HERITAGE CHRISTMAS PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 147, 19 December 1945, Page 10

HERITAGE CHRISTMAS PARTY

Circular holly-wreathed cards bearing the guests' names were handed to more than 300 mothers and children as they arrived at the Christmas party given by Heritage in the R.S.A. rooms yesterday afternoon. The guests were widows and their children who had lost husbands and fathers during the war, and the object of Heritage is to attempt to.provide in as many ways as possible the assistance and guidance in the bringing up of the children that would hove been undertaken by the fathers. The movement interests itself continually •. through sponsors in the welfare, education, and home problems of the children, is able to provide financial assistance where necessary, and also acts as a guide with the mother in placing older children, in employment when their school days are ended. In addition, at Christmas time Heritage provides a Christmas party and gifts and recognises each child's birthday as it arrives with a suitable gift or outing. Yesterday's party was symbolic of the aims of Heritage in the joy it brought to so many children and the generosity of the entertainment provided. All eyes were attracted to a large Christmas tree decorated with fairy lights, coloured paper, tiny bells, and koala bears, which was prominent in the centre of the stage. Bryan O'Brien compered the programme, which ,began with an item by Mr. Ken Macaulay (baritone), and in no time had the children joining .in the singing of carols and other songs. Several of the children volunteered to sing on the stage, and though a few of them were overcome with shyness once there, the others managed to give a loud and enthusiastic version of "Maori Battalion," which was very popular with the audience. Impromptu items were given by other youngsters, and one Tittle boy of five (Richard Marks) recited a poem he had composed himself.

A magician mystified the children, who clustered as close to the stage as possible to see just how the tricks with rope, scarves, balls, and many more articles, were done, and gave them all a complete surprise by producing a white pigeon, apparently from nowhere, at the conclusion of his item. Another intriguing novelty which caotured their fancy immediately was the an-ival of a ventriloquist and his dummy. The dummy led them in song, and was carried about the audience to "speak" to the children.

The presentation of a bouquet of flowers was made by little Pat Mills to Mrs. Chai'les McDonald (who played incidental music during the afternoon) in appreciation of the assistance she had always given to Heritage. A brief speech was addressed to the mothers by Dr. O. C. Mazengarb, president of Heritage in Wellington, in which hs mentioned there was no 'service, however small, and no ideal, however great, that could not be undertaken and carried out by Heritage as long as it was for the good of those children who had had the misfortune to lose their fathers in the war.

Tea, served on long, gaily-decorated tables, followed, and the Christmas cake was cut by Lady DufT, who, with her husband, Sir Patrick Duff, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, was among the official guests. Others were the Mayor, Mr. W. Appleton, Mrs. Appleton, Commodore and Mrs. G. H. Faulkner, Air Vice-Marshal L. M. Isitt and Mrs. Isitt, and Mr. Justice Smith and Mrs. Smith. Mr. Appleton expressed his admiration and appreciation of the work that had been done and was being done by Heritage, and congratulated the committee upon the success of the party.

Mr. Justice Smith, the national president of Heritage, also spoke briefly of his pleasure at being present at such a happy gathering, and paid a tribute to the tremendous amount of work done by the men of the committee and their wives to give so many children such a memorable treat.

The truly exciting conclusion of the party was the arrival of Father Christmas, complete with the ringing of sleigh-bells. He was introduced by Mr! O'Brien and given a tumultuous welcome by the children, every one of whom was called to receive a parcel. As they left the children were each given a packet of sweets and the mothers a gift. i

Mrs. O. Rowe, of Auckland, who has been visiting Wellington, returned to her home today by air.

So successful was the social, the fianl gathering for the year at the Karon Plunket Mothers' Club,.that it has been decided to hold such gatherings regularly during the coming year Other efforts, the proceeds of which are for the new Plunket rooms, were a concert given by the music and drama circles of the club, and a shop day.

Every visitor you'll find Likes Tea of a different kind, If you serve them WESTHALL TEA You'll gain popularity, For in WESTHALL here exist Things no palate can resist. Strength Colour Flavour.—Advt