HERE and THERE-

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 72, 21 September 1940, Page 16

HERE and THERE-

Fighting Plane Fund Shop Has a Good Day —Temperance Workers Advocate More Congenial Milk Bars in Camps—War Work First in Activities of Most Organisations.

Shop Rushed by Customers. The shop at 29 Willis Street in aid of the Fighting Plane Fund, which was opened yesterday by members of the Wellington branches of the Woodford House Old Girls' Association and the Wanganui Collegiate School Old Boys' Association, met with tremendous success. All day long and in the evening the shop was crowded, and although there was a large number of helpers, including members of both associations and the wives of "old boys," everyone was kept extremely busy. The goods for sale included everything from novelty gifts to produce and carcasses of meat, and the men shop-keepers were indispensable

when it came to serving customers with "cuts" of meat. By the end of the day £230 had been collected, and as the shop was also open this morning the final amount should be a good deal in excess of this sum. Soldier's Letter of Thanks. Arrangements for the dispatching of Christmas parcels to soldiers overseas were made at a recent meeting of the Paraparaumu Women's Institute. One member stated that she had put her name and address in a tin with a cake that had been sent overseas and had received a very nice letter of thanks from the young man who had received it. Mrs. Cuming gave a talk, describing a trip to Japan, and competitions were held. At Mrs. J. A. Doctor's Home. A very successful "coin afternoon" in aid of the Wadestown Presbyterian Church was held recently at Mrs. J. A. Doctor's home, Highland Park. Wood fires warmed the rooms, which were gay with spring flowers. Mrs. Doctor welcomed the guests wearing a model frock of fuchsia crepe de chine. The programme opened with two pianoforte solos by Miss Shirley Craig. Mrs. Merle Gamble contributed several songs, Mrs. Doctor accompanying, and a play-reading was given by Mesdames D. J. Davies and W. A. Martin and some character sketches by Miss Dorothy Seymour. Hutt Valley's Eager Co-operation. During the last week most enthusiastic meetings of women anxious to share in the burden of the war have been held in the Hutt Valley. At Petone, Lower Hutt, and Upper Hutt the following resolution was unanimously and enthusiastically carried:— "That this public meeting of women thanks the speakers for their addresses and desires to form a district committee of the Women's War Service Auxiliary to function in the Hutt Valley." The three Mayoresses, together with Mrs. H. Jowett, are making arrangements for a meeting of delegates from all women's organisations to form the committee. OnJ Monday night at 8 o'clock a meeting] will be held in St. Alban's Hall, Eastbourne, and will be presided over by the Mayor. Mrs. Atmore, the honorary organiser, will address the meeting. A hearty invitation is extended to all, women residents of the adjacent bays. Milk Bars in Camps. -| Much business was transacted at the recent meeting of the Brooklyn Women's Christian Temperance Union, j which was held in the Methodist Hall., The president, Mrs. A. B. Reed, pre-' sided. "The Attitude as Christians Towards Evil," was the subject of an address given by Mr. Jones, Brooklyn Presbyterian Church. It was decided to send letters of thanks to the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser and Mrs. Stewart, M.P., respectively, for supporting the union's efforts against wet canteens in Territorial camps. Mrs. Reed spoke on the benefits of milk bars in camps, saying that steps should be taken to put them on a more congenial basis. Mrs. Hiett, Dominion president, and Dominion officers were to be asked to co-operate in this work. It was announced that a total of £32 10s 6d had been contributed to the Sick, Wounded, and Distress Fund from the district. Tribute to Member's Airman Son. At a meeting of the V.M.C.A. ladies' auxiliary members stood in silence in respect of the memory of Mrs. J. Priestley's son, Pilot Officer Jack Priestley, who was killed in action, also for Mrs. Freeman's brother, the late Rev. R. Adair. After a short intercession of prayer Mrs. Kersley welcomed new members, Mesdames Parkin, Archer, Barton, Finlay, and Miss Burnley. Mrs. Young reported that the following organisations had attended to the Sunday night soldiers' teas for August:— Solway College Old Girls' Association. Social Progress Movement, Englishspeaking Union, and Wellington South branch of the League of Mothers. It was decided that individual members should organse small efforts for this month. Afternoon tea was served by Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Nimmo.

War Service Auxiliary's First Parade. The first parade of the Women's War Service Auxiliary will be held in the Buckle Street Drill Hall on Tuesday evening next at 8 o'clock. All women and girls who have registered are I urged to attend as training classes are in course of establishment and will be commencing immediately. Women and girls who have not yet enrolled are urged to do so at once and parade on Tuesday evening. Matters of vital interest with ■ reference to the women's effort in1 the war will be discussed. Hockey Club Dance Tonight. St. Joseph's Ladies' Hockey Club's annual dance will take place tonight in the Southern Colledge Studio, Man-

ners Street. A large crowd is anticipated and an excellent orchestra will provide modem and old-time dance music. Next Week's Police Ball. On Wednesday night of next week the members of the Wellington Police Force will given their long anticipated annual ball at St. Francis Hall, Hill Street. As these dances are noted for their excellent arrangements, dancers are looking forward to the coming event, of which further particulars are advertised elsewhere in this issue. Wadestown W.N.R. Party. Spring flowers were arranged in the reception rooms of Mrs. C. S. Eastwood's residence, Wadestown, for the occasion of a coin afternoon given recently by the Wadestown branch, of the Women's National Reserve. A musical programme was enjoyed, and also afternoon tea, provided by the committee. Solos and duets were sung by Mrs. Eastwood and Mrs. Echoff, accompanied by Mrs. J. W. Michelson, [who also played pianoforte solos, and i elocutionary items were given by Miss A. Louise Hall. Mrs. Otway, president, appealed for Christmas parcels for soldiers overseas, and those present gave generously to the fund. Three New Members. Mrs. H. F. Lowe presided over a recent meeting of the Stokes Valley branch of the League of Mothers. Mrs. Craig gave an interesting talk of a trip from New Zealand to England, via Vancouver. She described London with its wonderful parks, treasure houses, and its historical interests. A short admission service was conducted by Mrs. Lowe, three new members being enrolled, and a bracket of songs was sung by Mrs. Gillies, of Lower Hutt. Floral tributes were presented to Mesdames Craig and Gillies.

j Concert for Patriotic Funds. | The enjoyable concert given at the Wellington Girls' College on Thursday night and attended by a large audience, should substantially benefit patriotic funds for which purpose it was organised by the staff and pupils of the college, the Old Girls' Association, and the Parents' Association. The programme included songs by Miss Myra Saunders, lyrics by Rosa A. E. Knight, and music composed by Mr. H. Temple White, who was the accompanist. Miss Roma Bitossi gave recitations, and also led a community sing. Other performers were Misses j Molly Cook and Molly Withers (pianoforte duet), Pauline Craig, accompanied by Shirley Craig (violin solo), Viviene Rollings (recitation), Molly Cook (Spanish dance), L. Mclvor, B.■ Noble, A. Couse (operatic trio). A oneact comedy was produced by Mrs. W. P. Rollings, the characters being played by Misses Marjorie Packer, Beryl Stewart, Enid Kircher, Lilian Mitchell, Barbara Basham, Patricia Inns, and jEelyn Condor.

Twenty-five Years After. j Twenty-five years ago, Mr. H. Parsons left for Egypt on the day after his marriage. There was no time for celebrating the event, states "The Post's" Wanganui correspondent. This week, on the occasion of Mr. and Mrs. Parsons's silver wedding, nearly fifty guests, many of them soldier friends, met for a celebration at Hawera, when guests were present from Patea, Hawera, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Kaponga, and their own district— Whenuakura. Hamilton Voluntary Workers. Excellent work is being done "by the Women's Auxiliary Volunteer Corps in Hamilton in providing entertainment for visitors from the mobilisation camps at the Hamilton Soldiers' Club at weekends. Nearly 40 members of the corps assembled recently at the State Advances office and spent several hours typing files for the Fourth' Reinforcements and other units. The work was done voluntarily for the Army Department. Other typists in the town have also been of service to the Army Area office staff in helping with the immense amount of clerical work required to be done. For the Spitfire Fund. The Brooklyn branch of the Lady Galway Patriotic Guild has been busy raising money for the Spitfire Fund. About 60 guests recently enjoyed an j afternoon of bridge at the residence of Mrs. A. D. Alexander, the committee responsible for the success of the j afternoon being Mesdames Alexander, j Wright, Newton, Gilmer, and Fairhall. Mesdames Petrie, Christison, and Gair were in charge of the afternoon tea. The president, Mrs. D. C. Bates, welcomed * the guests and presented the prizes. Girls Entertain the Aged. A very happy evening was spent recently at the Home for the Aged and Needy, when a party from "Primrose" Girls' Lodge No. 1 entertained a large and appreciative audience. There was an enjoyable variety of musical, elocutionary, and dance items, also choruses by the combined company, and at the conclusion of the concert programme, supper was served by the visitors. On behalf of the old folk, the matron cordially thanked all the performers. To Live at Stratford. Mrs. Lewis Grant, who for so many years has been one of Wellington's favourite entertainers, is leaving the capital city this week to make her home in Stratford, where her husband has recently been appointed to the staff of the Technical High School. Mrs. Grant, as well as proving to be a versatile entertainer, has a keen flair for play producing. Her opinion and help in this work among adults and juveniles has benefited many societies. Her knowledge of elocution, in which she is a championship holder, dates back from childhood where she commenced her career in the Dunedin Competitions, competing with outstanding success right through the South Island, until coming to Wellington, where she taught in the schools and as a profession, later touring Australia to study in the Dramatic School in Melbourne, and from Sydney's foremost masters. Some years ago, in prologue work at the picture theatres her talent in comedy and drama was greatly admired. The Mothers' Union Progresses. Her Excellency Lady Galway, who is patroness of the Mothers' Union in New Zealand, was welcomed by the president, Mrs. H. St. Barbe Holland, when she came to speak to the large number of members who attended the annual meeting of the Wellington Diocesan Council recently. The annual report, read by the president, showed that the membership is now more than twelve hundred, in thirty-eight branches. Mrs. W. Bullock reported on the Women's War Service Auxiliary, co-operation with which is to be considered at a special meeting shortly. The excellent year's work in the Wanganui Archdeaconry was reported by Mrs. W. Lambert. Mrs. Holland was

re-elected president, with Mrs. W. Gough as secretary and Mrs. F. C. Long as treasurer. Her Excellency gave an excellent address (reported elsewhere) on the part mothers will play in postwar times and was thanked by Mrs. Wallis. On behalf of the members a lovely sheaf of spring blossom w?»8 presented to her Excellency. The hall had been decorated with beautiful flowers by the Karori branch, and tea was served under the direction of Mr?:. Sutton. Address on Massage. "The Elements of Massage" was the subject of a lecture by Nurse Lynch, of the Wellington Hospital, at a recent meeting of the Newtown division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. Far from being a modern aid to injured muscles and tissues, the art of massage had been known and practised by the ancient Greeks and Romans, said the speaker, in outlining the possibilities and limitations of the treatment. When skilfully applied, massage had i the effect of stimulating the circula- ] tion of the blood stream, and so pro- i moted the healing of the injured part. A keen interest was taken in the lecture, and on behalf of the division, Nurse Lynch was thanked by Superin- j tendent W. Whiteley.

New President's First Meeting. The September meeting of the Khandallah branch of the League of Mothers held a few days ago was the first meeting conducted by the new president, Mrs. P. P. Lynch. Four new members, Mesdames Clark, Diggle, Irwin, and Dale, were admitted to membership. The speaker for the occasion, Miss Irvine-Smith, who at a previous meeting had spoken of New Zealand flora, took as her topic the cultivated flowers of the Old World, as displayed in leading British flower shows. After giving anT interesting and most informative description of the contributions of some of the Empire's greatest horticulturists, Mirjs Irvine-Smith showed to how ;;rcat an extent these are now indebted f.o the flora of the countries within the Empire. The topic proved a most fitling prelude to the, district's spring| flower show. Musical entertainment was provided by the singing circle. A Vaudeville Atmosphere. | A highly successful concert was given recently at the Mt. Crawford Prison by Miss Esme Crow and her versatile concert party. The introduction of a series of amusing "thumb-nail" sketches, instrumental, vocal, elcoutionary and dancing items gave the show a real vaudeville atmosphere, which was greatly appreciated by. the men. The concert party comprised Mesdames E. Astill and M. Ring, Misses Esme Crow, G. Morgan, Rita Morris, and Messrs. Lou Mcllvride, H. Woolcott, and P. Cousins. Mr. Claude Sander was the accompanist.