Two Women Of

Suva

Tribute to "Aunt Mary" and Mrs. Barrack

By “Old Fijian’ -

WHEN I hear the words “Lavender and Old Lace” I think of Miss Mary Graburn, more affectionately known as “Aunt Mary” to residents of Suva, Fiji. She conducts a private boarding establishment for young children attend ing school in Suva.

It would take an abler pen than mine to convey to you just how deeply she is enshrined in the hearts of Suva people— so many young men and women look back with gratitude and affection to the years spent in her care. In a number of

cases, the younger generation are now enjpymg the same kindliness and care their parents once received.

For all her 75 years, Aunt Mary is active in mind and body and would shame many women half her age, in the amount pf work she manages to get through. She is never idle, and rarely takes a nap in the day-time, yet she is always fresh and sprightly, and ready to have a chat when, as so often happens, some friend calls in to tell of a new-born infant, or a change in business, or a little joy or trouble — knowing well that Aunt Mary will be in terested or delighted or sympathetic as the case may be.

Living with Aunt Mary in her old fashioned house, filled with mementos and photos of boys and girls, now grown men and women, is her widowed sister, Mrs Barrack, and I can think of no better picture of everyone’s idea of “Mother”.

Like her sister, Mrs. Barrack is sweet faced and blue-eyed, and she has a wealth of snow-white hair, simply coiled on her neck. But her figure is round, and so very motherly that one cannot help wanting to hug her.

Is it any wonder that mothers living in the country districts of Fiji are grate ful to Aunt Mary and Mrs. Barrack?

They know that when the time comes to send their little ones to school in Suva, if they can place them in the care of these dear women, the children will not only be well cared for, but they will also be guided by a high moral standard, to benefit them in the years to come.

It is truly a beautiful sight, when playtime is over, after tea, to see those little children kneeling at the lap of Aunt Mary, with their eyes closed and hands clasped, saying their bedtime prayer. It is remarkable the deep affec tion and respect this dear old lady commands; and it is true affection, too, because Aunt Mary gets right into the confidence and hearts of these children, and is never too busy to listen to their little worries and troubles, although she does not encourage tale-bearing at all.

She enters into their amusements and often suggests some new form of game and enioys it with them.

Kindliness seems to be the key-note of her life; and, perhaps, it is for this reason she has had one Fijian servant for 33 years, and another for 16 years. These two “boys” accord her the deepest respect, when addressing her; but, underlying it, one can see the affection they have for her. who is not only their mistress, but their friend.

With Mrs. Barrack, Aunt is an active worker for their Church; and, when a bazaar is pending, it is amazing to see the variety of articles those two women manufacture from native materials. With all these activities, there is always time to see that some invalid along the street gets a nourishing bowl of soup, or some dainty morsel. But such good works are n"t ostentations—true charity likes to hide itself.

When I see that pitiful sight, a woman well on in years, perhaps a grandmother, trying to ape the ways and dress of a younger set, I turn with relief to Aunt Mary and Mrs. Barrack, and realise what a lot of meaning there is in the phrase, “growing old gracefully and with dignity”.

Mr. James Bannister, of Nadarivatu, Fiji, died in Ba Hospital on June 7, following an attack of typhoid fever.

Mr. E. Rippon, of the Automobile As sociation of NZ. arrived in Fiji recently to take up duties as a permanent AA patrolman for Viti Levu, with head quarters in Suva.

Mr. G. M. Hungerford, of the Suva branch of the Bank of NSW, returned to Australia by the June Matson liner from Fiji. He will now be stationed in one of the bank’s Sydney offices.