LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 143, 18 June 1937, Page 9

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

GRANDMOTHERS' AFTERNOON

There was, a .goodly muster. of members, friends, and visitors from other branches at- the recent "Grandmothers' Afternoon" of the. Stokes Valley branch of the League of Mothers, y.

The president, Mrs. Cordirig, gave, a special welcome to two great grandmothers preserit, Mesdames Murphy, Taita, and Clifford, Lower Hutt, the latter, having twenty-one great-grand-children.

Mrs. Kersley'paid a glowing ■ tribute to the pioneers of the past, whose many sacrifices had helped to : make New Zealand what it is today. The speaker also explained the art of remaining young in _hind. It consisted in keeping enthusiasms and J being grateful for each day's experiences as they came' along. The Taita Madrigal Choir, under the batonship ?of Mrs. Dawson, rendered two glee items in a pleasing manner. An amusing recitation ■ in • costume, "Mrs. Harris Keeps on Coming." was given \by Miss yNannestad'. Mrs. Martyn-Wffliams recited "My Mother's)

Hands,"- a poem very appropriate to. the occasion. Mrs. Fortune gave pleasure with'her songs "Bless This House" and "Ten Dirty Little Fingers.

The speaker for the afternoon was Mr. Laurehson, Lower Hutt, who. depicted graphically the J simple, honest lives of the brave fisherfolk of the Shetland: Isles,; of ' a 'generation :ago. Their-"bill of fare" 'consisted mainly of "pa'rritch," fish, and broth, and was responsible for producing a fine.type of physique, fhe. tragedies? of the Isles were mainly: those of the;sea; which at times took heavy toll of lite. Churchgoing in slimmer-of ten meant a seajourney in an open boat,:in addition to a walk Jof some inile_. When winter came, it was a case of being snowbound. , Education, being hard to .obtain, was highly valued.' Sometimes1 it was possible to obtain.as tutor an Edinburgh student, during his threw months' vacation. The majority of the islanders were lh'ougliflu'l Jread'ers, and n4ny in time came to -fill responsible positions in various parts of the world. The speaker -was'heartily thanked for his entertaining: and instructive talk. . ' '■„ ".. An outstanding feature of the afterrioon'f'was ,the "Graiidmothers' Grand Costume March;" ..the ~ music- being played by.Mrs; Montgomery, The first prize for the best costume was awarded by' the judges to Mrs.'Warder,! Mrs, Bird being1 second, and the judges highly commending those of Mesdames Maclntyre, McCoy, and Hawthorn.,.. A box of sweets made by ?Mrs. Stephen was presented to Mrs. Dawson, leader of Taita Choir. " ■ ' Tokens of appreciation were also presented to the speaker for the afternoon, to Miss Narinestad, Mesdames Fortune ancl? Martyn-WilUams, and all the grandmothers in the hall were presented by- Mrs.1 Drew, the senior; member of Stokes Valley League, with a dainty lavender saJchet in remembrance of the occasion. ;' The singing of "Auld. Lang,Syne brought a' memorable afternoon to a Close. -'■ : r ■ • -A A ■Afternoon tea was served by Mrs. Wylie, assisted by Miss! MacGregor, Mesdames Stephen,' Harrison, Montgomery, Sibbe, Payne, Combe, and others.