Notes for Women

Southland Times, Issue 25546, 14 December 1944, Page 8

Notes for Women

Mrs J. C. Kirkland, Kelvin street, has returned from a visit to Dunedin.

Miss Joan McGrath, Wellington, is the guest of Mrs A. E. McGrath, Dee street. Mrs E. Murfitt, Napier, has returned north after being the guest of Mr and Mrs M. J. Murfitt, Tweed street. A number of farewell parties have been given for Mrs J. D. Pigou who, with her husband and family, leaves tomorrow for Hastings. At the show yesterday members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, both men and women, were on duty to give assistance in any cases of illness or injury. The depot at the Y.M.C.A. was also used by a number of mothers with babies and small children who needed a few moment’s rest. It is reported that all or most of the British children who have lost both parents in the war have found new homes and new parents, and, moreover, that for every child needing a home there have been 20 offers, says The Manchester Guardian. A Ministry of Pensions official states that in most cases relations of' children have come forward to act as guardians. The Ministry has a pool of nearly 3000 “volunteer parents,” all of whom have been approved. The St. John, Avenal, and Women’s Club Spinning Circles spent yesterday morning and afternoon at the Y.M.C.A. hut at the showgrounds to demonstrate to country visitors how the raw wool they give is spun and knitted into garments. As a result of the demonstration a number of fleeces were promised by farmers. The biggest task done by the members of these groups has been the making of sea-boot stockings and pullovers for the Merchant Navy, and many of these articles were exhibited. Also on display were garments for babies and small children. The raw wool was carded, spun and knitted, all of the operations having an interested audience. Questions were asked, and the spinners were kept busy explaining the processes. Thirty pounds of wool, the equivalent of five fleeces, have been spun and knitted this year by pupils of the Technical College. Class H2B (second year home arts course) did the spinning, and C2A (the second year commercial course) the knitting. The college is grateful to Mr T. Paterson, Wilton street, for a donation of wool which made possible the gifts to the Red Cross and the Merchant Navy. Details of the knitting done are:—Two jerseys, six pairs of seaboot stockings, six pairs of socks, six balaclavas; for the blinded and crippled children who are being rehabilitated at the Heritage Crafts’ Schools, Chailey, Surrey, England: 36 homespun singlets, 16 pairs of homespun socks, one homespun jersey, one pair of homespun knickers, one homespun cot blanket. OTAGO GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL Tribute To Principal A tribute to the work and influence of Miss M. H. M. King, MA., as principal of the Otago Girls’ High School is contained in the following minute which was approved by acclamation at a meeting of the Otago High Schools Board of Governors:— “On the occasion of the retirement of Miss M. H. M-. King, M.A., from the position of principal of the Otago Girls’ High School, the board desires to place on record its appreciation of her long service and her valuable contribution to the welfare and progress of the school. Miss King assumed the duties of principal of this school on February 1, 1922, after having occupied a similiar position in the Southland Girls’ High School. She has thus completed 23 years of service in this important and responsible position. “Miss King had a remarkably successful career as a student. She was dux of the Oamaru North Public School and of Waitaki Girls’ High School, and was first for her. year for the whole of New Zealand in the junior university scholarship examination. At the university she gained a senior university scholarship in English and French and took her M.A. degree with first-class honours in the same subjects. Before entering on her career as a teacher, one of her professors expressed his belief that she was ‘the ablest and most accomplished lady student that has ever attended Otago University.’ It is not surprising that her brilliance as a student, coupled with other personal gifts and attainments, soon marked her out for promotion in her profession and enabled her to meet responsibilities and surmount difficulties with an ease that earned the admiration of those associated with her. As a teacher of English she has won the gratitude of countless pupils who owe to her their appreciation of the best in literature. She has also given the school the benefit of her special flair for preparing pupils for entertainments, and she has shown efficiency in administration and unusual ability as an organizer. “Miss King has given the board her full co-operation in everything affecting the welfare of the school. The rectors of the Otago Boys’ High School and King’s High School have also expressed their appreciation of her willing cooperation with them in matters affecting the interests of their schools and their gratitude for her ready help by the loan of experienced teachers when their staffs were depleted by the absence of men on war service. Miss King’s principalship is easily the longest in the history of the Otago Girls’ High School. There have passed through hey hands a great many pupils whose friendship for her and whose love for the school have borne ample testimony to her ability to win their confidence and respect. She also gained and held the loyalty of her staff and was successful in promoting among them an excellent spirit of co-operation. These factors have contributed substantially to what the inspectors of secondary schools recently referred to as ‘the fine spirit of industry in the school’ and its ‘well-deserved name for a high standard of scholarship.’ “Miss King has left the impress of her gifts on all the girls who have passed through her hands and on all who have been closely associated with her. It will be their wish, as it is the board’s, that she may be spared for many years to enjoy the leisure that she has earned and to give to the community the benefit of her long experience and her undoubted gifts. The board extends to her its very best wishes for a long and happy retirement, and for good health in which to .enjoy it.”