GARDEN PARTY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 41, 12 November 1937, Page 4

GARDEN PARTY

Mothers Of Crippled Children Meet

The mothers of crippled children have much in common, aud hitherto nothing has been done to enable them to meet one another. Realising this, the ladies of the welfare committee of the Wellington branch of the Crippled Children Society arranged a garden party for the mothers of all those children registered with them, and yesterday afternoon more than 85 mothers met at 186 The Terrace, the beautiful home of Mrs. W. E. Herbert, who very kindly lent her house and garden for the occasion. For many years Mrs. Herbert has done a great, deal to help the crippled children, in whom she is specially interested, for her late husband, Dr. W. E. Herbert, who studied under Sir Robert Jones, was the first orthopedic surgeon in Wellington. Much care aud thought had been expended on the arrangements by Mrs. Herbert and the executive, who consisted of Mrs. V. A. May (welfare officer), Mrs. Ernest Hunt, Mrs. A. Gillies, Mrs. H. D. Bennett and Mrs. M. Macdonald, assisted by Mrs. A. Longmore, Mrs. F. C. Spratt, Mrs. H. Horrax and Miss F. Low.

Tea was served in the sunny musicroom and on the flagged terrace, where an opportunity was taken to introduce the guests to one another. The house was gay with bowls of many coloured poppies, irises and roses, and the" colourful rock garden, beautiful lawns and cool green fernery were attractively peaceful and seemed like another world after the hurry and bustle of the city.

After ted, Miss Mary Butler gave several delightful and amusing recitations, and later the mothers were able to wander about the lovely gardens exchanging views and helpfully discussing their children. Toward the close of the afternoon they assembled on the lower lawn, and Mrs. Bennett, on behalf of Mrs. Herbert, thanklid them for coming, and then, knowing that she was speaking for everyone present, she thanked Mrs. Herbert for her kindness in lending her home and for all the help she hud given. She added that Mrs. Herbert had very generously decided to hold another garden party next month for the children themselves. On this occasion it is hoped that Mrs. Knox Gilmer will bo present, for she is returning from her trip abroad in the near future. Mrs. Knox Gilmer, who is a sister-in-law of .Mrs. Herbert, is the president of the welfare committee.

The guests heartily endorsed Mrs. Bennett’s thanks to Mrs. Herbert. They had spent a memorable afternoon, and as they left expressions of gratitude for such a thoughtful and kindly action could be heard on all sides.-