SOCIAL AND PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 242, 8 July 1922, Page 12

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL ITEMS

MATTERS of interest from far and near

(By

Imogen.)

The marriage took place in the Church of St. James, Tatlmor (Nelson) of Miss Effie Hudson, a daughter of tho late Dr. Hudson, and Mrs. Hudeon, of Tapawera, and Mr, GergJd Han-' eon, of Stanley Brook. The hride was given away by her mother, and was attended by Miss MacMahon and Miss M. Andrew. The Rev. Canon Dart officiated, and following the wedding a reception was held by Mrs. Hudson, at Hartmoor. Later the bride and bridegroom left for Auckland. A "community sing” that was very Buccessful was held at the Community Club on Thursday night, when about 50 cadets and Territorials enjoyed the evening’s song and music. Mrs. E. E. Muir and Mrs. Pow were the organisers, Miss Wright was the song leader, and Miss Rix-Trott accompanied. Mrs. Muir had arranged song cards, and the boys gave hearty cheers for the ladies at the close of the evening Plans have been made to establish “sing-songs” every Thursday evening during the winter. An improvement that is very greatly appreciated at the club is the installation of stoves to provide additional warmth, _ .the subcommittee responsible for this arrangement being Lady 'Luke, Mrs. Muir and Mr. P. C. Watt. More ping-pong tables have also been provided, and "cosy corners” enclosed for those who wish quiet and solitude.

Mrs. Btdlock, who has been visiting' her daughter, Mrs. . Eric Miltou, North Canterbury, left on her return to Wellington on Wednesday.

'Mrs. and Miss Irving, who returned this week from a visit to England, left for Christchurch on Thursday.

Nurse Fisher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Fisher, of Feilding, who has been on the staff of the Wellington Hospital for some years, was very successful in the nurses’ examination held this year. She is listed as having obtained a pass with more than 75 per cent, of the possible number of marks. Nurse Fisher is at present on a holiday in Feilding. I

Many attractions are being prepared by the committee of the Navy League for Saturday, July 15, so that the children’s ball should be a gay one. The’ball will open with a-grand march, which will be a singing one, and songs such as “Three Cheers for the Red, White, and Blue,” “Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are Marching,” “When John- - nw" Comes Marching Hurrah!” and “Rule, Britannia,” wdl be used. Prizes will be given for the least expensive costume, boy and girl, the most original costume, boy and girl, the lancers costume set, and the competitions fox trot and waltz, senior and junior. Many supper tables, each providing for 20 children, are being .given, and there will be a prize for .-the most attractive one. To avoid a crush at the door of'the Town Hall on the night of the ball, children are reminded that they should purchase a ■ ticket either at the Bristol, the Navy League office, or next Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at the Town Hall. Spectators .will be allowed in the gallery, tickets 2s. 6d. each.

The annual social and picture entertainment in aid of the Catholic Education Fund was held in the Town Hall last evening by the combined parishes of Wellington., There was a very large attendance of parishioners, and the programme, of moving pictjiires for the first part of the evening, followed by a dance, was much enjoyed. A committee of ladies representing the different Catholic parishes was in charge of the supper arrangements. The Lands and Survey and State Forest Service held their monthly dance ion Thursday evening in the New Century Hall. The hall was comfortably filled and a very enjoyable evening was spent, $ The music by Mr. 11. Whiteman was all that could be desired, and the catering was efficiently managed by Messrs. Dustins. Ltd. The next dance is to be held early in August

Some of the newspapers are giving very handsome notices of the appearance of a new Australian singer. She appeared the other night, under the name of Florence Austral, as Brunhilde, in “The Valkyrie,” states a London correspondent. She was born in Melbourne 28 years ago. She states that till sho was 17 years old she knew nothing about music; but she had five years’ training at the Melbourne Conservatonum. Ibis lady has not had much stage experience, and she is deficient in dramatic expression, but all accounts agree that she has a most beautiful voice. Dramatic requirements can be developed.

Mrs. Mary Main, who recently passed away at her home at Lyall Bay, =?was the widow of the late Mrs. Alex. Scott Main, who pre-deceased her over twenty years ago. The late Mrs. Main was born in the city of Limerick, Ireland, 65 years ago, find as a young girl made many successful appearances with the Limerick amatears, and is said to have had the distinction of being the first lady amateur to appear on the Limerick stage, playing Stella in “The Broken Sword.” Later she assumed the title role in “Aurora Floyd,” Victorine in “The Miser’s Daughter,” and Christina in “The Floating Beacon.” For many years Mrs. Main had lived at Lyall Bay, and was of a very quiet and . retiring disposition, and though in failing health for a long period, was of a blight and cheerful nature to the end, when she passed peacefully away. Requiem Mass was held at St. Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie, the school children singing the deceased lady’s favourite hymns. The celebrant was tho Rev. Father Connolly, who also officiated at the graveside. Her only son, Mr. John A. Main, for many years a member of the Grand Opera Houe staff, will.have the heartfelt sympathy of a wide circle of friends in his sad bereavement.

The first of Canon Taylor’s Thursday lunch-hour addresses at the Y.W.C.A. was very well attended by the business ■ women and girls lunching in tho cafetaria. Tho address was a brief one, in order to enable all who attended to get back to work in time, and it was repeated during the second hour. It is expected' that the attendance will be still greater next Thursday. 1

Concert at Pioneer Club. One of the most successful concerts yet held at the Pioneer Club was that which took place there last evening under the direction of Mrs. Ginn, director the singing circle. There was a largo audience and a most appreciative ono the programme presented being thoroughly enjoyed. The folding doors between the reception and members’ rooms were thrown back, and /the value of this recent improvement was again very apparent. Bowls of foliago and flowers decorated all the rooms and supper was served in the tearoom following the conclusion of the concert. Contributing to the programme were the following:—“The Springtime” and the “Barcarolle,” the Singing Circle; song, Miss Price; recitation, Miss Carte; song Mrs. Townley; instrumental , trio, Misses Henry and Mr. Cecil Smallbone; song, Miss Knight; song, Mr. Blow; violin solo, Mr. Henry; song, Mrs. Mitchell; song, with violin obbligato, Mrs. Ginn; reading, Air. Page and _ party; . and further items from the singing circle, “Still as the Night,” and “Kingfisher Blue.” > The following are among the visitors coming to town for the race ball:—Mr. Tahu Rhodes and Mrs. Rhodes (Christchurch), Mr. and Mrs. Frank Graham. Mr. and Mrs. W. Barton. (Featherston), Mr. and Mrs. Beetham (Masterton), Mr. and Mrs’. H. M. Campbell (Hawke’s Bay), Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Levin (Fe-ld-ing), Mr. and and Mrs. Dan Riddiford (Longwood, Featherston), Mr., and Mrs. Corry (Blenheim). There will be a large party present from Government House, including His Excellency, the Governor-General and Viscountess Jellicoe.

Child's Essay on Kindergarten. A short time ago the senior girls of the Mt. Cook girls’ school gave a penny and twopenny concert, and the proceeds were sefit to tho Taranaki kindergarten, to be spent on the children going to school there. In return thev were asked to spend a morning with the children of the kindergarten, and were given permission on the condition that they wrote an essay on what they £aw. Tho following is one of the essays: — “On arriving at tho kindergarten we were shown ( the sun-dial, which was placed recently in the grounds, in honour of Miss Mary Elizabeth Richmond, who founded tho institution in 1906. The time' by this dial, although correct by the sun, is thirteen minutes ahead of New Zealand time. The _ teachers then camo out, and the cliildren commenced marching, keeping time by simple tunes, for some minutes, after which they went‘ inside to the classroom where they held their assembly. After their opening songs, they seated themselves on their mats, legs tucked under. On being invited to tell any special news they had that morning such scraps as, “my mother finished my jersey, so I am able to wear it this morning,” and “my mother couldn’t find my leggings last night, because my . little brother went to bed with them’ on,” were vouchsafed by the proud owners of leggings and jerseys, respectively. Their first lesson, was a story on the subject of tho week, which was trains, to which they listened intelligently, several with their tongues hanging out When each class had finished, the tables were brought out, and soon all were busily engaged with paner cutting, crayons, or blocks of different shapes and colours, according to their respective ages. After this lesson, there was a break, during which the children had their morning lunch, which was laid by the housekeeper of each class, and consisted of rusks and hot milk. The younger ones assembled again after the break, and played games in the classroom, until half-nast eleven, when the children presented each g'/l with a badge, inscribed “Wellington Free Kindergarten Association.” Then thanking them, and saying goodbye, we left them, feeling that we had had a most pleasant and interesting morning. The value of such institutions is. great, for the most important duty of the present generation, is the upbringing of the little ones, who will one day form part of our greet and overgrowing empire. A “community sing” is being given in aid of kindergarten funds shortly, and as funds are greatlv needed for carrying on'this valuable work, it is hoped that there will be a very large audience. / L r % Dr. Wilson, superintendent Wellington Hospital, is to bo the lecturer at the Concert Chamber on'Monday night, in connection with the Y.W.C.A. health campaign. His subject will bo “Health and Occupation and Clothing.” Miss Dunlop, general secretary, Y.W.C.A. will be tho speaker at the Y'W.C.A. service at 4.15 to-morrow afternoon. Tho roomil will bo open at 3 o’clock, and all girls/ especially those who are strangers to Wellington, will be warmly welcomed by the hostess club.