British School

French Help Build

“Miss Vila 1950” Quest

Prom Our Own Correspondent VILA, September 25, HIGHLIGHT of the gala ball held at the Vila Cine-Stade on September 16 was the crowning of “Miss Vila” of 1950.

The ball, a spectacular affair, was the climax to a campaign organised by the Vila Parents’ Association to build a school for the children of the British residents of the New Hebrides. The VPA has been formed by the parents of the British children in Vila who attend the only available British school. Children of com mercial house employees, Government ser

vants and Chinese merchants attend this school.

At present there are available to the French children of the New Hebrides, two schools; the convent and a free Government school. Both of these are substan-

tial buildings and are well attended. The British school is a small, weatherboard hut, uncomfortable and badly in need of repairs.

During his speech, prior to the crowning ceremony. Mr. R. Eedy, a member of the

Miss Vila 1950

Miss Vila candidates at the ball (left to right): Mile. Madelaine Delaplane as “Miss Oceania”; Mile. Monique Reid as “Miss Sport”; Miss Margaret O’Brien as ‘Miss British Office”; Miss Billie Love as “Miss Club”; Mile.

Yvette Reid as “Miss Tennis Club,” winner and crowned as “Miss Vila, 1950”; Mile. Noel Pouillet as “Miss CFNH”; Mile.

Cristianne Mullins as “Miss BP”; Mile. Marie-Therese Rossi as “Miss Post Office”; Mile. Marguerite Bladinieres as “Miss Hebrida”: absent from the photograph is Mile. Carmen Delessert as “Miss French Office.”

VPA expressed the gratitude of the Asso ciation for the generous manner in which the French people of the New Hebrides had contributed—it will be largely with French money that the new school will be built and eight of the ten candidates for “Miss Vila” were French girls.

The campaign, extending over a period of six weeks, was conducted on the familiar “Queen” competition lines.

Ten girls, each representing some

phase of Vila activity—social, commercial and official—were elected as the compe titors. Committees behind them held parties, raffles, etc., to raise funds for their nominee.

Mr. George Hill, Condominium Treasurer, announced Mile. Yvette Reid, nominee of the Jacques Tassy Tennis Club, as winner of the competition and Mrs. Hill crowned Mile. Reid “Miss Vila, 1950.” Yvette Reid is the daughter of well-known Vila resi

dent and Vila hotel proprietor, Mr. Ernie Reid, and Mrs. Reid.

Runner-up was Miss Billie Love as “Miss Club.” Mile. Reid was presented with a camphor-wood box containing linen to the approximate value of seventy pounds.

Miss Love received a portable gramo phone and a wristlet watch. The remain ing eight girls each received a piece of jewellery.

The quest is expected to raise approxi mately £l,OOO towards the new school.