SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Evening Star, Issue 23041, 20 August 1938, Page 26

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Mrs Reading and Miss Betty Heading have returned to Wellington. Mr and Airs Herbert Twhigg, of Napier, are the guests of Mrs Charles V. Smith, Musselburgh Rise. Air and Airs W. 11. Allen, who spent the vacation in Dunedin, returned on Thursday to Nelson, where Mr Allen is art instructor at Nelson College. Air /and Airs R. A. Bagshaw, of Christchurch, will be the guests of Airs .John Simpson, Grendon street, for the duration of the Otago Boys’ High School jubilee festivities. The following Dunedin guests registered at the Hermitage during the past week:—Air and Airs A. W. M'Dougall, Mr and Airs W. Kelly and children, Air R. B. P. Eastgate, Air Miles Williams, Air J. Hartstonge, Miss Joan SpenceSales. Airs W. Garrett, Airs E. S. Solomon, Airs Con Shiel. Air George Chance. Air and Airs J. Duncan. The August meeting of the Tomahawk branch of the Women's Institute was held in the Glencairn Hall, Airs R. B. Alathioson presiding. She gave a welcome to representatives from sister institutes—namely, Taieri, Janefield, Alnsgiel, Alacandrew Bay, and Waitati. The meeting opened with the singing of ‘ Comrades and Friends ’ and the “ Creed ” read by visiting members. During the afternoon the following items were presented:—Vocal solos by Mrs Sproule (Taieri)), Airs Alorrison

and Airs Dawson (Dunedin) ; musical items by Airs K. King, Airs and Aliss Brunton, and Airs Thomson; a short address by Airs Williamson (Taieri) on the work of the institute, in giving a personal and wider outlook on life; a demonstration on the making of a bed sock and shopping bag from old felt hate was given by visiting members. A short debate followed on woman's place in the world to-day. A very pleasant afternoon was brought to a close by the serving of afternoon tea by local members.

The Graigleith branch of the Home Economics Association held its monthly meeting a fortnight earlier on account of the home science fair, which will take place early next month. All's AVcir presided over a large attendance of members. The feature of the evening was a delightful talk by All's .Reilly on tlie art of floral decoration. Besides nerpiii'ing many useful bints, members realised bow a general knowledge of artistic ilowor arrangement may bo utilised in enhancing the existing furnisings, and forming a colourful background for the homo. Airs Weir, on behalf of the group, accorded to Airs Reilly an expression of thanks for her helpful address and for the use of hor home. The dispensing of supper terminated a very pleasant evening.

St. Clair Women’s Club. Tlie programme to be presented by tbe Literary Circle ol' the St. Clair Women’s Club is looked forward to all the season, and at the last fortnightly meeting, hold on Monday, a large and enthusiastic gathering witnessed this event. The president (Mrs Douglas Paine) was in the chair, and the Literary Circle, under the leadership of Mrs']). A. Young, presented a programme in the form of a magazine, composed entirely of the members’ original contributions. These varied to suit all tastes, and after the frontispiece had been revealed to the audience the following pages unfolded:— Verso, 1 Friendship’s Garden,’ written and presented by Mrs Lon. Withers; play, ‘The Book,’ written by Mrs G. AV/ Johnstone and acted by Mesdames T. .7. Smith, G. H. Greene, A. C. Walker, and W. Rutherford; song, ‘ Cradle Song,’ words and music composed by Mrs L. le F. Ensor and sung by Mrs W. Davidson; article, ‘Great Grandmother,’ written and delivered by Mrs I. Sutherland; play, ‘ That’s That,’ written by Mrs Gordon Mills and acted by Mesdames W. Prince, D. A. Young, and J, 11. Bode; verses, ‘ Understanding ’ and ‘Cinerarias,’ written by Mrs D. A. Young and read by Airs L. Withers; ‘Personalities,’ written and delivered by Mrs A. W. Triggs: song, ‘ Rain In Summer,’ words and music composed and sung by Airs AV. Davidson; play, ‘An Easy Job for Life,’ written by Airs D. A. Young and acted by Alcsdames C. C. Roberts._ G. H. Greene. Gordon Alills, L. E. Richdale. L. Withers, and AV. Prince, Aliss A. APDougall, in voicing the vote of thanks on behalf of the audi-

cure, spoke in glowing terms of the performance and highly commended' the circle’s efforts in encouraging original compositions. Dunedin Playbox.

Another most unusual and ambitious three-act play, ‘ Suspected ’—a translation from ‘ The Gorman ’ —was staged by Mr Russell-Wood at The Playhox Club on Tuesday and was witnessed by a large and most enthusiastic audience. The room was gay with bowls ol flowers and foliage. The hostesses being Misses M. Harris, M. Hessian, and C. Clark. Before the curtain rose Mr Ben White voiced the pleasure which Playhox members felt at having Mrs Hugh Speight in their midst again, and later Mrs Speight. Mas the recipient of many greetings from her Playhox associates. The play, ‘ .Suspected,’ was a very gripping one and held the audience spellbound from the outset. There Mas a very small cast and groat demands wore made on the ability of the handful of players interpreting the play. Two of the characters seldom left the stage, so that the weight of the plot was borne by them ami Mrs A. C. Stephens and Mr RussellWood, who Mere responsible for the undoubted success of the play are deserving of groat praise. Mrs Stephens invested her role with sincerity and towards the end of the play brought her emotions to a climax which deeply moved those who witnessed it. Mr Rus-sell-Wood had an onerous and tragicpart to sustain and his artistically mercurial treatment of it was heightened hy the use of a foreign accent and a very good make-up. Both Mrs Stephens and Mr Russell-Wood More loudly acclaimed at the final curfain. Mr Hen White had much to do, as the radio announcer, and the cll'ects ho produced Mere excellent. .Miss ffulcie Hazelwood lent splendid atmosphere and dramatic clfcct to several

sccnes. Save for a few minor slips with the timing, the stage management was highly satisfactory. The settings were adequate and the whole performance was a credit to the Playbox. The, annual meeting'‘of the Alusselburgh branch of the League of Alothcrs was held on Tuesday evening, a splendid attendance of members being presided over by Airs R. Abernethy. Prior to the adoption of the annual report and financial statement, an admission service was held for two new members, thus making a total of 71 enrolments for the year. The election of officebearers for the coming year resulted as follows: —President, Airs R. Abernetby (re-elected) ; vice-presidents— Alesflamos Ombler, G. Smith, and Fieldwick; secretary, Airs G. Snell; assistant secretary, Airs L. J. Mew; treasurer, Airs J. Lindsay; magazine secretary, Airs AI. Fairhurst; librarian, Airs Brent; supper superintendent, Airs G. Smith ; General Committee —Mesdames Nelson, Asher. Hutchings, and Darraeott. During the evening appropriate elocutionary items, were rendered by Aliss AI. Hutchings’ and a pleasing vocal solo by Airs G. Tyrell, accompanied by Airs Alills. On presenting Airs Abcrnotby with a dainty bouquet of anemones, Airs Alew spoke in eulogistic terms of the splendid work accomplished by her ns president. the happy spirit prevailing in the branch being, a fitting tribute to her efficient leadership. Airs Abernethy suitably responded and thanked all the various office-bearers for their helpful co-operation, without which the progress made by the branch could not have been accomplished. A dainty

supper was served and members enjoyed their usual half-hour of social chat. Entertainment at Gore Women’s Club. Mrs Wakefield Holmes journeyed flown to Gore for the week-end, where she arranged a programme for the Music Circle of the Gore Women’s Club, the title being ‘ Musfb in Tudor England,’ with special reference to the music of Shakespeare’s plays. Members of the circle and of the Club Committee were the hostesses for the evening. Mrs Holmes, who was welcomed by the chairwoman of the Music Circle, Mrs Turnbull, commenced the programme by reading a paper dealing with the life of the period, mentioning especially the part that music played in it. This was followed by two madgigals, ‘ Blow, Blow, 'Thou Winter Wind, 1 and ‘ Hark, Hark, the Lakh,’ given by members, of the Glee Club. Songs —‘ When Daisies Pied,’ ‘ Where the Bee Sucks,’ and ‘ It Was a Lover and His Lass ’ —were rendered by Miss Treloar, Mrs Hall, and Mrs Holmes. The second paper read by Mrs Holmes dealt with the, music in Shakespeare’s plays, and was profusely strewn with quotations. ‘ The Torch Dance,’ from ‘ Henry VIH.,’ was played as a duet by Miss Thompson and Mrs M'Leod, the former also playing one of Shakespeare’s galliards. At the conclusion of the programme, the president of the Gore Chib, Mrs Edwards, thanked Mrs Holmes on behalf of the members, and the serving of supper concluded a very enjoyable evening. While in Gore Mrs Holmes was the guest of Mrs 11. B. Bannerman.