BRIGHT DISPLAY AT R.S.A. PARTY: CHRISTMAS TREAT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22818, 13 December 1948, Page 4

BRIGHT DISPLAY AT R.S.A. PARTY: CHRISTMAS TREAT

Several hundreds of children in fancy costumes presented a brilliant picture at the Army Hall on Saturday afternoon on the occasion of the Gisborne Returned Services’ Association's annual pre-Christmas party for the sons and daughters of Diggers and Kiwis. The capacity of the hail was fully taxed, and a baby show run in several classes proved of particular interest to the wives of Kiwis, the entries for this feature numbering 63 and competition being very keen. Bailoons were featured in the decoration of the hai! for the occasion, and when these were released the children chased them with evident delight and Inter mobbed Father Christmas on his aoQearancc in traditional costume, with a'bag well-filled with balloons and other gifts'. Each child was provided by the committee with a specially-prepared bag of cakes and other edibles, and cord;als and ice-creams were distributed without stint throughout the afternoon. Every young patrons of the party received a final souvenior in the shape of a well-filled bag of sweets. The Home Guard. band provided music for dancing, and in the grand march the young people presented a charming picture in which variety of costume was the keynote. Mesdames F. V 7. Nolan and A. S. Muir judged the costumes for prizes, and Mrs. Gordon Jones, wife of the Gisborne R.S.A. president, later presented prizes to the following:—

Up to Five Years. —Girl’s fancy costume Suzanne Spence, 1: Heather Hadwen, 2. Boy’s fancy costume: Michael Rocard, 1; Billy McMurray. 2. Girl's original costume: Judith Dearness, 1; Zona McDonald, 2. Boy’s original costume: Simon Walker, 1: David Ingoe. 2. Six to Eight Years.—Girl's fancy costume: Gay Allen. 1; Betty Twigley, 2. Boy's fancy costume: Terry Watts. 1; Jimmy Golding. 2. Girl’s original costume:'Leonie Jenkins, 1; Jennifer Lunken, 2. Boy’s original costume: Michael Vance, 1; Stewart Rees, 2. Nine to 12 Years.—Girl’s fancy costume: Elizabeth Jones, 1; Elizabeth Timms, 2. Boy’s fancy costume: Eric Johnson, 1; Peter Kay. 2. Girl’s original costume: Judith Eastham, 1; Patty Vance, 2. Boy’s original costume: George Hibdige, 1. Best Pair of Any Age.—Jocelyn and Stewart Rees. 1; Dawn and Bess Burns, 2: Jalna Croker and Robin Waide, 3.

In the baby competitions, judged by Sister Pritchard, the following results were recorded: —

Under Six Months (18 entries). —Kay Evans. 1: Karin Goldsmith, 2. From Six to 12 months (27 entries): Kay Foster, 1; Robert Green, 2. From 13 to 18 months (18 entries).— Wanda Gunn, 1; Cherry Borlace, 2. The success of the party was due in a large measure to the energy of the combined R.S.A. social committees, under the leadership of Mr. A. H. Barwick, with a strong sub-committee of ladies led by Mrs. R. J. Clarke, who undertook the catering tasks associated with the party. Mr. C. Rigby’s team of floor stewards handled the big crowd of children with every success, and Mr. A. Drummond as Father Christmas spent an arduous afternoon as a centre of attraction for patrons of all ages. The services of the Home Guard band were an essential feature of the party, with Mr. G. H. Douglas conducting the musical programme.