EDUCATION WEEK

Southland Times, Issue 25309, 12 June 1935, Page 8

EDUCATION WEEK

SOUTHLAND GIRLS WELCOMING ADDRESSES DELIVERED CULTURAL SUBJECTS Always to the fore in movements for the advancement of women on the land, the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union has been instrumental in ar--ranging a Girls’ Educational Week which had- its practical commencement in Smith's Hall yesterday. Over eighty girls attended, all animated with a desire to obtain the most from the lecures and demonstrations arranged for the course. In extending an official welcome on behalf of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, the provincial president, Mrs J. Stewart, of Pyramid, said that this was the first attempt to hold a Girls’ Educational Week in Southland. It was hoped to make the fixture arg annual one, improving the programme through the experience gained this year. Judging by the response from Invercargill people and organizations, there ought not to be many mistakes to rectify. “We are to have an address on beauty culture, but when I look at you girls I hardly think it will be required,” Mrs Stewart continued amid laughter. It was thought that it might be something of an ordeal for the girls to make a public speech, but they had acquitted themselves very well that morning. They were girls to be proud of. “We older people must soon put down the reins of government, and we look to the girls of to-day to carry on where we leave off,” she said. “We feel that in the girls of to-day we have the leaders and home-makers of the future.” Welcome by Mayor. His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller) extended a formal welcome to Invercargill, stating that he had on two occasions attended educational courses arranged for boys, and no doubt the number of girls attending would prove just as large. He was pleased to hear that such a fine programme had been arranged, for he had no doubt that the week would prove educative and profitable in every way. He hoped that they would enjoy their week’s stay in Invercargill. In a brief address of welcome Mrs Stanley Brown, resident of the Southland branch of the National Council of Women, said that they might become better women by drawing on culture during the leisure time at their disposal. If their environment was not all that might be desired, they could by culture establish a little world all their own. Welcoming addresses were also made by Mrs T. Ruthven, president of the Southland branch of the League of Mothers, Mrs R. R. MacGregor, provincial president of the W.C.T.U., Mrs A. F. Ritchie Crawford, president of the Plunket Society, and Mr D. M. Malloch, who is associated with the Young Farmers’ Club movement. Friendship With Town. Mrs W. H. Ward, Dominion president of the Women’s Division, extended congratulations on the success already attained. She paid tributes to the ability of Mrs Stewart and Miss J. Henderson (provincial secretary of the W.D.F.U.) as being fully capable of leading the girls in the valuable week’s course. “We have tried to give you what we did not get ourselves when we were your age,” Mrs Ward said. The week had also as its object the fostering of that beautiful spirit between town and country without which they could not possibly live. A reply was made by Miss Joyce Smith, of Waikaka Valley. The course opened in the morning with the roll call, followed by very brief speeches by all of the girls attending. An address on “Modern Journalism will be delivered by Mr R. J. Gilmour at this morning’s session. Practical value will be given by a visit to the Times Office, and the morning’s programme will conclude with an address by Mrs Ward. In the afternoon Mr T. D. Pearce will speak about books, taking as his subject “What Shall We Read?” Dr Stanley Brown will touch upon music and musical items at the evening session.

TWO-MINUTE SPEECHES

ORIGINALITY AND FRESHNESS.

An interesting feature of the commencement of the Educational Week yesterday morning was the delivery of two-minute speeches by the girls attending. The subject was “My Work or Hobby,” and as over 80 girls spoke an illuminating insight into life on Southland farms was given. Nearly all of the girls spoke clearly and smoothly, although many spoke for only about a minute. There were no instances of complaint against their lot; in fact, all seemed to be happy and enjoying life. They gave indications of occupying their time very fully, with a definite effort to put their spare time to good use. The most striking feature was the sincerity of the speakers within the limits of their subject. One girl said that she really liked gardening and was very fond of music, regretting that she had not more time to devote to it.

“My hobby is baking. I am very fond of decorating a cake,” declared another girl, while succeeding speakers announced likings for swimming, bicycling and housekeeping. Applause greeted the statement, made with quiet sincerity, by a girl who said: “If I happen to be in a bad mood I find that I feel much better if I take my dog and go for a brisk walk in the fresh air.”

A dog is evidently the constant companion of another girl, who said she liked to get a dog and round up sheep. Masculine pursuits were favoured by a girl who said that her favourite hobby was shooting. “I like to go over the hills shooting rabbits and I have nearly 100 tails collected to make into a mat,” she said. “My greatest wish is that when my father goes out shooting he will take his only child with him.” “I am not very fond of milking the cows,” declared one speaker, but two or three others said that they enjoyed it. One girl said that the milk cheque came in regularly once a month, which was more than could be said for the sheep! “The only thing I don t like doing is feeding new lambs,” said the next girl. “Life on the farm is very interesting and healthy. I like knitting, dressmaking and fancy work, while I am also fond of riding.” “I have the usual round of a cow farm: milking, housework and meals. I am kept going from 5.30 jn the morning to 7.30 in the evening,” said a girl who still had time for gardening and had had as many as 1000 tulips in her garden. “Singing at night, knitting in the afternoon, playing tennis in the summer —that’s all I do!” said one girl amid laughter. Knitting, tatting and fancy work had a very large numbecrof devotees, many remarking on the various stitches and designs they favoured. Two girls were evidently very interested in art, for they spoke enthusiastically of this as a hobby. One had done a great deal of oil painting, having replaced thirty pictures in her home with her own

work. Most of her pictures - were of ships and North American Indians. Sometimes she amused the family with sketches of them in all sorts ot “ridiculous poses,” while she had also found showcard writing remunerative. Stamp collecting and collecting newspaper pictures of members of the Royal Family also had a following. “I find Girl Guiding both useful and interesting,” said another speaker. “It builds up both physical fitness and character.”