CHRISTCHURCH DEBUTANTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 40, 15 August 1940, Page 16

CHRISTCHURCH DEBUTANTES

Instead of entering a candidate in the forthcoming Air Force queen carnival, the staff of J. Ballantyne and Co., Ltd., decided to hold a dance during race week to assist the Air Force Relations Fund, states the "Press." The dance held on Tuesday in the Caledonian Hall, Christchurch, was most successful. Two debutantes—Miss Helen Acton-Adams (Kaikoura) and Miss Barbara Smith (Waratah, South Canterbury)—were presented to Wing Commander Sir Robert Clark Hall and Lady Clark Hall, Wing Commander ,$. & gQ&sen gag Mrs. Hodsoiv

Marjorie Vause, the wardrobe mistress, Miss Patricia Gledhill, and to Miss Valeric Hickie, who was leaving the party. Mr. Harrison was accorded musical honours. The party gave a performance at Palmer Head last Sunday afternoon. School Dance Tonight. The ladies' auxiliary of Wellington Girls* College has arranged a school dance for the pupils tonight from 7.30 to 10.30 o'clock. Parents are invited to attend with their daughters. Supper contributions will be welcomed. Grand National Week. The early morning rain which threatened to spoil the opening day of the Grand National Meeting in Christchurch on Tuesday fortunately held off, but the cold wind and wan sun had a marked effect on the frocking of women racegoers and warm and serviceable clothes were the order of the day. Mrs. Arthur Elworthy, wife of the chairman of the Canterbury Jockey Club, wore an emerald green frock under a fur coat, a sable stole, and a brown felt hat trimmed with a small veil. Mr. Elworthy, who has been ill, attended the meeting, but did not preside at the "official luncheon, his place being taken by Mr. George Gould, the honorary treasurer. Luncheon guests' included Mrs. Gould, Mrs. Elworthy, and racehorse owners and racing club officials from all over the Dominion. Wellington was represented by Mr. C. M. Turrell and Mr. W. A. lorns. Farewell to Choir Leader. St. Andrew's Hall was decorated with blossom, wattle, and spring bulbs when members and friends met recently to celebrate the eighth birthday of the Plimmerton Women's Institute. The guests of honour, Mesdames Synott, Barnicoat, and Wright, and Miss Maddever, were welcomed by the president, Mrs. Sinclair, and presented with shoulder sprays. Telegrams of greeting were received from Miss Amy Kane, New Zealand president, and Mrs. Victor Lloyd, and floral greetings from sister institutes. The programme included humorous sketches, and solos, duets, and items by the choir. On another recent occasion opportunity was taken of bidding farewell to the singing circle convener, Mrs. Tunnicliffe, before her departure for Cambridge, where she will make her future home. The president and several members spoke of the good work done by Mrs. Tunnicliffe, who had inaugurated the Plimmerton Institute choir and trained it over a period of three years. A spray of flowers and a black evening purse were presented to the guest of honour. A musical programme was enjoyed. Obituary* The death occurred recently of Mrs. Ada Helena Bowden, wife of Mr. R. E. Bowden, Salek Street, Kilbirnie. She was the youngest daughter of the late Mr. E. Thirkell and the last surviving member of his family. Mrs. Bowden. who was married in Wellington, lived for 24 years on the Scarborough Run. Queen Charlotte Sound, which property was farmed by her husband. Then, with her husband, she lived for 21 years in Wellington. She is survived by her husband and two sons, one of whom is in Palmerston North and the other in Wellington. A daughter, Mrs. Violet Lochore, died six years ago. There are seven grandchildren. Traveller's Return. .An interesting talk was given by Mrs. Jack Murphy (formerly Margery Wiffen) to the members of the Wellington College Old Girls' Association Social Service Club in the club rooms recently. The speaker told of her trip to England and her impressions of London, Holland, and Belgium. Mrs. Murphy has only been back in Wellington a few months, her husband being in Egypt with the anti-tank corps. Mrs. W. O. Urquhart presided, and supper was served by the committee. Dickens Fellowship. The Dickens Fellowship held its first meeting of the year recently, there being a good attendance of members and visitors. The president, Mr. W. D. Charlton, read a resolution commending very highly the work achieved by the retiring secretary, Mrs. N. Cruttenden, since the inception of the Fellowship. This was carried by acclamation, and Mrs. Cruttenden was accorded musical honours. Miss Bennett, on behalf of the committee and friends, presented her with a handsome leather portfolio and two posies made by Mrs. Gilmour (the new secretary) and Miss Young. Mr. Charlton gave a concise summary of "Great Expectations," the book to be studied this year. Mr. Val. Jones gave several solos, including "There'll Always Be An England," and Mrs. Wakelin played the accompaniment* y - *

ful garden of their Sussex home. This was designed by Lady Conan Doyle. A sword represented her husband's fight for the weak and for truth; a torch, his work ih spreading the knowledge of spiritualism; a rising sun, the ] light which would come to the world as a result of that knowledge; a book, his literary work. In her room overlooking the garden, Lady Conan Doyle lay desperately ill for many weeks comforted by the belief that her husband was watching over her. Hutt Valley Youth Busy. With a substantial sum -donated to the Red Cross appeal fund to their credit and a further sum of £25 (the proceeds from their last dance) recently handed over to the Mayoress of Lower Hutt to allot at her discretion to different patriotic objects, .the co-ordinated groups of young people's association's known as the Hutt Valley Youth Campaign continue to arrange dances and social evenings for the benefit of patriotic objects with unabated enthusiasm. Following the policy of alternating big dances representative of all the organisations affiliated to the campaign with smaller arid more intimate gatherings, the latest undertaking was a very happy studio dance, held last night in the Eva Draper studio at Lower Hutt. It was attended by about a hundred young people from the Hutt and Petone. Many kind friends contributed to the supper and in other ways to make the evening a success. The proceeds from both this and the next venture planned, a "superstition ball-" will be devoted to a patriotic object to be selected at the next committee meeting.

Tawa Flat Residents' Gesture. Leather pocket wallets with initials engraved were presented to soldiers of the Third Echelon at a social and dance at Tawa Flat last week. Local members serving with the Echelon are Lieut. M. J. Mason, Corporal A. H. Topham, Sapper A. Hale, and Gunner K. Topham, and Private Darlington. Mr. Don Nairn has joined the Fleet Air Arm. Presentations were also made by Mr. G. Turkington (on behalf of the tennis club), and Mrs. Dwyer (Women's Institute president), they, with Mr. E. Hook and Mr. J. Barclay (president of the Porirua sub-branch of the R.S.A.) making suitable speeches. Local members of the R.S.A. paraded into the body of the hall and marched to their places on the stage. Already two similar functions had been held at Tawa Flat, Mr. Barclay stated. He knew that local volunteers would acquit themselves well, when called on, as had one local man who had been in the River Plate battle. He referred to the unusual circumstance of honouring father and son, Corporal and Gunner Topham. The R.S.A. sub-branch was taking a fatherly interest in those who had enlisted, and in years to come the men would prove for themselves the association's readiness to "stand by." Lieut. Mason replied. Bouquets were given Mesdames Mason, Nairn, and Topham. Before supper the Women's Institute staged a national tableau and items were given by Mr. Hooker and his school harmonica band. The music for dancing was supplied by Miss Long, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Leadley. Arrival of Dancing Examiner. Miss Josephine Bradley, vice-presi-dent of the Imperial Society of Ballroom Dancing, London, arrived in Auckland by the Mariposa yesterday, and is due in Wellington on Monday. Miss Phyllis Bates is giving a reception for Miss Bradley at her studio on Monday at noon and will be assisted by members of the organising committee, Misses Eva Draper, Marjorie Newport, and Mr. Southern Colledge, all of whom are members of the Imperial Society. Teachers, exteachers, and professional students who would like to attend are requested to notify one or other of the committee at their earliest convenience. Miss Bradley will '■ conduct examinations, and classes by arrangement with the committee. Private lessons also may be arranged with her. Examinations will be held in Australia and it is probable that on her return to England via New Zealand in October further examination arrangements will be made. Ceremony at Golden Gate. Members and friends of the Paremata Red Cross sub-centre gathered recently at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Bradey, Golden Gate, Paremata, for the presentation of homenursing certificates. The guests were received by Mrs. Bradey, who wore a green frock with cyclamen accessories. Councillor F. Bradey, who was accompanied by his wife, presented the certificates. He congratulated the society on its success since its inception and spoke warmly of Mrs. Roy Bradey's splendid work for the society. The fact that all had passed, five with honours, was a tribute to her capabilities as a lecturer. Afternoon tea was served, after which Mrs. Hornig (president) thanked Mr. and Mrs. Roy Bradey and Mr. and Mrs. F. Bradey for their encouragement. The committee wishes to thank all Paremata residents and friends for their support, especially during the appeal, and the teachers and pupils of the Paremata School, who have worked constantly for the sub-centre since its foundation.