To my Old Girls.
My dears,
12
fotel International, Nice.
3.4.27.
For old times' sake, when sheaves of your examinatio.. papers used to pass through my hands (sometimes giving me great pleasure, and sometimes the reverse), I thought I must send you my message on foolscap. But it is almost impossible for me to express what I am feeling, for I have not yet properly assimilated the fact of the great honour you have done me in making me one of the Patrons of the new B.O.G.A. I send you my most grateful thanks for that, and for sending me your signatures to gladden my old heart, and to remind me as I read over the list of names of many things connected with each one of you which come back to me in association with your dear names. I have been mentally putting each one of you before me as I read, and am astonished to find how much of the past comes to my memory, and such a pleasant past. Had it been possible 1 should have liked to send a separate letter to each of you, but you will understand that this collective acknowledgment means just as much. That your new Association may pro- sper is the dearest wish of your old friend, E. TUTCHER,
Patron, B.O.G.A. To return to the dinner; when the meal was over, a short informal concert was given, songs being sung by Mrs. Gutierrez, Miss Olivia Xavier and Miss Mow Fung; we greatly enjoyed all the songs.
Then followed games, including strenuous musical chairs, made all the more exciting because the chairs showed a distinct tendency to turn round with the players. Then some one was inspired to think of a flash- light photograph, and while we waited for this to be taken we sang part songs with great fervour under the direction of Miss Xavier. We gave a most spirited rendering of old favourites like 64
Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree,' familiar to Guides, and "Three Blind Mice "; and we extended our knowledge of the Chinese language by wrestling with the Chinese Version of our (f
Three Blind Mice," best written, I think, as Sam ko mang lo shü." Unfortunately we could not agree on the whole verse, so we must wait for the next B.O.G.A. dinner to complete our knowledge.
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After the Photograph had been taken, the meeting ended with "For she's a jolly good fellow" and good wishes to Miss Skinner; then with "Auld Lang Syne and a vote of thanks to Miss Lewis, the Vice-President of the Association.
It was altogether a delightful evening, and great credit for its success must be given to those responsible for the arrangements.
13
THE B.O.G.A.'S SUMMER PICNIC.
It was originally intended to have an outing to Sh..tin L train on the 11th June, but unfortunately owing to the poor response from members, due no doubt to the very warm weather, it was decided to have a launch picnic instead.
On the 17th June, a party of over 60 members and their friends left Queen's Pier by a double decker launch at 5.30 p.m. for Seaton. The journey took about ? of an hour, by which time the swimmers had donned their bathing suits ready for the water. These spent a very enjoyable dip, especially the children, of whom there was a large number. Those who did not swim went ashore and spent a very pleasant time rambling in the garden and on the slopes of the hills around Seaton. Upon returning on board refresh- ments were served, the catering being in the hands of Messrs. Lane, Crawford. During the journey home, the songsters rendered several items, and it was not until a late hour that the merry party returned to Hongkong.
The outing was a decided success, so much so that members voted for another one. This second picnic took place on the 30th June, but it was not so well supported, as at the last moment the weather looked threatening and kept quite a number of subscribers away. However, the keener members braved the elements and the launch duly sailed at 5.30 p.m. when fortunately the weather cleared.
The venue this time was a small bay near the Kowloon Docks. The swimmers found the water very enjoyable and everybody spent a most pleasant afternoon. This time the catering was kindly undertaken by Miss Delminda Lopes, who unfortunately could not attend at the last moment owing to the death of her cousin. She has the sympathy of all B.O.G.A. members. Miss Marian Yuen very kindly came forward and volunteered to look after the catering and she made a very energetic and capable substitute.
The Editor of the Belilios Journal hopes to make the Magazine a means of keeping the Old Girls of B.P.S. in touch not only with the present girls but with their own contemporaries. In every Magazine there will be a section devoted to the meetings of the B.O.G.A., but we would like to have one part also for the news of Old Girls themselves. Member of the B.O.G.A. are therefore urged to send to the Hon. Secretary of the Association any news of themelves which will be of interest to their friends; this will be passed on to the Editor of the Belilios Journal. News of engage- ments and marriages, of new positions gained, of new work
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