HERE and THERE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 148, 20 December 1939, Page 16

HERE and THERE

French Consul Present. The Groupe Francais of the Y.W.C.A.! held its final meeting for the year recently. The guests of honour were the French Consul and his wife, M. and Mme. Pouquet. The evening opened with the singing of the "Marseillaise." Miss Valeric Vercoe then welcomed M. and Mme. Pouquet, and the Consul replied. The programme included two piano duets by Misses Shirley Kay and Claudia Simon, groups of French songs, in costume, a French play, and novel games and competitions. During the evening Mme. Finlayson, leader of the club, was presented with a small token of appreciation. Supper concluded the meeting. Among those present were mothers and friends of the club members, and Misses J. Turnpenny, V. Dawson, J. Di*ury, B. Butler, M. Hamilton, T. Hamilton, M. Parsons, R. Dowden, M. Ohlsson, and G. Steeds. Presentation from Staff. In Parliament Buildings on Monday members of the staff of the Legislative Council and others assembled to bid farewell to Miss Audrey Ambrose, who is shortly to be married and who for the past two years has been in the office of the Leader of the Council. The function was arranged by Misses Veitch and Kraft and Mr. de la Perrelle, and took the form of an afternoon tea. The Hon. Mark Fagan, Speaker of the Council and former Leader, and the Hon. W. Wilson, Leader of the Council, sent expressions of regret that they were unable to be present, and on their behalf Mr. C. R. Knowles, private secretary, made Miss Ambrose a presentation from them and from himself. He referred to her excellent work, and expressed regret at her impending departure. Mr. G. F. Bothamley made a presentation from members of the staff associated with Miss Ambrose. Tea at the Hotel St. George. The women's branch of the Bureau Club, as a final wind-up for the year, met in the lounge of the Hotel St. George last week. Afternoon tea was served from tables gay with pink carnations and gladioli, arrangements having been made by the president, Mrs. A McCardell. Members present included Mesdames McCardell, Fleming, Norton, Sutherland, Baldwinson, Tanner, Wells, Hoffman, Broady, Kilpatrick, Underdown, Scott, Gray, and Tanner junior. The Final. Card Party. There was a fairly good attendance at the weekly card party of the Kilbirnie auxiliary branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association at the clubrooms, Bay Road, last night. Mesdames L. Gray and C. Leathwick won at bridge, Mrs. Thomson and Mr. J. McClatchey at "500," and competitions were won by Mesdames H. Wood and G. d'Emden. During the supper interval the secretary, Mr. H. M. Harris, thanked the guests for their loyal support during the year, and conveyed the executive's seasonal greetings to all. He intimated that the functions would be resumed on January 9. Mr. B. C. Cull, on behalf of the guests, reciprocated the good wishes of the executive, and expressed the wish that 1940 would see the world at peace. He added that he hoped the proposed new home of the auxiliary would become an accomplished factKnown In New Zealand. "The Post's" London correspondent states that the engagement is announced between Patrick, youngest son of the late David Bryce Gillespie and Mrs. Gillespie. of Fruitvaje, 8.C., Canada, and Diana, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. Bayntun Ching, of Remuera, A/shley Park Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. The bridegroom-elect was in the New Zealand Division for three years from 1935.

A Dance Recital. The Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Wednesday evening was the scene of a talented display of dancing by pupils of Miss Hazel Martin. The performers, whose ages ranged from two years and upward gave a programme of songs and dances. At the conclusion of the recital the pupils presented Miss Martin with a reading lamp and a travelling rug. Mr. Cree, who acted as stage manager, wished Miss Martin every happiness on her forthcoming marriage. Numerous presentations were received by everyone. Those who took part in the dance recital were Edna McFadgyn, Ngaire Bray, Rita Morris, Betty Paynter, Doreen McClusky, Pat Gillespie, Allan Van, Norman Draper, Pat and Joan Monnie, Valeric Allan, May Barker, Kevin Nolan, Lewis and Maureen Wallace, Molly and Doris Ogden, Fay Coleman, Vera Swanson, Billie Little John, Eilleen Cole, Bell Cree, Jack Hannan, Fred Mildove, Helen Standige, Joy Hoffman, Shirley Greeenbank, Procyon Williams, Margaret Henry, Joan Gallagher, Marie Whyte, Donald McCree, Mavis Vicars, Pat McErnerny, Jocelyn Good, Sheila Browne, Joyce Dixon, Flo Turner, Pat Luff, Volaire Jacobs, Joyce and Marjorie Morgan, Maurice Coddle, Billie Ponds,' Irene Davie, Patricia Mooney, Joan Gregory, Marie Sawyers, Marie Cording, Meskal Brady, Jean Sommerville, Pat and Barry i Hatch, Mickey Ponds, Joy Irving, Ruth Delmonte, Jean Healy, Valma Littlejohn, Valrie Baker, and Phyllis Ponds. Gifts for Members' Children. ! Christmas carols were sung at the recent meeting of the Trentham Women's Institute and a solo was contributed by Mrs. Heaphy. The arts and crafts circle held an exhibition and a prize for. the best exhibit was awarded to Mrs. Cooper for her brass firescreen. The children of members were entertained at afternoon tea, each receiving a present and a bag of sweets. Good business was done at the "mystery" stall. The cushion competition was won by Mrs. Cuneen, and Mrs. Borck won the prize in a musical parcel game. Two Meetings Recorded. The final meeting for the year of the Plimmerton Women's Institute was held recently. The hall was gaily decorated and Mrs. McDermid received many members and visitors. Competitions and carols given by the singing circle, were enjoyed, and a humorous recitation was given by Mrs. Beeby. An observation drawing test was won by Mrs. Warwick Thompson. An exchange of Christmas gifts was made. The November meeting was also very well attended. The guest speaker was Mrs. Huse (Hutt Valley), who gave a talk on some of her experiences when visiting England and the Continent. The speaker was presented with a posy of flowers. The singing circle,, with Mrs. C. L. Tunnicliffe at the piano, sang two part songs before afternoon tea was dispensed by the hostesses. Portraits of New Zealanders. The names of two New Zealanders figure in the autumn exhibition of the Royal Society .of Portrait Paintei-s, in Piccadilly, states "The Post's" London correspondent. They are Mrs. A. Elizabeth Kelly (Christchurch) and , Sir Harold Gillies, the plastic surgeon. Mrs. Kelly has two portraits hung; Sir Harold, an artist himself, this time forms the subject for a portrait. He is seen fixing a fly beside a quiet stream flowing through lush green country. , The artist is Bernard Adams, R.P. Mrs. Kelly has made two studies in pink— "Lorna" and "Margaret." Both women : are wearing delicate pink dresses; the former-is in profile. , .• •

Bridal "Showers." Several parties have been given recently for Miss Una Sievwright, whose marriage will take place in the New Year. On Saturday afternoon she was guest of honour at a party given at Mrs. Alex Rule's home, Sefton Street, Wadestown, Miss Edna Emerson receiving many friends, all of whom had gifts for the bride-to-be. The large drawing-room was gay with roses, sweet peas, and carnations in shades of pink, Iceland poppies, and marigolds contrasting with the hall's dark panelling. Miss Sievwright wore a frock of printed siltc in autumn tones and a black hat and accessories. She was entertained recently at a farewell party given by women officers of the Department of Agriculture, of which staff she was a member. Those present at Miss Emerson's party were Mesdames A. Yule, C. Sievwright, J. Emerson, E. T. Taylor, Bell; Misses A. Sievwright, N. Hamerton, JTurner, V. Anderson, E. Hutchinson, M. Costello, V. Purcell, J. McLean, N. Brimer, H. Hartung, and E. and A. Emerson. Varied Mannequin Parade. A colourful mannequin parade was presented in the English-speaking Union rooms recently by the "Homemakers' " groups of Catholic Action for Young Women. Green palms flanked a dais and the course taken by the mannequins, who paraded a diversity of clothes for the summer season. Instructive talks were given in conjunction with the parade on "The Art of Dressing," by Josephine Matthews; "Deportment and Poise," oy Joan Fanning; "Diet," by Mavis Miers; "The Care of the Skin and Hair," by Trixie Hargreaves; and "Beauty of Character," by Hilda Birks. Miss Pat Jansen was commentator and Miss V. Larsen was at the piano. Coats were featured in the parade and chic suits in mustard and black, or in x checks, brown, and navy, were popular. Frocks included swing skirt models, Edwardian /petticoat types, and sports wear models. Dirndls were shown and an American influence was observed in house-coats and lounging pyjamas. Many beautiful evening gowns were worn. After the parade supper was served by the "Homemakers." Left Oxford to Join the Army. Mr. and Mrs. Cecil M. Manson (nee Celia Drummond, Masterton) have been living at Putney since their marriage in France. On the outbreak of war they went to Handcross, Sussex, to stay with Mrs. Manson's sister, Mrs. T.1 G. C. Evans, whose husband is in the Army, states "The Post's" London correspondent. Mr. Heugh Drummond has given up his studies at Balliol College, Oxford, to join the Army. Authoress Buys Island. "All my life," said Rosita Forbes, well-known explorer and popular novelist, "I have been looking for some place of irresistible beauty to make my home. Now I have found it." Her island, one mile long and half a mile wide, lies in the West Indies. It is called Eleuthera, and is eighty miles from civilisation, states the "Sydney Morning Herald." Lovely stretches of sunbathed sands suggest long, lazy days, and the climate should be ideal for the leisured existence. Eleuthera is not uninhabited. A small, self-sup-porting community has lived there for many years. These people are thought to be descendants of William Sayle, leader of a band of Puritans who tried to colonise the island to escape persecution in England. Some of them are almost white. Miss Forbes's house, which she designed herself, is already in course of construction. "It had to be a bungalow," she remarked to a friend, '"becauset I could not draw a staircasej" i