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From the Archives

2022 is the year that commemorates the passing of Dame Ngaio Marsh – 18 February 1982, 40 years ago. Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi are coordinating an exhibition that will run from August to November. St Margaret’s College Kāreti o Hato Mākere is proud to be one of many organisations from around Ōtautahi that will be involved in supplying materials in the form of scanned images, physical items and possibly recordings of our students performing scenes from plays or readings from books written by Dame Ngaio. Other organisations involved include University of Canterbury Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Ngaio Marsh House, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, and Word Christchurch. This is an opportunity for SMC to contribute in a significant way to a showcase starring one of our most famous Old Girls. Whilst looking through the material in our archives relating to Dame Ngaio, we found some absolute gems of photos and negatives, even some handwritten manuscript notes. The aim now is to document each of these photos and make them available on our database so people can see and use them. Another item that has a high interest value is a travel journal from Dame Ngaio’s time in Europe, a lovely glimpse into her life after SMC. One of my most favourite images is Dame Ngaio with Agatha Christie in the Gondoliers Room of London's Savoy Hotel, when they both attended the celebrations of the Crime Club's 30th Anniversary, and the occasion of (then) Miss Ngaio's 21st book, which is titled First Scent.

Vickie Ward, Archivist