JUNIOR RED CROSS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 305, 20 September 1943, Page 4

JUNIOR RED CROSS

Celebration Of 21st Birthday

“This is a great day in the history of the Junior Red Cross tn Wellington, and it is appropriate 'that this should be the first time the 'Wellington Town Hall is being used since its restoration,” declared the mayor, Mr. Hislop, on Saturday, when he accorded a civic welcome to the 1500 children who attended, the movement’ inent’s afternoon celebration in honour of its coming’ of age. He expressed surprise at the large gathering of children, ranging from as young as five years of age. This, he said, demonstrated the enjoyment Red Cross juniors obtained by playing their part and learning the great Christian doctrine of mercy through their school instruction in how to care for the sick. The Red Cross, in its internationallyorganized care for sick and wounded, was the symbol of mercy in the world both in peace and war. On occasions of civic or national emergency it was always there to help and was a vivid example of mercy as it was known in the truly Christian spirit. He concluded by expressing the hope that the Junior Movement might symbolize the active organization of men and women now serving as Red Cross seniors. The audience represented more than 60 Red Cross circles from approximately 35 primary and secondary schools, including members from the Makara, Hutt Valley, Muritai and Ohiro Bay districts. The groups, identified by hand banners, made a spectacular arrival as they entered the hall headed by the Wellington College Pipe Band. Teachers, uniformed V.A.Ds. and members of the Red Cross men s detachment, were in attendance. The official party was also piped m and included (the chairman. Mr. C. H. Chapman, who introduced the mayor; Sister L. G. Small, director of the N.Z. Junior Red Cross; . Countess Wodzicka, representing the Polish Junior Red Cross i Lady Myers, who has been associated with Red Cross work since the last war; .Miss 11. I. Crooke, director-general ot Red Cross V.A.’s; Miss T. E. Lissington, secretary of the Wellington centre; Dr. A. Gillies, president; Mr. Smith, hon. treasurer; Mr. C. G. White, Dominion chairman of the Red Cross Society; Air. Kennedy, representing thfe Headmasters’ Association; and Dr. Mulholland, Alisses R. Carwell Cooke, I’.. Pickett and Sellar, representing the Health Department. Following a gala programme, each child received h gift of fruit :ind sweets. “Neddo” (Air. E. Silver) acted as compere, assisted by Mrs. AV. DennistonWood, and applause followed the novelty items given by Julie Tappin, U' 1 p“ Brewer, Ron Commetti, “Neddo and Air. Liardet. Nancy Galloway led the singing for the Red Cross chorus. One of the highlights of the show, “Sergeant Rajah,” a performing pom., received an ovation for his military manoevres and dancing demonstrations, carried out at the direction of his owner. Air. F. Reichel, who stated that his pet had now collected nearly £5O for hed Cross patriotic funds with his amusing Airs. Al. S. Galloway and Air. G. Altllar, jut)., were the accompanists, and Commandant C. H. Long was the chief marshal of the procession, assisted by members of the Wellington city sub-centre Red Cross Voluntary Aid detachments.