YEAR REVIEWED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 934, 2 December 1933, Page 16

YEAR REVIEWED.

Annual Meeting of the P.N.E.U. SATISFACTORY PROGRESS MADE. Mesdames Norton Francis, H. Wyatt and E. C. Gough and Miss J. Horth were the hostesses last evening at the annual meeting of the Parents’ National Educational Union, which was held in the Canterbury Women’s Club, through the courtesy of the president and executive. The reception-room was beautifully decorated with huge bowls of delphiniums, flag irises and aquilegias, and smaller bowls of roses and poppies and mixed flowers.

At the conclusion of the business meeting an enjoyable musical and dramatic programme was given by assisting artists, after which supper was served. The programme included instrumental trios by Misses Nancy Estall ('cello), Dora Deal (violin) and Christobel Robinson (piano) ; songs by Mrs R. J. M’Laren, with Miss Althea Slack as accompanist: and a well-presented play, in which the following took part: Mesdames J. T. Small, .T. W. Falk, H. Wyatt and G. Maginness, Misses E. Blackham and Alice Freeman. Annual Report. The twelfth annua] report, presented by the president, Mrs Norton Francis, stated that the growth of the P.N.E.U. School, Selwyn House, continued steadily. Many inquiries had been received from various parts of New Zealand asking for information, which had been supplied at length. Since the last annual meeting, eight general meetings had been held, and three committee meetings. The committee wished to express its gratitude to Mrs B. E. H. Whitcombe for her valuable services as secretary. She had carried out her duties ably, and had given up a great deal of time to the work. It was with regret that her resignation from the position was received. For her untiring work and the care with which she conducted her duties as treasurer, the committee wished also to express its gratitude to Mrs Henry Wyatt. The report continued with a detailed list of lectures given during the year, when a wide variety of subjects had been covered Appreciation of these lectures and gratitude to the lecturers was expressed. Thanks also were extended to the hostesses during the year, and to the president and committee of the Canterbury Women’s Club In lending their rooms for the annual meeting. Selwyn House School. The chief interest of the P.N.E.U., stated the report, was in the Selwyn House School. There were now sixty children on the roll, twelve new pupils joining during the year. The school was grateful to the P.N.E.U. for its interest in the sale of work, which had resulted in £B4 9s 4d being raised. One or two governesses were being trained at the school, the object being not entirely educational, but to give them the assistance which would facilitate their work when they secured positions. It was hoped to establish a boarding school for Selwyn House as sdon as the directors had secured the definite promise of enough girls to warrant the undertaking. Tn the meantime arrangements were being made to board privately the children from the country. The balapce-sheet, showing a small but satisfactory credit balance, was read by the treasurer. Tn seconding the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, Mrs H. S. E. Turner congratulated the society on having a credit balance, which was due largely to the work of the president, the secretary and the treasurer. Officers for the Year. The following officer's were elected:— President, Mrs Norton Francis (reelected): vice-presidents, Mesdames J. R. Foster. A. K. Firth. J. H. Hall, Edwin Hay, P. F. Mann, Percy Overton, U. C. Webb, George Weston, J. H. Williams, E. C. Gough, J. Allan Meikle, R. D. Vincent and B E. H. Whitcombe. Misses J. Horth and J. Holderness, and Dr John Guthrie (advisory director, representing the Selwyn House Board of Governors); executive committee, Mesdames Douglas Anderson, W. H. Clark and Peter Wood: honorary secretary, Mrs Leslie Averill; honorary treasurer, Mrs Henry Wyatt.

Members of the committee of the Canterbury Women’s Club were the guests of the hostesses for the social part of the evening.