Y.W.C.A. CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19267, 2 January 1931, Page 8

Y.W.C.A. CONFERENCE.

The Girl Citizens from the various centres of the Y.W.C.A. throughout the Dominion are at present holding their anmial conference in New Plymouth, where by the courtesy of the Board of Governors of the Girls’ High School, they are in residence at “ Scotlands,” the Girls’ Hostel. The hostel, with its spacious accommodation and delightful grounds forms an ideal conference site. The magnificent grouping of old well-grown trees in the school grounds and the lovely valley of native bush preserved in its natural beauty give unusually perfect conditions for all the outdoor activities of the conference.

Bush lore is to be one of the special subjects of this year’s conference, this section of the programme being under the .expert direction of Miss Douglas, whose knowledge of native plants, flowers and birds will prove invaluable on all the nature study expeditions. Another special feature of the conference is the section on Maori history and the early settlement of Taranaki. Mr W. H. Skinner is giving the Girl Citizens the benefit of his research in pioneer records and Maori war history. Book lore under the direction of Miss Audrey M’Crea of Auckland, crafts under Miss C. Ashton of Timaru, and music under Miss Marjorie Fearn, are important sections of the conference programme. The daily Bible study which centres round the theme of “ The Splendid Heritage,” deals with the gifts of God in the world of nature, in life, and its experiences, in history and in religThe conference hostess is Miss Doris Allan, lady principal of the New Plymouth Girls’ High School, while the direction of. the programme is in the hands of Miss Leila Bridgman, National .Chief Counsellor of Girl Citizens. Representative delegations are present .Irom Whangarei, Auckland, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Timaru ;liid Dunedin. The Christchurch delegations includes Misses L. Kirk, N. Willis, G. Carew, M. Parker, K. Cross, P. Am bridge, E. Huggins, W. Lewis, M. O’Connor, D. Amtman, M. Burnley and M. Ambridge.