COLLEGE REUNION

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1937, Page 14

COLLEGE REUNION

OLD GIRLS' DINNER

BEAUTIFUL DECORATIONS

Scarlet gladioli massed in large brass bowls wore a feature of the floral decorations in the Royal Oak Hotel dining-room last evening, when old girls of Wellington College held their annual reunion dinner. Each table was centred with large gladioli blooms ranging from vivid red to palest yellow and pink, the whole intermingling with the varied frocks of the guests, and forming a brilliant conglomeration of colour.

"It is a great privilege for me," said Miss Batham, retiring principal of the Wellington East Girls' College, "to propose the toast of 'The School.' I have been closely associated with the college for thirty-five years, and for ten years with the East Girls' College. But when I think of the two schools, it is not with the idea that they are 'mother' and 'daughter,' but more that they are one —one in ideals and

traditions I can say nothing, better than—'Remember the old traditions.""

Miss V. M. Greig (who was wearing a frock of black lace and a corsage spray of pink roses and maidenhair fern), in replying, said it was an honour to be head of a school such as the Girls' College. "What does the school mean to me?" she asked. "It's not the buildings, nor yet the locality, that appeals—it is the "sweet air of companionship, the camaraderie, the spirit and tradition that counts. It is not the school of the past or the school of the present, nor yet the school of the future we think of, but the unity of the whole, the unity of spirit, and that .indefinable something that we known as 'esprit de corps'."

Mrs. Urquhart, president of the Old Girls' Association, who wore a graceful frock of blue cerise-shot taffetas, in introducing Miss F. E. Kershaw, said Miss. Kershaw was retiring after devoting twenty-one years of service to the college, and she expressed warm appreciation of her. work.

Miss Kershaw, (in a floral georgette gown, with black coatee), proposed the "Old Girls" (who responded'by sing-

ing "For We Are Jolly Good Fellows"), and extended greetings from the Wellington branch of the Nelson Girls' College of which she is president. She said there was a poignancy about this reunion dinner for her, because it wns the last time that she. as a member of the teaching staff of the college, would propose the toast of "Tho Old Girls," for she was so soon to sever her connection with the school. The Old Girls' Association stood for "fellowship in service to the highest." Other speakers included Mrs. Urquhart. Miss Nell Holm (president of the New Plymouth branch ->f the Old Girls' Association), and Miss Dora Johnstone (who spoke in her dual capacity as a teacher and old girl). The last-named related some happy reminiscence? of school life, and spoke of "the game" of being a teacher and a pupil.

Solos were sung by Miss Myfawney Davis.

The singing of the school song and of "Auld Lang Syne" brought the dinner to a close, after which the old girls adjourned to the lounge, to renew friendships and' "reminisce" over the school clays of which they had such happy memories.

Start knitting children's jumpers from (he sleeve end so that, at any time, the cuff can be unpicked and a new one substituted.

When washing green material add a small piece of alum to the vinsingwaler; this will preserve the colour. A tablespoon of vinegar should be put in tho water in which grey or beige .coloured material is being rinsed.