CITY HOSPITALITY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 60, 8 September 1941, Page 4

CITY HOSPITALITY

SERVICEMEN ON LEAVE

MINISTER OF DEFENCE VISITS Y.W.C.A.

The Y.W.C.A. provided hospitality to large numbers of men from all branches of the forces during the weekend. The association was visited on Saturday evening by the Minister of Defence (Mr. F. Jones), wh<~ spent some time observing the facilities which are provided each weekend, and jn conversation with committee, members, men of the forces, and girls of ;the Y.F.H. Club. Mr. Jones'also went to the dance organised by. the Y.W.C.A. for the members of the W.A.A.F. and held in the Rechabites' Hall. Helpers in the

cafeteria were girls from the Vacuum Oil Company, the Railway Department, and the Wellington College Old Girls' Association. The service on Sunday was conducted by Colonel Hayes. After tea Miss M. Greenwell, recently-ap-pointed secretary of the Y.W.C.A. in Palmerston North, spoke on her experiences in Wales and India, and an enjoyable concert was given by the Wellington College old girls. At the dance for the W.A.A.F. members the hostesses were Mesdames Darley, Carpenter, McInnes, and Miss J. Cowan. Helpers with the 'coats during the weekend were Mesdames Gittings, Peacock, Robson,Miss Stephenson,' and Messrs. Martin, Robson, Thomson, and Clarke. CROWDS AT THE WEEKEND. The numbers of servicemen who attend, the Army, Navy, and Air Force Club each week now run into thousands. Country hampers help considerably towards relieving pressure on funds for food, and last week the executive was grateful for a substantial gift from the Martinboroygh Mayoress's patriotic committee (per Mrs. Chapman)', and for several sacks of vegetables. The Otaki Women's Patriotic Committee sent a big carton of jam. The Air Force Relations continue ,t'ogive stalwart service each week kTthe cafeteria, staffing and provisioning the, club every Friday. This work has been carried out since the cafeteria was opened. Others who assisted during the week were members of the Eng-lish-speaking Union, A.N.A. Girls' Auxiliary, and A.N.A. helpers. The weekend dances were as popular as ever, and yesterday scores of men, kept indoors by the heavy rain, crowded round the radiators in the lounge and. for entertainment in the ballroom upstairs. Men who played extras over the weekend were: O.C. J. P. Monro, Signaller P. Collins, Seaman J. McLean, and Pte. P. Parata. Other servicemen also entertained. Friends of the club are reminded of the comforts committee's mah jong and bridge evening in the ballroom on Thursday, September 25. CINDERELLAS BUSY. Friday night at the Cinderella Club was a bright occasion, when a squad of men* from Trentham Camp marched in after a dinner, and joined forces with men of the R.N. and R.N.Z.A.F. for dancing and games. The club was decorated with spring flowers, and supper was served by the Cinderellas.. On Sunday evening Mr. Thorn provided tea. Songs were sung by Miss Winifred Bruce, of Ashburton, accompanied by Mrs. Allen. SPINSTERS' CLUB INNOVATION. So many' men of the. three fighting Services visited the Spinsters' Club yesterday that members were kept very busy, particularly at tea and supper, time, when the' supply of crockery was unequal to the demand.' To alleviate the situation on.future occasions; the club would be grateful for donations of cups and . saucers from anyone, interested in its voluntary entertainment .of soldiers. Among the large crowd present yesterday were ;a number of men returned from, Fiji ana! overseas, who had previously frequented the club. They were interested in the new clubrooms, where camellias, grape hyacinths, spring bulbs, and poppies were effectively arranged. Some entertaining "magic" items were performed by Mr. C. Lindsay. An innovation'of interest to the men was the announcement by the club secretary; Miss Peggy Hyams, 'that through the courtesy of a group of Eastbourne, ladies, mending would be done foif servicemen if left at the club, andwould be available«there the follow! ing week for the owners to collect: Friday night's dance at the club'was well attended, and during the week two donations were received from guests who had appreciated the facilities of the club, one a soldier from Trentham Camp and the "other a member of the Merchant Navy. MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. During the week the Missions to Seamen, Stout Street, has entertained many men of the Merchant Navy. On Sunday a bus drive and tea at the institute was arranged for rderlies and crew of a visiting ship, and- on Monday and Thursday members of the Lightkeepers' Guild held their weekly dances. These proved very popu lar and were well attendefl. Hostesses for the week were Mesdames Harley Brown, Beattie, and Campbell. ANOTHER CHEQUE FOR £50. On Saturday night the girls of Webby's Club presented Col. Cowles with a cheque for £50 for the benefit of men of the Forces. The club has only been open eight months and this is the second cheque for £50 that has been handed over. This weekend the clubroom was crowded. Douglas Roche and his band provided the music for the dancing on Saturday. Sunday afternoon was spent quietly and in the evening volunteers provided music and an item was given by Miss Marjorie Vause and her ballet, which included Veronica Smith, Jessie Stroud, Jean Gilmer, Olga Millar, Jean Gerrard, and Peggy McKinnon. .-