SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 95, 23 April 1928, Page 11

SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

The first evening of the Athenian Club was held on Saturday night at the Operatic Hall, Grafton koau. There was a very large attendance of members and visitors present, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. Complimentary reference was made about the president, Mr. l'ercy Free, and Mrs. Free was the recipient of a fine bouquet. During the evening musical items were contributed by Miss M. Monk, Mrs. Keven, and a dancing duo by Leigh and Gee. A pleasant evening came to a conclusion with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."

The Swanson branch of the Women's Institute held their monthly meeting in the hall on Wednesday, when Miss Perrin and Mrs. Christie, of Auckland,*gaev a demonstration in raffia work. Some very beautiful models were shown, and a very hearty, vote of .thanks was accorded these two ladies. A pleasing feature of the meeting was the judging, of frocks made by members for 4/6 each. Each worker wore her own creation. The gowns were much admired. The prizes were presented by Miss Perrin. The singing of the National Anthem closed a delightful afternoon.

The annual farmers' ball was held at Raetihi on Friday evening in the Druids' Hall. There was an attendance of about 2-30, settlers from all parts of the district being present. The hall was tastefully decorated with vari-colQirred streamens and Chinese lanterns, and the supper room with yellow and orange streamers and balloons, lacopodium, and autumn foliage, and the tables were decorated with a profusion of dahlias, chrysanthemums, gypsophlia, and autumn foliage. The gaiety of the scene was greatly added to by the ladies' dresses, which were much admired. Messrs. J. Hunter, A. S. Ashmore, and S. Morgan acted as M.C.'a.

A meeting of the Women's National Reserve was held on Wednesday at Mrs. Fitchett'a residence, when Mrs. John Court, on behalf of the .members welcomed back Mrs. Fitc-hett (president), after her long absence from Auckland.' Mrs. Fitcliett stated that she had visited a number of rest rooms in the southern centres, and that the one in Auckland compared favourably. Mrs. Fitehett also gava an account of the society's work in helping the many ex-soldiers to obtain work. The society decided to place a wreath on the Cenotaph on Anzac Day. The society also pledged itself to support the establishment of women police in Auckland. As the rest room was intended for the use of women and children, the society decided to ask the City Council to place notices on the seats immediately outside the room reserving them for women and children only. Mrs. Bettany was re-elected as representative to the National Council for the .ensuing year.

The tennis clubs organised during the sunt nor inontlis by t'i" p;ir whinners of St. Paul'a-by-the-Sea C'hurch at Milford were entertained at "Froxfield" on Saturday afternoon by Captain and Mrs. Atwood at a garden party. The semifinals and finals were played off on the tennis lawn at "Froxfield," whilst croquet matches were in progress on another lawn! The scores of the junior club ran as follows: —Boy champion, lan Howden; runner-up, Jack Kingsford. Girl champion, Betty Kensington; runner-up, Trixie Goddard. Doubles (Easter matches), winners, lan Howden and Trixie Goddard. Doubles ("Froxfield" matches), Jack Kingsford and Trixie Goddard. A flower competition, arranged by Mrs. Kensington (who a'so organised the" matches) for the juniors awaiting their turn to play, was won byBetty Goddard and Dorothy Drower second. A very dainty afternoon tea was served, and a very cheery afternoon was spent by players and onlookers alike. Amongst the guests were the Rev. and Mrs. W. G. Monckton, Canon Young, the Rev. and Mrs. W. Robson, Mrs. Kensington, Mrs. J. Bartrum, Mrs. Webber, Mrs. Turnbull, Mrs. Stone, Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Foote, Mns. Hayward, Mrs. Christensen, Mrs. Kingsford, Mrs. Jenkyns, Mrs. Beatty, Mrs. O'Brien, Mrs. Cooke, Mrs. Drower, Mrs. Heywood, Miss Bell, Mrs. Mason, Mrs. Goddard, Mrs. Howden, Mrs. Mulligan, Mrs. Murray, Miss G. Scarborough, Miss V. Monckton, and Miss Brocas. The senior club ladies' doubles was won by Mrs. Bartrum and Mrs. Cooke, with Mrs. Drower and Mrs. Webber as runners-up, and Mrs. Jenkyns won the croquet match.