CURRENT NOTES

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25678, 15 December 1948, Page 2

CURRENT NOTES

Miss Gladys Russell, who for many years was honorary secretary of the Christchurch branch of the Overseas League and who relinquished that position a few months ago, was the guest of honour at a very enjoyable 5 o’clock party given yesterday by Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon (vice-president of the branch) and Mrs Mac Gibbon at their home in Merivale. The president of the branch (Mr C. G. McKellar) on behalf of the committee presented floral sprays to Mrs Mac Gibbon and to Miss Russell, and a warm wel-r come was accorded Mr A. C. Keell. a member of the committee, who i*eturned to Christchurch last week after a seven months’ visit to England. The health of Miss Russell and of Mr and Mrs Mac Gibbon was drunk with musical honours by the guests, among whom were members of the committee of the local branch of the Overseas League and friends, Mrs John Milner (wife of the organiser and director of the league) and Miss G. Garrette Reid, secretary of the branch. One hundred members and friends of the Fendalton Garden Club attended the club’s Christmas party held yesterday in the National Club rooms, Lichfield street. Mrs F. C. Fenfold (president) presided and welcomed members and guests. Hostesses were Mesdames A. M. Wilson, G. Royds, J. Binstead, H. Lee, S. L. Partridge. L. Webley. E. M. Taylor, A. K. Davis, W. M. McClure, C. W. Hervey, Misses J. Trotter and A. Scott. A short mfisical programme was given by Mrs A. Bamford and Mrs F. G. Reeve. Specially invited guests at the party were Mr and Mrs P. C. Browne. A shoulder spray was presented by Mrs Penfold to Mrs David Crozier, patron of the club, who supervised the artistic decorations. -A lucky number prize was won by Mrs G. Cowie. A talk and demonstration on decorative work was given by Mrs W. J. M. Bunt. The competition for the afternoon was for a shoulder spray. The winners were Mrs David Clarkson (visitor) and Mrs Athol Winterbourn (member). Commander D. G. H. Bush, R.N., and Mrs Bush (lona. Parnassus), who have been for a visit to England, are returning to the Dominion in the Ceramic, due in Auckland soon. Dr. R. A. Falla, director of the Dominion Museum, Wellington, and Mrs Falla, who have been visiting Christchurch during the last few days, returned to Wellington yesterday. Mrs Stewart Smith will arrive in New Zealand in the Ceramic on a visit to the Dominion and is expected in Christchurch next week. Mrs Stewart Smith is a relative of Mrs John Milner, Ashgrove terrace, Cashmere.

Wearing paper hats and holding aloft gaily coloured balloons, medical patients in the old people’s section of the Burwood Hospital really got the party spirit yesterday afternoon when they were entertained by the New Brighton group of the Friends of the Hospital. About 90 persons enjoyed the party held in the main corridor of the hospital, the oldest person present being 92 years of age. Mrs E. McLean, convener of the New Brighton group, was in charge of arrangements, and the group was amply rewarded for its .work by the pleasure of the old people. The singing of carols by candlelight was a feature of the programme at the Christmas party held by the Christchurch Business and Professional Women’s Club in the Mayfair Lounge last evening. Mrs C. G. Schumacher (president) welcomed the guests, who included the president of the Y.W.C.A. Federated Business and Professional Women’s Club (Miss L. Bishop). The greater part of the programme was contributed by members of the club, and , members were amused to find during a humorous radio “rigmarole.” arranged by Miss Mary Wigley, that they had both a “merry” and a “Christmas” among the guests—Miss Merry, and Mrs Christmas Harvey. The latter was congratulated on the recent publication of a book of poems. The programme also included songs and recitations by Miss Tui Uru, with accompaniment by Mrs W. E. Olds, a duet by Mrs D. Milne, and Miss Florence Nicholls, with Mrs Olds as accompanist, songs by Mrs Milne, accompanied by Miss Nicholls, a recitation by Miss McKendry. and a sketch presented by Mrs I. Macdonald, Mrs J. S. Cook, and Misses Florence Nicholls and Dorothy Mardon. Those taking part in the radio “rigmapQle” were Miss Wigley, Mrs W. G. Jenkins, Mrs Schumacher. Mrs Pitcaithley. Misses McKendry. Thea Malcolm, and Nelle Hall. The lady editor of “The Press” gratefully acknowledges books and magazines from the Linwood Townswomen's Guild and magazines from “H.W.L.” and anonymous donors.