CURRENT NOTES

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24569, 18 May 1945, Page 2

CURRENT NOTES

Mrs Naim, wile of Mr Gerald Naim, who with his brother was a transport pioneer in Iraq, is visiting Timaru, accompanied by her sons. Mrs Bent, with her three children, who formerly lived in Egypt but latterly has spent several months in South Africa, is staying with her parents, Mr and Mrs E. G. Hogg, Cashmere Hills. Mrs Bent, formerly Miss Mary Hogg, was before her marriage well known especially in art circles in Christchurch. Seventy per cent, of the National Savings stamps sold throughout New Zealand last year were sold in Christchurch, and this result was in great measure due to the self-sacrificing work of the stamps committee of the General Service Corps. This was announced at the annual meeting of the corps held yesterday. “We wish to offer our best wishes to four of our members who have recently been married and to two more who have announced their engagements,” said Mrs Gerald Sherman, president of the Victoria League Young Contingent, at a luncheon meeting held yesterday, “And,” added Mrs Sherman, “we have given each of them a present of our new cookery book." Several members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment, who went overseas in the first contingent of Voluntary Aids sent from New Zealand, and who have had some years’ service in North Africa and Italy, have returned to Christchurch. These were the guests of honour at a party given by the V.A.D. committee in its rooms in Cashel street, where a warm welcome was accorded them by Mrs J. G. L. Vernon and other members. All commandants were also invited and the returned V.A.’s present were Mrs Kempston (formerly Miss Janet Deans), Mrs Sopp (formerly Miss Peggy Clowes), Misses Frances Dougall, Margaret Hadley, Kathleen Duncan, Shona Dampier-Crossley, Nancy Hendprson, Sheila Gillanders, Joan Miles. Stella McEwin, and Margaret Todhunter. Three other returned V.A.’s— Misses Frances Martin, Olive Spurr, and Alice Mason—were unable to attend. Each member was asked to bring a cake of soap to the last meeting of the Young Contingent of the Victoria League, and as a result of that request 25 pounds of soap are now on their way to England to be used at the Victoria League’s clubs. At yesterday’s meeting, members again brought gifts of soap, which will be sent forward in due course and the committee is hoping to be able to send a consigQjnent of honey, tongues, and jelly crystals to the league’s clubs. Members are also engaged in knitting and sewing warm garments to be sent to headquarters in London for distribution. Miss S. Lusk, who has been matron at the Truby King Karitane Hospital, Mount Albert, for the last six years, left Auckland yesterday, to take up her new position as nursing adviser to the council of the Plunket Society in Dunedin. The award of the Boy Soouts’ Association’s Medal of Merit has been made by his Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral, Sir Cyril Njjwall, acting in his capacity as Dominion Chief Scout, to Mrs Hazel Addis, of Auckland, for her good services to the scout movement. Although Mrs Addis was a member of the training staff of Gilwell Park, England, for several years it is. more particularly the work she has done for the movement during her few years’ stay in New Zealand that has prompted this award being made. Largely at the instigation of Mrs Addis, there are nearly 100 small boys enjoying the pleasures and privileges of the Lone Cub branch. Apart from this service she has assisted with the running of’various training courses throughout New Zealand. The oldest organisation of its kind in the Dominion, the Onehunga Ladies’ Benevolent Society held its eightysecond annual meeting this week. The society was established in 1863 as an outcome of the Maori War to provide accommodation, food, and refuge for the hundreds of people who swarmed into Onehunga from the shores of the Manukau. The annual report showed that during last year hejp given to families had included 312 weekly grocery orders, 620 weekly milk orders, and a number of parcels of clothing. Mrs Davis presided at the monthly meeting of the Canterbury Women’s Institute Club. Mr Tindall gave an address On chrysanthemums and "a flowered carpet" was the subject of a talk by Mrs Robson. Competitions resulted as follows:—bloom, Mrs Blake 1, Mrs Robson 2, Mrs Corcoran 3; onion, Mrs Keen 1. Mrs Mead 2, Mrs Anderson 3. An address on "flowers ahd colour and their influence” was given by Mrs G. G. Burgess at the recent monthly meeting of the Home Economics Association. Miss Wprflle presided. Soongs were sung by Mrs W. R. Featherston and accompanist was Mrs R. Stevens. A visitor to Christchurch early this week was Sir Angus Gillan, who, during the last World War was assistant political and intelligence officer, Sudan Western Frontier Force, and who is now Director, Empire Division, British Council. Miss Ngaio Marsh, speaking at the Victoria League Young Contingent meeting yesterday, said that Sir Angus Gillan had told her that the British Council is seriously considering sending to New Zealand a company of players from the Old Vic and Sadler’s Wells Theatres in London. This, she said, would be a great event for the Dominion. In reply to a question from Sir Angus Gillan, she had said that she thought the Dominion would welcome a professional theatre, and she based this opinion on the fact that the presentation of two of the greatest plays ever written by students whom she had taken on tour during the Christmas vacation had been received in the large cities with enthusiasm. Through those productions she felt that many young persons had learnt for the first time that Shakespeare was not boring and dull, but exciting and stimulating. A pleasant gathering was held at the Trained Nurses’ Club, Salisbury street, on Wednesday evening by members of the nursing profession to wish Miss Young, the principal of the club, a pleasant holiday and to present her with a travelling bag. It was a large gathering of past and present members of the club, those present including Mrs Atkinson,_ Mrs Findlay, Mrs Moore, Miss H. 'Burnett, Miss Hunt, Miss Huddleston. Miss K. Gorman, Miss J. Smith, Miss Wilson, Miss Warren, Mrs Lawlor, Mrs H. S. Lawrence, Miss N. Jensen, Miss McKaskell, Mrs Cresswell, Miss Treeby, Mrs P. O. Rutherford, Miss M. McJJraith, Mrs Merchant,, Miss Duffy, Miss- Pirrie, Miss Lock, Miss Herridge, Mrs Christensen. Mrs Moore, Miss Blonchette, Miss M. Milliken, Miss Nee. Mrs Withell. Miss Thomas, Miss M. Shine, Miss Hodgson, Mrs Barnett, Miss M. Rountree, and Miss D. Craig. Mr A. C. Holmes was welcomed as a new member at the monthly meeting of the Christchurch advisory committee of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind at its monthly meeting held in the City Council' Chambers yesterday. Mr A. J. McEldowney presided until the arrival of the chairman (Mr H. Sweney). The secretary (Mr W. T. Woods) reported on the proposed activities of the recently-formed social club for the blind, whose members intend to hold their first social gathering soon. Many cases requiring relief were considered and necessary action decided upon. The lady editor of “The Press” gratefully acknowledges receipt of a package of used stamps from “Le C.” A NEW BATH CLEANSER. Monster packet! Great value Muskleen Home Hygienic Cleanser Fragrant for Baths, Benches. Basins; Sinks—Get ‘Muskleen” Monster oackcf 1/B: Trial size 9d. stores IW 87