HERE AND THERE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 96, 20 October 1931, Page 11

HERE AND THERE

St. Barnabas Babies' Homo. A most enjoyable and successful afternoon bridge party was held recently by the committee of St. Barnabas Babies' Home. Among those present were Mesdames Gentry, Nalder, Renai, Macarthy Reid, Kane, Wilson, Esson, Jowett, Hart, Hylton, Kolfc, A. Gibbons, E. Gibbons, Quaintrell, Taylor, Gompton, Upham, and Diekonson. Donations were gratefully received from the following: —Mesdames J. G. Coates, W. Watson, A. H. Miles, C. M. Banks, E. Coloridgc, Gordon Kemp, K. Preston, H. M. Nalder, A. N. Slater, H. Desborough, G. W. Barltrop, F. Hurley, Misses F. Bell; I. Fawset, M. Wylie, E. Brown, Messrs. Compton Smith, Nalder, Hurley, Heays, M'lntosh, Rev. E. M. Cowie. Conference Hospitalities. Arrangements have been made to entertain the delegates to the annual conference of the Chambers of Commerce and their wives, and to give them as pleasant a time in Wellington as possible. A "social evening" will be held at the Adelphi Cabaret on Thursday evening, which will be attended by the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, and the Minister of Industries and' Commerce, the Mayor of Wellington,' and other representative people. Dancing and bridge will form the amusements, and supper will be served. Special entertainment will be offered to the delegates who remain over the week-end in the form of tennis, bowlsj and other sports, while the Racing Ohib has extended courtesy invitations for the meetings on Saturday and Monday. Private invitations have also _ been issued, and an afternoon tea for the ladies is being given at the D.I.C. An Ancient London Craft. Mr. W. J. Passingham tells an interesting story in "P.L.A. Monthly" of the fast-disappearing Spitalfields weavers. They are descendants of Hugenot silk weavers who settled in London as fugitives from Prance. The weavers live in two-storied cottages especially designed for their work, which is mainly silk cloth for expensive neck-ties and Jewish prayingshawls. A recent order for squares of hand-woven silk revealed that the weavers are three months behind with orders ijrom many European capitals and from New York. Silks for the ceremonial wear of the King and Queen and Royalty s generally are woven by these - Spitalfields weavers. The art of silk-weaving by hand will soon be lost, it seems, for there are no apprentices to take the place of the old folk who are mostly between sixty and seventy years of age. The palmy days of the.industry were about sixty years ago, when thousands of yards of hand-woven plushes, velvets, and corded silks were regularly exported to all parts of the world. There were at least five hundred masterweavers in Spital Square, in the very heart of London, who kept thousands of folk in the surrounding neighbourhood occupied as weavers, warpers, winders, throwsters, and dyers. A Garden Party. A number of. Eastbourne residents availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting the beautiful gardens of Mr. C. H. Child's residence, Nikau street, on Saturday last, when a garden party ivas held. The Rev. W. Raine mtTOduced the Mayor, Mr. S. Fisher; who congratulated Mrs. Child and Mrs. Girdlestone on their successful effort, 1 which was in aid of the forthcoming bazaar at St. Alban's Church. Ulster Association. Myriads of Mr. Albert Russell's joy • germs were liberated in the Rechabite Chambers last evening, when the Ulster. • Association held another re-union ,and^ social evening. -There war'a; large; gathering of members and friends, the; . capacity of tho building being taxed to the utmost, Mr..S. H. Ferguson was i an efficient M.C., and ltept things merry • and lively throughout the evening. A 1 programme of dances, interspersed with' i. musical items, and games, occupied the i evening. Songs were ■ contributed by . Mesdames Coventry, M'Rae, and Wat--1 son, a«d a duet by the Misses JTerguspn.- ---: Miss Ferguson'provided excellent dance, music. A delightful: sapper, for which ■ Mrs. and MissM'Bae were cchieflyra- ' sponsible, was much appreciated. Mr. Ferguson announced that the associa--1 tion had appointed' Messrs;. M'Rae and Smith as visitors to' the sick, and appealed to those "present to advise the secretary (Mr. H. W. May) of any who were laid aside through illness in hospital or elsewhere. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne brought to a close a very happy evening. , End of Season Dance. The Diamond Football Club held a most successful "End of the Season" . dance in Miss Margaret O'Connor's ; studio recently, over 120, members and j supporters being present. The presi- } dent of the club, Mr. A. G. Barnett, took . the opportunity of presenting the •members of the senior team with the Auld Memorial Medals, won during the sea- ! son, and also the intermediate team I with photographs. Among those present . were Mrs. Tanner (who wore black \ ninon and white taffeta), Mrs. Aspen '. (lemon voile), Mrs. Colpns (black . georgette). Mrs.. Merry., (black; lace), t Mrs. Farrington (navy blue. crepe de , chine), Miss Baker (black rayon), Miss t Kilgour, (dream net and satin).