CURRENT NOTES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22110, 4 June 1937, Page 2

CURRENT NOTES

Mr and Mrs J. W. Adams (Waiiti road, Timaru) left yesterday for a visit to Dunedin. Mrs T C Pugh (Merivale) is staying with her brother, Mr J. H. Kerr, Otipua road, Timaru. Mrs Martin (Martinborough), who has been staying with Mrs J- A. Mullins ("The Cliffs," Hadlow), has returned north. Mrs R T. Turnbull (Beverley road, Timaru) has returned from a visit to the Hermitage, Mount Cook. Miss Margot McLean (Dunedin) is the guest of Mrs Walter Raymond, Park lane, Timaru. Mrs Novello Andrews and her daughter (Christchurch) are staying in London. In April they toured Holland and returned to England for the Coronation. At a meeting of the Hornby subbranch of the Plunket Society it was decided that Nurse Home should be in attendance at the Anglican Church Schoolroom from June 4, and not at the Orange Hall, Hornby. Arrangements were also made for the Plunket ball to be held next month. To celebrate the coming-of-age of their daughter Hilda, Mr and Mrs A E. Smith entertained a number of their frends in the Parish Hall. Temuka. For the dancing, music was supplied by Kelland's orchestra and novelty dances were won by Mr and Mrs R. Parke, Miss M. Harris and Mr A. Cain, Miss R. Killoh and Mr H. Wilson. A number of friends gathered in the Celtic Hall, Rangiora, to say good-bye to Mr and Mrs Joseph McGrath and family, who are leaving the district. Items were given as follows:—Pianoforte duets, Misses P. Dalley and J. Forgeson; songs. Miss E. Miles, Messrs L. P. Devlin and J. Mcßrearty; tap dances, Misses June Archer, Pheone Prestney, and June Forgeson. Prizes for euchre were won by Mesdames C. M. Archer, R. Doggett, Messrs Charles McGrath, M. O'Connor, and J. Mcßrearty. On behalf of those present, the Rev. Father D. Leen presented the guests of honour with a chiming clock and a seagrass chair. Other speakers were the Rev. Father J. A. McKay and Mr C. M. Archer. The last of a three-night Howell match was played at Crockford's Club with the following results:— North and South, Miss Bromley Cocks and Mr W. A. Gudgeon- 1, Mrs H. H. Wauchop and Mrs S. Sampson 2, Mrs E. A. Summers and Miss N. Williams and Mrs G. Cowper and Mrs A. McDowell (equal) 3. East and West, Mrs V. L. G. Stapp and Mrs N. Laver 1, Dr. J. P. McQuilkin and Mr D. T. McConnick 2, Mrs C. M. Hill and Miss R. Cracroft Wilson 3. The final results were:— Mrs N. Laver 1, Mr D. T. McCormick 2, Mrs C. M. Hill 3, Mrs A. McDowell 4, Mrs G. Morgan 5, Mrs A. S. Geddes 6, Mr W. A. Gudeeon 7 Mrs E. A. Summers 8, Mrs V. L. G. Stapp 9, Mrs R. H. Hennah 10. One of the most important social events of the season will be the Australian dance, to be held in the Winter Garden on Friday, June 11, in aid of the Plunket Society's violet day appeal. A very strong committee is making excellent arrangements and many dinner parties will be held before the dance. Mrs L. D. Dalton (Sydney), who spent several months visiting her mother,' Mrs M. Hirtzel (Stevens street), has left to stay with relatives in Auckland before returning home. Mrs Dalton is vice-president of the New Zealand Women's Association in Sydney—an organisation which has a membership of 200, and is centrally situated in the Bank of New Zealand building, Sydney, where visitors from the Dominion are always warmly welcomed. During her stay in Christchurch, Mrs Dalton enjoyed the hospitality of the Canterbury Women's Club and greatly admired the work done by its president, Dr. Jessie Scott, the secretary, Miss Orchard, and membets of the committee. She thinks the Christchurch club can compare more than favourably with many of the Sydney clubs. NEW BOYS' PULLOVERS. Latest designs In Cardigans and Pullovers for boys and young men. 10 recipes, many for two or three sizes, and the pullovers in a choice of "V," round, or "Polo" necklines. Also a boy's school jersey and a useful dressing gown. Send 7d in stamps tor Specialty Knitting Book No. 51, to Patons and Baldwins, Box 1441R, Wellington. —1 LUNCHEON PARTY To honour their daughter, Miss Nancy Hitchcock, on the occasion of her twenty-first birthday anniversary, Mr and Mrs E. Hitchcock (Rolleston street, Linwood) entertained a number of her young friends at an enjoyable luncheon party held in Ballantynes private reception room yesterday. The tables were bright with vases of Iceland poppies, and a floral spray was attached to the place card of each guest. Amongst those present were Mr and Mrs Hitchcock, Miss Nancy Hitchcock, Mrs T. Hitchcock, Mrs W. O. Judd, Misses Joan Evans, Moyra Cocks, Peggy Maffey, Patricia Clowes, Blair Williams, Margaret Webster, Jeannette Gow, Jean Rumbold, Margot Wallwork, Betty Nunnerley, Beth Knowles. Eileen Bradshaw, Cushla Ennis, Sylvia Smith, Kathleen McNamara, Olive Brooks, Ruth Harris, Marjory Field, Betty McClymont. Lesley Twyneham, Margaret Godfrey, Kathleen Godfrey, and Margaret Allard. VISITORS TO CHRISTCHURCH Warner's Hotel: Mr and Mrs J. L. Hazlett (Winton), Mrs C. B. Tapley (Invercargill), Miss M. Davey (Oamaru). United Service Hotel: Mr and Mrs A. Kirkmayer (Nuremberg, Germany). New City Hotel: Miss De Lautour (Orari), Miss C. Macrae (Ashburton). Hotel Federal: Mr and Mrs McKenzie (Dunedin). Mr and Mrs E. Watt (Ettrick), Mrs J. J. Shannahan (Greymouth), Mrs E. Hawick (Karamea), Mr and Mrs G. H. Coe (Ashburton), Mr and Mrs Boyes and the Misses Boyes (Nelson), Misses Suzanne Rout, Paline Leversage, Sheila Lucas, Charmian Lucas, Lois Levin, Gwynne Levin, Sheila Neale, G. Neale. Shirley Moore, E. M. Christie (Nelson). Displays of fencing aroused great interest at a dance arranged by the Canterbury University College Fencing Club and held last evening at the college.

MRS DAVID MCKEE NINETY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY [An Appreciation by Jessie Mackay.] Ninety-five years ago, on June 4, 1842, Sarah Jane McKee (Wairarapa road) was born at Rathfirland, County Down, Ireland, a daughter of Robert Dodd. She was destined to fare farther afield than the three sisters and one brother who completed the family. Her brother rose to eminence in the legal profession, and as Judge Dodd, of Dublin, became famous for his judgments in the Irish iand question and for his Protestant sympathy in the early "Home Rule" policy of his native land. But Mrs McKee has outlived her generation, retaining her faculties till well into her tenth decide with the same loving spirit that she carried through life's many changes. Her earliest memories of the outer world were memories of the national suffering—the terrible Irish famine of 184849. The soup kitchen her mother opened then was her first idea of social service. Romance came to her early, and at the age of 22 she was married to the Rev. David McKee, son of David McKee, who for 60 years was the minis-

ter, teacher, and legal adviser in Anaghlone, County Down. Many a professional man in Northern Ireland, Protestant and Catholic alike, owed his classical training to this old scholar, who lived to the great age of 91. and took his own pulpit two Sundays before his death. Shortly after their marriage, the young husband was called to Rutland square, the leading Presbyterian church of Dublin. The interests of a city charge, with intellectual • companionship and the stimulus of a visit to Egypt and Palestine, widened their horizon, as the home circle increased. Arrival in New Zealand Thus congenially placed and in the prime of ministerial power and popularity was Mr McKee, when suddenly his health failed, and he was ordered to leave Ireland and seek restoration in New Zealand. This uprooting of themselves and their eight children was no light matter, but bravely they faced the inevitable. Accompanied by Mr McKee's aged mother, they landed at Lyttelton early in 1880. Their destination was to have been Dunedin, then the centre of the Presbyterian church. With an assured name, Mr McKee came to an assured position; but the church was not yet built! The growth of the city of Christchurch warranted a northern Presbyterian charge as well as St. Andrew's and St. Paul's, and the North Belt church —now known as Knox—was started with the Rev. David McKee as first minister. The Sunday school and services were held in a small hall in Montreal street north. That commenced the new pastorate. It was then that the writer, a schoolgirl friend of the minister's eldest daughter, first met Mrs McKee and formed at once the lasting impression of a powerful and charming personality—that of a beautiful and gracious Irish woman brimming over with hospitality and kindness. But the new home in Merivale lane brought the exile no revival of strength. • Before 1880 closed, Mr McKee was laid to rest, and Mrs McKee took up her lonely burden in a strange land. Removing from Merivale lane to the city, and later to "Hawthornden," a roomy, quiet home on the borders of upper Fendalton, she brought Bible teaching in the isolated suburb to the women and children less favoured with means of transport. J Sunday school was soon w£ll established at Hawthornden, and soon after her husband's death Mrs McKee started the first mothers' meeting in the city. Gatherings of women of all creeds, and no creed. were held at the old Young Men's Christian Association's building, Cambridge terrace, and many a mother of to-day remembers with affection the Thursday afternoon Bible and devotional meetings. Boarding School Founded When her elder children began to enter professional life Mrs McKee was ready for a new venture—the founding of a girls' boarding school in Christchurch. "Hawthornden," then "Inveresk," was a happy choice. She retained the teaching of the Scriptures. Even the staff had much to learn from her table talk, redolent of great movements gone by as well as the causes of the hour. , ,„ Nor were lighter, more purely literary touches, of Irish life left out of Mrs McKee's table talk or fireside chat. Her husband's writings, "Ireland for Christ" and "Some Things Irishmen Need to Learn," contained her "touch." , It was the writer's fortune to take a part in the educational activities of Inveresk and Avonside College and for some time to share in the delightful home life of both schools. After some years Mrs McKee, who had taken an active part in many women's movements, especially the temperance movements, began to feel the burden of public life and gave up outer responsibilities. She has lived recently a retired life at Wairarapa road with her diminished family circle. Her children did credit to her training. Her younger son, the late Dr. W H. McKee, was for some years at Methven, and after giving his services to his country in the Great War he came back to New Zealand, as many another man did, with impaired health. Her eldest daughter married Dr. Hugh Hunter (Ashburton). and another married Dr. J. J. Brownlee (Christchurch). Another son-in-law was the Rev. John Dickson, for some years in Temuka and author of the "History of the Pres- ! byterian Church in New Zealand. Missionary and educational careers were chosen by other members of the family, the McKee bent being always towards teaching, preaching, and healing. This coherence of professional effort is indeed an honour to the teaching and training of one who is well called "An Irish mother in Israel. There was a wider motherhood in her mind than that which builds one home and is satisfied. She had that understanding which mothers the world in its charity. She seemed to have instincts to know when and how to .touch lives that needed her, perhaps

ST. ANDREW'S OLD BOYS DANCE AT TAI TAPU Last night members of the Tai Tapu branch of St. Andrew's College Old Boys' Association held their annual dance in the Tai Tapu Hall which was effectively decorated in the college colours, blue and white with college banners prominently displayed. Music was supplied by Fritz Seymour's orchestra. Excellent arrangements for the entertainment of their guests had been made by the following committee.— Messrs Graham Nutt, E. Streeter, J. Coop, M. Coop, N. • Mackenzie, Cr. Suckling, and R. Anderson. The guests of honour were Mr J. Mawson, headmaster of the college, and Mrs Mawson, and Mr and Mrs G. A. M. Hilson. , ~ _, Others present included Mesdames J. Mackenzie, F. Carter, Eric Gray. Cossar-Owles, Ronald Mcllraith. Misses | E Coe, L. Coe, Vera Chamberlain. Nancy Chamberlain, Joy Harding. I Nancy Cade, B. A. Coop, B. E. Coop. Helen Morton, Maisie Brooks, Jean Lemon. Phyliis Brooks, Jeanette Thomas. Dorothy Pairman. S. Bayley. M Payne, M. Studholme. Ngaire Gebbie Jessie Gebbie, CJaire Fogarty. Grace Bain, E. Rugg, J. Miller, Rae Templeton, Constance Pannell, J. Royds, Edna Furze. Mary South. D. Myers, Colleen Mcßrian, Stpphanie Armstrong, V. Armstrong, B. Healing, L. Le Cren. Margaret Barr. Joan Bray. Bette Prettyjohns. Mavis Norman. Jeanne Hahn. Mavis Boulton, Kathleen Blackwell, and Nancy Newburgh. FAREWELL SOCIAL REV. AND MRS R. DE LAMBERT HONOURED The Rev. and Mrs R. de Lambert were bade farewell at a social gathering held in St. James' Schoolroom. The Mayor of Riccarton (Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P.), Canon F. B. Redgrave, the Rev. P. R. Pritchett and the Rev. A. O. Harris (Methodist Church), and Mr Dowling (Presbyterian Church) were present. Mr C. Samuda, vicar's warden, presided. Appreciative references were made to the services of Mr and Mrs de Lambert during their nine years' work in the parish. On behalf of the parishioners, the people's warden (Mr H. E. Jarman) presented Mr de Lambert with a cheque and to Mrs de Lambert he gave a gold wristlet watch. Mrs de Lambert also received a leather handbag from Mrs R. G. Malcolmson. who made the presentation, on behalf of the Mothers' Union. Items were given as follows: Songs, Mesdames Malcolmson and Pearce. Miss Watt, and Messrs Lockhart and Sumner; violin solos, Miss M. Palliser and Mr Roy Barnes; fancy dances. Miss Chisholm. Mr M. Lummis acted as accompanist and Mrs Bull played for the dances. Supper was served by members of the Mothers' Union. STUDENTS' DANCE An enjoyable time was spent by guests of the Gregg-Banks Commercial College students when they held their annual dance at the St. John Ambulance Hall. The hall was decorated in the college colours, red, white, and blue. Miss Archer (principal) wore a frock of cherry flowered lace and a short scarlet cloak. The committee comprised Miss Leila Cook, who wore a frock of flame windswept satin and a bolero coatee to match; Miss Ngaire Sadler, an apiicot satin frock and a white caracul coatee; Miss Mary Dunne, turquoise windswept satin frock and long black velvet cloak; Miss June Pitcaithly, pale rose taffeta frock and Elizabethan coatee of satin; Miss Patricia Bell, apple-g.-een taffeta frock trimmed with a pink floral spray; Miss Marie Brown,, an emerald green silk velvet frock trimmed with silver lame; Miss Cynthia Nance, a white silk frock patterned with multi-coloured flowers and a short marmot cloak. Fritz Seymour's orchestra provided music and during the evening Miss Agnes Brackenridge gave an item, which was much appreciated. Miss Una McKenzie and partner won a Monte Carlo waltz. Among those present were Mesdames F. G. Pitcaithly, W. F. McArthur, R. Venning. Misses M. Cook, Athole Thompson, Helen Mulholland, Victoria Miller, Natalie Kerrison, Dorothy Seymour. Gladys Blake, Joy Gibbons, Allison Gough, Bertha Brackenridge, Margaret Brown, Elva Tinkler, Lavina McNeilage. Jean Currie, Belty McArthur. Jocelyn Ellwood, June Henderson. Audrey Haworth. Pat Hill, Margaret Swanston, Noela Hopkins. May Tomkinson, Noela Watson, Eileen Leathwick, Betty Gasson, Patricia Wilson. May Brightwell. Jean MacKenzie, Betty Jeal, Elma Kibblewhite, Rhona Thomas, Dorothy Mercer, S. Tasker, and Marjorie Wilson. GROCERS' UNITED STORES, LTD., SOCIAL AND DANCE An enjoyable time was spent by the principals of Grocers' United Stores, Ltd., and their friends, when a social and dance was held at the Jellicoe Hall. Much of the success of the function was due to the work of the committee consisting of Misses E. R. McCallum, and H. Taylor. Messrs G. Brown, H. Leigh, C. J. Forbes. G. Pierce, and E. H. Down (secretary). Mr G. Brown was a capable master of ceremonies. During the evening musical and elocutionary items were given by Mrs Salkeld. Miss Heath, Miss E. R. McCallum. and Messrs Noel Burtt, and McCallum. A number of competitions were held, the winners being Mesdames A. Brown. T. Stanley, Miss P. Brown, and Mr Faro. Music for the dancing was supplied by Fred Smith's Orchestra.

from a far distance. The writer's own experience confirms this idea. Coming to a province that was itself a romance of church colonisation, she brought it a waft of new strength, a wider grasp of the verities underlying all the religious foundations than even the valiant Canterbury pilgrims could achieve alone. The daughter of a great church, she has carried here the works and graces which enriched earlier New Zealand foundations. Mrs McKee has truly made for that rounded diversity which invests the truest unity with Ufa.

VALEDICTORY A very pleasant time was spent at the home of Mr G. L. Berry, president of the Avonside Lawn Tennis Club, when members of the Avonside Club gathered together to say good-bye to Mr and Mrs Peter Burnett. Mr Burnett has been transferred to the Hastings branch of the Bank of New Zealand. The time was spent with community singing and in playing flag bridge, and "500." The occasion was taken to present to Mr and Mrs Burnett a hand-

some antique brass firescreen and wood box. The president in makine the presentation, eulogised the s™rv£e! rendered to the club by Mr Burnett fn his position of hon. secretaryand trU f^r.. a position he had fined forX S* ™ gl V ears ' and wished both Mr ?rosr^ r Ttv B i , n n fh t i eVery a ?d prosperity in their new home. • lhose present included Mesdames P N B ffiS t, # C ?°S tal1 ' McGregor! 3 S. Hasting w% L ' How& rd, Robbins, J. castings. H. Sparrow, Ballin J c Lord, Collins, Sharpe, O Herdman* e H Thomas: V-OOK, B. KUShbrook. R Ynrrath Wo«

Vincent, R. Barwick. K. Collins, D. Collins, J. Doulton, J. Maindonald, »• Maindonald, L. Johnston, V. Rogers, MHeineman, Nettleton, De Leun, g* Scott, and L. Mollison. Messrs PC. Burnett, G. McGregor. R. Martin. »• Hill, Clifton Robinson. G. Pierce. *• Hastings, H. Sparrow. H. A. Booth. C. H. Franklin, J. Nunes. W. Moses. W. A. McAllister, Jones. S. C. Dixon. Was* W. L. Howard, Johnston, Johnston. »- Hammond, I. Dabscheck. B. Shaift Harrison, and S. N. Perry. "The Press," the newspaper for tl* i ""ma. Zhe fieofile'* first choice, -4

OLD PUPILS' DANCE An enjoyable time was spent by many old pupils of the West Christchurch High School at their first dance of the season held in the Mayfair Hall. The committee responsible for arrangements was: Messrs G. Stokes, F. C. Bird, L. Booth, Misses Evelyn Turner, Rae McCammon, and Marjorie Fraser. Monte Carlo dances were won by Messrs F. Baird, J, Wilton, Misses Sybil Hull and Hettie Massey. Among those present were Mesdames W. Taylor. N. Mason, R. Wardell, K. Phillips, Misses Mollie McCammon, Freda Baird, Sybil Hull, Rae McCammon, Clarice Luke, Joan Dorizac, Vivienne Mace, Evelyn Turner, Marjorie Fraser, Betty Andrews, Emily Robertson, Gwen Mullins, Ena Price, May Macaulay, Ina Sladen, K. Wilson, Betty Tolerton, Lucy Mercer, Joan Suckling, June Newberry. Lois Brown, Rona Green, Hettie Massey. Joyce Milne, Bettv Christie, Mildred Sim, and Mona Murray. COMING-OF-AGE PARTY In honour of the coming-of-age of Miss Betty Johnson, Mr and Mrs A. B. Johnson entertained a number of guests to an enjoyable dinner party at the Junction Hotel, Rangiora. The guests later attended a dance at the Frascati, Christchurch. Those present were Mr and Mrs A B. Johnson, Mrs A. Heney, Misses Betty Johnson, Elsie Hargreaves, Nellie Edlin, Natalie Brydon, June Devlin, Joan Faris, Esther Archdall, Helen de Thier, Messrs James, P. Kinley G. Appleton, J. James, J. Cunneen, J. Hutchison, P. Jones, and K. Legge. Holland makes it convenient for the letter writer—stamp-vending machines are placed alongside mail boxes.