Y.W.C.A. GIRL CITIZENS

Evening Star, Issue 20687, 9 January 1931, Page 13

Y.W.C.A. GIRL CITIZENS

CONFERENCE AT NEW PLYMOUTH The Y.W.C.A. Conference of Gill Citizens, which was hold at lauds,” New I’lyiuoutb, during the last ten days, provided exceptional opportunities lor happy lellowslup and wide development. On the day given to world fellowship and international relationships Miss Elsie Andrews gave a very interesting talk on the recent Pan-pacific Womens Conference, and in the evening Miss Doris Allen, lady principal of the New Plymouth High School and hostess of the conference, by her account of her visit to Russia, held the group s absorbed interest.The dramatics competition _ caused great amusement, the subject to dramatise being ‘ Queen Elizabeth Sets the Alarm for 1931.’ The judges, Miss Allen and Miss Erew, awarded hist place to the Auckland girls. .Miss Ashton and Miss Ronayno as judges for the handwork competitions placed Dunedin first, Auckland second, giving points especially for neatness, originality, suitability, and variety ol the articles presented by each community. The singing contest was won by the New Plymouth girls, Dunedin coining a close second. Eirst plaeo in the uniform parade was awarded to Auckland, Christchurch coming second. An impromptu clement was introduced into the competitions in the shape of a test of lighting a camp lire and cooking a meal out of _ doors. This test took place at a picnic, the scene being a riverbed with an adjacent _ piece of bush. The campers wore divided into groups, each group being supplied with sufficient material for a meal. Great I'nn resulted from the grilling of the sausages, the cooking of th edamper, and the “cheese dreams,” one ambitious group even attempting apple dumplings. Points were given lor tidying up and leaving no trace of fire. Cliristcliurcli came first in this test. Now Plymouth second. As a result of all the competitions, Auckland holds the cup for 1931, New Plymouth) the runners-up, holding the Hag, Dunedin coining third. On the Sunday the conference held church parade in Holy Trinity, Eitzroy, mother church of Taranaki, Archdeacon Gavin being lire preacher. A visit was paid in the afternoon to historic'old St. Mary’s. Ju the evening tiro conference had the great pleasure of listening to a recital arranged by Mrs I‘. C. Davie, Mrs 11. L. Cooper, and Miss Marjorie Eenrii. At the concluding banquet on the Tuesday evening the conference conferred “New Year honours” upon those who by their generous contribution of their talents and knowledge had 1 wiped to make the conference such a happy and valuable time. Miss Eearn, the musical directress of the New Plymouth .High School, who made music such a special feature of the conference programme, and Miss Douglas, whoso nature study periods had been such"a delight, and Miss Ashton, who had been responsible lor the handcrafts section, were honoured. A special ovation was accorded Miss Allen, the lady principal of the school, who had been throughout the conference a kind and interested hostess, impersonating for Girl Citizens tiro friendly welcoming spirit of “ Scotlands,” the school hostel where the conference was housed. In token of love and appreciation the ‘ Conference Song to “ Scotlands,” ’ composed by Miss Audrey M‘Crea, was sung, and a gift was presented from Girl Citizens towards the school swimming baths, now in process of construction. The whole conference concluded with a community gathering conducted by Miss Bridgman, national chief counsellor, wlwn the ceremonial of the camllo lighting was shared by the Girl Citizens, a token of loyalty to the high purpose of the movement through which they pledge themselves to help to build the spirit of their country.