SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Evening Star, Issue 23527, 16 March 1940, Page 19

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Parties for a bride-to-be. Miss Peggy Ibbotson, began on Tuesday evening, when the social service group of the Combined Ex-girls’ Associations gave an enjovable supper party at the Savoy. Miss Ibbotson, as a vice-president, has done valuable work for the group. Others present were Mesdames C. R. Martin (president), J. Gregory, J. Moony, and Misses Betty Allan, Eileu Houston, Audrey Meek, Jocelyn North, Alice Greig, Phyllis Duke, and Pat Duncan.

The executive of the St. Hilda’s Old Girls’ Association met at afternoon tea in the Savoy on Thursday in honour of one of its most valued members, Miss Peggy Ibbotson, whose marriage is to take place after Easter. Those present included Mesdames R. W. S. Dotting (president), A.'A. Fairburn, F. T>. Buttle, P. Barling, and Misses Blyth, Mondy, Conn, Audrey Meek, Jocelyn North, and Colina Falconer.

The first meeting of the Mosgiol branch of the IMV.M.U. for this year

was held in the Bible class hall on Thursday. The president, Mrs MTheat, occupied the chair. There was a large gathering of members and friends. After prayer and Scripture reading letters were read from home and foreign missionaries, also from four home missionaries who returned thanks for the Christmas gifts they had received from the local branch. Suggestions were made as to how to celebrate the centennial year of the Mosgiel Church, and it was decided to have a set supper, and all the members (110) be invited. Mrs M'Phoat gave a cordial welcome to Mrs M'Farlane, and presented her with a beautiful posy of flowers , and hoped that she would be happy in her new home. Four new members joined. Mesdames Elliot, Smeaton, and Grieve were the hostesses for afternoon tea. Coiumba Old Girls’ Association, Considerable interest is being evinced in the forthcoming twenty-fifth anniversary celebrations which are being held on April 5,6, and 7. The secretary is receiving communications from all parts of New Zealand, and suggests

that those coming to the dinner on Saturday, April 6, apply for their tickets before March 20. Arrangements are well in hand, and judging from the inquiries received, the functions will be well attended.

Tuapeka Mouth Women’s Institute. The Tuapeka Mouth Women’s Institute annual meeting was presided over by Mrs Latimer in the absence of the president (Mrs M‘Arthur). Donations were made to the patriotic funds, and a parcel was sent to the soldiers. The election of office-bearers resulted : —President, Mrs M'Leod; vice-presi-dents, Mrs Hayman and Mrs Latimer; secretary. Miss Hayman; treasurer, Mrs C. Keenan; committee—Mesdames C. Lucas. G. Houliston, D. Keenan, W. Cowan, R. Steel, and Miss M'Gown. The members of the retiring committee were hostesses.

Travel Club. The hostesses at the Travel Club’s morning tea reception on Wednesday will be Mrs Charles Wilson and Miss Joyce Haggitt, and the speaker will he Mrs H. W. Brickell.

Drama League Activities. The British Drama. Leaquo instead of holding its ordinary festival this year, is organising on behalf of the National Centennial Council, the open contest to take place in July, for Otago and Southland. In addition to this, the play-writing competition for the trophy, given- by Lady Ferguson, will be held as usual. The entries for this close on June 15 and all information, can be obtained from the secretary, Mr G. A. Douglas, Alton Avenue, Musselburgh Rise.

Tomahawk Women’s Institute. The Tomahawk Women’s Institute held its annual meeting on Thursday evening last. The president read an interesting report on the year’s work, and thanked the retiring committee and members for their co-operation during the past year. The following were elected for the coming year:—President, Mrs R. B. Mathieson; secretary, Mrs W. Smaill; vice-president, Mrs Saunders; treasurer, Mrs Riach; Press correspondent, Mrs Williams, The motto for the month was “ Hear much, but say little,” Mrs Smith was elected delegate to the half-yearly council meeting to be held in Dunedin next month, Mrs King, sen., gave a very interesting and enjoyable talk on her visit to the Centennial Exhibition. A “ Trees and Shrubs competition was won by Mrs Williams. Supper, which concluded the meeting, was provided by members of the retiring committee. An Unusual Occasion.

At “ Broomhill ” to-day Mrs J. Sutherland Ross was hostess at a morning tea party given to celebrate the eightieth birthday of her mother, Mrs Inkster, of Totnes, Devonshire, England. The library and dining room were very charmingly decorated with sweet peas and hydrangeas, and only the geographical difference prevented Mrs Inkster from cuting the birthday cake, which held pride of place on the tea table. The guests, who were all friends who had met Mrs Inkster on her visit to New Zealand, included—Mesdames Russell James, Iverach, Blackmore, Gilkison, Mandeno, O’Callaghnn, Hobbs, Fleming, Douglas, Stevcly, W. A. Ross, Cruxcksnank, R. W. Glendinning, Mackie Begg, Brickell, and the Misses Ross, MTDownie Stewart, Mollison (2), Rona Allen, Fenwick, K. Begg, E. Glendinning, Kelsey, andl Blackmore. A card autographed by all those present was sent off to Mrs Inkster in her English home. League of Mothers, Milton Branch. The monthly meeting of the Milton branch of the League of Mothers was held on Friday week last, when Mrs H. A. M'Oallum presided, and moved a motion of sympathy with the Wells family and Mrs Gibb. Members stood for a few moments in silence. Mrs M'Callum expressed the pleasure of the branch in having Mrs Sinclair back again after her trip to America, and also welcomed the members of the Mprningtott branch, who were paying tlieir yearly visit. Mrs Bowie gave the thought for the day, “ Friends are like rajs of sunshine on a rainy day; the friend we can depend on is a spring of water in a thirsty land.” Enjoyable items were given by Misses Rylvia Ccckerill (recitation), Thelma Park and Myrtle Cooper (pianoforte duets), and Mrs Seed (songs). Mrs Sinclair gave an intensely interesting travel talk on her railway journeys, some of the towns she had visited, and American home life. Regret was expressed that Mrs Sinclair was soon to leave Miltorf and make her home at Timaru. The president of the Mornington branch and a member of the provincial council also expressed regret, and voiced appreciation of the great help that Mrs Sinclair had been to the league at all times. Mrs M'Callum made the presentation of a beautiful shoulder spray to Mrs Sinclair, and called upon Mrs Wallace, (president of the Mornington branch) and Mrs Nelson (secretary) to accept posies. Tea was dispensed by the Milton branch.

Balclutha Women’s Institute. Mrs R. Newson presided over a fair attendance at the annual meeting of the Balclutha Women’s Institute on Tuesday afternoon. The motto was “ Be like the postage stamp—stick to your job till you get there,” and the roll-call was “ Suggestions for next half-year’s programme.” An invitation was received to attend Lovell’s Flat birthday party, and a letter was received from the Dominion Federation relative to soldiers’ parcels. Regarding the latter, it was decided to take up a collection each month to provide articles for the parcels. Mrs Newson was appointed delegate to the annual meeting of the South Otago Council at Balclutha on April 29, and it was decided to enter for the programme competition. The results of the points competition for the year were; Mrs J. Smith 1 (28 points), Mrs J. T. Sutherland 2 (16), and Mrs P. M‘Gregor 3 (13). The competition for the day, cake name-guessing, was won by Mrs J. Smith and Mrs John Clark, who were equal. The annual report was read by the secretary (Mrs Sutherland), while the financial statement was presented by the treasurer (Miss Laing), both disclosing a very successful year. Mrs Newson gave a resume of the year’s work, and expressed thanks to members of the committee and members of the institute for the support accorded her. The election of officers resulted: President, Mrs Newson; committee—Mesdames C. Wyber, J. Smith. P. M'Gregor, J. Tweedie, Mawson, Dunbar, Darling, Stark, M'Diannid, Sutherland, and Miss Laing. During the social interlude Mrs M'Gregor rendered vocal solos and Miss E, Aitchison pianoforte items. League of Mothers.

A happy atmosphere of friendliness and goodwill prevailed at the opening meeting of the Opoho branch of the League of .Mothers on Tuesday evening last. Mrs Parr, presiding over a very gratifying attendance, opened the meeting with the league prayer, and prayer for peace, followed by a short spiritual message by Mrs Harvey. Five new members were admitted and welcomed into the branch. The feature the evening was an enlightening talk Tjy Mrs J. E. Holloway, who was in England at the outbreak of war, and described the calmness and l fortitude displayed by the British people under war and “black-out” conditions. Residing in a Northampton village—an evacuation area—Mrs Holloway was in direct touch with the unexpected problems confronting both evacuees and villagers, and their cheerful courage in the face of sometimes almost insurmountable difficulties. _ Brief mention was also made of a visit to Cairo, at present a centre of interest to New Zealanders, vividly describing its Eastern beauty and the habits and customs of its people. The evening’s enjoyment was further enhanced by several delightful numbers by the league choir and the rendition of two charming solos by Mrs Louise Henderson— ‘ Lack-a-Day ’ and * The Fairy Tales of Ireland.’ Mesdames Lousley and Hinton voiced the appreciation of the members to speaker and vocalist respectively. The thought for the month was: Keep a watch on your words, For words are terrible things.

Like the bees, they can be laden with honey, But some have very bad stings.