People we Know

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 39, 23 December 1893, Page 9

People we Know

Mew Zealand has long been noted as standing in the van of educational progress. This fact has no better proof in its support than the position occupied by not a few young ladies throughout the colony in the higher academic studies. In this country, without let or hindrance, a young lady of intelligence and ability can secure the highest literary and scientific honors. A very graceful tribute to the diligence and skill of the members of the fair sex engaged in the teaching profession fell from the lips of Sir George Grey in the course of a speech delivered at Gore a few years ago. We have this week the pleasure of bringing under the notice of onr readers two Southland ladies who have made the most of the opportunities open to them. We refer to Miss C. McLeod and Miss J. B. Jamieson. Each of these ladies was successful in gaining the B.A. degree last year, and were among the students.of the University of Otago who were duly “capped” at the annual demonstration in August last.

The young lady represented above was born in Glasgow, is a daughter of Mr Neill McLeod, the well-known building contractor, and came to the colony with her parents at a very early age. * Her school life began in her eighth year, when she attended the Invercargill Grammer School (now the Middle District school). Passingall the standards in due course, Miss McLeod began her career as a pupil teacher at fourteen, and three years later passed her examination and matriculated. She was foitunate in having as her tutors at the Grammar School Mr Macgregor and Mr Geo. McLeod (her uncle) by whom she was well grounded in English and Latin. Discovering a strong bent for the profession of teaching, the subject of our sketch determined to make it her vocation, and to at the same time secure as high a position in it as possible. Last year she gained her 13 A. degree, and in working - up for this it may be mentioned 'that she had a year’s private tuition from Miss Pitcaithley (now Mrs Hendry) in addition to attending the University for two terms. She also attended the Southland Collegiate

Classes for a term. Miss McLeod was engaged in the Park School for several years, and six months ago obtained an appointment in the South School, of which she” lately became 'head mistress.

This young’ lady, who is a daughter of Mr J. Jamieson, of Gladstone, began her school life at the age of four, attending the Grammar School from the opening' day. At the age of eleven she took first place among the successful candidates for the first junior scholarships given in Southland. A few years later .she entered the Invercargill High School as holder of a senior scholarship ; studied there for three years, and passed her matriculation examination. She next entered the Hormal Training- College, Dunedin, having' obtained oo 7 • 3 • i i x a scholarship in connection witn that institution. Miss Jamieson has been teaching since at Wild Bush for nearly five years, studying meanwhile for University examinations. She derived much benefit from the establishment of the Collegiate Classes in Invercargill, and took her B.A. degree last year.