TRAVEL CLUB

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26870, 24 October 1952, Page 2

TRAVEL CLUB

NEWS FOR WOMEN

ADDRESS BY MR J. WYN IRWIN

Mr J. Wyn Irwin, a member of the executive of the Travel Club, who recently returned from a trip overseas, gave an account of some of his experiences when he addressed a meeting of the club yesterday. Mr Irwin described points of interest on his journey to England—the beautiful Spanish architecture of the university buildings in Perth, with tneir sunken garden where musical and dramatic performances were held, a ride in a rickshaw in Colombo where the native quarters were poor and drab, the low prices of goods in Aden, and his arrival at Tilbury where he had tha first of many experiences of queueing. Mr Irwin saw the Queen at close quarters, at the Trooping of the Colour and at the Royal Tournament, he visited the House of Lords and unwittingly was present when history was made because while he was listening to a discussion on education he saw a woman enter and sit on the steps of the throne. He learnt from the newspapers in the morning that the woman was Miss Florence Horsburgh, Minister of Education, and that she was the first woman to occupy such a position in the House of Lords.

In the House of Commons he heard Mr Churchill, Mr Eden, and Mr Attlee speak, at the Derby he had an exciting time backing horses with bookmakers —and he won—and with two overcoats and an umbrella that promptly blew inside out, he saw the OxfordCambridge boat race in snow.

By mentioning that he was a New Zealander, Mr Irwin was admitted to the exclusive members’ pavilion at a benefit cricket match at Lords, and the day before he left London on his homeward journey, with a little more effort on his part, but because he came from New Zealand, he obtained a good seat to see the Olympic athletes compete against the‘United States at the White City. Mr Irwin described visits to cathedrals and churches, to art galleries, with particular mention of the gallery in Madrid, and gave a lively account of a bull-fight he had attended in Spain. He warmly commended the hospitality of the Victoria League and of the Overseas League in London and the helpfulness of officials at New Zealand House.

The singer at the meeting was Miss Alice Chapman, for whom Mrs Hilda Reeve was accompanist. Mrs M. H. Godby presided, and Mesdames J. W. Graham and H. E. Goggin were hostesses.

ORPHEUS CHOIR

GUESTS ENTERTAINED The Orpheus Choir of about 35 members, witn Mr W. Mann as conductor and Mrs J. E. Mason as accompanist, entertained a large gathering of iriends at a particularly enjoyable musical party in the Maylair Lounge last evening. The choir was in fine form, and sang with zest and evident enjoyment. The programme opened with a spirited rendering of “Rolling Down to Rio,” and in contrast was followed by Harry Gordon’s pleasing number, “Down in the Glen” and Vaughan Williams’s “The Turtle Dove,” with James Wilson as soloist.

The versatility of Alic Rowley’s compositions was exemplified in four numbers—“ After Dark,” “Deep Water “The Sea Burthen,” and “Sacramento,” all sung with charm and feeling. Two New Zealand composers were represented on the programme. They were John Ritchie, who had written “My Heart Leaps Up” specially for the Orpheus choir, and Victor Galway, whose two compositions were “Ee Gentle Oh Hands of a Child” and “The Shepherdess.” These were preceded by Armstrong Gibbs’s “Dream Pedlary” for women’s voices, and followed by a group of four by different composers—- “ All in an April Evening,” a lovely item by Hugh Roberton, founder and for 45 years conductor of the Glasgow Orpheus choir, an unaccompanied hymn by Handel Parker, and two wellknown songs. “Bless This House” and Homing.”

The soloists were Freda Strong who sang pleasingly “Spring’s Looking out of the Window” and “Lift Thine Eyes”: Marjorie Nelson, whose numbers “The Walnut Tree” and “Dedication,” were warmly received, and Robert Allison, who sang with his Usual finish an aria from Flotow’s “Martha,” and as encores “Pale Moon” and "Westering Home’ in which the choir joined in the chorus.

Monologues by Alice Chapman added variety to the programme, which was rounded off by the singing of “The Campbells are Coming’’ and “Out of the Silenee.”

The guests were welcomed by Mr Howard Tamper (chairman of the ?*?°IE? and Mr L - F - de Berr y. on behalf Of the guests, thanked the conductor and choir, for the pleasant entertainment. Mr Mann paid a tribute to Mrs Mason and his remarks were applauded by the audience. CURRENT NOTES Mr and Mrs Stanley Jameson, who have been visiting England, are returning to Australia by the Largs Bay. From Melbourne they will fly to Cnristchurch and. are expected early in November. At Malta on their outJ ourne v they spent a day with Mrs Gresson. wife of their nephew, Commander Denys Gresson, R.N., who is based on Malta. „ Mrs Jek yH, Mrs E. McElwee, Miss Mabel Andrews. Miss Elizabeth Murray and Miss. Angela Gray have left for Wellington to take part in the New Zealand amateur fencing, tournament to be held at the weekend.

The commanders and officers of H.M.N.Z. Ships Kiwi (LieutenantCommander G. M. Holden), Tup (Lieu-tenant-Commander J. N. Washbourn), and Lachlan (Commander C. C Lawry R.N.) which will arrive in Lyttelton at the end of next week, will be guests of honour at the Navy League ball. Commander B. E. Turner, Lieutenant Lewis, R.N., and Mr Haig, of the Naval Recruiting Board, will also be guests of the ball committee.

An enjoyable musical party was held at the Canterbury Women’s Club last evening. It was organised by members of the music circle under the leadership of Mrs C. Shaw. The excellent programme arranged by Mrs J. H. Cocks comprised vocal duets by Mrs Ngaira Wilson and Miss Margaret Ward, songs by Mr Peter Law, Mrs Anne Sheehan, Miss Ward, and Mr Percy Caithness, humorous recitations by Mrs C. Barnett, a sketch by Mrs Barnett and Mrs C, Hunter, and songs in character by Mrs Wilson. The accompanists were Mrs Cocks and Mrs Law.

Mrs E. Walker, a visitor from Egypt, spoke on gardens and gardening in Egypt at the monthly meeting of the garden circle of the Overseas League. Mrs lan Mackenzie presided. An account of her experiences while nursing in hospitals in Persia during the Second World War was given by Miss J. England. Miss England, who will leave shortly to make her home in Hawke’s Bay. was bidden farewell and presented with a gift. Competitions resulted as follows:—best bloom, one tulip: Mrs A. H. Manson 1, Mrs A. Winterbourn 2. Jug of flowering shrubs or trees: Mrs Manson 1, Mrs C S. Brown 2, Mrs L. J. Hunter 3. The president. Mrs W. Grant, enrolled five new members at the October meeting of the Riccarton League of Mothers, which was well attended. An interesting address was given by Miss J. Horner, matron of Karitane Hospital, who compared her work with the mothers and babies of New Zealand with her experiences among Chinese mothers. She illustrated her address with beautiful Chinese tapestries, clothes and porcelain. The choir under the conductorship of Mrs H. Colthard, with Mrs H. Govan as pianist, presented two items. The children were cared for in the creche by Mrs C. Noble and helpers. The lady editor of “The Press” gratefully acknowledges receipt of a donation of £5 from “Inasmuch” for the relief of distress.

An evening social at the home of Mrs J. H. S. Wallace, Highland Park, was held recently by the Wellington branch of the St. Margaret’s College Old Girls’ Association. Present besides Mrs Wallace were Mesdames M. Bilby, A. Prime, J. O. Renaut, R. A. Triggs; Misses C. Boon (acting president), P. Soteros (secretary), G. Boulton, B. Dilloway, P. Henry, M. Gardner, I. Hunter, A. Yates, D. Smith. The monthly meeting of the Gold Star Mothers’ Club was held in the Jellicoe Hall recently. There was a large attendance and a programme of songs, duets and elocutionary items was provided. A competition was held, the proceeds going to the Save the Children Fund. Give Glamorous Dreamwear. A sheer delight to every heart. —Advt. Dorothy Small School of Dressmaking. Fashion Parade, Civic Theatre, October 30th, 7.45. Showing 270 garments made and worn by pupils and their children. Proceeds in aid of Blind. Bookings D.I.C. —Advt. Christmas is only about eight weeks away! Orders for Christmas Cakes and Puddings are now being accepted at the Ethne Tosswill Cake Shop, 123 Cashel street. —Advt. “Undoubtedly a Dreamwear Garment.” . . . and it was ... it came from Dreamwear, 11 New Regent st. —Advt. ENGAGEMENT Mr and Mrs H. A. Lloyd, 62 Burnett street, Ashburton, wish to announce the engagement of their eldest son, Harold, to Margaret Spencer, youngest daughter of Mrs Graham, Woolston, Christchurch.