TWENTY-ONE YEARS OLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22346, 21 August 1934, Page 15

TWENTY-ONE YEARS OLD

OTAGO UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION

The twenty-first aimual reunion of the Otago University Women's Association was celebrated during the week-end by means of three functions as memorable as they were enjoyable. On Friday a business meeting and social evening were held in the Somerset Lounge, The wet night detracted considerably from the usual large attendance, but there Was still a good number present, and a pleasant time was spent around the fire in the pretty green and yellow room which, adorned with huge bowls of yellow oak leaves and yellow branches of light, was a cosy rendezvous. The election of officebearers formed one of the main events of the evening, those elected all having been on committee before:—President, Miss F. M. Allan (who was elected to this position 21 years ago and has held it ever since); vice-presidents-r-Lady Sidey, Mrs G. E. Thompson, Dr Siedeberg M'Kinnon, and Miss Ross; secretary, Miss M. Steven; and committee —Mesdames Borrie and Nimmo, Dr Bathgate, and Misses Martin, Macßae, Rule, Treveha, and Morrell. HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION. Miss Allan, in accepting the position of president again, gave a speech of great interest to all present on account of the historical facts it contained:— * " A short sketch of the origin and salient activities of the association may not be out of place to-night," said Miss Allan. " For the former I am indebted to an. article by one of our vice-presi-dents (Mrs G. E. Thompson) which appeared in the July, 1914, issue of the Otago University Review. From this it appears that women students who were leaving the University at that time were longing for some means of keeping in touch with their Alma Mater. Only graduates could become members of the Graduates' Association, but there was no society that would unite past and present students. The solution of the problem seemed to be' that a club should be founded admitting women students who had kept two years' terms as well as graduates. Dr P. Marshall, the president of the Graduates' Association, approved of the suggestion, and it was decided to form a University Women's Club on this basis. Miss G. H. Rawson (now Mrs W. N. Benson), a member of the home science staff, had the happy idea of organising a week-end celebration in May to launch the club, and to gauge the support it was likely to receive from past and present students. A provisional committee was appointed, and circulars were sent to all Qtago University women fraduates, to undergraduates who had ept two years' terms, and to others interested in students' movements. Enthusiastic replies poured in from all quarters. Head mistresses of secondary schools and colleges who were graduates of Otago University promised their support. " The following programme wa« drawn up and carried but successfully :-r On Thursday, May 14, an 'at home' was held in the evening in the Allen Hall, then a recent addition to the University buildings. The speakers were the chancellor (the Rev. A. Cameron), Dr P. Marshall, Miss G. H. Rawson. and. myr self. On Friday, former students were permitted to attend any classes in which they were interested. It was a moving experience for Us to sit in class rooms where we had been students JO, 20, or 30 years before. On Friday afternoon an 'at home' was given by Professor BoysSmith, her staff and students, in the home science rooms to demonstrate to the graduates the work that was being done in this new department of the University. On Friday evening Dr Benham lectured on 'Eugenics' to a large audience in the Allen Hall. On Saturday morning the first business meeting of the club (hencef6rth association) was held in the women's common room, a constitution was framed and office-bearers elected. The aims of the association were set forth as follows: — (1) To produce a bond of union between University women; (2) to discuss current matters of importance; (3) to watch the interests of women in the State. On Saturday evening there was a dance. Ou Sunday afternoon Dr and Mrs P. Marshall entertained graduates and friends at' tea. On Sunday evening a service was held in the Ross chapej, in* K>ox College, the master (Professor Hewitson) conducted the service, Dr Gilray read the lessons, the chancellor (the Rev. A. Cameron) preached, and Mr T. D. Adams, the lecturer in Latin, acted as organist. Mrs Hewjtson invited the committee to supper in the lodge after the service. On Monday morning and afternoon members were again given permission to attend classes. On Monday evening Dr Emily Siedeberg lectured on ' The Relation of the Intellectual Woman to the Community' to a good audience in the Allen Hall. Miss Dorothy Tucker gave an account of the various existing societies anl activities in the University. Professor Boys-Smith made a farewell speechi and brought the celebrations to a close. "Thug, with propitious auspices, the little barque was launched, and for more than two decades hag sailed over smooth seas, keeping its flag flying." Miss Allan then touched briefly on some changes that have been made in the conduct and the location of meetings during the passage of the years. (1) The time of the reunion celebrations wag altered from mid-May to mid-August, or a week later, owing to disturbed conditions after the 1918 influenza epidemic, and also in an attempt to ensure better weather. (2) The multiplicity of meetings of other societies that claimed the presence of the members caused the association to limit the meetings of the association, originally held monthly from April to October inclusive, to one meeting, before, and one after, the reunion. (3) In 1915 and 1920 the association combined with the Graduates' Association, and held its annual meeting in the Allen Hall. Much work devolved upon the committee and other members in those days, ag the catering had to be undertaken, flowers provided, furniture hired or borrowed, and the hall decorated. The smaller annual meetings were held in the women's common room. The catering. at a later date was handed over to tea rooms. Annual meetings were held at Studholme House, and also at the Otago Women's Club, but for several years now, the Somerset Lounge, in the Savoy, has been the rendezvous. The ordinary meetings at one time was held in the women's common room, but are now in the Teachers' Inxtitute room, in Moray place. (4) The Saturday or Monday function, formerly a walk with a picnic tea, has been changed to an excursion, with tea in tea rooms at the destination, or hospitality in private homes. (5) On the suggestion of the late Professor Hewitson, the reading of the lesson at the service was transferred from the professors to the president, Or other woman graduate. (6) The invitation to supper at The Lodge after the service, originally given to the committee, has been extended to all who are present at the service. (7) Committee meetings were held in the Otago Girls' High School and in two rooms in the students" building. By the courtesy of the registrar the association is permitted to use the board room.

As the years passed the association gradually established relations with other women's organisations. The founding in New Zealand in 1920 of a branch of the International Federation of University Women was a forward movement in the history of university women's organisations. Overtures for amalgamation were made to the association by the Dunedin branch of the National Federation, and for some years at the annual meetings there was much discussion on the advisability or ihadvisabilitv of consummating a union. In August, 192.5, the association definitely decided not to amalgamate, but to maintain the statue> quo ante. The association gives donations to the

funds of the federation and co-operates with it as opportunity arises. At one time we sent two delegates to the Women Citizens' Association, which seems now to have merged in the National Council of Women. In 1922 the association was affiliated to the Dunedin branch of the National Council of Women. The first delegates were Dr Siedeberg-M Kmnon and Miss E. Hodgkinson, the place of the latter having been taken afterwards by Miss G. Rule, for whom Miss M. Steven is acting at present. A few years ago the association was affiliated to the Pan-Pacific Women's Association. Enlarged photogiaphs of Miss Caroline Freeman, 8.A., the first woman graduate in arts in the University of Otago, and of Dr Margaret B. Cruickshank, who died in the influenza epidemic of 1918, were presented by the association to the women's common room at the Otago University as memorials of these graduates. In conjunction with the National Federation the association raised funds to place in Crosby Hall a suitable memorial to Miss Gladys Cameron. _ , " The names of the secretaries of the association were then given by Miss Allan: Misses H. Cameron, K. Hogg, G. Cameron Mrs Milne, Dr Emily Nees, Misses M. W. May, E. Bentham. Dr Anderson, and, since 1027, Mis s M. Steven. The treasurers were Misses G. Rule, M. L. de Beer, B. Muller, and P. J. Jones. The office ot treasurer is now held by the secretary. The association has lost few of its members by death, but those who passed away were among the most gifted of the women graduates, and their loss was felt very deeply. During 21 years we have been debtors to a large number of men and women who 'delivered at the meetings interests and instructive lectures on a wide range of subjects. 'The cultural value of these lectures "and the pleasure they gave to our members can hardly be over-estimated. Four lectures from overseas visitors are worthy of mention. Mias Pullon Bury, F.R.G.S., and member of the Lyceum Club, spoke on 'Club Life m England and in Canada' to a .joint meeting of the Otago Women's Club and the association in the Allen Hall. Dr Elizabeth Macdonald lectured upon Some Recollections and Some Ideals: fct. Andrews and Dundee.' Miss IrVmg s subject was 'The Surroundings and People of Naples.* Miss Perry spoke upon Life in the New English Universities At the close of her speech, Miss Allan was the recipient of a warmi vote of thanks, proposed on behalf of those present by Miss Morton. During the evemng songs were sung by Miss Norab, Elder, accompanied ** Miss Ida White, and duets played by Miss Ida White and Miss Mary Martin, the latter of whom was responsible for arranging the programme. The guests also took pleasure in admiring a series of handsome historical paintings hanging in old gold frames on the walls. SERVICE AT ROSS CfiAPEL. On* Sunday, a service was held at Rosa Chapel. Dr Merrington K« de *.J£: Hunter preached, Professor T. D. Adams played the organ, and Miss V.. M. Allan read the lesson. Those present, were afterwards the guests of Mrs Merrington at supper at " The Lodge. PARTY AT "COR6TORPHINE." The celebrations were concluded, yesterday af ternOon with a tea party given by Lady Sidey at her beautiful residence, '• Corstorphine." The guests were received in the drawing room by Lady Sidey, who wore a gown of black chiffon velvet with pearl ornaments, and who, was assisted by Mrs Stuart Sidey and Miss J. Thomas—the former in blue velvet and crystal, and the latter in a paler blue crinkly crepe. A ereat vase of pink camellias on a table in the centre of the room provided unusual decoration. Tea was served m the dining room, where, to the pleasure of a" present, a colour scheme of blue and gold —the Otago University colours—was carried out by means of rich gold chrysanthemums in a blue cloisonne vase, yellow primroses in blue bowls, and yellow table mats, the crowning surprise being a cake iced in gold and adorned with blue flowers and 21 blue candles. At the end of the afternoon, Mips Allan, in a charming little speech, thanked Lady Sidey for her hospitality, which had brought to a delightful close the celebrations in connection with the association's coming or age." _____