SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 103, 24 January 1918, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Sydney street Soldiers' Giub, The weekly danco of tho Sydney Street Soldiers' Club took place last evening, and was one of the most successful of all the many dances which have been held there. The attendance of soldiers was very largo and the; usual excellent arrangements were carried out. Theso weekly dances wero started towards tho end of last year, as an addition to the one which has always been given in honour of each reinforcement that has passed through the camps, and of the appreciation with which they aro regarded thnre can be no question, as indeed is the caso in regard to every department of the club, tt is now close upon three and a half years since this institution was started by a. number of patriotic ladies, and tributes to the valuable work which his been done by their activities are constantly being received, both verbally and by letters from the soldiers. Only this week a letter was received by Mrs. Massey (president of the club) from the Camp Commandant at Trenthara, Colonel Potter, in which he epoke oF the great help it had been to the thousands of men who had -passed through the camps. At all times, they had been sure of its comforts and benefit.

Such voluntary appreciation of their work has been very stimulating to these ladies who have always been so ready and so consistent in their work for tho soldiers—a. work which they gladly, undertook as soon as circumstances permitted. The rooms are always cheerful, comfortable and attractive and always the men may he sure of obtaining tea and supner. Not th<\ least of the attractions is the' billiard table, and for the soldier who docs not care for the game there aro other attractions to be found in tho reading and writing rooms. Impromptu eoncerts are not an infrequent means of entertainment, and in every way the pleasure and comfort of the men who Use the club nro sought and worked for. Mrs. W. F. Massey was present nt last night's dance. M'lntosh Von Dadclszen. Women's National Reserve. The Hastings branch has contributed the satisfactory sum of £200 to the New Zealand Nurses' Memorial Fund by means of a floral fete. Tho disappointment was very great when the day upon which the fete was' to have been held was ushered in with one of the fiercest gales experienced in Hastings for some timo, but thanks to tho liberality of the Hastings district and the fmo spirit shown by, all tho workers, the reserve was able to snatch victory from apparent defeat. The bad weather necessitated the abandonment of the feto, but it is a proud boast of the reserve that all they attempt turns out a success, and so other means were resorted to. The members of this band are often called "Tho Silent Workers," as they do not publish their names if it can be avoided. Their record is a particularly fine one. Mrs. Goring (wife ] of Colonel Goring) has Ifecu president during the absence in England of Lady Russell. She has done very fino work, inspiring all her workers, carrying out all ventures with an ability that is to be greatly admired, and a thoroughness that should, and has, stimulated ail the patriotic helpers. No new work is to be undertaken by the reserve- as a body until Lady Ilu'sselt returns. Tho members of this branch have been gratified by the receipt of an interesting memento of Christmas from tho High Commissioner, Sir Thomas Mackenzie, in the form of a booklet containing photographs of interest. The Now Zealand agent for the N.Z.E.F. Chronicles sent the branch Christmas greetings and thanks for the work done in getting annual subscriptions for the paper.

Miss Ella Wilson, of Wellington, is spending a short holiday with friends at Christchurch.

The warm welcome that ,\"ew Zealnnders in France invariably receive in the homes of the French peasants is referred to in a letter from an Auckland soldier. He writes:—"Our boys are ever welcome in the peasants' homes. We gather in front of the store and the kiddies flock around us with books anci slates. 1 amuse them by sketching on their slates. We talrf wiiih tiiu oid folk iii our crude Krone' , i about tho war and other things.

I have visited French people who, perhaps, I have not seen for over a year, but thoy always remember mo and givo me a great welcome."

Mrs. W. D. H. MacDonakl ;intl the Misses MncDonald, assisted by Airs. M'l'hir-j. were the hostesses at t'nu gathering held at the Wives' Club (Women's National Reserve) or. Fridaylast. . 5 . very enjoyable timo was spent. Jli:sdai:ies Elm and Gray were responsible- for iho programme, which consisted of lecitations, etc., by Kesdaraes At;dinwood, Cusidy, Gray, and V/ilkine, and the Jlisses Elsio and Eosio Elm, Gray, Connie Grono, Austin, aud Dajes.'

The Miramar Ladies' Golf Club patriotic cake room wish to thank the following donors for cakes, flowers, and subscriptions .--Mcsdaniß? Smcaton, Holmer, Badham, Isaacs, Ward, Stewart, Misses Wheeler, Jl'-Menamen, Didsbury, Perry, West., M'Rcllar,

Eastbourne Sale of Work. On Anniversary Day the Ladies' Guild of St. Albnn's Church, Eastbourne, held a eale of work on Mr. and Mrs. V/ills's grounds, which were kindly placed at their disposal. Mr. Lcvi, the Mayor, was present, and declared tho feto open. Good business was done at the various stalls, and the beautiful day, combined with a large attendance of residents and visitor.?, produced results that exceeded the hopes of the moat ennguino. The following; ladies kindly assisted at the stalls:—Mesdnmes Vickers, Cook, Eenner, and Miss Eusor (variety stall); Mesdames Baker, Recher, ar.cl Wills (refreshments); Mrs. Chitty (fairy well); Mcsdames Ilartridcrn, Poole and Stent (sweets). Mrs. Clifford Baker had chargn of the bur tind dispensed soft drinks, etc., to those who required thorn. An interesting event was a baby show.

The feto terminated in the evening with a concert in the Town Hall, organised by Mr. and Mrs. Jl. Reek and a fow friends. At the close- of the evening, the vicar thanked all who had contributed to the day's success. The proceeds were in aid of tho instalment of a new lighting apparatus for the church. Interesting'evidence of tho way in which women are entering the medical profession in Sydney is shown in the course of a welcome given by two women doctors —Dr. Hilda llennie and Dr. Jenn Greig—to a confrere, Dr. Sybil Bevan. In addition to_ the jdiiit-hnstosses oik! the guest of honour were.Dr. Gertrude Halley (South Australia), Dr. Margaret M'Lorinan, Dr. Hawkins (Tasmania), Mrs. Bell (Dr. Mary Henderson), Dr. Eileen Fitzgerald, Dr. Elizabeth Sweet, and other medical women. The tea was v ßiven at the Lyceum Club, and Dr. Bevan, wlio took her degree some years ago at tho Melbourne University, is now medical inspector of schools in Xow South Walos. Most of tho guests had been at tho University together, and some had not since met for several- years.

Mrs. G. G. Stead lias roturned to the South Island after spending some time with Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Stead, Hastings.