HASTINGS WOMEN’S CLUB

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 October 1927, Page 11

HASTINGS WOMEN’S CLUB

LITERARY CIRCLE Pending the distempering of the new big Club room the Literary Circle met in the writing room on Thursday. Very cosy did the room look with arm chairs, a bright red carpet, and bowls of gay tulips and long branching flowering currant. Mrs. Clarkson who was to have addressed the circle, was indisposed, and so a miscellaneous afternoon had been arranged by Mrs. Lloyd. Mrs. Webber made her first appearance as a contributor to the programme in reading from “Books and Habits,” by Lafcadio Hearn. Her well modulated voice, and the exceptional interest of the subject made all present hope for another item from Mrs. Webber in the near future. The lecture described the interesting habits and life of the ants, and drew a comparison between their natural altruism and energetic communal life and that of human beings to whom their virtues are still the result of painfully acquired habits. Many present were surprised at the extraordinary and altogether marvellous way ants live, as they are an insect community which is not largely written of, except in scientific books. Mrs Hursthouse gave a short paper writearly New Zealand pioneering days, entitled “Grandmother’s Honeymoon,” about the hardships endured early in the last century; and also read an anecdote about a reprisal executed on a treacherous Maori by Tamati Wakanene, in 1827, illustrated by an original photograph of this old chief which had been presented to her family recently by his descendant in the north. Miss Bullow pleased all with her humourous reading of one of Leigh Hunt’s essays, entitled “The Waiter!” The reader emphasised the witty and satirical points in this entertaining essay, and gave an excellent idea from it of the philosophising of an English gentleman who observes and writes of the waiters who attend in 1760 in an old English Coffee House. Discussion and tea ended the afternoon. Mrs. Lloyd announced that Mrs. Clarkson may be able to give her address in a fortnight’s time, 13th October. On behalf of the Literary Circle those present then signed a letter to Mrs. Lewis, expressing their sympathy with the loss to herself and her family in the death of Mr. T. W. Lewis Next week on the evening of Friday, October 7th, there is to be an open evening for members of the club and their friends, as a finale to the series of meetings arranged by the Musical Circle. A number of excellent local artists, both from Havelock and Hastings have promised to help in the evening’s programme. There will be •plenty of room for all members now that the club is enlarged.