GIRLS' HOSTEL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17192, 12 June 1916, Page 10

GIRLS' HOSTEL.

FAREWELL TO MRS GARD'NER

At the Technical College Girls' Hostel at Opawa on Saturday afternoon, Mrs Gard'ner, who has retired from . her active duties as principal of the institution, was i'arewe.llod. and the new director Mis:- Helen Patterson, who arrived recently from England, was officially welcomed by the .Mayor (Mr 11. Holland) en behalf of the citizens of Christchurch. There wn.s a very large gathering of old pupils and friends of Mrs Gard'ner, and there were also present the Ladies' Advisory Committee of the hostel (who arranged the "At Home"), j members of the Board of Governors of the Technical College, Mr J. 11. Howell Cdircctor of the college). Dr Chilton, l)r Right and Messrs C. H. Opie (chairman of the North Canterbury Board of I Education), Mr Brock (Inspector of Schools) and other representatives ot local bodies. Mrs O. Bowcn, president of the Ladies' Advisory Board, in making a presentation to Mrs Card" nor, referred to the tuanv lons years of devoted service that Mrs Gard'ner had given in 'the training of young women of Christchurch in domestic science. She said that Mrs Gard'ner's work ivmild never be forgotten. As an instructress she had a marked personality, and her influence had been of the greatest value in fitting young women to take their place properly in a home and m making heme lifo what it really should be. Mrs Bowcn ashed Mrs Gard'ner to accept the presentation as a token of admiration and affection of those members ot the institution with whom she had been working so long. ' Mr G. Scott read a resolution adopted* at a- meeting of the Board of Governors expressing its high appreciation of the .services of Mrs Card nor as instructress in domestic science, and granting her six months' leave, on lull nay The speaker referred to the -rent work that Mrs Gard'ner had accomplished' in Christ church, extending over a period of about thirty years. The Hostel had not been erected without considerable opposition. Ihc Christclmrch Technical Collego had been the oioncor of the work m New Zealand. " He wished to place on record the snlondid services ot the Ladies" Advis'orv Committee. That committee had' most worthily supported Mrs Gard'ner. and the future of the Hostel was in excellent hands. fie believed that no one in the Dominion had worked harder for its young people than Mrs Gard'ner. She had left footprints in the sands of time that would never be effaced. They could never sav enough concerning her goodworks. * Mrs Gard'ner bad endeared herself to all with whom she came into touch. She had really worked too hard during the last three years. Realising that thev must consider the future, the board'had looked around' for assistance, and ill securing Miss Helen Patterson! who had recently arrived from the Old Country, he believed they had tho right one to follow Mrs Gard'ner. Mr Scott was pleased to welcome Miss Patterson on behalf of the Board of Governors. There was much to be done in the branch of domestic science on behalf of tho young women of the city. Other branches of the Hostel work were developing, also, and tho board would irivc its hearty support to whatever would help to make ideal wives and ideal citizens. Mr H. Holland (Mayor) extended a hearty welcome to Miss Patterson on behalf of the citizens of Christclmrch. The city was proud of the Hostel, and' he believed that no institution had a greater future. It was all too true That iu our midst were many unhappy homes due to wives having had no training in domestic science. The Hostel had been erected for the purpose of removing those defects and giving future wives and mothers of tho city every oportunity to acquire better knowledge in regard to the home. Mr Holland said that be hoped more young women would take advantage of the opportunities offered. Ho referred to the part that Mrs Gard'ner had played in ilie advancement of domestic science, ana" said lie believed that in Miss Patterson a very able lady had been se--1 cured to carry on the work of the Hostel control and direction. As the representative of the biggest contributing body he could promise tho Hostel every support, for the City Council felt that the'desires of ratepayers were being carried out. He wished, also, that the influence which the institution eonferfered on Christclmrch would gradually extend over the whole of Canterbury. Mr J. 11. Howell said that on behalf of the staff of the College he wished to express his appreciation of the -work of Mrs Gard'ner. She had inspired her pupils and they had gained knowledge that was of inestimable value to them in home life. Mrs GarcVner had always gone about her work cheerily, and with a merry heart that had cleared away many obstacles and difficulties. She' had never permitted anything to daunt, her energies, and her devotion to duty was remarkable. Mrs Gard'ner had taken great interest in the Hostel and had adorned it with some of her own work. One legend that was to be seen prominently. "The Useful is the Noble"," was typical of Mrs Gardner's spirit. Her work w.to ennobling, and her pupils would carry that spirit into their'homes. Mr Howell also promised i the new nrincip.nl. Miss Patterson, every support in her duties at the Hostel. Miss Patterson, replying, said she would endeavour to follow in Mrs Gard'ner's footsteps. She hoped at the end of her career in Christehurch lo bo able to claim the eulogies that had been bestowed upon Mrs Gard'ner by I the soveral speakers. Mrs Gard'ner, in a brief reply, said she was glad to see so many of her old present. Sbj*. had endeavoured'

to do her best for them, and was sorry that tho time had come when she had to say good-bye. She would ever cherish tiie°associations of her many years of work as a domestic science instructress in Christehurch.