HERE and THERE-

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 140, 10 December 1940, Page 12

HERE and THERE-

I A Thoughtful Gift. Convalescent soldiers are now domiIciled at what was formerly the Presibyterian Girls' Home at Severn Street, i Island Bay, and they are often visited !by members of the ladies' auxiliary |of the Wellington Hospital. Mrs. H. B. Parsons, a member of the auxiliary, arranged a delightful evening recently, when the men were entertained with a concert programme and the auxiliary presented the home with a pianoforte, to the cost of which Mr. David Taylor had made a handsome contribution. When making the presentation on behalf of the auxiliary, Mrs. O'Leary, president, expressed the hope that the men at the home would receive as much happiness from the instrument as the auxiliary had in presenting it to them. Miss Brown, matron of the home, thanked the donors, and also those who contributed so willingly to the evening's programme, Mesdames Courtenay Beveridge, Williams, i Jones, and Bernard Webb, and Messrs. H. F. Wood, A. A. Stark, and L. Quinlan. The visiting party for the occasion also included Dr. Thome, medical superintendent of the Wellington Hospital, and Mrs. Thorne, Miss Clark, lady superintendent, and members of the ladies' auxiliary executive. Dr. Thorne complimented the ladies on the work they were doing for the men who were laid aside for the time being. Drama League Aids Bed Cross. The Junior "Drama League is growing in popularity, and three branches, Karori, Eastbourne, and Hataitai-Kil-birnie, are looking forward to their first performance on Saturday at the Central Library Lecture Hall, under the capable production of Mrs. Holthouse, Mrs. Wiggs, Miss Mather, and Madame Bligh. Surplus funds will go to the j Red Cross/ ]

Catholic Services Club Popular.

Another enjoyable,weekend was held at the Catholic Services Club. All the Services were well represented and' the men were entertaind with pingpong, dancing, and community singing. The hostesses were the members of the Sacre Coeur Old Girls' Association. Generous donations of food were made by the Sacre Coeur Convent, Mrs. T. Coltman, and Mrs. T. P. McCarthy. The helpers were Mesdames J. O'Donovan (president), Cornelius, B. T. O'Connell, Mirams, T. Birks; Misses Paddy and Rosaleen Bourke, Cassie O'Donnell, Barbara Jackson, Claire Mack, Kura and Biddy Coltman, Eileen O'Meaghan, Ethel McEnroe, Kathleen Goodson. Mollie Wilmot, Suzanne Hughes, Helen O'Leary Fay, T. Dwyer, Marie Preshaw Ailsa Homan, Connie Rodgers, Meg Stott, Sheila Mac Donald, Rosalind Martin, Pat O'Brien, Siabrah Lynch. Flo Fitzgerald, Shirley Bohan, M. Bridgeman, and Paddy and . Moira Dougherty. Children's Christmas Party. Mrs. Peter Fraser represented her husband, the Prime Minister, who is a vice-president of the Wellington Aftercare Association, at the children's Christmas party given by the association yesterday afternoon. Mrs. C. Stewart, M.P., who is also a vice-presi-dent, was among those who gathered to admire the skilled handcrafts made by the children during the year under Mrs J. W. Widdop's direction. Before the special tea party, Molly McFarlane and Thelma Morton sang, and choruses were given by others of the guests of honour, who played games while their mothers and friends looked on. Presents were distributed from a large Christmas tree. The association's committee, which was well represented at the party, has the folloving officers:—President, Mrs. E. J. Moore, J.P.; vice-presidents, the -Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), and Mesdames C. Stewart, M.P., D. Carter, D. Coutta, and F. E. Ward; hon. secretary-treas-urer, Mrs. H. Chapman; committee, Mesdames Widdop, Thornley, Jameson, Carter, J. C. Andersen, Smuts-Ken-nedy, Misses F. Lowe and Eagar. Ewart Hospital Patients Entertain. Each year the patients at Ewart Hospital, assister" by the sister-in-charge, entertain their friends at a gar- ; den party and on Saturday there was a particularly large attendance of visitors for this year's occasion. Patients and visitors were entertained by the Port Nicholson Band and by the Caledonian Pipe Band, which played outside .on the lawn, and Miss Hazel Martin's pupils danced on ai raised dais. Much amusement was provided by "Charley" the clown. "Mystery parcels," eagerly sought by the visitors, were sold to assist the patients' benefit fund. The many guests included members of the Hospital Board and staff. "Ad Astra." Members of the Wellington branch of the Wanganui Girls' College Old Girls' Association met recently at a social evening held in, the Victoria, League rooms. The president, Mrs. A. B. Gibbons, in welcoming those present, spoke of the work done during the year by the knitting circle. Many knitted articles such as socks, gloves, scarves, and balaclavas were displayed, and a number of garments, it was stated, had previously been distributed (o soldiers and sailors. Mrs. Gibbons was thanked for having made available the room in town for the use of the knitting circle throughout the year. Flowers were presented to her and also to Mrs, Hardie Boys. Mrs. Wild, and the secretary. A travel talk was given by MrSj R. Wild, and items by Mrs. Hardie Boys.

Gift Of A Piano For The Use Of Convalescent Soldiers—More Reports Of Last Weekend's Entertainments For Servicemen —Many Hot Meals Served At National Club—Yuletide Festivities.

The sewing circle of the Wellington central branch of the New Zealand Union of Townswornen's Guilds (Inc.) held a luncheon party recently in the Patriotic Committee rooms, Wakefield Street. The guests were members who had sewed for refugees and soldiers during the year. Mrs. James Pow, Dominion president of the guild, thanked those who had assisted her in again topping the street day collections, her stand at Stewart Dawson's corner netting £116 10s lOd. Mrs. Gabriel and Mrs. Davy'were'specially .thanked for their unflagging help during the year, specially in connection with the sewing group. A presentation was made to Mrs. Pow. Mothers' Final Meeting. Mrs. B. L. Dallard presided at the final meeting for the year of the central branch, of the League of Mothers. Mrs. Dallard read the letters of the Rev John Gilkison, Missioner, of Nailu, Papua, which told of the life of the natives and the wonderful work being done for them. Items by the choir were enjoyed and each member received roses in appreciation. Farewells to Mrs. N. W. McD. Weir. A number of farewell parties have been given recently in honour of Mrs. N. W. McD. Weir by the many friends she has made during her residence in Auckland. After haying been in Auckland for over two years, Mrs. Weir is to join her husband, Brigadier Weir, in Wellington. Apart from assisting her, husband in the many calls made upon him during the period he was Officer Commanding the Northern Military District, Mrs. Weir has taken an active part in war work. She was a vice-president of the Remuera branch of the Red Cross Society, and also organised a band of helpers to staff the canteens at Epsom, and later at Avondale.

Large Sum Raised For Patriotic Work.

In a year the Oriental Bay-Rose-neath branch of the Women's National Reserve Residential Nursery has raised a total of £111, free of expenses, for the nursery funds. The nursery, established during the last war, cares for the children of soldiers' wives wtto are needing a holiday or who are ill j and cannot afford reliable help. Payment is made according to circumstance. In addition, £143 14s 4d.has been allocated to patriotic organisations, the Victoria League Navy League, V.M.C.A. teas, London distress fund, and soldiers' parcel fund, each benefiting by considerable donations. The final bridge effort for nursery funds was held early this week when tribute was paid to the president, Mrs. j Walshe, for her wonderful work, and the branch's thanks extended to the treasurer and secretary. The final party for patriotic funds was held on Thursday when £10 4s 8d was made. A cake, produce, and flower stall did brisk business and members were kept busy collecting donations, etc. Committee members who helped included Mesdames Walshe, Stringer, Kissell, Duncan, Turner,. Burton, Parkinson, and Longmore. National Club Hospitality. On Saturday nearly three hundred men of the Forces were entertained to meals and a tea dance at the National Club. About 100 of these had hot meals, another 100 had buffet meals, and the remainder simply attended for entertainment. Misses Hazel Robinson and June Saint were the hostesses and their helpers were Misses Josephine Russell, Ruth and Celia Pavitt, Jean Lennie, Myrtle Appleby, Mavis Jack, I. Mason, M. L. Smith, and Mrs. W. B. Parker. On Sunday, when members of the Wellington North National Party electorate were in charge, about 100 hot meals were served. Miss Madge MacGregor was convener and she was assisted by Mesdames A. S. Moreley, G. Jackman, and Misses Phyllis Healey, .Agnes Peffers, Norma Round, Laure Neilson, E. Richardson, and F. Gibson. Dance iiecitai. The pupils of Miss Gertrude Shardlou, M.R.A.D., were seen in a recital at the Concert Chamber last week. Miss Gracie Kerr assisted with several elocutionary numbers. The dancing of "Toy Land" by the babies was a delight and amusing item. Other pupils taking part were Audrey Allardice, Kathleen McDonald, Freda Bartlett, Betty Woolhouse, Patricia Galatte, Avil Rafter, Marjory Cornwall, Pauline Bierman, Noeline Mardon, Erina and Wendy Mills, Peggy White, Naomi Estall, Phyllis Pickett, Margaret Healey, Joy Dobson, Miriam Genet, Patsy Harris, Vivienne Lesley, Ann Seymour, Deric Arnol, and Stanley Bircham. Logan Smith, and Jack White. The studio cup for the highest marks in the Royal Academy examinations, was won by Miss Betty Woolhouse. Th.c mothers of the pupils presented Miss Shardlow with a necklace of pearls and a bouquet and Mrs. Shardlow also received a bouquet. Concert Benefits E.S.TJ. Fund. A concert in aid of the E.S.U. patriotic fund was recently given in the English-speaking Union rooms by Miss Doris Black (soprano). Mr. Ray Trewern (tenor), Miss Loretto Cunningham (pianist), and Mr. Robert Henry (accompanist). Besides pianoforte solos the programme included a varied selection of songs and arias from grand opera. The concluding number was a duet from "Rigoletto," sung by Miss Black and Mr, Trewern. The concert was in aid Of the E.S.U. patriotic fund.

Plunket Vacation Dance. School holidays will be given an added impetus next week by the Plunket Society's vacation dance which the young people's committee plans to hold on Tuesday at Sr. Francis' Hall Guests are invited to wear short frocks and flannels on this occasion as the committee feels that the weather is becoming too hot for "dressing" up. A special meeting will be held at the Plunket rooms, Kent Terrace, on Monday at 10 a.m., when boys and girls back in Wellington from boarding school will be able to join local young people in consultation about ways and means of organising the dance. All are invited. ' Among the Ceramics Passengers. A number of New Zealanders who were passengers in the Ceramic, which was involved in a collision in the South Atlantic in August, have reached Auckland. Among them is Lady Allen, wife of Sir Stephen Allen, who is at present serving with the Expeditionary Force in Egypt. Lady Allen has brought her daughter to New Zealand. Another is Miss P. G. Lusher, who has been studying in England under a scholarship awarded by the New Zealand Federation of University Women. Miss Lusher took up her scholarship at University College, London, and after the outbreak of war continued her studies at Aberystwith, in Wales, to which portion of the college was evacuated. Other New Zealanders are Mrs. A. J. Harrop, who h:s brought her two children to the Dominion, and Miss Noel Horrocks, who was doing war work in London for several months before she left on her'return to the Dominion. The Owner of "Rodgers Farm." . j The death occurred on October 23, after 18 months' illness, of Mrs. Rose Jessett (79), of Oakdene, Ansty, Sus- j sex, states "The Post's" London corres- j pondent. At the beginning of the Great j War she opened her house, Rodgers Farm, Wivelsfield, as a convalescent home for New Zealand solders. The late Sir Thomas Mackenzie (then High Commissioner) was a friend of the family. Mrs. Jessett's eldest son served in the Otago Mounted Rifles and was j wounded in the Dardanelles. Servicemen at Tawa Flat. j A dance for Tawa Flat members of the New Zealand Forces and their relatives was given recently by the residents of the district. • The guests of the evening were Privates W. Charlton, A. Shaw, and W. Shaw, and Air-gunner Whitcombe. The local members of the Returned Soldiers' Association paraded. Mr. Bothamley, on behalf of the Porirua sub-branch of the R.S.A., briefly addressed the men. Mr. G. Turkington presented engraved leather wallets to the special guests Private A. Shaw thanked the residents for their gifts. Bouquets were presented to Mesdames Charlton, A. Shaw, W., Shaw, and Whitcombe. The local school j harmonica band, under the leadership of Mr. Hooker, gave several items, solos were sung by Mesdames McKeown and Lawsoh and Mr. Strathmore played the concertina. Music for the dancing was played by Messrs. Wilson and Leadley. Evening For Residential Nursery. A successful bridge evening was held recently at Mrs. D. H. Taylor's beautiful home in Island Bay for the Berhampore branch of the Residential Nursery. Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Blingkinsop, Mr. and Mrs. Hodson, Mr. and Mrs. Melville, Mr. and Mrs. N. G. Forbes, Mesdames Barrett, Chatfield, McMillan, Key, Kerr, Lamberg, Clerke, Smith, Whitehead, Flint, Glenn, McKenzie, White, Lyons, Dighton, Toothill, Pearson, Theai-gold, Meyer, Misses Barrett, Plimmer, and Taylor were among those present.