AFTERNOON BRIDGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 95, 19 October 1937, Page 16

AFTERNOON BRIDGE

More than one hundred players attended an afternoon bridge party at the English-speaking Union's Clubrooms recently. The reception-room was decorated with bowls of tulips, cherryblossom, and lilac. Mrs. T. F. Walshe and Mrs. M. Hewitt were hostesses, Mrs. Walshe wearing a black frock and hat and silver fox furs. Mrs. Hewitt wore a beige, ensemble and a brown hat. Tea was served at the tables, Mrs. R. Usmar, Mrs. Cardy, and Miss E. Denton being in charge of the refreshments. Songs by Miss Stella Diracca and Master John Lyons were appreciated during the tea interval. The prize for the highest score among auction players was won by' Mrs. Murdock and contract by .Mrs. Howitt, Mrs. Smith winning the prize for the hidden number. Conveners of tables were Mesdames Kessell, Wright, Vine, Hain, Evans, Stringer, Wilkinson, Hannah, Cooper, Cameron, Frazer, Richardson, Vinse, Eaton, Newell, Baigent, Hands, Aston, Turnbull, Playne, Hornblow, Collins, Foster, Rose, Feist, Graham, Burge, Wybert, Burton, Jameson Murphy, and; Jordon, _, j

ful place in Bond Street, where they were fitted out to their own satisfaction and to that of a number of interested friends who came to see them when they were dressed. They had a special hairdresser, and Mrs. Nash was pleased to find that she was a New Zealander. She was the first to have her attentions, so she had to get up at four in the morning in order to leave enough time for the others. However, they had to be in the Abbey at eight o'clock, so with the rest of dressing, breakfast, and talk, the time simply flew. Mrs. Nash's first impression of the peeresses was of a "flock of beautiful birds," ior the .-feather headdresses made a great show. On the occasion of the State dinner party given by their Majesties,' Mrs. Nash felt herself fortunate as she was in the King's room and her partner was Mr. Malcolm Mac Donald.

Speaking again about >the Coronation, Mrs. Nash said that in their gallery. they did. not. see the procession so very well, but they saw the ceremony wonderfully, and she remarked that when the King had his first robes taken off and was waiting to don the next he "looked just a lovely boy." Her impressions <of the King and Queen altogether were most happy and charming. ROYAL CHILDREN. Realising that the Royal children are of great interest to New Zealanders, Mrs. Nash told a good deal about them. Princess Elizabeth looked after her small sister with the greatest care, adjusting her, coronet and train correctly before she attended to her own. Mr. and Mrs. Nash were among those asked to Buckingham Palace for luncheon, and the children came in later and greeted everybody. One of the Australian officials remarked to Princess Elizabeth, "You are not a bit like my little girls," ' arid when asked in what way they were different, he said, "Because your socks are pulled up so tidily," and the Princess confided,. "That was because Nannie pulled them up just before'we came into the room." Mrs. Nash said that the children do'not live in the Palace but in the beautiful White Lodge which is near by, and there also is their own play house, where they have a little kitchen, and brushes and dusters. Mrs. Nash . was much intrigued to' find that Princess Elizabeth when she came in took off her hat and coat, tidily folded the.one and hung up the other, and took off her gloves and smoothed them carefully, and saw that Margaret Rose did the same. That was a model for children all over the Empire whose untidiness in* many homes is very marked.

An immensely interesting time was the three days before the Abdication. The New Zealand ladies were given seats in the House of Commons, and Mrs. Nash was impressed with the almost unanimous acceptance of it, although much sorrow was felt. The three who spoke in favour of refusing to accept it, including Mr. Churchill, were simply howled down—it was a most thrilling occasion. Mrs. Nash was very interested to notice that the people outside were the same, and neither Sir Oswald Mosley nor anyone else was able to get up any demonstration. The unanimity of the nation and the Empire was marvellously demonstrated.

At one dinner party Mrs. Nash's partner was Lord Nuffield. At this they had a service of pure gold plate. Mrs. Nash was pleased with the flowers; they, were of dainty paster

in mother-of-pearl, worn above the veil of cream tulle, edged with gold. Her bouquet was of cream orchids and lilies of the valley. Behind her stood two bridesmaids, Miss May Sington and Miss Pamela Jacobson, wearing dresses of old gold wool crepe, with waist belts of bright gold kid, with head-dresses and shoes also gold. Each carried a spray bouquet of Alan Richardson roses. Mr. E. J. Rose was best man. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. E. Levine, who delivered a very thoughtful address on the significance of marriage in the Jewish faith. The music, always an outstanding feature, was intoned by the Rev. Isaac Goldston, and the choir took up the responses.. The organist played selections as the guests were assembling. A, reception was held at Claridges. Among New Zealanders present were Lady Myers (Auckland), Sir Reginald and Lady Tuck, Mrs. Lumley Frank, Mrs. Nat Maaskoff, Mrs. Leslie Harris. Bride and bridegroom will travel to Auckland via America.

shades and toned with the dinner service in a most artistic manner. Mrs. Nash told other matters of interest to women, and received not only close attention while she spoke but a very- hearty v6te of thanks when she had finished. BORSTAL MATTERS.

Miss Sewell gave an address at>out the work at the Point Halswell Borstal, and paid a tribute to the substantial help: she received from the members of the Borstal Association committee women in Wellington. She felt that all tfiat was done for the girls at the institution—and it was a great deal both in teaching good work and play be but a blind road if there was not some one to guide and help them when they left the Borstal, for they needed a great deal of kindness to help them on to the high road of citizenship. The fact that 87 per cent, made good was very encouraging. In the case of those who were lost in the sad byways it was felt that there were many reasons that led up to their downfall for which they were not) directly responsible. They were terribly "battered creatures" when they came in, and it took some time to bring them to anything like the standard of the other girls, and when they left former influences were too much for them. Miss Sewell concluded with a brief appeal to all present to help any of the girls if opportunity should offer. Mrs. R. Tait (chairman), who presided, expressed her pleasure that so many had come to the party, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the speakers and' entertainers. A few words of cordial welcome were expressed to Mrs. O'Shea, a committee member who has been greatly missed during her absence in England and abroad. Mrs. Tait also introduced Miss Fairweather, who will leave shortly to take up the position of matron at the Irivercargill Borstal, and she received many good wishes for the success of her work there. Among those present were Lady Myers, Mrs. Peter Fraser, Mrs. Lee Martin, Mrs. Dallard, Lady Pomare, Mrs. T. B. McNeil (hon. treasurer), Mrs. Ashton-Chisholm (hon. secretary), Mrs. W. Perry, Mrs. Sprott, Lady Frazer, Mrs. J. O'Shea, Mrs. W. M. Page, Mrs. C. Gaby, Mrs. H. F. O'Leary, Mrs. Calder, Mrs. Cowles, Mrs. H. P. Lawry, Misses Richardson, Mrs. Steptoe, Mrs. Findlay Martin, Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. H. F. Norman, Mrs. Rabe, Mrs.. Granger.