SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 288, 5 December 1932, Page 10

SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

A musical afternoon was sjjent in the Penwomen's Rooms, Short's Buildings, last Saturday afternoon, when Miss Amy Hansard, assisted by her pupils and friends, presented an artistic programme. Mies Sybil Phillipps sang "I/Allegro" (Handel), "The Flower Song" (Faust), "Maids Who Danced Their Shoes Into Holes". (Godfrey) and "Christopher Eobin" (A. A. Millie). Items given by the juvenile students included piano solos and part songs by the children's choir. Elocutionary items were given by Mies Herrich,' who, with Mies Hansard, gave a dramatic interpretation of the sketch, "Square j Pegs" (Clifford B"ax), the afternoon concluding with items by the adult choir, "Ash Grove" and "Oh, to be in England." :.'

A grand dance recital wae given by Miss Gladys Moore and pupils in the Ota/huhu public hall last Friday evening, the proceeds going to the Otahuhu-Social Service Association for the alleviation of distress in the district. Dancing . items were given by Mieses E. Bath, J. Martin, L. Coulston and V. Kenyon (Irish washerwomen), Mistses J. Mouton, H. Smith, E. Griffiths, S. Philpe, L. Nichols, A. Hipkins, A. Mercer and J. Bennett (Spanish iballet).; Mise Peggy Fielding (dainty steps), Miss Beverly Browne (Dutch dance), Miss Audrey Mercer (tap dance), Misses V. Dawaon, E. Neald and G. Neald (flret steps), Miss Lois Nichols (fan dance), Miss Ethel Griffiths. (Irish jig), Miss ' Joan Mouton (waltz clog). "Narcissus and Butterfly" was. presented by Mfeees Helen Smith and Joan Mouton, "Sleepy Town Express" by Misses V. D. Dawson, E. Neald, G. Neald, V. Kenyon, P. Fielding, L. Coulston and E. Shoi-rich, while "In Grandma's Day" was given by Misses E. Shorrich, S. Johnson, C. Markwick, L. Coulston, P. Fielding, J. Bennett and T; Martin. A playette entitled "Rendezvous" was given by Mrs. Smith (soloist), Mseb Audrey Mercer (shepherdess), Miss Lois Nichols (shepherd), Miss Valerie Daweon (Cupid), Mr. J. Greenwood (gardener). A military operetta "was also' presented, the roles being filled as follow:—Miss Beverly Brown (sergeant-major), Misses Helen Smith and Ethel Griffiths (soldiers. , joys), Misses Colleen Markwick, Mary Jury, Rosa Croseley, Keith Crossley and Dpreen Neald (little army buds), Misses Audrey Hipkine, Lois Nichols, Shirley Philpe and Joan Payne (happy quartet), Mieses V. Dawson, L. Coulston, V. Kenyon, S. Johnston, G. Neald, J. Bennett, P. Fielding, E. Shorrich, E. Neald, J. Martin, R. Bath (chorus), Miss Audrey Mercer (-step dance), Mise Joan Mouton (toe dance). Mm. Smith sang a solo, and Mise Moore played ove.-tures.

On Saturday evening an entertainment was given by a company of children xmder the direction of Mrs. B. Wyatt, who is well known for her success in this kind of • work. The first part of the programme consisted of items given by the children, wkh. ./the exception, of a piano solo by Miss.R. Day, dancing and deportment exercises, tiny tots' drill and polka, with one of the smallest children as a soloist, little, Ray < McCullough, recitation by Mary Spiers, and two scenes, "The Anchor's Weighed" and "Billy Brown's Army." In the second half a fairy play,- "The Wishing Well," presented by Mrs. Wyatt, - was.beautifully staged, with decorations, scenic and lighting effects by Mr. Cecil Eaton. Those taking- leading parts- were: Mary Spiera, Maieie Steeton, Joan Everson, Euth McFadgen, Doreen Presion-Thbnms, Gwen Buckley, Thelma Shulz, '. Kathleen -MacDonakl. There were also eun babies,", nymphs, sprites, bluebells and pixies. The Rev. F. Piggot, when thanking the large audience for. its support, as the proceeds were for the church fund, also thanked Mrs. Wyatt for her untiring work in bringing.the entertainment [t0..50 high a standard, :Mr. J. McLeod, who ' gave the programmes, Mr., and Mi's.: Buckley, who gave their services ae orchestra, and Mr. Eaton as decorator. The programme is to be repeated to-night, when the children from the Brett Memorial Home are to be-guests, also any orphans from the North. Shore suburbs.

A successful At Home was held by members, of the Onehunga Croquet Club in the Bowling Club pavilion on Saturday, when the room was gaily decorated with summer blooms. A produce etall, in one corner of the pavilion, was in the hands of Mrs. A. Robertson. Two sessions of progressive croquet were plaved, the prizewinners being Mesdamee Watson, A. Windsor, Jackson, L. Bray, H. Bray, Gall, Clark, Ellett, and Fitzer. Competitions were won by Mesdames Wathew, Court, and Miss Moore. The president, Mrs. J. B. Crawford, received the visitors in green flowered crepe de chine, and hat to tone. Among those present were: Mesdames Newman, Clarke, Purdom, Wilkinson, C. Gall, Hodgson, Buck, Broughton, Forsyth, Westan, Bishpff, Horspool, Ellett, Witney, Herd, Fitzer, O'Brien, F. Patterson, Jackson, and Thompson. ■"■. • » * *

;t . The birthday celebrations at the YWCA. holiday house, Blockhouse Bay, last Saturday, wore somewhat marred by the uncertainty of the weather, but the programme was proceeded with and stallholders and afternoon tea vendors had a busy two hours. The holiday house committee, under the , chairmanship of Mrs. A. D. Campbell, was responsible for organising the function, and were assisted at the _ stalls by girl members of the association. There were a number of competitions, and prizes were awarded as follow: — Cake presented by Mrs. Campbell, won by Mrs. Barr; clock golf, Mr. F. Ambler; ladder golf, Dr. Henderson; dressed doll presented by Mrs. Bright, won by Miss Betty Lewis; nail-driving, Mrs. Hunter; wood-eawing, Miss Elsie Movie. The baby show, judged by Dr. Wiikie, resulted in first place being awarded to Maureen Donaldson. _ Miss Jensen's orchestra gave selected items, which added greatly to the afternoon's enjoyment; while lorries lent by A. B. Wright and Co. and G. Moyle and Co. made it possible for a large number of younger members residing in the city to be present. This was the first function at which Miss A. M. Bentham, general secretary of the" association, who has been on leave for some time, has been present eirice her return, and her many friends in the association were glad to be able to greet her. A party of about twenty federated club members and girl citizens stayed on at the holiday house to spend a week-end out of doors.

A programme of high standard was given at the Amateur Operatic Society's Hall on Saturday evening, when a demonstration of work done during the year was given by the students of Mrs. Bartley-Baxter. There was a large attendance, and each item was given an enthusiastic reception. A feature of the entertainment was the work of the children. "The Dream Lady," a play for young people, accompanied by music and dancing, was charming, and the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet, given by littlo Rosalind Baxter and Pa'tricia Boyle, wao received with rounds of applause. It would seem that such a scene were extremely difficult for such young people, but by the very simplicity with which it was handled • it was an undoubted success. Another attractive number was "Tell Me, Pretty Maiden," in costume. Among the work of the adult students was a scene 'from Henry VIII., rendered with ability by Miss H&nbr Sim as Qiieeri Catherine, and Messrs. J. Parsons sCni A. Harper as the cardinals. Other Shakespearean scenes were from "Much' Ado About Nothing," Miss Noni Wright, and Mr. A. Harper being Beatrice and Benedick in one scene; and Miss Una Moore and Miss Phyllis Cox being Hero' and Ursula in the other. Of the comedies, "He, She and the Poker," given by Miss Yvonne Watson and Miv J. Parsons was., outstanding. Another outstanding item was a-dramatic episode, "The Death Potion,' , given by Miss' Fay Reynolds, and this number was assisted by "A Story Without Words," performed -by. Mr. Hugh Woods and Mifes Erica Blamires. Mrs. Bartiey-Baxter • actetf as announcer, and gave annotations to the different scenes. She wore a frock of geum red crepn fleuri cut; on tailored lines. Mr. D. G. Watson was stage -manager for the evening.,.

The Community Fair which was opened at Northcote 'by the Mayor, Mr. R. Martin, on Saturday afteniou, in connection with the Northcote Presbyterian Church, was, largely patronised, and was a great success. The Kev. F. A. Thompson extended a welcome to the gathering. The principal stalle were jn charge of Mesdanies A. Campbell and B. Hunter, toys; Mrs. H. H. Broady and Miss J. M. Meston, cakes; Miss M. D. . Tremain, eweets; M&sdames Foley and W. Marshall, afternon teaj Mre. J. Lockie and Miss L. Tremain, plain eewing; Mesdames F. Blott, B. MacKinnon and Morrison, produce; and Messrs. J. Hay and H. H. Broady, jumble stall.

In aid of the St. Augustine Sunday School fund, an enjoyable and successful concert, promoted by Mrs. G. W. Humphreys, Misa A. Johnston and M. Hill, was held in the schoolroom on Saturday evening. The programme was given by the children of the Sunday school, with distinctive ability, which reflected credit upon the organisers of. the occasion. The programme comprised eongs by Joan Wagstaff, Phyllis Cook, Olwen Madden (in Welsh), Isolde Pollard, Joy Gasparieh, Jack Pritchard; monologue, Audrey Humphreys; recitations, Loma McHattie', Billy Humphreys, Billy Worrall, Jack Pritchard, ]Jouglas Emerali; dances, Joyce Chapman, Irene Peterson; folk dances and choruses- by girls and choruses by the boys.