TO HONOUR MISS BERTHA RAWLINSON

Evening Star, Issue 22451, 23 September 1936, Page 14

TO HONOUR MISS BERTHA RAWLINSON

Yesterday afternoon, in the charming reception rooms at the Town Hal], the Mayor and Mrs Cox wore “at home ” in honour of Miss Bertha Rawlinson, who has brought such distinction to Dunedin by securing the “ Melba ” trophy against 700 competitors. , The rooms were very prettily decorated with spring flowers, the tea table looking especially dainty. After tea had been served, the Mayor, in congratulating Miss Kawlinsou, said that Dunedin had been much in the limelight this year in the world of football and athletics, and now in the world of art this charming young singer had brought home fresh honours, not only to Dunedin, but to the Dominion generally. She had had a very distinguished career, being the youngest Bachelor of Music to qualify in New Zealand, but apart from this, she had a charming personality, and had always given her services most willingly in answer to any public or philanthropic appeal. Dr Galway also joined in expressing, his pleasure at Miss Rawlinson’s great achievement. When in Australia—a land of great singers—she had carried off this most coveted prize. She had early realised that to be a good musician she must cover a wide Held, and he felt that she was only at the commencement of a great career. Mr Ernest Drake added a few words of appreciation, and_Mr Alfred Walmsley, too, joined his congratulations, and said they would all watch her career with interest—that of a cultured musician and a cultured woman.

The Rev. Allen Stevely spoke of the great debt the church owed to musical people, and Miss Bawlinson, he said, had done her full share in this way, and personally he was very grateful to her.

Miss Bawlinson, who was presented with a lovely bouquet of hyacinths, was greeted with applause as she rose to say a few gracious words of thanks, at the same time acknowledging the great help she had received from Dr Galway and Mr and Mrs Drake. Among those present were Dr and Mrs V. E. Galway, Mr and Mrs Ernest Drake, Mr and Mrs J. Leech, Mr and Mrs A. Walmsley, Mr and Mrs W. Shepherd, Mr and Mrs James Hogg, Mr and Mrs W. B .Taverner, Mr and Mrs H. L. Paterson, the Rev. and Mrs Stevely, the Rev. and Mrs Woollosall, Mr and Mrs Bert Rawlinson, Mr and Mrs J- Falconer, Mr and Mrs James Clark, Mr and Mrs Smith, Mr and Mrs Hartley, Dr and Mrs M'Millan, _ Mesdames S. O. Battersby. R. W. Brickell, E. Murray, Misses F. Pickard, D. M'Kay, Mabel Rice, Barth, Salmond, Copeland, A Wilson, C. Falconer, K. Geerin, Smith, Messrs Bowie, E. Paris, H. Riddle, Peterson, and Signor Stella.