SOCIAL & GENERAL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 135, 24 May 1911, Page 11

SOCIAL & GENERAL.

Napier, May 24thEmpire Day. To-day we celebrate Empire Day on the birthday of our late Queen ’ Victoria, during whose reign such f wonderful Empire history was 1 !_ made. The Earl of Meath has been a great promoter of Empire Day - , and it is chiefly owing to his zeal and J energy that thousands of children I throughout the British Empire will salute the Union Jack to-day, and will listen to short addresses on i Imperial matters, which will help them to realise their responsibilities as children of our great 1 Empire. Some years ago 'it was suggested ; that a floral emblem should be--1 chosen for Empire Day. On account of the different seasons prevailing throughout the Empire, it ■ was hard to find a flower which : could be easily - obtained by - all. 1 Finally, it was decided that the i common little daisy should be the emblem. So far this idea doesnot ■ seem to have been responded to very much in New Zealand, but there is no doubt that many loyal ■ Britishers will wear that - little [ flower to-day. One cannot help wondering how . much the British Empire can mean to those ragged little urchins in the streets of London who will thrust a bunch of daisies in the face of every passer-by -with the familiar words, “ Buy - a bunch - * lady; only - a penny, lady; Empire day, lady!” “Unfurl the flag of England, And fling it to the breeze ; Beloved by British hearts at home; And those beyond the seas ; The symbol, as in ages gone, Of reverence for the right, That leads men ever on and on Through liberty to light. God guard the flag of England, The Empire and the Throne, And sister nations far away In every sea and zone 1 And when at freshening dawn it flies Anew - beneath the sky, Vow we once more, should need To strike for it and die.” [arise, —Alfred Austin, Poet Laureate;. The Zenana Mission. Miss Stroude Smith, who has been sent out from England by th® committee of the Zenana Missicnron deputation work throughout; Australasia, held a drawing-room meeting in Bishop Williams’ house last Friday afternoon. Miss Stroude Smith gave an interesting account; of the work, of the mission, which is a mission for the women and children of India, whose sufferingsare so great, and India, as part o€ the British Empire, has a special claim on all British subjects. A Charming Play. “Miss Motherly's Luck: or Sisters are Such,” is the title of » charming play by Miss Richmond* of Wellington, who is well-known in connection with the Free Kindergarten. The play will be produced. on behalf of this institution next August. It was read last week before a small audience, consisting principally of members of the executive of the Free Kindergarten* and produced a most favourable impression. There is a lot of smart dialogue in it, touching on topics of the day, and several 1 dances and songs are introduced. The whole idea of the play, however, partakes more of the style of “Peter Pan” and “The Blue Bird.” The dramatic effect promises to be good and as the work of a lady well known for her interest in educational matters will n<K doubt be eagerly looked forwardto. ,

Empire Festival. At the Empire Festival opened by the King and Queen at the Crystal Palace last week, the Royal party witnessed a seriea of brilliant pageants, those participating being dresed in the costumes of the periods and places represented. Amongst the performers were several New landers, including Miss Ward as a. Maori princess, Miss Rubi Seddon and Mrs. Hislop (wife of the Prime Minister’s private secretary) in Maori dress. Personal Notes. Mr. and Mrs. Banford, Auckland, are , visiting Napier after many years’ absence, and are staying at Te Rangi Pai. Mrs. Bennett returned by the. lonic last week from a visit to England.

Mrs. Snodgrass is visiting Christchurch. Mrs. McHardy and family have returned from Blackhead. Mrs. and Miss Antill are visiting Mrs. Shrimpton. Miss Morecroft has returned from Wellington. j Miss Page is the guest of Lady Whitmore. Mrs. Westall and family are spending a few days in Napier before leaving by the Rotorua next week for England.