SOCIAL AN PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3013, 26 February 1917, Page 2

SOCIAL AN PERSONAL

Red Cross Carden Fete. The garden party which was organised by the Seatoun Sewing Guild and held at Mrs. Paul's residence, Karaka Bay, on Saturday, in aid of the British Red Cross Fund, was largely attended, and it is expected that the cause should benefit to a satisfactory degree financially. Several stalls had been, arranged in the grounds, at ono side of tho liouse, and these found many purchasers for their wares. Tho cake, produce, and plant stalls were in cliarge of Mrs. Fuller and Mrs. Henderson; Miss Paul had the sweet stall, and Mies Brady and friends wore in charge of tho fancy stall. Tho attractions on the, "surprise stall" were also much, sought after. In chargo of the tea-room, which did l excellent business, were Mrs. Alexander and Mrs. Duff. Fortune-telling and Aunt Sally were in great demand, and tho Miramar Brass Band added gaiety to tho proceedings with their much appreciated music.

Entertaining Soldiers. The social which was held by tho Combined Methodist Bible Class Union on Saturday evening in Wesley Hall for the Methodist soldiers in camp was very largely attended. In addition to the soldiers for whoso benefit the social was organised there were present several of the visiting delegates to the Methodist Conference, which is being held at the present time in Wellington, so that tho gathering, which is a monthly one, was unusually well attended. Songs, recitations, games, and competitions provided mucn enjoyment, especially a competition of "musical arms," which was woo by ChaplainCaptain Rands. Contributing to the programme were: Miss Ward; Mr. i'hipps, and Mr. Strong, with songs, the Rev. Mr. Suckling, who reciliod, also Private Woolford, whose humorous recital earned him a triple encore. A quartet was sung by Private Morshead and the Messrs. Nelson (3), and supper shortly followed. The joint secretaries of these social evenings aro Miss Fathers and Mr. Murray, and tfeff popularity is evidenced by the fact that the attendance of soldiers grows larger with each succeeding one. At tho present time there are over 500 Methodists in camp, so that these evenings are likely to be appreciated, especially by those who have fow friends in this city.

A debate on tlio subject of "Gas versus Coal for Cooking" was held at the Y.W.C.A. rooms on Saturday evening, and the discussion that attended it was an animated one.

The Rev. W. A. Hay, of Duncdin, who is at present visiting Wellington in connection with the Methodist Conference, gave an address to young women and girls in the Y.AV.C.A. clubrdoms on Sunday afternoon, and later some of the visiting delegates were entertained at the social gathering and tea that followed.

The Pathfinders Club oT the Y.W.C.A. warmly welcomed their new "pioneer," Miss Graco Warren, at their meeting last Tuesday evening. _ The aim of this club is expressed in the words of Van Dyke: "The power to use the senses to their full _ capacity— clearly, sensitively, penetratingly." The object is to find the path to knowledge, health, self-control, .and service. It is impossible in oile quarter's ' syllabus to attempt to covcr the ground of the entire programme. For tho present term tho activities will inctudo Bible study, physical culture, and 6ingiiig. This club, which is a, section of the girls' department, has an average attendance of twenty-fivo girls, whose agos range from sixteen to twenty-one years. There is a fine association esprit de corps in the Pathfinders' Club, and the activities are entered into with vim and enthusiasm. Tie club meets each Tuesday evening at 7.30 in the club-rooms, Herbert Street.

Sister Lewis visited Waikanae on Thursday afternoon, when she gave a talk to the members and friends of the Waikanae Girls' Club on lior experiences in Serbia, Belgium, and England. The club-room was quite full, and the speaker was listened to witli keen interest. Gas and German helmets, pieces of shrapnel, and photographs wero afterwards handed round for inspection. The ladies of the committee supplied tea, and the proceeds of the day's effort (£3) were handed to Sister Lewis for her Maori ambulance Scheme. Sister Lowis has already banked over £300, and when one cohsiders that it is in the main a children's self-denial effort the result is niost praiseworthy.

Prize Bag Day. Those helpers who have been engaged in making and filling bags in connection with i'rizo Bag Day, which takes placo tljis week on Friday, March 2, are asked to send in their bags, whether filled or empty, to tho depot in Harcourt's Buildings on Wednesday. Mrs. Gibbons and her assistants will be in attendance that day, asthero will bo much to seo to in this connection. "All prizes and no blanks" sounds very promising, but, .of course, tho value of tho prizes in those bags (to be purchased at tho modest sum of ono shipping) varies. One bag will contain an order fpr a suit of clothes, another for a costume, another for an oak palm stand, and yet another for a 8.8.JL Others will contain jewellery, or sums of money varying from ono pound downwards, the lowest in value being worth sixpence, and, as has already been stated, evevy bag contains something in the way of a prize. , Red Cross Shop. At" the Wellington Red Cross Shop on Friday the Johnsonvillo Women's National Reserve made £45._ This includes money taken by Miss Cooper and Miss Moss at thoir flower stall. Bie day was a most successful one. everything sold being of the. best ana in abundance. Johnsonvillo is not a large district, and a great credit is duo to those who worked so hard and gave so willingly, for the Red Cross Fund. The takings of tho shop for the week were £66. Next Tuesday the Seatoun Red Cross Sewing Guild will have the shop, and there will b© a good supply of home-made cakes and other produce. Miss Moss and Miss Cooper will have their usual flower, and sweet stall and dainty fascinating articlesfor sale. Friday next will be in charge of, and stocked by the Catholic Knitting Guild. This patriotic band of workers aro keen to. make tho day a sucoess and every effort is being made by them to get money to help our sick and wounded soldiers.

One Touch of Humanity. Some months ago the London "Spectator" published a letter from a correspondent who paid a glowing tribute to a French lady who had tended the graves of British soldiers buried at llouen. This lady, who was afterwards discovered to be Madamo Cornet, of Les Bruyeres, Sottevillc-les-Rouen, made special efforts to identify the graves and communicate with the relatives of the fallen soldiers, and she kept thb graves in beautiful order. The "Chronicle" in October last reprinted portion of the "Spectator's" article, and published the address of tlio generous-hearted Mmc. Cornet. Mr. Win. Bruce, of AVanganui, forwarded a copy of the paper to Mme. Cornet, in order to show that her work was appreciated in New Zealand, and by the last mail he received a letter from the lady, who says that in acting as she did she lias only done her ' duty. She is glad to feel that the relatives of fallen soldiers have been comforted by the knowledge that the resting-places of their dear ones are being cared for, and sho says it will givo her great pleasure to hear from mothers.''of soldiers. "In France," ' sho concludes, "all the women are in moufiiing. They know what it is to suffer, and that makes them compassionate." Mrs. Ziele has returned to Napier from a visit to Duncdin. Mrs. W. Humo and family have returned to the Wairarapa from Day's Bay, where they have been staying for some time. I The entertainment wliioh is given each month for Soldiers in camp by the Mayor and Mayoress's Entertainment Committee will take place nest week instead of this week. There was an exodus from Wellington on Saturday of the delegates to the Plunket Conference, most of them leaving for their homes that day, and also on the previous evening. Miss Hamlin has returned to Hawke's Bay from a visit to Wellington. A reception to the mothers of soldiers and sailors is being held in tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon by the president and members of the Women's National Reserve.