MEETINGS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14759, 1 September 1913, Page 8

MEETINGS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

A general meeting of tho Christchurch Women's Christian Temperance Union,, was held last week. Mrs McCombs presided, reports of the departments of good citizenship .and Jubilee Homo were received. The president announced that the provincial convention would open in Ashburton on tho 9th of September, instead of the 2nd as first arranged. The superintendent of scientific temperance instruction was empowered to proceed with the arrangements in regard to a prize essay on "tho effect of alcohol on the human body" fo/ competition in the primary schools. Mr Fletcher, a member of tho Society of Friends, addressed the members on Peaco and Arbitration. A motion of sympathy with the late superintendent of the Department of Peace and Arbitration, Mrs Wise, was passed. A -•character" concert was given on Saturday afternoon by the children of the Sydenham Free Kindergarten. The performers numbered seventy-five, and all were under the age of five. Each child was dressed to represent a, flower, and the combinations of colour* thus obtained were beautiful. In the "Spring's Awakening" the curtain opens on a scene in Flowerland. Tho sleeping flowers who, during" the winter, are guarded by "Brownies," aro awakened by the "Spring Fairy," a part which was taken by Miss Mayne Turton. The principal butterflies, whoso dance conoludes the item, were the Misses Thelma Le Roy and Grace Anderson. Another beautiful scene was presented in "Summer's Reign." Queen Winter, attended by Snowliakes and Autumn Leaves, is dethroned by Queen Summer and attendants. Various flowers pay homage to Summer, and the court is entertained by a dance by tho Hyacinths. Miss Peggy Gee was "Queen Winter," "Queen Summer," Miss Lily Copplestono; and "Hyacinths," Miss Grace Morrison and Master Albert Taylor. In the illustrated Nursery Rhymes, Miis Iris King played the principal roles. The accompanist was Mrs Grantham, and the stories were read by Miss J. I. McJarrow. Tho children were trained by Miss Bull, and, with the exception of ono item, the whole programme was specially designed by her. On Saturday afternoon a sale of work in ■ aid of the funds of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was opened in the schoolroom by the Rev. J. Mackenzie, who expressed his warm appreciation of the work of tho ladies' committee, which, at very short notice, had got together a very largo collection of goods. There was a crowded attendance both afternoon and evening, and excellent business was done by tno stalls, which we-e as follows: —Fancy Stall, Mesdames Chilton, Spitz, Askew and Olson; Produce, Mesdames Boag, Duncan and Nairn; sweets, Misses Martin, Cartwright, Gibson and Innes; refreshments, Mesdames Tait, Gudex and Coleej Flowers and Plants, Misses Nairn and McLeod: Bran Tubs, Miss Ruby Jamieson and Lower Riccarton Young Ladies' Bible Class.