Principal called one of the province’s famous women

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32776, 29 November 1971, Page 6

Principal called one of the province’s famous women

Amid masses of flowers and about 200 friends, Mrs K. J. Ford, the principal of Kingslea for nearly 30 years, was farewell ed in Christchurch on Saturday evening.

Associates from the Child Welfare Division of the Education Department, the centre’s past staff members, and her close relatives from several other parts of New Zealand were among the guests who met to honour “one of Canterbury’s famous women.”

They came to pay affectionate tribute to someone who had Quietly gained an international reputation in a highly specialised and humane field of welfare—that of helping disturbed girls adjust to society. “It is impossible to measure Kay Ford’s influence in this work,” said the Superintendent of the Child Welfare Division of New Zealand (Mr L. G. Anderson). Overseas visitors doing the same kind of work had told him that Mrs Ford had no equal in the United States or the United Kingdom, and her influence had reached far beyond New Zealand. The Queen had awarded her an M. for her service. Mr Anderson said. Mrs Ford’s long term as principal (28| years) showed her resilience and outstanding ability in a difficult job, he said. Although another similar training centre would be opened in the North Island next year, Mrs Ford I had so far carried the full ■ burden of this particular type (of training, herself. ( “But Kay Ford does not let her worries get her down. She has a keen sense of humour and always speaks her mind. She has earned the admiration and affection of her

colleagues and the community, and there must be thousands of girls throughout New Zealand living happier lives today because of her interest,” Mr Anderson said. MONUMENT Kingslea was a monument to Mrs Ford in her own lifetime, said Mr M. Lyons, the Child Welfare District Officer With her strong convictions. drive, and. dedication, she had raised the centre to what it was today “singlehanded” —riding storms fearlessly and gaining a fantastic amount of public support. She was “one of Canterbury’s famous women,” he said. She and her husband, Mr C. T. Ford, formed a remarkable partnership which gave the centre a special position in the community. Speaking for past and present staff members, Dr M. H. Aiken said they owed her a deep debt of gratitude for what she had taught them. “The most important thing she has taught us is the correct attitude to the work with the girls—tolerance and forbearante,” he said. “Kay has taught us patience and how to see difficulties and problems through the eyes of the underprivileged, and she hag. taught us by her own example.”

Her loyalty to the staff, particularly in the face of outside criticism of the centre and when more facili-

ties were needed, had been greatly appreciated. “She has always made time to ask us our views, discuss them with us, and have a hearty laugh with us. This has been the general tone of her relationship to the staff. But, above all. Kay has made us proud of our association with Kingslea and what Kingslea has meant to community life. We shall remember her with gratitude, respect, and affection,” Dr Aiken said.

Deputising for the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr N. G. Pickering), Councillor M. McG. Clark thanked Mr and Mrs Ford for their wonderful service. “I extend our admiration and thanks to them for their splendid efforts to do something positive and Christian for members of our community. They are both ‘instruments of peace’ and Christchurch salutes them,” said Mrs Clark. PARTNERSHIP The partnership of Mr and Mrs Ford at Kingslea had been unique, said Mr R. R. Gibson, the head teacher at the centre and the chairman at the function. “Many of us have looked with admiration at the support and encouragement you have given Mrs Ford and us,” he told Mr Ford.

Before making presentations from past and present staff, the Child Welfare Division, and friends of Kingslea, the acting-principal (Miss I. E. Pedder) said the centre was losing two’ leaders. Whenever things became difficult, Mr Ford was "always there, standing by to help.” To Mrs Ford, she said the staff would miss her encouragement and tireless efforts.

“Many tributes have been paid to your work, but I would like to add our gratitude for your tolerance and understanding of our problems as well as those of others,” she told Mrs Ford. Miss Pedder presented Mr Ford with a golf putter and Mrs Ford with a cheque and garden furniture for their new home.

Replying, Mr Ford said he believed he held a unique position in New Zealand—he had been named the “princi-pal-husband.” Since his marriage to Mrs Ford 13 years ago, when he went to live at Kingslea, Mr Ford said he had become deeply involved in the work and had found it stimulating and most rewarding. The putter presented to him exemplified Kingslea itself. Both could be “smooth-running, frustrating, and could give a lot of joy.”

Reviewing her time at Kingslea, Mrs Ford said she would always remember the freedom she had been given to run the centre (“freedom you would not find anywhere overseas”), the friendship and fellowship of staff, and the

willing support from professional helpers, church visitors, chaplains, Rotarians, and . many others. “And I realise how much I have gained from the girls themselves—the very reason for the centre,” she said. "I have learnt so much from the girls and the staff in facing up to problems. You cannot remain unchanged after working with girls who have passed through Kingslea,” she said.

Not many people, she said, had found in their work a

job, a hobby, and an absorbing interest as she had done.

“And I might say, ‘All this and Carrie too.’ No-one really knows how much my husband has done for Kingslea and me over the years—always being willing to listen to the girls, to guide, and to advise.”

Thanking her friends and helpers for their support and the joy they had given her, Mrs Ford said she felt sure they would continue to do the same for the staff and the new principal. Earlier in the week the Kingslea girls held their own farewell function for Mrs Ford, and presented her with | a table' inlaid with pottery made in their craft classes. In the photograph (from left) are Miss Pedder, Mr

Anderson, and Mr and' Mrs Ford at the farewell func-

tion, held in the Kingslea assembly hall.