JUBILEE YEAR

Southland Times, Issue 20447, 27 March 1928, Page 6

JUBILEE YEAR

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

ANNUAL MEETING OF EX-STUDENTS FITTING CELEBRATION URGED About fifty members attended the annual meeting of the Southland High School Old Girls’ Association held last evening in the Y.M.C.A. rooms, Miss E. Pay presiding. The annual report stated that the activities during the past year had been very enjoyable, the revised membership standing at 208, as compared with, 315 the previous year. The winter syllabus had commenced with the annual dinner, held on April 29, at which 120 members had been present, proving . one of the most popular items of the syllabus. They had again been fortunate in having with them a delegate from the ex-pupils’ association, Gore. On May 13 a masked, plain and fancy dance that was held in Smith’s Hall had been successful both socially and financially. About 30 members and their friends had been present at the picture evening, and the two gramophone evenings given by Mr Gray and Mrs Crofts at their studio, Esk street, had proved most enjoyable. Although the annual bail, held in the Victoria Hall on June 27, had been well attended, it had not succeeded financially, seemingly due to the fact that the arranging of a large ball cost a great deal, out of which had risen a subsequent suggestion that small dances should take the place of a ball in future years. Gratitude was expressed in the report to Mr Grenfell and party for an enjoyable entertainment held in St. John’s Hall during July before a large attendance of members. Towards the end of the season two small dances had been held in Smith’s Hall, which had not proved as popular as was to be expected. Two delegated from the association had again journeyed to Gore to be present at the annual re union of the Gore ex-Pupils’ Association. The report proceeded to urge members, both old and new, to take a greater interest in the welfare of the association, and to attend each and every entertainment as it came. It expressed the hope that during the coming season there would be a decided improvement in that respect. Undoubtedly there were great possibilities before the association, and if members would only become more interested in its prosperity, and more enthusiastic, a great deal could be accomplished. In conclusion, mention was made of the great assistance which had been given by several members of the committee in making the work lighter of those in responsible positions. The retiring officers would be eligible for re-election. The financial statement showed that the year had commenced with a credit balance of £76 3/6, and had closed with a credit balance of £23 6/3, and no outstanding accounts.

In proposing the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, the president stated that while last year’s social activities had been a constant drain on the funds of the association, the dances had not paid their own expenses ; besides which, the year had commenced with several outstanding accounts, after payment of which the credit balance had been appreciably smaller. To establish the association’s financial status, however, it would be necessary for the new committee to build up this credit balance. Mrs Bath, seconding the motion, said that the president’s explanation had been entirely satisfactory, and expressed the hope that this year the association would be as great a success financially as it undoubtedly was socially. The following are the office-bearers for the ensuing year:—Patroness, Mrs J. A. Hanan (re-elected) ; president, Miss Ella Pay (re-elected) ; vice-presidents, Mesdames R. W. Hawke, A. Derbie, K. Mills, A. Deaker, Misses Samuel, Washer, Bath, Crofts; secretary, Miss S. McPherson (reelected) ; assistant secretary, Miss Grace Basstian (re-elected) ; treasurer, Miss K. Dillon (re-elected) ; committee, Misses V. and M. Roscoe, S. Price, M. Mitchell, M. Smith, E. Lea, N. Oughton, M. Clark and I. Mitchell. It was decided to leave the election of magazine representatives to the committee. A letter from the secretary of the S. ex-pupils’ newly-formed swimming club was read, urging members of the association to join. A membership of forty was required before the club could be given a separate night. Members must have season tickets (obtained at a reduction). Entrance fee was 2/6. The president strongly recommended that the matter should be given attention and the club supported. Miss V. Roscoe reported that Mr Peter Gilfedder had approached her with the suggestion that either the present or ex-pupils of the High School should form a hockey club. It seemed that the secondary schools were letting hockey go, which was a pity, with Southland’s reputation for hockey to keep up. Miss Samuel said that basketball seemed to have completely routed hockey, the High School last year being unable to produce two hockey teams. She thought it was essential that a school should have two teams, for the purpose of practice. This year, however, she understood that it would be possible to produce two teams owing to the fact that the primary schools were taking up the game again, so that some of the new pupils knew something about it. She said she would be quite willing to form a club in conjunction with the Old Girls’ Association. The president: Hockey is a dying game. Miss Samuel: It is really too strenuous for a great many girls. A show of hands indicated that only two members present would be willing to join were such a club formed. It was decided to abandon the idea for the present. The president then introduced Miss Samuel, Lady Principal of the Girls’ High School, who was there to discuss the forthcoming jubilee celebrations. As far as she knew, said Miss Samuel, theirs was the third High School in New Zealand to hold its jubilee, the Girls’ High School having started two years ahead of the Boys’ School in this town. She said that she did not think it was necessary to state the need for such celebrations. All the girls who had left the school would be interested in the fact that it was fifty years old, and would wish to celebrate this in a fitting way. School training was a potent factor in the moulding of character, and the object of such a re-union would be to revive old friendships and recall old memories and add to the store of new ones. Miss Samuel made many helpful suggestions with regard to the nature of the celebrations, which will take place early in September. It was finally decided that Miss Samuel would call a meeting at an early date, of all those expupils interested in the jubilee, with the purpose of forming a working committee from the older generation of members. In the .meantime the association solicits the names and addresses of as many early pupils of the school as it will be possible to ascertain, as it considers that only in this way can the success of the jubilee be assured.