GIRLS' COLLEGE GIVES WARM WELCOME TO MISSIONARIES

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 October 1946, Page 9

GIRLS' COLLEGE GIVES WARM WELCOME TO MISSIONARIES

Pupils of the Girls’ College gave a warm welcome to Miss Mildred Cable and Miss Eva French, two of the missionaries and explorers who visited the school yesterday afternoon. Girls of Nga Tawa School, Marton, representatives of the Wanganui branch of the N.£. British and Foreign Bible Society and a number of friends of the school were also present. Pamela Neaber, on behalf of the pupils, welcomed Miss Cable and Miss E- French, who were presented with bouquets, and also accepted a bouquet to take to Miss Francesca French, who was unable to be present. The visitors were introduced by the Rev. A. C. McLean, who welcomed the general secretary for the Dominion, Rev. D. Calder. Miss Cable gave the large audience an insight into the lives and customs of the people of Tibet and Mongolia. She said it was their first visit to this side of the world, and when they reached Australia they got their first idea of the geographical aspect. The speaker described a 54-day journey into the desert and to Tibet. When they travelled to Mongolia the long journey was made on camel back, at three miles an hour. In mentioning some of the places they had visited Miss Cable said all had most appropriate names, as the Chinese are real artists at naming their places. For instance, “Eyelash Oasis,” which resembled a large eye, and “Gates of Sand,” which could not have been better named. She described the interior of a large tent used as an audience chamber by the leaders of Mongolia. Made of skins, the inside of the tent was made colourful with vegetable dyes. “The Mongolians are very fine people and they have no colour bar In their country- They take their goods long distances by camel and barter pelts, turquoise and other things for wheat. A journey takes several months, ahd one trip in and out will often take a year. The camel drivers read a great deal on these journeys, and literature and the ■'"ord of God given them by the women missionaries were well read. Referring to the weather, Miss Cable said in one part where they had travelled there had been no rain for 30 years.

Questions were invited and the pupils, eager for knowledge on several aspects of the life of the missionaries, asked a number of questions. In reply to One question Miss Cable told of the Mongolian girl they took to England with them —Tonsy, who is mentioned in one of her books.

On behalf of the pupils, Margaret Hart thanked Miss Cable for giving them the opportunity of hearing about their travels. Miss M. E. Baker, principal of the college, also expressed her thanks for the inspiring address, and said she hoped some of the pupils would follow the missionaries’ example and carry on the good work. She thanked her for answering the girls’ questions. Prior to the lecture a musical programme was given. The Glee Club, under the conductorship of Lorna Debreceny, sang two rounds; Pauline Solly played the pianoforte selection. Chopin's “Waltz in C Sharp Minor”; Jacqueline Delves played the “Island Magic,” by John Ireland; and June Grace sang “Love’s a,Merchant.” The guests and visitors were entertained at afternoon tea in the common room. Three cheers were given for Miss Cable and Miss E- French