CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22987, 16 September 1936, Page 10

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

WOMEN'S COUNCIL MEETING SUGGESTIONS FOR MEMORIAL The second meeting of the Otago Women's Centennial Council was held last night, when the 44 women's societies of Otago which comprise the council were well represented, Dr Siedeberg-M'Kinnon was in the chair, and, addressing the meeting, said that the best object of the council would be the erection of a memorial which v/ould be worthy of the spirit and character of the pioneer women, and which would do credit to themselves as the body of citizens responsible for the memorial. It appeared to her that the value of the memorial would be enhanced if it were made to serve the varied interests of women in all walks of life and. in all women's activities, in both town and country—something which would help them to carry on successfully the work of the organisations founded by ' the pioneer women or their descendants. Suggestions as to what form the memorial should take had not been fully examined, continued the speaker, but one scheme which had the support of some of the constituted societies was the erection of a Women's Centenary Building, in which could be held conferences, receptions, social evenings, monthly and executive meetings, and in which the various sports bodies could display their trophies, the University women, teachers, nurses, and women of other societies could house small libraries, and where could be placed on record the valuable work done by these associations. Other uses to which the building could be put would depend on the available accommodation, which naturally would depend on the amount of money collected, combined with a Government subsidy. It had been suggested that a room in which backward children could be trained in handicrafts and taken care of at certain hours of the day should be included in the building, the cost of which had been estimated to be £IO,OOO. These suggestions would come before the Otago Centennial Council at its next meeting, Dr Siedeberg-M'Kinnon said.

Regarding finance for such a memorial, the speaker felt sure that money 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. On behalf of the Otago Women's Cricket Association, Mrs W. A. Ross said that her organisation was definitely opposed to a women's building, and would rather see the beautification of streets or avenues carried out.

Miss D. Lynn (Y.W.C.A.) suggested that the money should be used to build an institution or to finance any suitable building for an institution to receive mental cases, such as cases of severe nervous breakdowns, which were on the border-line and not serious enough for mental hospitals. There was no provision for these at the present time. Mrs Sutherland Ross said that some members of the Otago Women's Club considered that the best memorial would be an archway and beautified approach to the city, or a marine drive and women's building at Ocean Beach. The representative of the Women's Christian Temperance Union suggested that slums in the city should be cleared up. After various other ideas had been nut forward the statement by Mrs J. F. Drake that the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union supported the proposed women's building was received with general acclamation. ELECTION OF 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 —Mesdames 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; honorary secretary, Mrs Warrington Taylor. The next meeting was fixed for November 2.