Kindergarten Mothers Stage Remarkable Display of All Types of Handwork

Evening Star, Issue 25925, 17 October 1946, Page 11

Kindergarten Mothers Stage Remarkable Display of All Types of Handwork

TOPICS FOR WOMEN

From humble beginnings 16 years ago, the mothers’ dubs which are run

in conjunction with the free kindergartens in thft City have gradually grown and prospered. One or the most important annual events for the members is tha competitive display of handwork, wbfch was held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall yesterday afternoon,

There had been 560 entries this year, said Miss A. J. Duthie, principal of the kindergartens, and the standard of the work was exceptionally high. Each of the seven clubs had a table to display its goods, which included all types of needlework and knitting, toys, gloves, slippers,' and articles .made by the fathers, as well as an appetising exhibit of home-made cakes, scones, pikelets, and sweets. Some of' the needlework was of exquisite workmanship, and many of the wooden toys were the work of craftsmen. A beau-

tiful inlaid wooden electric clock, made by one of the fathers, was worthy of

special mention, The Dutton rose bowl; presented by the mothers in memory of: the late Miss Nellie Dutton, a former principal, who founded the clubs, was awarded to Abbotsford, which gained the highest number of points in proportion to its number or entries. Eel-

The Otago Ladies’ Bowling Club opened its playing season on Tuesday, when Mrs McCrone, the president,, entertained members and visitors from other clubs at progressive competitions on the green and at afternoon tea in the pavilion. The prize-winners were Mesdames Mills, Poland, Stone, and Miss McGregor. Mrs , Campbell presided at the monthly meeting of the Ravensbourne branch of the League.of Mothers. Miss Joy Smith, who addressed members on the activities of the Vocational Guidance Department, was thanked by Mrs Donaldson for her interesting address. The choir, under the leadership of Mrs Newey, rendered a,bracket of songs. At the meeting of the Dunedin North branch of the League of Mothers, Mrs Mclver, who presided, welcomed representatives of the Mothers’ Union of All Saints Church. The Rev. Gosling gave an address on ‘ The Sanctity of Marriage.’ Accompanied by Mrs Chiles, Mrs Sparrow, of Dunedin North, entertained with two vocal solos. The Otago Pioneer Women’s Memorial Association held its fifth birthday party on Tuesday evening. The president, Dr E. H. McKinnon, who welcomed the members, and delegates from the affiliated societies, said that various details that have been .collected of pioneer women are being, written in a special memorial book, and an invitation is given to all donors and members to send in . names of descendants who have received commendation from the public. For instance, those who have received knighthoods, V.C.s, professorships, Rhodes scholarships, or who have become famous in. any. way should -he recorded in this book. A programme was provided by the following members of the St. Clair Women’s Club:—Mesdames C. Hoskins, Len Withers, R. Howison, and A. R. Irvine, the accompanist being Mrs M. O. Evans. An amusing play was produced by Mrs Gordon Mills, the following taking part:— Mesdames George Aitken, J. J. Moloney, E. Ruhen. 0.-E. Scott, and A. W. Triszgs Mrs • John MacKenzie. of Walter Peak Station, Lake Wakatipu, gave a delightful talk on Wakatipean rocks, after which she presented a framed enlarged coloured photo, of the memorial window to the association in memory of a very happy wedding anniversary party held some ■ months ago in the Memorial Hall. The president, Dr McKinnon, on behalf of the Memorial

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

sey-Yaralla gained second place. The Farquhtirsoh Cup for the highest aggregate points also went to Abbotsford, with Kaiikorai in' second plade. OtKtir awards were: Highest number of • entries: Reynolds 1, St. Kilda, 2, Richard Hudson 3. Highest number of points in the work section: St.'Kilda 1, Abbotsford 2. Baking section: Abbotsford T, Kelsey-Yaralla 2. Fathers’ section: Abbotsford 1, Reynolds 2. Prize to the mother gaining most point’s for her club, Mrs' McMillan (Kaikorai). The judges were: Miss M. Smith (knitting), Mrs. Turner and Miss'Fraser ‘(wot-k), Miss Glue (baking) , and iMr Thomson (fathers’ section). Mrs Dora Smeaton, president of the Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association, who presented the prizes, spoke of the association’s appreciation of the mothers’ work,- and congratulated them on their'display. Greetings'the National .Council of Women were’ brought by the president, Mrs A". A. Fairbairn, who said that the display was an example of the spirit of service which was needed in the world to-day.. If the mothers were bringing up their children in that spirit of service they were playing an important part in the life'of the community.

Association, presented her in return with a small framed photo, of the window/ The president 1 then drew ■ the attention of the audience to a water colour painting of the arrival of Captain Cook' at Queen Charlotte Sound, presented by Mrs W. A. Thomson, a descendant of one of the pioneer women/ During supper : a plainly-iced birthday cake "was cut by the Mayoress, Mrs D.' C. Cameron; ' : On Tuesday evening the Townswomen’ S' Giiild held its last general meeting for the! year. The president, Mrs E.v T, ■ Seymour, occupied the chair. Among the various activities reported special mention was made of the parcels to Britain effort. Two hundred and seven individual parcels are being sent to the Townswomen’s Guild at Harrow, and to date 129 have been posted. Interesting letters from the secretary of the Harrow guild were read. In order to have all the parcels forwarded in time for Christmas a garden party in aid of funds is to be held at Lady Sidey’s home at Corstorphine in November. Members are asked to watch the newspapers for advertisements. A , delightful musical programme was presented by the pupils of Miss Meda Paine, the following taking part:—Mesdames Titchener, Whitworth, Stewart. Anderson, ana Hudson, Misses Baker and Adam. The accompanists were Miss Paine and (Mrs Scott, On Saturday evening in the Vedic a very enjoyable complimentary social was tendered by the executive of the Dunedin Operatic Society to all performing members and all others who were associated with the recent production of the musical comedy ‘ Firefly.’ The president, Mr Walter ; Sinton, took the opportunity to welcome members and guests and to express appreciation on behalf of the executive to everyone who had contributed to make the production such an outstanding success. Mrs Vincent Major, whose performance in the leading role of Nina will be long remembered, journeyed from Balclutha for thd function and was the. recipient of a gift which took the form of a handsome enlarged portrait of herself in the costume pf Nina, suitably inscribed, as an appreciation from the executive and members. During the evening imper* sonations were given by Mr Gordon Roberts, while Mrs Major, together with her brother, Mr D. Brown, also of Balclutha,- provided some very fine Maori duets. .