FREE KINDERGARTEN

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 49, 21 November 1932, Page 4

FREE KINDERGARTEN

Council Gives Afternoon AMID LOVELY SURROUNDINGS Through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. B. Sutherland in lending their beautiful home, in Homewood Avenue, Karori, the president and council of the 'Wellington branch of the Free Kindergarten Union were able to invite friends of the kindergarten to a pleasant afternoon last Saturday. Although the weather was not sufficiently pleasant to enable the visitors to enjoy to the full the beautiful grounds the spacious rooms of the house were thrown open for afternoon tea and music, supplied by Mrs. Vickery at the piano, Beautiful roses and carnations decorated the drawing-room, and in the entrance hall, where the guests were received by Mrs. Gibbs (president of the council), Mrs. B. Sutherland and Mrs. G. P. H. Davidson (vice-presi-dent). Mrs. Gibbs wore a graceful frock of navy blue georgette and lace and a matching straw hat. Mrs. Sutherland's handsome frock was of rich brown lace, and with it she wore a smart brown hat. Mrs. G. P. H. Davidson wore a navy blue and white spotted crepe de chene dress and a navy hat. Mrs. Dowsett, (secretary), wore a cinnamon brown floral crepe de chene dress and a brown hat The first attraction on the programme was a swimming exhibition arranged by Mr. Olaridge. The picturesque surroundings of the open-air swimming pool were fortunately sheltered from the wind, and a large crowd assembled. The Port Nicholson Band played selections. Demonstrations of diving and life-saving were given by Mr. Claridge, Miss N. Hodgkins, Mr. K. S. Spry, Mr. John Penman and Mr. V. B. Ames. After tea an entertaining Old World Mannequin Parade took place, organised by Miss Edwin and Miss Seaton. The dresses worn were all genuine models of an earlier day, worn by predecessors of those who lent them for the occasion. Some were graceful and some intensely amusing, and all were worn with the manner appropriate to their style and period. The dresses included a wedding dress of 1809, lent by Miss Seaton and worn by Miss L. McGann, a white muslin dress, 1830, lent by Miss Seaton and worn by Miss B. Page; a crinoline of 1831 lent by Miss Owen and worn by Mrs. Ross; a grev dress of 1879 lent by Miss Seaton, ■ worn by, Mies M, Green; a lavender dress, 1879, lent by Miss Watson and worn by Miss Mcllray; an 1891 tailormade lent by Mrs. Larnadh and with hat lent by Dr. Bennett, worn by Miss K. Smith; tennis dresses of 1890, lent by Miss Edwin and worn by Miss Gibson, Miss Taylor and Mrs. Powles, with two of the first racquets to reach New Zealand, lent by Miss Baron; a garden party dress, 1902, lent by Miss England, worn by Miss Sutherland; a golf dress of 1907, lent by Miss Edwin and worn’by Miss Suckling; an evening dress of 1914, lent by Miss Edwin and worn by Miss Horton. Afternoon tea was served by members of the council, assisted by members of the Idndergarten staff. A cake stall in an adjoining room was in charge of members of the Women’s Auxiliary. The beautiful winter garden and conservatory were open and the visitors could admire the mass of colour made by cyclamen, and giant calceolaria, as well as many unusual and beautiful ferns and rare plants. Icecreams were sold by kindergarten students.

The Council are particularly grateful to Mr. Wilkinson and members of the Brooklyn committee for taking charge at the gate, and to all who assisted in any way to make the afternoon a success.