WOMAN'S WORLD

Evening Star, Issue 25324, 4 November 1944, Page 11

WOMAN'S WORLD

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL [By Diana.] The annual party of the Literary Circle of the Otago Women's Club was held on Tuesday evening, and much enjoyed by the large audience present. Mrs E, J. Ander*on was in the chair, and after a few preliminary words handed over the evening to Miss Grace Farnie and Mrs F. G. Soper, the former giving a delightful programme of " fairy tales," with suitable mimes arranged by Mrs Soper. These were enacted by Mrs Harold Service, Misses Beryl Service, Marine Ross, and R'ewa Begg. Miming is a natural movement subjected to the laws of design and rhythm, raising it to an art, showing how powerful a means of communication it is between a player and an audience, or as self-expression. Charm-, imy readings of favourite fairy tales were given by Miss Farnie, Mrs Wakefield Holmes, 'Mrs Galway, and Miss A. MeDougall. Mrs Beaumont sang and played the nursery rhymes mimed by the four members quaintly dressed nursery fashion. The final item was a beautifullyarranged original Nativity mime by Mrs Soper, 'The Beggar's Cloak,' with Mis H. Service as the beggar, Misses B. Service, R. Begg, and M. Ross as the three wise men, and Mrs V. E. Galway as iho Madonna. The music was a Bach choraio. Mrs Peter Dick was responsible for the music, which added so much to the succeß* of the evening.

The October meeting cf Dunedin Central branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union was held on Tuesday, when Mrs Hietfc presided. A letter was road from the St. John Ambulance Association, and members of the union were asked to give generously to the funds of the ambulance, which does such a splendid work in the community. After a discussion on picture films, the following resolution was carried: —" That the Government be asked to bring in 'legislation tc prohibit any films which depict sordid and revolting crimes, being shown in New Zealand." The president gave an inspiring address on the evils of the liquor traffic. The speaker at the Travel Club next Wednesday will be Mr lan Matheson, whose subject will be ' A Trip by Air from England to New Zealand.' The hostesses will be Mrs G. M. Aikman and Mrs S. M. Satterthwaite. The Austral Girton Club held its annual reunion in the Somerset .Lounge on Monday evening, when nearly 70 members were welcomed by Miss Ross. The programme, which included vocal solos by Mrs Brathwaite, community singing, and a competition, was thoroughly enjoyed by aIK t A number of mannequins for the ' Fashion in Retrospect' parade were unable, at the last minute, to take part in the display. Mesdames Kavanagh, and Barron, and the Misses T. Graham, D. Thompson, Ni. Scott, C. McDonald, M. Jenkins, and Clark, of the D.I.C. staff, stepped into the breach, thus enabling the parade to be presented in its entirety. The annual general meeting of the Combined Ex-girls Service Group was held at the Otago Girls' High School on Tuesday evening, when some 60 members were welcomed by Miss L. Morton. Gifts of fruit, flowers, and magazines were brought for patients in the Dunedin Hospital. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mrs A. J. Dowling (re-elected);, vice-presidents, Mrs W. J. Meade and Mrs S. R. Crimp; honorary secretary-treasurer, Miss E. Park; honorary auditor, Miss E. Blythe (re-elected); registrars, Mrs G. Gregory and Mrs R. Duke; 0.G.H.5., Miss G. Bucnan; Austral Girton, Mrs G. Gregory; St. Hilda's, Miss K. Ewans; St. Dominic's, Miss L. Carroll; St. Philomena's, Miss L. O'Dea; Archerfield, Mrs C. Stevens; Waitaki, Mrs R. Duncan; Southland, Miss J. Campbell; Timaru, Miss P. Whitelaw; Coluinba, Mrs S. R. Crimp; St. Andrew's, Miss M. Anderson. The sum. of £5 was voted to the Christmas Fund, £2 2s to the Health Camp Fund, and £3 to the Citizen's Day Nursery. At the conclusion of the formal business, members were enter-

tained with an enjoyable muaical programme by Miss Meda Paine and her Cecilia Choir for which appreciation was expressed by Miss Morton and Miss; Houston. Supper was sewed by the hostesses. Mrs H. D. Donnison, Wellington, who has been visiting Port Chalmers on the occasion of the wedding of her brother, Mr Frank Clark, will return home on Tuesday.

League of ■ Mothers. The Maori Hill branch held a most enjoyable social evening last Tuesday with Mrs F. W. Robinson presiding. The hall was beautifully decorated with spring flowers for the occasion. An excellent programme arranged by the Social Committee, of which Mrs S. Gale was convener, consisted of a 'Gipsy Scena' by the Glee Circle, songs by Mrs John Ritchie, a competition, ' Ptittiug Baby to Sleep,' a Lilliputian item, ' Percy the Dwarf,' given by Mesdames Robinson, Wilson, and Hall, pianoforte solos by Mrs H. C. Campbell, humorous sketches, Miss Elsie Kirkham, and a ' 1902 School Break-up,' given by several of the members. Mrs L. D. Mclver brought greetings from the Provincial Council.

The closing social of the St. Clair branch for 1944- was held on Thursday last, and the president, Mrs W. Rutherford, welcomed a very large attendance of members and visitors from sister branches. The hall wore a festive air, decked out with summer flowers, and floral tokens were presented to Mrs P. Jones, provincial president. Mrs L. D. Mclver, provincial secretary, and Mrs U. Galbraith. Mrs Jones in her remarks spoke of the splendid spirit of fellowship which existed between league members, and made reference to its growing popularity. A varied programme had been arranged, consisting of pianoforte solos and duets, vocal solos and duets, musical monologues, and humorous sketches. The choral sextet, under the leadership of Mrs A. R; Irvine, gave several pleasing numbers, and an amusing play, ' Antiques,' was produced by Mrs P. Bardsley. Those taking part wore:—Mesdames C. Rhodes, Stuckey, Chetwyn, J. W. Thomson, M. A. Robson, C. Hogsjard, A. R. Irvine, C. Hoskin, P, Bardsley, Frye, Baxter, C. C. Roberts, L. Calvert, W. Scott, and J. G. Mills. Red Cross News.

Red Cross Voluntary Aid Church Service. —•The annual Red Cross Voluntary Aid service will be held in First Church on Sundav, November 12, at 11 a.m. V.A.s will assemble at the Burns Hall at 10.40 a.m. All V.A.s and members of the transport detachment who intend to be present are asked to give in their names to their detachment commandants not later than Saturday, November 4. , Presentation to Miss Meda Paine and Miss Mary Frazer.—At the choir practice in Miss Frazer's studio on Wednesday night, presentations were made to Miss Paine and Miss Frazer in appreciation of their services in training and accompanying the choir. The final practice of the year will be held in First Church on Wednesday ni'xt at 8.30 p.m. in preparation for the church service, when the choir will . lead the singing. On Tuesday evening the final parade of the year held by the Red Cross V.A.s took the form of a route inarch to Highcliffe Cafe. The weather conditions were ideal and a delightful supper awaited the girls. Before the return march a vote of thanks was acorded Sergeant-major Olive Palmer for her unsparing efforts in making the parades the unqualified success they had been. j

Navy League Notes. The members of the Women's Committee held their "November meeting on Wednesday. Comforts received during October numbered 324 garments for men, and gifts includee] 41 books, 53 magazines, 14 tins food, two large tins of biscuits, two boxes shortbread, three cakes, some soap, etc., and 66 children's garments, three shawls, and 6even blankets. Some generous donations for the Merchant Navy have been gratefully received. Comforts sent away were 188 men's garments and books to a merchant ship. The spinning room had made 451 bof wool. After the meeting members packed blue bags and checked and tied up things for overseas. As goods for overseas consist practically - entirely of gifts and articles knitted from our own homespun .wool, it can. be realised how important is the work of'the spinning room. Should country members want wool for the holidays, it would be a convenience if they would let the chairman know by December 4, so that parcels may be despatched early in December. There will be no wool distribution in January.

Business and Professional Women's Club. A talk with a nautical flavour was appreciated by the club at its fortnightly meeting on Monday. The guest speaker was Commander Bridson, D. 5.0., D.S.C. In 1940, with the R.N.Z.V.R., Commander Bridson travelled by a circuitous route to England to undergo naval training. Many and varied experiences afloat and ashore were related by him, and his natural gift of mimicry of British dialects and foreign tongues added spice to a most and extremely interesting talk. Otago Croquet Association.. The draw for first round of interclub matches next Tuesday is at follows:—A .Grade: 10 a.m. St. Clair v. Tainui at St. Clair; Logan Park v. Punga, at Punga; Watea v. Montecillo, at Moiftecillo. B Grade: 10 a.m. Watea v. Caversham, at Watea: Tainui v. Montecillo, at Tainui; Punga v. Leith, at Leith. C Grade: 1.30 p,m. Montecillo v. Punga, at Punga; Tainui v. Logan Park, at Logan Park; Caversham v. St. • Clair, at Caversham. Teams playing at Tainui will need to send two players at 10 a.m. and two at 1.30 p.m . till further notice. National Council of Women.

Mrs A. A. Fairbairn presided over the November meeting of the National Council of Women. The chief business was ' the presentation of reports by the Otago delegates to the recent Dominion conference held in Dunedin. These included the constitution by Mrs Sullivan, housing and community centres by Mrs Benson, education by Mrs Ewing, family allowance and illegitimate children by Mrs Fairbairn, the legal position of women and equal citizenship by Miss Lovell-Smith, the rehabilitation of women and the late remits by Mrs Cameron, liquor licensing remits by Miss Begg, economic information service by Miss Wood, and the social activities by Mrs Orton. Conference stressed the desirability of having a permanent paid secretary with headquarters at Wellington, and ways and means of dong this were discussed. Regarding the copies of ' Consumer News * that have been coining to hand, the branch decided to take only sufficient numbers for delegates till there has been an opportunity of studying the pamphlets. Mrs MeKenzie was appointed the Otago branch Bulletin secretary, to act as a liaison between the branch and the Dominion treasurer, who is also the I.C.W. Bulletin secretary. I.C. W. Standing Committee representatives will be elected at the next meeting. Topics for discussion next year will include post-war reconstruction, rehabilitation, domestic economy, and the Australian Women's Charter.