WOMEN’S WORLD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 210, 4 August 1934, Page 11

WOMEN’S WORLD

Mr and Mrs Brian Keiller, of Palmerston North, have been visiting Wellington. Mrs F. Barton has returned to Palmerston North after some weeks spent in the Wairarapa. Mr and Mrs Geoffery Mason, of Hastings, who have been the guests of Mrs Graliame Heard, “The Den,” Pirie Street, have returned home.

Colonel J. H. Why to and Mrs Whyte and Mrs M. Aitchison, who have been attending the annual conference of the Plunket Society in Wellington, returned home to-day. Miss M. A. Forrest, Mr and Mrs W. C. Caccia Birch and Dr. and Miss I. S. Wilson (Palmerston North), Mr and Mrs S. Williamson (Waituna) and Miss J. Nicholson (Levin) were among recent callers at New Zealand House, London. Miss Jean Batten arrived at Hastings at noon yesterday from Hamilton after an unpleasant trip. On leaving the northern town she found visibility bad, and later she and her escorting ’plane ran into some very heavy weather. She was about an hour late in consequence. A civic reception was accorded the aviatrix.

High tributes to the services rendered to the Plunket Society for nearly 20 years by Miss A. Pattrick, exdirector of Plunket nursing, were paid by delegates to the New Zealand conference of the society when they yesterday farewelled Miss Pattrick. Mrs Tythe-Brown, president of the Wellington branch, presented Miss Pattrick with a bouquet from the conference, and in doing so said she felt privileged a.t having the opportunity of paying Miss Pattrick a personal tribute as well as the tributes of the Wellington provincial group. The speaker said for some years Miss Pattrick had been a constant inspiration to her and many others. In the nursing world, not only in New Zea.land, but also abroad, Miss Pattrick held a unique position, and was regarded as one of the outstanding women of her time.

FIKE BRIGADE BALL

MANY VISITORS ATTEND,

Over four hundred dancers attended the annual ball of the Palmerston North Fire Brigade, held in the De Luxe Hall last evening. The function was an exceedingly animated one, and went with a gay swing until a late hour to the bright tunes of lively oldtime music. The floor was in spelndid order and the gathering was a great success. Firemen were present in uniform, including visiting brigadesmen from Levin, Marton, Otaki, Foxton and Woodville. The dancing was admirably controlled by Messrs A. Gordon and E. Butcher. Supper was served, the arrangements being very favourably commented upon. The organisation for the ball was carried out by the Fire Brigade social committee. The Mayor and Mayoress were present, Mrs Mansford wearing a frock of midnight blue lace; also Superintendent W. H. Barnard and Mrs Barnard, the latter wearing black lace; Deputy-Superintendent P. A. Milverton, and Mr J. A. Nash, M.P. An apology for unavoidable absence was tendered on behalf of Mrs Nash.

LADIES’ HOCKEY

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION

The Manawatu Ladies’ Hockey Association met last night, when Mr P. T. Robinson presided. Others present were: Mrs Kearns, Miss Highfield, Messrs Kearns, Ranson and Weston J. Smith. An apology for absence was received from Mr E. R. Chapman.

The secretary was instructed to request the Canterbury Association to make arrangements for the billeting of the Manawatu team attending the New Zealand tourney. The selector was requested to select teams to participate in a B representative fixture to be presented as a curtain-raiser to the Nopera Cup game versus Ruahine on Wednesday next, the match to start at 1.30 p.m. sharp. Congratulations were extended the representative team on retaining the Harper Cup in their fixture versus Feilding on Wednesday last. It was decided to postpone the games set down in the junior competition on Wednesday next owing to the High School teams being otherwise engaged, but the secretary was instructed to arrange for a friendly match between Kauwliata and Aokautere at Kauwhata on that date. Arrangements were made for Town and Country A and B matches to be played at Milverton Park on August

15. August 22 was set down for the Harper Cup challenge match between Bush and Manawatu, the fixture to be played at Milverton Park.

W.C.T.U,

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held yesterday afternoon, when Mrs T. R. Hodder presided. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames Mullon, J. F. Clausen and Miss Moore. Congratulations were extended both Mrs Ritchie and Mrs Collins on their recovery from their illnesses, Mrs Hodder expressing the hope that they would enjoy the best of health in the future. Mrs Ritchie conducted devotional exercises and gave the scientific fact, while two songs were pleasingly rendered by Mrs H. L. Richards. After afternoon tea had been handed round, Mr Hodder gave an address on the Bible-in-schools question. It was now 57 years, said Mr Hodder, since any religious exercises had been conducted in primary schools, it having been enacted at that time that education should be free, secular and compulsory. Throughout New Zealand for many years religious exercises had been conducted in secondary schools, including colleges, high schools and technical schools. It was thus thought quite right for children above the age of 12 to have religious exercises daily, and yet wrong for those from the ages of six to 12. Why should this be ? Religious exercises were conducted in the State schools of Scandinavia, Denmark, Holland, Great Britain, Canada and Australia. If the Bible could be read daily in Great Britain with her teeming population, why could it not be done so in New Zealand with her small population ? he asked. It had been said that the Nelson system of religious instruction was sufficient. But this was not so, as the country schools, numbering 1500, and attended by 70,000 scholars, were quite untouched in this way. No better moral training could be given a child than was found in the Bible. The sermon on the Mount was the best guide in matters of conduct. Religious exercises would only occupy two hours per week, and would at least give some recognition to the Almighty. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Hodder for his address.