“THE SECOND BEST.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 31

“THE SECOND BEST.”

WOMEN’S COURT ATTAINMENT. It was laides’ afternoon at the Reception Hall at the Exhibition on Tuesday, subscribers and workers for the women’s section meeting at an “at home,” to mark the closing days of the most successful effort of the women of Dunedin in the wonderful Exhibition. Ihe hostess was Lady Ferguson, the vicepresident. who met the big gathering in the absence of the president, Mrs J. Sutherland Ross. The Reception Room was packed. After a dainty afternoon tea had been served, Lady Ferguson gave a resume of the operations of the women’s section and of the financial success of the interesting court m the Exhibition. “I think we have every reason to congratulate ourselves upon what we have attained," she remarked after reading the balance sheet. Lady Ferguson said that they should all express their appreciation of the self-sacri-fice and capable work of Mrs Ross, whose service was largely responsible for the success. The first meeting had been held on April 1, which was an unfortunate day in the common round, but it had turned out to be a most propitious day for the women who had urged the formation of a women's section at the Exhibition. At that meeting, Mr Hainsworth, the general manager of the Exhibition Company, had give his experiences of similar sections and had urged the women to proceed with their proposals, and encouraging support was given by Messrs Sutherland Ross and C. Speight. The pessimist voiced the opinion that the section would not be successful, -that outside financial assistance would be needed, and that women could not run the section. The committee formed was representative of the Home Science School, Plunket Society, Y.W.C.A., Rest Room, Housing Committee, the arts and craft workers of Dunedin and the Otago Women’s Club At the first big meeting held in the club rooms, £372 was collected in aid of the funds, and that sum was later supplemented by the proceeds from two poster balls, a handsome donation from the Y.YV.C.A., bridge drives and daffodils and jumble sales. Subscriptions ranging from 2s 6d to £IOO were received. The cost of building the section had been more than was at first expected and further entertainments to raise money were held. The thanks of t.he section were due to Mr Arthur Barnett. Mrs M ‘George, the A. and P. Society, Mrs Ewing and Mr Butterworth for the loan of glass cases for exhibiting the arts and crafts work. On all sides she had heard that the Women’s Section was second only to the British Court.— (Applause.) The value of the section had been immense, inquiries being made by the thousand. Lady Ferguson caused some laughter when she mentioned some of the inquiries answered by her when in charge. “Could you tell me if the glass blowei is in this court?” “Do you sell stamps?” “Could you telephone a message for me?” “Where' is the doll made out of the willow tree, and where is the Shetland shawl made by the elderly lady?” were a few of the humorous inquiries directed to her. The team work by the committees was described by Lady Ferguson as marvellous; the section could not have been possible if the co-operation had been absent. From its inception the executive had held 35 meetings, which was an indication of the amount of gratuitous work done by the workers, who had obtained their reward, with every subscriber and committee member, in the intense interest taken by all sections of the community. Country men had paid several visits to the court, women had flocked in thousands to examine closely the handiwork of industrious women, and many children had wanted to know all about the dolls. Every visitor would express appreciation of the many committees under thg charge of the following:—Mrs Moore (fine arts), Miss Barron (handicrafts), Mrs Hutchison (applied art), Mrs Melville (art needlework), Mrs T. C. Ross (loan section), Mrs Macdonald (loan exhibits), Mrs Hewitson (lectures and demonstrations), Miss Joachim and. Mrs Hainsworth (working exhibits), Miss ltimeiman (housing), Mrs Tapley and Mrs Edmond (hospitality), Miss Howes (literature). Grateful . thanks were expressed to Mr Eric Miller, the hon. architect, who had been responsible for the most artistic design of the section. His patience had been exemplary; on one day he was thrice advised of alterations in plans, yet he had not made one word of complaint. Miss Jean Begg, who had been the secretary for 12 months, had been obliging and courteous at all times, although she had been confronted with many problems. Miss Begg* had been ably assisted by her two sisters and Miss Peacock. The section was also appreciative of the services of Mr Jeavons, who had kept the books free of charge. Not the least interesting part of the section had been the wor' ing exhibits, and the section had to thank the following:—Mrs Ncwall (for the use of the spinning wheel), Mrs Edwards (pot-

tery throwing), Mrs Foster (wool weaving). Mrs Pierce (sealing wax), Mrs Gatheridge (commercial art), Miss Spencer (Hawke’s Bay, weaving), and Miss Walace (batik dyeing). Amid aplause, Lady Ferguson read the balance sheet, which showed that a substantial surplus would be available, and it was expected that a good price would be obtained for the buildings. A letter had been received inviting the section to send the first-class award exhibits to the Crafts and Arts Exhibition to be held in New York in September, Lady Ferguson announced. As the section would show a surplus, -she considered that a portion of it should be devoted to sending the prize-winning exhibits to America to show what the women of New Zealand could produce.— (Applause.) On the motion of Mrs Cook, the section decided to act in accordance with Lady Ferguson’s suggestion. Appreciation of the services of Mrs Ross, as president of the first women’s section at an Exhibition held south of the line, was placed on record on the motion of Mrs Sargood, seconded by Mrs Peter Barr. The ladies also passed a vote of thanks to Lady Ferguson for her able presentation of the resume of the section’s success. Two enjoyable songs were rendered by Mrs Parnwell.