The Late Miss Dalrymple.

White Ribbon, Volume 12, Issue 138, 15 November 1906, Page 3

The Late Miss Dalrymple.

At a recent meeting of the Levin W.CVT.r. I In* President, Mrs < Istler, made warm and eulogistic reference to the late Miss Dalrymple, who for many years had been an honoured member of, and enthusiastic worker in, the local Union. Miss Dalrymple passed away at Dunedin on August 2bth, and the bi'ily l imes , in an obituary notice, paid tribute to her life and work as follows* —“ . . . It was largely owing to the efforts of tin* deceased lady that the Otago Girls High School was opened in February, 1871, and in recognition of her efforts in this direction a portrait of herself in oils was unveiled at the School at the annual prize distribution on the Kith December, 189 l». . . . .Miss Dalrymple commenced her agitation for the establishment of a ladies seminary for higher education in IB<‘4, and as the result of seven years’ persistent and energetic effort, she had the satisfaction of seeing the present institution opened as above stated. ... In 1888, Mr, afterward Sir, Julius Vogel, the Provincial Treasurer, was moved to put an item of VP HR) on tin* estimates for the erection of the school, this result being brought about mainly by tho persistent agitation of

Mi s> I hi! ry in pie and those working with her. As an illustration of the labour she put into the project, it is stated that she penned about 7(H) or 800 letters, setting forth the advantages of such a school, and, in addition to this, she promoted and had circulated throughout the province petitions in favour of its establishment. The vote proposed by the Provincial Treasurer was not passed, but Miss Dalrvmple afterwards succeeded in enlisting the sympathy and support of the then Provincial Superintendent, Mr .lames Maeandrew, who gave instructions to Dr Ilislop to sketch proposals, and a commission was appointed to investigate, the result being that a recommendation was made to the Provincial Council that a ladies seminary be established at as early a date as possible. The commission appointed to enquire into the matter consisted of twelve members, nine of whom were members of the Provincial Council, and three others, one of whom (the late Dr Stuart) was chairman. 'he resolution of the Provincial Council to establish a school was arrived at on September 20, 1809. During the year which followed Miss Dalrvmple carried on a heavy correspondence with Home friends and others, and the replie received showed, while they appreciated her efforts, that the project was in advance of the opinions entertained as to the education of women in England. ... In addition to her efforts on beliall of education, Miss Dalrvmple took an active interest in any public matters that had for their object the advancement of the community. Miss Dalrymple, whose age at the time of her death was 79 years, had been ailing for about ?. year before the termination of a life which was characterised throughout by a steady devotion to any project she took in hand. By her death the community loses one who has done much for the higher educational advancement of her sex in this colony.’