HERE and THERE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 10, 11 July 1940, Page 16

HERE and THERE

Parcel Party at Petone. Mesdames H. Firth and H. Jay were hostesses to nearly thirty guests at an afternoon party held recently at the latter's home in Ava Street, Petone. The hall and reception rooms looked most attractive with floral decorations of multi-coloured poppies and narcissi, making a pleasant setting for the informal concert programme presented. Pianoforte solos were rendered by Mrs. F. Anderson, and several charming songs were sung by Cynthia and Ivan Lawson. A delightful talk on the New Zealand poetess, Gloria Rawlinson, was given by Mrs. K. Crookenden, who illustrated her address with readings from her works. As a result of | the party a large number of parcels ! were handed to Mrs. J. C. Burns, Mayoress of Petone, towards the quota for the next packing day of parcels for soldiers. Countrywomen's Conference. Mrs. Noel Adams, Clevedon, Auckland, Dominion president of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union, will arrive in Wellington this week. Prior to commencing meetings of the division, Mrs. Adams will attend the conference of Women's War Services' Association. The Women's Division of the New Zealand Farmers' Union has decided that instead of the fully, representative Dominion conference usually held in Wellington in July, to call together a much smaller but representative body this year. These meetings will begin next Tuesday at Dominion headquarters, 114 The Terrace, and will continue on Wednesday and Thursday ii the Masonic Hall, The Terrace. Every aspect of the division's activities will be reviewed, but the main theme of discussions will be subjects of national importance at the present time, particularly the co-or-dination of countrywomen's war work and the establishment of specific wartime efforts for members of the Division. Nervous Millionaires. Nervousness about conditions in, Europe is believed to have prompted Countess Haugwitz-Reventlow to make arrangements which she completed in May to transfer the insurance on part of her jewellery from Lloyds to American companies, states an overseas exchange. The former Miss Barbara Hutton's jewellery is said to be insured for more than £500,000, but her secretary stated that the amount involved in the transfer is "a good deal less."

All-Maori Programme,

One of the largest and most successful functions yet sponsored by the Petone Women's branch, of the Metropolitan Patriotic Committee took place in St. Augustine's Hall, Petone, on Tuesday afternoon, when well over 100 women attended an "all-Maori" concert. The programme was arranged by Mesdames H. Firth and M. J. Daniell in conjunction with the Mayoress of Petone, to benefit the Hutt Valley Maori Girls' Club fund for comforts for the Maori Battalion. Ptoi dances, canoe dances, solos, and action songs were delightfully rendered by a group of club girls, and a fascinating talk on Polynesian legend and the folk lore of Rarotonga was given by Mrs. Rio te Whiti Love. The knitting and provision of parcels and comforts for the battalion undertaken by the Maori Girls' Club is to be carried out in conjunction with the work done by

the welfare committee established by Lady Pomare for the same purpose. To make the necessary arrangements four members of this committee attended the entertainment on Tuesday as guests of honour. They were Mrs. Peti Parata Olsen, who is to act as liaison officer between the two organisations, Mrs. Popiki, Mrs. C. Toomer, and Miss L. Mowbray. It was decided that the girls would meet each Tuesday night to sew and knit for the Maori soldiers and that one whole day each month would be set aside for the packing of parcels by both organisations. In addition to the sum of over £6 realised by the afternoon's entertainment, a number of parcels from well-wishers were received which will form a welcome nucleus for the first Maori packing day. Third Birthday Celebrated. At the third birthday celebrated by I the Brooklyn branch of the Methodist Women's Missionary Auxiliary, a birthday cake was donated by a member. There was a large attendance, which included visitors from other branches. Mrs. Gilling presided, and solos were sung by Mrs. H. Nicolson and duets played by Mrs. MacAllister and Miss Sutherland. Interesting letters from Miss Rishworth, the Dominion president, and from Solomon Island sisters were read. i

Maori Girls' Work for Maori Soldiers— Activity in the Hutt Valley—Some Bright Ideas in Sydney for War Work—Paragraphs of London News.

Members Busy, A good supply of warm garments was contributed in response to an appeal for clothing for refugees at a recent meeting of tha Wallaceville Women's Institute. The knitting circle also handed over a good supply of woolly comforts to the Patriotic Society. The making of string baskets and bead bags was demonstrated by Mrs. Spackman. The hostesses were Mesdames Wallis, Simpson, Scaife, and Sawtell, and Mrs. Hopkirk presided. A "cup and saucer" afternoon held recently proved successful. The programme included community singing, games, items by the choir, songs by Mrs. Wilmot, and a short play. Patriotic Work in Eastern Suburbs. So far 100 parcels have been forwarded by the Wellington East Metropolitan Patriotic Committee to the central depot for dispatch to soldiers overseas. The committee reports that the response by the public in the eastern suburbs in contributing towards providing every man overseas with a parcel has been all that could be desired. A house-to-house collection, organised by the Seatoun sub-commit-tee and directed by Mrs. J. Murphy, met with much success in the Seatoun area. At a recent meeting the-Wel-lington East committee thanked all who had helped by donations, etc., and in particular the shopkeepers of Kilbirnie (a most successful "shop day" in aid of soldiers' comforts having been held recently), and Mrs. H. Parish (who has placed her dressmaker's shop, 28 Coutts Street, at the disposal of the committee as a permanent depot). Lyceum Club Entertainment. Three one-act plays were presented by members of the Lyceum Club in the clubrooms last night. The plays were "Behind Lace Curtains," "Sally Sees It Through," and "The Green Monkey," and those who took part were Mesdames E. Kinnibrugh, Willoughby, Wilson, Thompson, Castle, A. McDonald, Henry, D. A. Herbert, Misses M. E. P. Ahem, L. O'Donoghue, A. Keasberry, and Mr. I. Fitzgerald. ■ During the intervals between plays songs were sung by Mrs. D. A. Herbert and Mrs. K. W. Conner. Mrs. Eames was the accompanist, and Miss Dorothy Downing played a pianoforte solo. German Governess Imprisoned. Charlotte Seckel, a 20-year-old German, formerly employed as a governess by Lady Margaret Drummond-Hay, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Hamilton, was sent to prison for three months at Salisbury, England, for saying she was an American, states an exchange. Inspector Yeoman said that a police officer who examined the register of the Westleigh Hotel, Salisbury, saw the entry "C. Seckel," and against nationality "Acquired American." The girl, he added, admitted she was a German, saying, "I was so very conscious of the fact,, and did not want anyone- to know." Construction Company Dance. The fourth dance to be held by the staff of the Fletcher Construction Co., Ltd., took place in the Assembly Hall, Brougham Street, recently. Mr. J. J. Craig, manager, welcomed the dancers. The hall was decorated with signs depicting the progress of the company, and a novel idea, representing the Residential Construction Company, was the front section of a house placed across a corner of the hall for the official party. Items were provided by Mr. and Miss Thompson, of Southern Colledge Studios, who gave an exhibition of ballroom dancing, and the1 pupils of Miss Adeline Burnette gave a Scotch Reel and an Irish Jig, accompanied by bagpipes. The' committee responsible for the arrangements comprised Mr. W. Mahony, M.C., Miss M. Douglas, and Messrs. G. R. Gunn, G. Hurcomb, G. Chave, H. Saunders, E. Richards, and W. Curgenven. Pre-weddingr Parties. Many friends have been entertaining at parties for JMiss Pam Chapman, whose .marriage to Mr. B. Weir will take place next week. Miss Shirley Spears, a bridesmaid, gave a "green ; and yellow kitchen" tea at her home in Bidwell Street, and Miss Joy Mc- , Neil, who will also be a bridesmaid, : entertained at a "blue bathroom" tea .at her flat in "Earlscourt." Guests s took presents for the pantry to the i party given by the Misses Margaret ; and Alison Armour at their home i at Wellington College, and tea towels ■ were presented to the bride-elect last : night when Mrs. J. G. Iliff entertained at Hawker Street.

Sydney Boys Help in War Work.

War work in Sydney has been mailtained at a record pace, some women's organisations having 2000 and more knitted comforts to their credit. Among the latest activities to start is a sock repair depot, run by the New South, Wales Ladies' Golf Union. A spacious room has been acquired where socks may be left and these are laundered! before they are mended by the union's members. An Anzac buffet has been, established in- Hyde Park and once a fortnight the voluntary workers ara assisted by a group of lads between the ages of 10 and 15. The boys entertain the men of the three Services at the buffet with their band. The men dance- to Its accompaniment, and; the lads know nearly all the popular tunes for sing-songs. In the last week} of June they arrived at the buffet with, two huge boxes of groceries and cash donations amounting to £2 12s 6d. Medical Missioner's Talk. A talk on "Syria" was given by Miss Ethel Friis at a recent meeting ol : the Wellington Girls' College Social Service Club, held in the club rooms. Miss Friis, who is an old girl of the college, has worked in Syria for the last four and a half years as medical .missionef and had some interesting incidents to tell of the strange customs of the people. Mrs. W. O. Urquhart presided and Miss Roma Bitossi thanked Miss Friis on behalf of the members. Supper was served by the committee. Lady Galway Guild. The Mayoress, Mrs. «T. C. A. Hislop, has called a public meeting, to be heldl in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, on Monday next, at 3 p.m., of all thftsa interested in the formation of a Wellington branch of the Lady Galway Patriotic Guild, whose function is-the provision of clothing for war refugees. The purpose of the Wellington branch will be to co-ordinate the work being done in this connection in the (Wellington metropolitan area. ■;} Delegate's Comprehensive Report;: At the recent meeting of the Woifcien's Study Circle, Mrs. Chapman,) ijha circle's delegate to the National Council of Women, having first stated aims and objects of the National Coun? cil of Women, gave a comprehensive report of the work carried out by that organisation last year. She also read a paper on "Housing in' New Zea« land," written by I. Jamieson, and; fanother paper written by Miss E., An* drews on "Education in New Zealand. A discussion on the subjects took piacf and Mrs. Chapman was warmly -apl plauded. .-.-.'! Boyhood's Problems. "The Training and Physical Educa* tion of Boys" was the subject of anfr interesting address given by Mr. C. L» Cato, director of the Hutt Valley} V.M.C.A., at a meeting of the Moera* Waiwhetu League of Mothers on Tuest^ day. Five new members were eni • rolled at the admission service pre* ceding the meeting, and a motion of sympathy was passed to Mrs. Fleet one of the foundation members of thi branch, on the death of her husband* Pianoforte and vocal solos were giveii by Mesdames G. Strickland and -P. Rt. Dunkley. Ngaio Plunket's Effort. The committee of the Ngaio branch! of the Plunket Society held a "brini • and buy" stall at the Plunket rooms recently. The weather was fine and} business was brisk: r> The committee re* ported that it was entirely due to thd splendid support given by the mothers that this effort was so successful. "Never at Sea." One of the neatest, most apt mottoei of the war has been adopted by th 4 Women's Royal Naval Service in Eng» land —"never at sea." The motto ha<s its inspiration in the fact that the wo* men though employed in many varied kinds of work for the Royal Navy never go to sea and never get bustled. Miss Betty Archdale, who was captaiA of the English women cricketers u$ Australia in 1935, and who was to cap* tain the English team, scheduled ttf tour last summer, is an officer in tha WiR.N.P. Miss Archdale, as well as being a distinguished sportswoman, ik a graduate in law, has ."eaten her duty ners in the middle temple," and wai for some years secretary to Miss Ellen Wilkinson, M.P.