FOR MEN ON LEAVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 40, 17 February 1941, Page 10

FOR MEN ON LEAVE

WEEKEND HOSPITALITY

V.M.C.A. TEA PROVIDED BY ANONYMOUS DONOR

A gentleman who wishes to remain anonymous, provided the food for the /tea for soldiers served at the V.M.C.A. yesterday by members of the girls' auxiliary. There were about 200 men present, and, as usual, they were entertained with a concert programme and community singing. Mr. W. Hindle led the community singing, Mr, Mann being the pianist, and vocal solos were given-by Mr. Hopkins accompanied by Miss Nola Pritchard, Mrs. A. Downer accompanied by Mrs. L. Winley, and Mrs. Amy Woodward. Mr. and Mrs. W. Appleton were among those present, Mr. Appleton being the chairman. WORKERS BEHIND THE SCENES. A member of the executive, when speaking to a representative of the "Evening Post," ; paid a high tribute to a band of about 30 members of the Women's War Service Auxiliary, who, under the leadership of Mrs. \M: J. Bentley, help behind the scenes as it were every weekend at the V.M.C.A. "They are truly remarkable," he said. "They do all the 'donkey work'—making the dormitory beds, serving the breakfasts, washing up and staffing the cloakroom. They turn up every weekend without fail—in fact they are as dependable as p y aid workers." MANY HELPERS AT Y.W.C.A. The Y.W.C.A. was, as usual, well patronised by men of the Forces at the weekend; On Saturday the helpers were members of the Wellington Ladies' Croquet. Association from the Mount Victoria, Island Bay, Seatoun, and Karori branches, together with Miss A. D. Rennie, Mesdames R. McInness, Jeffs, Symonds, Odey, and Miss Woolley. Miss L. Beere, Driver T. Blake, and Private .Xi S. Kingdon entertained during the interludes of dancing. The helpers on Sunday were Mesdames de Shriver and Roberts, Misses Rennie, Ballard, Christie, McGhee, Graham, Gamon, Seeley, Phillips, M. Groom, G. . Groom, Lawson, Stewart, Smart, Piper, Hawke, Macdonald, Walker, Dick, Bruce, B. Oxley, Schehill, J. Oxley, P. Sotham, M. Fleming, M. Martin, and A. Knpx. Pianists for the community singing were Misses M. Bissett and V. Whitlock.

Hostesses during the weekend were Mesdames J. S. Martin, A. Gardner, J. T. Holland, Misses L. W. Bridgman, L. Jourdain, and J. Cowern. On duty in the lounge were Mr. and Mrs. Robson, Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Martin, and Messrs. Graham, Tennet, Grigg, and Robertson. The service on Sunday was taken by Dr. Laird. A very attractive programme was presented by Mrs. Dorothy Jesson 'on Sunday night, and included a sketch given by Misses L. Hancock and Buchanan and Messrs. W. E. Cathie and Diedrichs, items by the Ngaio Ladies' Sextet, and violin solos by Miss Ida Lockwood. A.N.A. WORKS OVERTIME. The A.N.A. Club had a particularly busy weekend, as many servicemen made the premises in Willis Street their headquarters while on leave. On Saturday the dance, at which Miss Denise Puttick and Miss V. Laurenson were on duty, was attended by about 400 young people, and on Friday, when Miss Patsy Ashbolt and Miss D. Harris were in charge of the dancing, there ■ was almost an .equally large attendance. Nearly 100 men were given an evening meal in the cafeteria on Friday and on Saturday the numbers rose to 120. During the week those on duty in the cafeteria were also kept very busy. The executive was assisted during that time by Mrs. P. Eraser's party, Mrs. Ashley Duncan's party, the Junior Navy League, Air Force Relations, and. many individual helpers. Several substantial hampers from the country and one from Khandallah made a welcome addition to the pantry. The country, gifts came from the Manakau Patriotic Society (per Mrs. Marshall Miles), and from the Younger Set. ■' BEANS ON THE MENU. . Fresh beans were on the menu at the National Club on Saturday when, as usual, scores of men of the fighting services attended for a three-course dinner. After a meal many stayed on for the National Union's tea dance which is run simultaneously, and. those who were not hungry enough for a

full dinner took their partners into the buffet for light refreshments. Miss Patricia Hogg was in charge of the union girls who were on duty in the kitchen, dining-room", and buffet, and her committee of helpers included Misses C. L. Smith, Vera Wiren, PhiJ Whelan, Pat Inglis, Betty McLaren. Ruth Pavitt, and Nancy James.

On Sunday members of the Wellington North electorate of the National Party took their turn as hostesses and provided the men using the club for recreation with morning and afternoon teas, light meals, and suppers as required. Miss Madge McGregor was convener and she was assisted by Mesdames A. S. Morley and G. Jack man, and Misses E. Richardson, G. F. Gibson, A. Peffers, N. Round, and P. Healey.