SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2398, 2 March 1915, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

A Boys' League of Help. For sorno months past, two lads of Wellington have been working energetically to organise a club oi' league, in which they could spend their winter evenings in helping those less fortunate than themselves. Last month they succeeded in getting about a dozen others, who, after a serious talk,, became very enthusiastic. After a general meeting they decided to call their newly-founded league the "Xoung New Zealandcrs' League," and its work was to help the poor, and distressed by a series ot concerts,. fetes, bazaars, and so on, and to entertain different homes, such as the Anglican Boy's Home, Ohiro Homo, and so on. The first concert was to raise funds for their own benefit, but owing to the recent appeal from Belgium they decided to sacrifice their pleasures, and work at to raise funds for those who are in pitiable,need —the Belgians. A Farewell Danoe. On Friday, 26, a very successful dance and social was held at Glenburn, as a farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Bunny. The woolshed, which was most attractively decorated, made an excellent ballroom. Dancing commenced at eight o'clock, and at nine a presentation was made to Mr. and Mrs. Bunny. Mr. Lemington made a short speech, in which he eulogised the late manager; and the presentation of a handsome clock to Mr. Bunny and a cake tray to Mrs. Bunny was performed by Mr. Dempster. Mr. Bunny then rose and said a few words in reply, thanking the station hands for their generosity. He was also the recipient of a beautiful feather mat, made by Mrs. Kohai, of Tetokorau. The guests then sang "For They are' Jolly Good Fellows," and three hearty cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs. Bunny. The programme was then continued, dancing being kept up till dawn.

The thanks of all are due to Mr. Matheson, who so ably and imtiringly ■supplied the music, also to Mrs.' Hagginson and Mr. Dempster, who provided a most excellent supper. Between the dances Messrs. Laird, Haeata, and Welsh contributed several songs. Among6t those present' were Mr.' and Mrs. Bunny, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Cotter, Mrs. M'Kelvic, and her. three daughters, Mrs. Hagginson, Misses M'Govan, Miss Ridgway, the Misses Vennell, Mrs.' Marsh,' Mrs. Kohai, Mrs. Simpson, and many others. Great credit is due to Mr. Bert Welsh for the capable manner in which he organised the proceedings. Street Collection for the Belgians, The special appeal which the condition of Belgian women refugees in England has made to the sympathy of .'the world at large found a wonderful response in the results of the street collection which was made in Wellington yesterday under the direction of the Mayoress and her' committee. Collectors with their boxes decorated with the Belgian colours wero to be mot with in practically every street of the city, and there must have been few

who were not asked to give something, no matter ho.w small a sum to assist in alleviating the misery of these sad sufferers by the war. All day long the Mayoral rooms at the Town Hall were the scene.of intense activity, collectors arriving, emptying'their boxes and departing for fresh spoils, many cf them so enthusiastic about their work that they were at it the whole day long without cessation. Only those who have gone through the stress know how exhausting it can be. The sale of flowers, some of which had been sent from Masterton by Mrs. Herbert Wood, and lead pencils added materially to the day's results. By nightfall it was found that, exclusive of Karori, Seatoun and Johiisonville, the sum < f .£370 and some odd shillings had been collected in the City itself, and when these results are handed in it is thought that something like £400 will be the sum total of the women's effort. The task of 'counting the money was not the least part of the work, and to see the piles and piles of pennies was a sight to make the head of the ordinary unmathematical person 1 reel with a nightmare of figures., Twenty pounds alone were taken in coppers, which ultimately werp taken away in bulging pillow-slips, and quite a considerable sum was made in threepenny-bits. Some of the private schools were very helpful, the boys of the Croydon School collecting and handing in the sum of £3, the Chilton House girls helping with flowers as well as with the collection, and the pupils Qf Miss Francis's kindergarten also assisting. ' Tho Mayoress and her' committee wish to thank most heartily all who assisted in any way with the effort which was made yesterday, the donors of flowers among whom were Mrs._W. F. Massey, Mr. Barber, Mrs. liirkcaldie, Mrs. Wood (Masterton), the donors of badges and pencils, Mrs. Kirkcaldie for the use of a motor-car, and Messrs. Duncan, Bayfield, Mason, Johnston, Williams, and the' Mayor himself for their assistance in counting tho money. The sum which had been collected is to be handed over to the Belgian Consul who will send it to the High Commissioner for New Zealand, who will see that it 'is distributed to the Belgian women refugees "in Great Britain. From this it can be seen that the money will reach those for whom it is intended .to benefit—not the Germans. Those who were largely responsible in making yesterday's collection so comprehensive were: The Mayoress, Mrs. Fitchett, Mrs. Bayfield, Mrs. Algar Williams, Lady Stout, Mrs. J. Kirkcal-die,-Miss Beatrice Day, Madame Boeufve, and Mrs. Seville.

The' Mayoress wishes to 'acknowledge tie sum of £8 10s., which was collected by' the Tramways Band at Lyall Bay on Sunday, and which has been handed over to this fund. Dr. and Mrs. Henley, of Napier, passed through Wellington on Sunday on their return to Hawke's Bay from Uhristchurch. Dr. and Mrs. Graham Robertson also arrived in Wellington by the same steamer from the south. Mrs. H. Olliver and two children, of Ada Street, -Palmerston, North, left by. tho Moeraki on Friday on a six months' visit to Sydney. Madam© Sarah Bernhardt is steadily improving, and hopes to return to tho stage in May.—Press Association ('".Times" and Sydney "Sun" services). For Pace Massage, Shampooing, all llau Treatmerts, and Electrolysis, Mrs Kolleston's is rocommended. Spacious Private Rooms, Qualified Assistants, and Personal Attention. Switches and Transformations Of every shado a speciality. Hair guaranteed to keop its colour. 256 Lambton Quay,*