CURRENT NOTES

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24445, 20 December 1944, Page 2

CURRENT NOTES

Mrs L. I. Cattell presided at the Christmas party of the Christchurch Business and Professional Women’s Club held at the National Club lounge. Songs were sung by Miss V. Martin, accompanied by Mrs C. Shaw, and by M. Gibson; a pianoforte solo was played by Miss M. Gibson, a short sketch was presented by Misses Edna Odell, Molly McGahey. Phyllis Williams, and Mr " J. J. Flewellyn, and Mrs W. H. Collins gave, a recitation. Miss M. Spence, who for 31 years has been treasurer of the Canterbury Women’s Club, was last evening presented by the Mayoress, Miss E. Couzins, with the McLaren Silver-Cup, a trophy given to the club by Mrs R. J. McLaren, and awarded annually to the member who has performed outstanding service to the club and the community during the year. A motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr Frank Milner was passed at' the annual meeting of the Christchurch branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Mrs Lee presided at the final meeting for the year of the Templeton. Subcentre of the Red Cross Society. . It was decided to send three Christmas parcels to servicemen in hospital. For a season of four nights, beginning last Saturday, the Canterbury College Drama Society, directed by Miss Ngaio Marsh, is presenting ‘‘Hamlet" in modern dress at His Majesty’s Theatre, Dunedin. Leading members of the cast include Misses Marie Donaldson and Yvonne Westmacott, Messrs A. J. Henderson, A. de Malxnanche, I. Ainsley, P. Molineaux, Dundas Walker, J. Lovell-Smith, G. Hawley, and P. Smith. To-morrow night “Othello will be played and will .be repeated on the two succeeding nights apd at a matinee on Saturday. A very enjoyable Christmas party was held at. the Canterbury Women’s Club last night, when members were entertained by a presentation of »an opera. “The Devonshire Lass,” by members of the club’s music, circle. . The London correspondent of “The Press” announces the engagement of Sub-Lieutenant Derek Stuart Byrne, R.N.Z.N.V.R., youngest son of the late Mr A. E. Byrne and Mrs Byrne, Christchurch, and Yvonne Mary Fidpeon. daughter of Mr and Mrs H. C. Fidgeon, Woking. The London correspondent of “The Press” announces that on October 23, at Edinburgh, twins—a son and a daughter—were born to .Nancye, wife, of Commander Ronald Hunter-Blair, D.S.C., R.N. Mrs Huriter-Blair was formerly Miss Colbeck, of Remuera, On October* 4, a son was /born to Gwen, wife of Euan Harkness. Bristol, formerly of Auckland and Nelson. On October 7, at Bath, a son was born to Helen, wife of Major C. J. C. Bowen, R.E. (killed in action in France in September). At, the Harpenden Auxiliary Hospital, on November 13, a daughter was born to Norah (nee Hoare). wife of John E. Buxton. On November 9, at White Cottage, Three Bridges, a. son was born to Sue (nee McQuilkin), wife of Eric J. Marks. In a recent issue of “The Tatler and Bystander.” 10 pictures are published of prisoners of war at Stalag Luft HI. These impressions of his comrades, which include three New Zealand airmen, were drawn by a young Belgian officer. F.O. Henri Picard, who was shot by* the Nazis in March, after a mass escape from the Stalag. The New Zealanders' portrayed are Wing Commander M. V. Blake, D.5.0.. D.F.C., and Squadron Leader C. K, Saxelby, D.F.C., both of Christchurch, and Squadron Leader I. G. Richmond, D.F.C.. of Takaka. Nelson. From the proceeds of a very -successful fnir held on November 1, members of the Canterbury Women’s Club have made the following donations: Heritage (for life membership), £lO 10s; Navy League Sea Cadet Corps, £2O; Women s Auxiliary of the Returned Services’ Association, £2O;. Sanatorium Service Committee of the South Island Tuberculosis Association, Northern Group, for occupational, therapy for servicemen patients, £9 9s; Christchurch Ladies’ Guild of the British Sailors’ Society. £2O; Christchurch Womens Auxiliary of the Navy League. £2O; Christchurch Sub-Centre of the Red Cross Society. £10; for relief of distress among Greek children. £lO, and for the plastic surgery unit at Burwood for the purchase of books for servicemen. £lO. The Otaki children’s health camp, which for nearly three years has been occupied by .patients from the Wellington Hospital, reverted to its original purpose this week, when once more it was available for children from the Wellington district, which extends as far north as Taranaki, and north-eastward as far as Hawke’s Bay. The King George V Memorial Trust Board has authorised the complete renovation of the health camp buildings, and the interior Has already been repainted. This is to be followed by exterior improvements. The matron, Miss May Hodges, who was formerly matron of the camp, has resumed duty. The camp will be maintained by the sale of health stamps snd the committee in charge of the sale of stamps asks each householder in New Zealand to buy 2s worth of stamps. This would enable health camp authorities to carry on camps for the benefit of hundreds of children m different parts of the Dominion. The lady editor of “The Press” gratefully acknowledges receipt of magazines and used stamps from an anonymous friend. The president (Miss C. Henderson) presided at the fifty-seventh annual meeting of the Christchurch branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Donations were sent to the district committee for the Christmas tea to be given at the Women’s Reformatory at Addington, and to the New Zealand headquarters’ fund. The principal officers for 1945 were elected as follows;—president. Miss C. Henderson; vice-presidents. Mesdames J. Richards, B. James. Gardner Miller, Price, and M. J. Miller, and Misses E. Gordon, N. Blackwell, and Bishop; secretary, Mrs Adkins; treasurer. Miss M. B. Lovell-Smith. PRACTICAL GIFT SUGGESTIONS. Bonnington’s the Chemists have catered for those who prefer to give the more practical presents. Toilet soap, attractively boxed. 1/9 to 5/6, Talcum Powders, 1/- to 4/1, Bath Salts, Tablets, and Bottles. 2/- to 6/-. These and other gift suggestions are displayed at Bon-