HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 72, 22 September 1939, Page 12

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

WAR VETERANS' REUNION

(From "The Posts Representative.) South African War veterans of the Hutt Valley held their annual reunion on Wednesday evening, when nearly 250 guests were entertained at a most enjoyable dance in the Taita Hall.. With the associations of so long ago remembered down the years, the spirit j of comradeship grows more intense as the number of these veterans gradually diminishes, and the happy friendly atmosphere, set by old comrades, and carried on by sons and daughters held sway over the cheery gathering. Tall palms and greenery flanked the stage and led up to the Union Jack suspended above the centre front, while on the side hung the South African War Veterans' ensign embodying in its vivid stripes the colours of the different South African States. Tubs of crimson rhododendrons and stands of tangerine poppies made bright splashes of colour. An excellent orchestra provided a comprehensive programme of modern and old-time dances. Mr. H. Kitchener made an efficient M.C. Apologies were received from Colonel B. Mabin and several veterans who were absent on military duty. Mr. J. W. Andrews, Mayor of Lower Hutt, was present later in the evening. The committee responsible for the arrangements of this highly successful function comprised Messrs. F. Kitchener (president), P. W. Willson, A. Harper, A. Tompkins, J. Waldie, J. Pesceni, and J. Jackson. They were ably seconded by a capable committee of ladies who were in charge of the delicious savoury supper which was served in several relays at tables beautifully decorated with bright ribbons and tall vases of poppies and jonquils. The committee was as follows:—Mrs. J. Pesceni, convener (who wore prunella novelty crepe), Mrs. F. Kitchener (petunia angel crepe), Mrs. R. Tompkins (lace brocade in floral design), Mrs. J. Waldie (eau-de-nil lace), and Miss Jessie Pesceni (moss green lisse). • Generous Action. Strong support for the recentlyformed Petone branch of the Bed Cross Society was shown by the capacity house at the big Labour Hall, Petone, on Wednesday night when a most enjoyable concert was held in support of this cause. The concert was originally planned by Messrs. N. H. Rowse, H. Kingdon, and members of St. Augustine's Church to further the Wellington Cathedral Fund, but with the outbreak of war it was decided, with the consent of the Cathedral Fund organiser, to divert the proceeds to fill . this urgent local need. The very satisfactory sum realised will "be used to provide the new branch with the necessary equipment for classes and demonstrations in first aid, home nursing, and hygiene and sanitation. The Rev. H. S. I. Kenney, vicar of St. Augustine's, spoke briefly on behalf of the parish, and Captain M. S. Galloway, general secretary of the Wellington Red Cross Society, also attended later in the evening. Those who contributed items to the well-balanced and most enjoyable programme were Misses Peggy Milne, Betty Barnes, Phoebe Lawson, Messrs. Ivan Lawson, B. Treseder, K. Brooker, and J. Jervis (songs), Misses Cynthia Lawon, Dorothy Jenness, Anne Rowse, Betty Ford, Joan McDougall, Heather and Margaret Wright, Helen Smith, Messrs. Gregory Bland, Jack Blake, and B. Goodfellow (dances), and Misses Patricia Collins, Ailsa Ramsden, and Phoebe Lawson, Messrs. Gordon Teward and Trevor Constable (elocutionary items). The Billie Stevens School of Dancing presented two ballets, "Tapping the Classics", and an attractive song and dance number, and the male quartet, "The Harmony Four," provided as the concluding item an exceedingly popular bracket of songs. The accompanists were Mesdames G. N. Taylor, L. N. Boyd, N. Smith, and Miss K. Bartosh.