BUSINESS GIRLS’ CLUB.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 180, 1 July 1937, Page 12

BUSINESS GIRLS’ CLUB.

TALK BY MR J. MURRAY. The speaker av the fortnightly luncheon of the Palmerston North Business Girls’ Club, yesterday, was Mr J. Murray, whose subject was “Words,” i his talk being very interesting and inI formative. I Words, like the poor, were always j with us, observed Mr Murray, quoting I from “Hamlet.” In the great ocean of ! words there was one quiet backwater into which he often dipped—the study of people’s names. He explained how : surnames had been derived from nuinoI rous sources, which lie divided into I four classes: From places of origin or I present address ; from father or ancestor ; from occupation or office; and I nicknames. In old lists were to be 'found names derived from field flowers, countries, continents, the points of the compass fe.g.. Fast, West, North), animals, birds, fishes, mountains, streams, and woods and dales as well. Every feature of the countryside served for the purpose of nomenclature, and names of towns, villages, estates, etc., were also used. To these he said, must also ho added the great armv of surnames from baptismal and Biblical sources. _ The speaker greatly interested his listeners by explaining the source of the names of various Cabinet Ministers, as well as several of the business girls. Mr Murray concluded with the name of the Speaker, Hon. W. F. Barnard, whose name meant “strong warrior.” which was rather proper since Mr Barnard’s duty was to make people who had sunken long enough sit down. (Laughter.) - Miss W. IT. McGowan presided over a very good' attendance, and visitors welcomed were Misses N. Nieeol and TL Christian. Vice-presidents who attended were Mcsdamos Al. Aitoliison, W. T. Koval, Day. and Cookslc.v.