SOCIAL NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21958, 9 May 1941, Page 8

SOCIAL NOTES

Mrs Robin Harper, Christchurch, is on a visit to Geraldine. Miss Hurle, Girls’ High School, will spend the holidays in Christchurch. Miss Janet Murchison will arrive from the south to-morrow to spend the holidays with her parents, Mr and Mrs D. Murchison, Fairview. Mrs McKeown Ballarat, who has been staying with Mrs J. J. McKeown, Hadlow Park, has left for Christchurch. Mrs C. J. Kerr, "Rata Peaks," who is staying with Mrs L. M. Inglis, Preston Street, will leave to-day for Chrl.'fltehurch. Miss Phyllis Brodrlck, Masterton, who has been visiting relatives in South Canterbury and Invercargill, will leave to-day on a visit to Christchurch. Thirteen women from Southland are amongst the women from various parts of the South Island who are taking the herd-testing course at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln. They are Misses Deegan (Waimatua),. E. M. Neill (Tokanui), D. A. Robertson (Woodlands), O. E. M. Sanderson, N. J. Young (Glencoe), T. Meehan (Drummond), M. Cowan (Winton), E. M. McKay (Te Tua), G. R. Hillas (Mossbum), L. E. Jones (Mandeville), M E. Thomson (Limehills), G. C. Thomas (Invercargill), and E. M. O’Brien (Lillbum, Tuatapere). A New Zealander who is doing important work for the Y.W.C.A. in London is Miss D. H. Pullen-Burry, formerly of Auckland. She is a member of the personnel department in the national office and is responsible for engaging staff to take charge of huts, canteens, social clubs, and hostels. Since coming to London she has been working with Miss Charlotte Niven, formerly world general secretary to the Y.W.C.A., who visited New Zealand in 1934. In common with other Londoners, Miss Pullen-Burry had first-hand experience of the London blitz and was “bombed out” of her flat. There was a large attendance at the meeting of the Business Girls’ Club on Monday when Mr A. W. Anderson spoke on the history of flowers. Devoting the first part of his talk to New Zealand plants, Mr Anderson mentioned the very beautiful and colourful native plants to be found in this country, particularly on the high levels and mountains in the South Island, and spoke of how these had remained unknown to the outside world until the Rev. W. Colenso, one of the early missionaries, sent specimens to Kew, after which a booklet was published on these plants and interest in them was aroused. Of the fascinating history of flowers Mr Anderson spoke at length, telling of the first plant-collecting expedition in early Egypt in 1570 8.C.; of the keen Interest in and love of flowers of the Empress Josephine and her wonderful collection of dahlias and roses; of the popularity of gladiolus started by Queen Victoria and of the amazing adventures of explorers who brave all dangers to secure a beautiful or unusual plant.