GIRLS' COLLEGE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 75, 30 March 1933, Page 9

GIRLS' COLLEGE

PARENTS' ASSOCIATION

It was" considered by the thirty members who attended the annual meeting of the ■Wellington Girls' College Parents' Association that this

number was far from being a due representation of iive hundred pupils. Ji was t,he opinion of some members that many parents possibly refrained from attending owing to a misapprehension that their x>re'sence was likely to involve them in the executive or other committees, even though they ■were prepared otherwise to help the funds and the committees. A special effort is to be organised to make the position plainer to the general body of parents with a view to enlisting their greater support.- ,

The annual report and balance-sheet •were adopted. The report stated that the association's principal activities liad bcon. directed towards obtaining funds to provide for the recreational side of the girls' education, and the present state of the school play area with its courts for tennis and basketball represented very largely the results of the assistance which the Parents' Association had. been able to give. It was fortunate that the last scheme of constructive Work was finished and paid for before the arrival of the difficult times.

• The balance-sheet showed that for this year the expenditure had exceeded the income. The omission of "Parents' Day," usually celebrated in the last term of the school year, removed what had been one of the principal occasions for obtaining funds. ■

Although parents' day and other social gatherings were occasions for improving the finances of the association, this was. by no means their solo purpose or their only claim, for support. They were intended to provide opportunities for the parents to become acquainted with each other and with the staff of the school, and for this reason, no less than for the other, the friends of the school were urged to take part in them. •

During this year, as in the past, the active service branch of the Parents' Association, had. been.7 the Ladies' Auxiliary, and nearly, if not quite, everything, that had been accomplished had been due to their efforts. The difficulties of the times have imposed mbrfe personal sacrifices than usual on their executive, and they and the ladies who had assisted them in their enthusiastic and efficient -services were heartily thanked. The report also expressed appreciation of the sympathy and active interest shown by the head mistress, Miss Greig, and by the Board of Governors of the college.

'The president referred to the garden party held on Saturday last in cooperation with;the Old Girls' Association, as a result of which nearly £40 .ivas. raised.

The president (Mr. A. E. Hefford) )«vas re-elected, and seven vice-presi-dents and -dn executive committee were nominated and elected as fol-JmysiT—Vice-presidents, Mesdames McPhee, Bobins, Hefford, Meyer, and TTrquhart, Messrs. Lankshcar and Meyer; executive committee, Mesdames MacKay, Tanner, Fairhall, Duncan, Scott, Conder, Andrew,, Ongley, Mpir, Williamson, "White and' Hay, Messrs. Eobins, Fisher, and McPhee. The hon. secretary and treasurer (Mr. H. Abraham) was also re-elected.

In accordance with notice of motion, fry Mr. Meyer, the constitution was amended by reducing / the membership subscription from 2s 6d to Is for the current year.

A motion by the president that the association acknowledges the great debt it owed to the Ladies' Auxiliary, and especially to the president (Mrs. McPhee), was carried with acclamation.

Votes of thanks to members of the executive who had retired, to the lady principal (Miss Greig) for her attendance at meetings, and for her valuable help, and to the Board of Governors for unfailing interest in the well being of the college were carried.

A comparison of time-tables shows that 'en an average English trains travelled faster in 1896 than they do now. In that year the best booked time between King's Cvofs and Edinburgh, including thvep stops, was seven hours twenty-five minutes; last year the non-stop Flying Scots-man.-was" still .taking seven, and a half hours. . " •'"■