BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 214, 10 September 1935, Page 12

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED.

MISS J. A. MOWBRAY. A very pleasant function took place in Milne and Choyce's reception hall yesterday afternoon, when largo numbers of members of the Victoria League met to celebrate the birthday of the president, Miss J. Mowbray. The recesses of the hall were filled with largo bowls of arum lilies and spring flowers adorned the front of the stage. On arrival Miss Mowbray was presented with many bouquets and posies from members. The function had been arranged by the executive committee, comprising Mcsdames J. B. Macfarlane, L. S. Kickerby, A. Edger, C. Kceble, Misses Slator and Fenton and Mr. Townley Little. Members were received by the chairman of the ever-ready committee, Mrs. J. 15. Maefarlane, and the secretary, Mrs. L. S. Kickerby. Mr. Townley Little presided. Iu opening the proceedings Mr. Little spoke of the worthy manner in which Miss Mowbray had upheld the traditions of tho league. "At a time like the present," ho said, "when the Empire is beset both within and without, an organisation such as this is of great help in stimulating pride in its ideals and achievements." Mr. Little also mentioned that in this year the league had attained one of its greatest objectives, a reserve of £1000 in the bank through lifo members' subscriptions. After afternoon tea the guest of honour was presented with a filled wallet by Mrs. A. Edger, a foundation member of the league, on behalf of the members. Mrs. Edger in a brief speech spoke with warm appreciation of Miss Mowbray's untiring work for the league. In reply Miss Mowbray thanked the members for their gift and mentioned how much her work for the league had enriched her life. She also paid a tribute to tho work of the secretary, Miss Nation. After a short speech by Miss Statliam the function concluded with the singing of "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow."

During the afternoon a varied musical programme arranged by Miss Mavis McCulloch was presented. Mrs. Harold Owers sang "Oh, That it Were So" and "Tho Fairy Tales of Ireland." Songs, "Chanson do l'Adieu" (Tosti) and "Lullaby" (Cyril Scott), were sung by Miss Berta Carr, and an original "Happy Pierrot" dance was given by Miss Irene Isaacs. Miss Louise Jourdain and Miss Roseanno Lovell presented a fantasy, "At the Sign of the Cleft Heart," and "a chorus, "Singing a Happy Song," was sung by Misses Margaret Parkinson, Dorothy Ross, w. Tippetts, Norma Bain, Althca Morley, Edna and Molly Lincoln, Helen Fraser. Joy Bishop and E. and M. Hutchison. The accompanists were Mrs. Charles Prime, Mrs. Braasey and Miss C. Brook, and piano selections were rendered by Miss Doris Binns. Mrs. Rodwell, a member of the league in South Africa, and Miss Black, a member of the Wellington branch, were among tho guests.