TOUR OF THE WORLD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21911, 21 September 1934, Page 12

TOUR OF THE WORLD

ENGLISH SCHOOLGIRLS WELCOME IN WELLINGTON Twenty-five English schoolgirls had their first glimpse of New Zealand from the decks of the Rotorua as that vessel steamed up Wellington Harbour on Wednesday morning on the last stage of the journey from London. The girls, who are between 17 and 18 years of age, are particularly bright and charming. They are on a world tour and they will spend eight days in New Zealand before leaving for Australia. While in the Dominion the party will be the guests of the Victoria League, which has co-operated with the Overseas Settlement of British Woirien in arranging the tour. Each girl wears a distinguishing badge on which are engraved the letters 5.0.5.8. W. (the Society of Overseas Settlement for British Women).

The party is under the charge of Miss Edith Thompson, who visited the Dominion about ten months ago. The assistant-director is Miss Jean Stevenson, a sports mistress, who attends to the physical welfare of the girls. Miss Thompson stated in an interview that the girls had enjoyed the voyage immensely and were looking forward to their stay in New Zealand. There had been no sickness since leaving Home and everybody was in the best of spirits. On the trip to New Zealand calls were made at Curacao, Panama, and Suva, and the opportunr ifry of broadening their knowledge of the affairs of the places visited had not been lost sight of by the girls. The party was welcomed on the steamer by Lady Buckleton, president of tho Victoria League, Dr. Ada Paterson, and Dr. Elizabeth Bryson, and a charming bouquet was presented to Miss Thompson. The days spent in New Zealand will bo crowded ones indeed for the girls. On Wednesday and yesterday they visited various points of interest. Today they will be the guests of Lord and Lady Bledisloo at luncjieon at Government House, and in tho evening they will leave for Rotorua. Visits will also be paid to the Waitomo Caves and Wanganui, the party returning to Wellington in time to join the Wanganella for Sydney next Thursday!