Woman From America At North Music School

Northern Advocate, 24 August 1948, Page 4

Woman From America At North Music School

All the way from San Pedro, California, Mrs C. H. Poole is attending the Northland music school in Whangarei.

Born in New Zealand, Mrs Poole arrived back in the Dominion two months ago after spending 20 years in America.

Her husband was formerly M.P. for Auckland West, and went to the United States to lecture on the New Zealand legislature and Pacific problems generally. What was intended to be a short visit extended to a stay of 2C years, and Mrs Poole was only recently able to return to her home country. After Mr Poole's death in America the war broke out, and one son was captured by the Japanese at Manila.

Mrs Poole returned to the Dominion to straighten out her affairs before going back to San Pedro, where she is a member of the civic choir. She came to Northland to visit her niece, Mrs H. B. White, of Pakaraka. whom she found had joined Whangarei’s music school. Mrs Poole decided to accompany her. IMPRESSED

After observing the working of the school for three days, she has formed a high opinion of its value. “California is very musically minded, but New Zealanders seem even more interested,” she said yesterday. “All Californian high schools have their own musical directors, and the standard of attainment is excellent.” Mrs Poole thinks the music school is an outstanding success and should do much to awaken musical appreciation in Northland.

Whangarei seemed a go-ahead town and transport facilities had improved immensely, especially in the south, since she was last in New Zealand. Mrs Poole will return to America about the middle of next year.