WOMEN PIONEERS

Evening Star, Issue 22445, 16 September 1936, Page 11

WOMEN PIONEERS

MEMORIAL TO BE ERECTED CENTENNIAL COUNCIL'S MEETING Various suggestions as to what form the memorial to be dedicated to the pioneer women of Otago should take were discussed at a meeting of the Otago Women’s Centennial Council, held in the Council Chambers last evening. Altogether seven suggestions were laid before the meeting, and it was decided that representatives report on the proposal to their respective societies so that they could vote on their behalf at the next meeting of the council. Dr Siedeberg-M'Kinnon presided over a good attendance. A favourable reception had been given the proposal to erect some sort of memorial to the pioneer women of Otago, said the chairwoman. A letter had been sent to Dr D. G. M'Millan requesting him to place the proposal before the Hon. W. E. Parry (Minister of Internal Affairs) for consideration by the National Centennial Council. Following some correspondence a letter was received from the Rev. E. T. Cox (Mayor of Dunedin) stating that the matter did not come before th« National Council in Wellington, but before the Otago Centennial Council, and it could not go to Wellington until approved by the latter body. A letter was then forwarded to the mayor. It stated that the Otago Women’s Centennial Council comprised two representatives from each _of_ 44 societies engaged in Women’s activities. It was proposed to erect some suitable memorial dedicated to the pioneer women of Otago. Suggestions as to what form the memorial should take had not yet been fully examined, but one proposal which had the support of many societies, and might possibly be endorsed, was for the erection of a women’s centenary building in which could be held their conferences, receptions, social evenings, and monthly and executive meetings. The building could also be used by sports bodies to display trophies, where the University women, teachers, nurses, and other societies could house their small libraries, and where could be placed on record the valuable work done by these associations. Other uses to which such a building might be put would depend upon the available accommodation, which naturally would again depend on the amount of money collected, combined with a Government subsidy. Some societies had suggested a room where backward children could be trained in handicrafts and taken care of at certain hours of the day, while

many other uses would suggest themselves in time. It was estimated that the cost of the building would be in the vicinity of £IO,OOO, excluding the cost of land. These suggestions would come before the Otago Centennial Council at its next meeting, Or Siedeberg-M'Kinnon said. Regarding finance for'sucli a memorial, the speaker felt sure that monev would be generously given by men as a dedication to their women folk—their mothers, wives, and daughters. She believed also that money would come to the organisation from legacies. The building, of course, would be controlled by a board of trustees. The Chairwoman then called for any suggestions from representatives of the various societies. Speaking for the Otago Women’s Club, Mrs Sutherland Ross suggested the erection of a memorial arch at one of the entrances to the city, with the beautifying of the street from the archway into the city, or, alternatively, that the same thing be done in connection with the approaching roads from the city to the Ocean Beach, with a suitable memorial at the Oceah Beach end. .

On behalf of the Women’s Cricket Association and the Women’s Hockey Association, Mrs W. A. Ross proposed that an archway be erected in some suitable place, or that. they make a new highway in or near the city, to be suitably named, or make beautiful some existing highway. The Free Kindergarten Council suggested the building of another room on to the Art Gallery at Logan Park, the room to be dedicated to the, memory of the Otago women. The Young Women’s Methodist Bible Class Union suggested that consideration be given to improving the present Women’s Rest Rooms, On behalf of the Young Women’s Christian Association, Miss D. Lynn suggested either providing a home for gentlewomen of slender means or erecting a building to be used for the treatment of mental cases, such as severe nervous breakdowns, which should not be committed to the existing mental hospitals, but to this proposed place. , 'Hie Women’s Christian Temperance Union suggested that the slum areas of the city be cleaned away, and a shield be hung in the Council Chambers notifying that such work was done as a memorial to the pioneers. The Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union supported the suggestion of erecting a “ Women’s Building.” ELECTION OP OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were elected, to hold office until the centenary celebrations in 1940 should be completed:—President, Dr SiedebergM'Kinnon; vice-presidents—the mayoress (ex officio), Mrs J. F. Drake, Mrs Sutherland Ross; committee Mesdamos S. M. Park, Walter Ross, W. B. Taverner, H. C. Campbell, T. M‘Gregor, J. A. Henderson, Sister Nora Dick, Misses L. Sullivan, M. R. Sherriff, S. Bayley. Young. M. Begg, E. Service, Hart, A. J. Duthie, J. P. Calder; lion, secretary, Mrs Warrington Taylor. The next meetitng was fixed for November 2.