SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1171, 5 July 1911, Page 11

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

The Fourth of July at the Hospital. ' Yesterday was a memorable day for many of the children who are inmates of the Wellington Hospital, and it was hardly to be wondered nt if some of them did not .think, it Christmas ■ all over again. There was very nearly everything to make them think so, save, perhaps, the presence of Santa Claus. Mr. Henry D. Baker, special consular, representative of the United States in New Zealand, and Mrs. Baker, could hardly have devised a hap-' pier way of celebrating "Tho Fourth of July" than the one which they, planned, and carried into execution yesterday afternoon at the Newtoivn Hospital, and, if there were, many wearied little souls put to bed at the close of the day, there were many happy ones. All the children, who were well enough, hod beeu collected from the different wards, in which, owing to tho lack Df accommodation, they have been stationed, and brought out upoa one of the balconies 'of the Victoria Home, draped specially for the occasion with the Stars and Stripes, as well as the Union Jack and the New Zealand .flag. Even the tiniest infants, aged, perhaps, three or four months put in appearance for a little while, blinking perplexedly from the vantage ground of their nurses' arms upon the unaccustomed sight. While some of the children lay quietly upon the beds, content to play with the toys which, done up in mysterious parcels, had just bom given them, others were walking ■ about, showing them to everyone, or else sitting in a corner wrapped in contemplation of them, and treasuring them'to "show daddy" later on.

The parcels, which were part of tho treat, and the joy of solving their mystery, were undoubtedly a source of deep delight, but still furtl.fr pleasure was in store for them when Mr. R. Robertson, with his wonderful falsetto voice, begin to sing. ■ Solemn, wide-open • eyes gazed wonderingly upon him.for a few seconds,

at last crinkling up in huge amusement, while littlo bursts of laughter were to ho heard, and whether the children or the grown-ups enjoyed themselves most, it would be hard to tell. Equally .enjoyed •wore the son's suns hyMi?«-Ne.wtpn, Mr.' A. Newton, Miss-Miles, Mr. Dykes; and the recitation given by Miss R. Simpson. _uhile thoso on the _.balconvwere greatly entertained, there wns still another, nudienco in tho ward, just inside, which, though not ablo to see what was .going on, was listening with the keenest 'interest and 'enjoyment to everything. These were some of the patients-.in'the Women'c Ward 1 of the Victoria Home' to whom this influx of life and brightness and merriment made a pleasant break in the quiecness of their days. Not the least part of the pleasure of the afternoon to tho children was the ■feastwhich-followed.and'the pulling of the bonbons. After they had finished the visitors were entertained in an adjacent loom at afternoon tea, the tablo being arranged with scarlet berries, while still moro flags wero draped about if. '; ■■;. Her Excellency Lady Islington, accompanied by Miss Stapleton Cotton nnd Captain M'Dougall, was present during the afternoon.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker were assisted in tho entertaining of the children and of the visitors by Miss Payne, the matron of the hospital; Miss Drummond, the matron of tho Victoria Home; and eoiuo of tho sisters and nurses.

Among those present were- Mrs. "\Vilford, Mrs. Wright, Miss C'oates, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. B. Fisher, Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Dykes, Miss Lewis, the Misses Miles (2), Mr<j, Ewart, Mr. Mills, Dr. PlattsMills, Dr. Tolhurst, Mrs. Robinson, Mr. Harcourt Turner (American Consul) rmd Mrs. Turner, Miss N. Drummond, Miss Butts, as well as those already mentioned, who sang or recited to the children. Gratitude was expressed to Mr. nnd Mrs. Baker for their kindness to the children. The piano which was used at the hospital yesterday was one lent by the Dresden Company, who refused to chffrgev as tho" occasion wns ono specially for tho children.

St. Anne's Choir members hold their fourth annual dance to-night in St. Peter's Schoolroom, and patrons arc assured of an evening's enjoyable dancing.

Mrs. Eames (Pahiatua) is visiting Mrs. G. Inn's, Wanganui.

Miss Gwladys Macandrew (Hokitika) is the of Mrs. Burgess, Pahiatua.

Miss MlCellar (Kelburne) has returned from a visit to Auckland.

Mrs. Gale, who has been visiting friends in Gisborne, is spending some days in town. ■

Mr. and Mrs. 11. R. Fisher, of Tiist Marina, Marlborough, are at present on a visit to Wellington.

Mrs. J. Schwass (Te Kuiti), who has been the guest of her parents (Mr. and Mrs. Wollerman), returned to her homo yesterday by the Auckland express.

On Saturday evening the Wellington College Old Girls' Association is giving an entertainment in. the. College, which is not.to be restricted to "Old Girls," but is open to tho public generally. An entertaining programme has been arranged, nnd the winner of Miss M'Lean's prize will again recite. Home-made sweets will bo sold during the evening.

In' connection with the poster ball which is to be held in the Town Hall on July 14, for the benefit of the Society for the Protection of the Health of Women and Children, the various firms of tho city arc being asked to send n candidate in poster costume. The entrance fee is 10s. Gd., including admission to the hall, and prizes will bo given for tho best costumes. Messrs. Littlejohn nnd Son, jewellers, have donated the first prize.

Dr. Scott, of Rcofton, and Mrs. Scott are spending a day or two in town before leaving on Friday on a visit to Australia.

Misa Gertrude Gillinm, tho English operatic wubrette artist, is n passenger by the Manuka, which arrives this morning. Miss Gilliam will appear as Eileen Kavanagh in "The Arcadians" at the Opera House to-morrow night—her first appearance in New Zealand.

A number of ladies will bo examined for first-aid certificates under the auspice? of the St. John Ambulance Association nt the Oddfellows' nail on Friday next. This class, which has been prepared by Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, will be examined by Dr. Bowerbank.

Mrs. Rolleston. Hnir Specialist, seenrod when in EnEland and America all tho Latest Appliances for Hair and Face treatments. Shampooing, Ilairdressing taneht, Electrolysis. Diploma U.S.A. Only address: 25G Lambton Quay. Tol. Jso3.—Advt.

S.P.C.A. SOME MATTERS FOR THE COURT. : The fortnightly meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held in che Chamber of Commerce at 5 o ciock last evening. Mr. J. S. Jamieson was in the chair. Complaint ivns made regarding methods adopted in loading sheep on steamers at \\ ellington. It was stated that only last week steep were so roughly handled that . . fj? placC(l m board they could scarcely ■The inspector reported several cases which he described as "gross cruelty and neglect of animals." In one case he had received a complaint that an old horse in very poor condition had been bogged in a paddock at Karon.- He went out to see what could be done in the matter, but r i ™ arrivcd there the horso had died. The owner, it was alleged, had turned it out in the bitterly cold weather experienced Inst week, ami so weak wns tho animal that when it got into the bog it could not extricate itself; Court proceedings are to follow. Another enso (it was stated) occurred at Day s Bay. In order to prevent dogs trom sleeping under a whare, a rope with a running noose was set so as to snare the dog when he attempted to get under the building. One unfortunate animal was so trapped, but it managed to break away. When caught, the noose was still round the middle of the body, and was drawn so tightly that it. had cansed a gaping flesh wound 8 inches long. It is understood that the police have taken this case. in: hand. ...-.-

jThe: following; donations are acknowledged :—Mrs. S. Thompson, .£1; Honi G. Fowlds, 10s.; Mrs. A. S. Warburton, Gs.: Mr. W. T. Tclfonl and Misses EonsMarten (2), 5s each; three "Friends," 2s. Cd. each; total, £2 13s. Cd.