HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 84, 9 April 1938, Page 18

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

RED CROSS SOCIETY

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

The annual meeting of the Lowerl Hutt sub-centre of the Bed Cross Society took place last night at ','Casa Loma," the residence of Mr. John Mitchell and Mrs. Mitchell (president of the centre),' who, after the meeting concluded, entertained the members with a delicious buffet supper and a short musical programme. Mr. J. W. Andrews presided, and expressed the pleasure of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell at seeing so many present. He read a letter from Captain Galloway, of the Wellington Red Cross, who.js now in Australia, expressing his appreciation of the fine work done by the Lower Hutt branch of the society. Mrs. Mitchell, presenting the annual report and balance-sheet, acknowledged donations for the Far East Relief Fund and thanked the Mayor and Mayoress for their unfailing kindly help and sympathy. She reported assistance being given from the Red Cross rooms in obtaining doctors' services and medicines, and in the distribution of clothing and footwear, particularly for children who were being sent to the Health Camp. The Red Cross ball in May and the benefit dance for the Far East Relief Fund had both been eminently successful, thanks to the promoters, organisers, and those who had supported these functions. With the assistance received from the churches, Bible classes, sports bodies, private donors, and other organisations, £216 13s 4d was the tota.l sent from the Lower Hutt Red Cross to the joint council, and £22 9s had accrued to the general funds of the society from the first-mentioned'; function. Mr. Andrews said no praise was too high for the society's work among the sick and unfortunate of the district. He congratulated them upon the credit balance, which, though essential, was only a subsidiary factor in comparison with the great humanitarian balance to the credit of the society. Speaking of the important position which the Lower Hutt branch occupied in Red Cross circles and of the high esteem in which the whole movement was held throughout the country, Dr. Alexander Gillies, president of the Wellington branch of the society, said £7500 had resulted from the joint appeal for the Far East Relief Fund, and was.now being carefully administered in China, where the need for aid had been-.by.no means overstressed. Two doctors,-one from the Lower Hutt, were now serving there. Recent generous donations had made it possible for the society to appoint in the near future a director of Red Cross work who would be responsible for its, organisation and extension through the Dominion. The Rev. H. T. Peat spoke of the delight with which the Ministers1 Association identified itself 'with the work of the society. : , - The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patroness, Lady Roberts; president, Mrs. John Mitchell; vicepresidents, the Hon. W. Nash, Messrs. J. W. Andrews, D. A. Ewen, N. Gillespie, C. Odlin, H. Teagle, A. Leslie, C. J. Ashton, J. Mitchell, the Revs. H. E. K. Fry, H. T. Peat, J. E. Lopdell, T. Macky, Messrs. Hayes, Lloyd, and J.< Fletcher; secretary, Mrs. J. Rusden Salt; treasurer, Mrs. C. Burnley; 'hon. auditor, Mr. L. V. Phillips; committee, Mesdames Mitchell, Andrews, Thompson, W. H. Smith, W. N. Walker, A. Elbe, A. Davies, C. J. Ashton, C. Burnley, Webb, ,L. Scqpn, L. Foster, :W. P. Williams, J. R. Salt, arid Messrs. W. H. Smith, IL Hayes, C. Ashton, J. Mitchell, and Garner Williams. In the short programme which followed Mrs. Noel Taylor rendered two charming solos, Mr. H. Peat gave recitatives with accompaniments, and amusing monologues were presented by Mrs. Hugh Lower. The drawing-room, where the meeting took place, was lit with rose-tinted lights, and late roses, dahlias, and autumn-tinted flowers and berries were used for decoration; in the dining-room a clear crystal bowl- in which tiny goldfish turned and bubbled occupied the centre of the buffet table. It was encircled by a low trough filled with maidenhair fern and golden nasturtiums which exactly matched the fish, while a large aquarium tank beneath the window showed an attractive display of goldfish in a rocky, weed-fringed habitat. Mrs. Mitchell was wearing a handsome gown of black chiffon velvet with a deep cape-jabot and scarlet flowers. She was assisted by Mrs. Foster (in coffee-coloured lace) and Miss Olive Buttermore (wearing black crepon with intricate lace panels). Visitors from the Wellington Red Cross Society included Mrs. E. W. Lamberg, Major Porteous, and Mrs. Dennistoun Wood. Farewell Dance. A cheerful and friendly dance was given as a farewell to Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Beale by the social committee of the, Hutt Valley Electric Power Board in the R.S.A. rooms on Friday night. Mr. and Mrs. Beale (who was wearing a frock of clove-pink floral ninon) are leaving the district shortly to reside in Southland, and carry with them the best wishes of their associates expressed by Mr. E. F. Hollands, general manager of the board, in a brief and happy speech. The committee which arranged this pleasant occasion consisted of Mr. J. B. Grey (chairman), Miss G. Gubbins, Messrs. H. E. Mcßain and Mrs. Mcßain (|i gold embossed crepe satin), Mr. and Mrs. C. Miller (black lace), and Mr. G. Montague.