Huguenot Girls' High School,
Hugenote Hoer Meisieskool,
Wellington,
May 10, 1937.
Dear Annie Bliss Lackie, -
It is a cold rainy day and we are having the first open fire we have had this year, but I could not keep warm in my room. This month is very much broken up by holidays; last week it was ascension Day, then we have Empire Day and Union day and this year Coronation Day, May 12th, with a special holiday for all the schools in the Colonies, the festivities continue for twelve days, counting those in Scotland and Wales, nearly every town in South Africa is doing something, there are dinners for the children and poor people, tree planting by some schools, and special illuminations radio programs and then the kings speech which will doubtless be heard all round the world. Last week our High School had a bazaar, the week before the Boys School had one and before that our Presbyterian church had one, making about fifty five pounds, or a little over. One lady said it was the season for bazaars. The morning of the seventh, the High School marched, some five hundred strong with wreaths and flowers to the Dutch church yard to place wreaths and flowers on Dr. Murray's, Miss Ferguson's and Miss Bliss' graves, also Miss Cummings and three daughters of Dr Murray who are buried near. I have always tried to make a wreath for Dr Bliss' grave, but this time some of the girls made them and I only carried flowers. Our chrisanthemums were very beautiful, but I fear this rain will spoil them. Yesterday was Mothers Day and all the students wore a white ball chrisanthemum in many [sic] of "mother." It was also the Students' Day of Prayer and there was a large prayer meeting with three or four addresses, some in English and some in Dutch.
I have not your letter at hand, but when you wrote you were living in Arlington and enjoyed some of your neighbors very much. I hope your sisters and cousins are quite well. The College has a new Domestic Science Building, built so that there can be another Department added later on.
Dr Stoneman came out on a visit last year and is still here. She was invited to make her home at the College if she wished, but has no responsibility. There were quite a good number received their diplomas for the 1936 Examinations, when the Vice-Chancellor visited us a few months ago. This was a very pleasant function. I understand that Mount Holyoke celebrates her 100 or centenary Anniversary in a few weeks time. Dr. Snell is to be our representative as she is living in the States.
Since writing the above, I have been reading your last letter sent to me in November 1936, with a pretty handkierchief, for all of which I thank you. I can quite picture your cosy room with the yellow and gold overhanging draperies. You certainly had a long serious time of illness, one thing following another but I am very glad that you recovered so well, and I hope there has been no recurrence of any of the troubles. I have never heard of the electric needle being used for the treatment of tonsils or the new idea of cutting nerves to remove high blood pressure. Certainly medical science is going ahead in America. I spent quite a good deal of time just before Christmas working on Christmas card needlebooks to be distributed to any sailors on boats in harbour on Christmas morning. The floating committee of our Christian Endeavour Union visit these boats, sing hymns and give some helpful text of scripture which the sailors can take with them, along with the pins, darning needles and wool which are doubtless of use to them when far out at sea. Most of our boarders are getting away this afternoon and will not return until Sunday night. Our daily paper is giving us a 48 page pamphlet containing pictures of the Royal family and the programme of the festivities in London tomorrow. This is a souvenir worth keeping.
Some of the papers out here seem to think that President R. is doing better this term than last, but you cannot always judge by what you read in the papers.
With much love and greetings to Mr. Lackie and any of your family I know,
Yours sincerely,
M. F. Baldwin