LADY FREYBERG ENTERTAINED

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25878, 10 August 1949, Page 2

LADY FREYBERG ENTERTAINED

CANTERBURY WOMEN’S

CLUB “It has been my pleasure and my privilege, during the three memorable years we have been in New Zealand, to make contacts with a great many women’s organisations, and I have been filled with admiration and gratitude to find that the busy women who belong to these organisations, in addition to their own activities, find time to help Britain by sending to her people food and clothing.” These remarks were addressed last evening to members of the Canterbury Women’s Club by her Excellency, Lady Freyberg, who was attending a reception given at the club in her honour. Her Excellency said she had heard that during the last few months, the number of parcels sent from New Zealand to England had dwindled and this, she could readily understand as the people in the Dominion were getting tired and the sending of parcels was expensive. Some persons, she said, questioned whether the food parcels were needed. While it was difficult to generalise, Lady Freyberg said, she thought that parcels sent now were even more appreciated than those sent a few years ago. While those with relatives in the country to send them food or those who could afford to eat frequently at restaurants fared reasonably well, she said, the ordinary people s meals were monotonous. The mother of the family, generally came off worst and to these tired devitalised women she felt that the gift of a parcel from a far-away country was a source of great encouragement and helped them on the uphill road they were called on to tread. Her Excellency, who was accomganied by her lady-in-waiting, Miss osemary Eley, was welcomed by Mrs G. H. Watts (president of the club), i who said that members were proud to have Lady Freyberg as their patron. Other specially invited guests were the Mayoress (Mrs F. .Hardy Cookson) and Mrs H. S. Feast (wife of the Town Clerk).

Lady Freyberg, who was presented by Mrs Watts with a sheaf of flowers,

wore a frock of wine-red lace with sash of velvet and a six-strand pearl necklace. Her wrap was a cape of silver fox fur. Miss Eley wore a black crepe frock, and a fur cape. A short programme was provided by Mrs Stanley Fogg (piano solos), Mrs Enid Frye, with Miss Lillian Harper as accompanist (musical monologues), and Mrs C. Cogswell, with Miss K. O’Connor as accompanist (songs). All the performers were presented to her Excellency by Mrs Watts.