"HAPPY CHRISTMAS"

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 146, 18 December 1933, Page 13

"HAPPY CHRISTMAS"

A KINDLY EFFORT

The usual party of friends ivho have for the past ten or twelve years provided a -Christinas party for the prisoners iv Wellington Gaol, gave a muchappreciated entertainment at Mount Crawford Prison on Saturday afternoon. Tho Presbyterian Social Servico Association provided their usual excellent meal, which was set in .the long corridor with white napery amidst very beautiful flowers brought by the ladies from their own gardens and supplemented by a fine bunch given by Mr. MacKenzie from the Botanical Gardens., The ladies who. made the arrangements were Mesdames Caldcr (president), Bedgrave, Nicholl, R. Tait, Webster, Grant, Purdie, Bell, and Miss Bell. Mrs. Stephenson, president of the Social Service Association, was also present. Plags were lent, and the men had decorated tho concert room with these, greenery, and flo Avers, so, that the whole place was bright and cheerful,-- the worlc being well and tastefully dono. Tho superintendent (Mr. .J. Doavu) welcomed the visitors cordially, and spoke of the appreciation felt for the kindness shown, to the men. , He also apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Controller-General of Prisons (Mr. B. L. Dallard), Mrs. Dallard, aiid Mrs, Chatfield. Mr. Edgar, J.P., was asked to take tho chair, and the Key. W. B. Milne spoke of the occasion of the party, giving an interesting little address. He also led the singing of Grace. Mr. Norman Aitken, as usual, provided an excellent entertainment, which was enthusiastically received.' Those, who took part were Mr. J. Cooke, Mr. N. Aitken, Mrs. Wilfred Andrews, Mr. Boss Williams, Mr. Claude Moss, Mrs. Amy Woodward, Mr. Ted Edwards,, Mr. K. Rigby. Mr. Harry.Wilson made a splendid accompanist, and Mr. J. Cooke led the community singing, which, was undoubtedly a pleasurable exercise. Tobacco and cigarettes wore collected by Mrs. M. H. Chatfield, the following contributing:—Justices' Association, £1 Is; Mr. J. o 'Shea, 10s; Anonymous, ■ ss; .tobacco and cigarettes, etc., from W. D. and H. 0. Wills (per Mr. Hunt); cigarettes, Messrs. Johnston and Co. (per Mr. N. Aitken); cigarettes, Mr. N. Aitken. The "smokes" provided a considerably part of the enjoyment, audi were greatly appreciated by all. Motor-cars wero supplied by Mrs. Nicholl, Mrs. Bell, Mr. Glover, Mr. H. Wilson, Mr. C. Moss, Mr. Norman Aitken, and the Justice Department. Mr. , and Mrs. Down entertained all the visitors at a very pleasant afternoon tea at their residence after tho concert was over. . ;■ ■ Messrs. Longmore (chairman), Edgar, and Arcus, members of the Justices' Association, attended, and showed much interest in the effort. ,