CHRISTMAS PARTY

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25677, 14 December 1948, Page 2

CHRISTMAS PARTY

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

Like the mother of a large family, the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women gathered representatives of its affiliated women’s organisations round it last evening when it held its annual Christmas party in Hay’s Lounge. Before 8 o’clock all seats were taken.

Miss Mary McLean (president) welcomed as honoured guests the Mayoress (Mrs F. Hardy Cookson), the deputyMayoress (Mrs J. N. Clarke), and Mrs W. S. Bean, and they, with Misg M. G. Havelaar, a former president of the branch, conveyed their Christmas and New Year greetings. Opportunity was taken '’lso to welcome home Mrs A. K. Warren, who returned recently from Amsterdam after attending the first assembly of the World Council of Churches there, and Mrs H. Honore, who recently visited her homeland, France. Misses Sullivan and Palmer, formerly of Dunedin, were also welcomed. Presidents of various organisations who are not regular delegates to the National Council of Women were also among the guests. -

Among those who sent greetings were Mrs Alley and Miss C. Henderson. two foundation members, and Dr. Violet Craig Roberton (Glasgow), for whom the branch held a reception when she visited Christchurch this year. Mrs L. C. L. Averill said Dr. Roberton had sent to the branch a calendar specially published for the National Council of Women of Great Britain.

Two Maori songs sung by Mrs E. Pahi to her own accompaniment and songs sung by Miss Cecily Audibert, to piano accompaniment by Miss K O’Connor, delighted the guests, and a fascinating feature of the programme was the presenation of three punpet s fe ws —“ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” ‘The Story of Rumpelstiltskin.” and The King’s Breakfast”—by the Christchurch Puppet players. A Christmas cake was cut with due ceremony during the supper hour.