbury, coined from Akaroa. She was bom on a farm and loves animals of any kind.

Second in the contest, which was organised as part of the capping week, programme, was Miss Sue Cummack, and Miss Lee Leng Whong was’third. Both are arts students.

The nine contestants, including two from Lincoln College, must have had strong nerves to parade three times before the audience in which male students predominated. Constant intellections and distractions did nothing to put tile girls at, ease, but‘they succeeded in retaining sufficient composure, without which the contest would have lacked dignity completely. Seats reserved for the public remained unoccupied while the student audience was packed thick round the doorways. Periodically, a mas-

sive “shove” from outside the door sent forward those standing, almost unbalancing the people who were seated. SOUND POOR

Throughout it all, David McPhail continued with his job as compere. The sound system, however, was poor and it was difficult to hear his interviews with the contest ants. Neither was he equipped to describe the clothes, which were provided for the girls to model by Cantwell Creations.

The judges were Mr E. Sarginson, a Christchurch photographer, Miss B. Preck, a boutique owner, and Miss Aroha Manawatu, last year's “Miss Canterbury." The winner’s main prize was a week-end for two at the Hermitage, given by Mount Cook Airlines and Manchester Car Sales. She will go to the national contest in Dunedin later in the year.

Yesterday afternoon Miss Mcßae presented the prizes at the students* annual bike race and she was crowned at the undergraduates* ball in the evening by last year’s “Miss University,” Miss Gael McDougall. This morning Miss Mcßae will lead Procesh in an open car. ’

Those unplaced in the contest were Misses Judith Bolger, Barbara Claris, Christine Cooper, Elizabeth Hancock, Sue McKenzie, and Tania Sterling.