Bell, Kathrine McAllister (née Stewart), 1895-1970 (Person)
She was active in the Women's Section of the National Party, and was on the Board of Governors of the Tauranga colleges for 20 years, 10 of them as chairman.
Her first and second names are spelled as they appear on her birth certificate, although in many published instances the first name has been 'corrected' to Katherine. She was called Rena by her family.Main Body
The 1964 interview with Mrs Rena Bell, from an unidentified publication, includes her memory of attending a meeting in Glasgow addressed by Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst, of the Women's Social and Political Union. Kathrine was a student at Glasgow University at the time, and Pankhurst was out of prison under the 'Cat and Mouse Act' of 1913 (formally the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill Health) Act). Bell recalls that during the meeting the "police rushed into the hall. They fired shots, which I suppose were blanks, but you can imagine how frightening it was."
The Supporting document below includes the text of the Dictionary of New Zealand biography entry for Bell, with footnotes for the sources of information used. There are also scans of worksheets created by the DNZB office, of information collected from her Marriage certificate, William Bell's Death certificate, her own Death certificate, and a certified copy of the entry for her birth from the General Register Office. The 1964 interivew is also included.
SourcesThis week's personality: College board's chairman arrived in Tauranga 40 years ago. Bay of Plenty Times, 30 November 1963, Page 7.Woman [Mrs Rena Bell] head of [Tauranga] school board. [Unidentified Auckland publication], Wednesday 25 November 1964.MBE award [to Mrs Katherine M. Bell] tribute to work in education. Bay of Plenty Times, March 1966.Mrs Kathrine Bell had life of service. Bay of Plenty Times, 8 October 1970.Memorial service at [Tauranga Girls'] college [for Mrs K. M. Bell]. Bay of Plenty Times, 21 September 1971.Mrs Katherine McAlister Bell, M.A., M.B.E., J.P. / Wynnton Poole. Historical Review - Bay of Plenty Journal of History, Vol. 35, No. 2, November 1987, pp 79-84.Bell, Kathrine McAllister. Dictionary of New Zealand biography [Volume 5, 2000].Photo 01-589
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