A GREAT PARTY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 10, 22 December 1933, Page 4

A GREAT PARTY

GIVEN BY 2ZL. AUNT GWEN AND UNCLE ED. ENTERTAIN. The Hastings Drill Hall was a brilliant scene last evening at 7 o’clock for the party organised by 2ZL. with Aunt Gwen and Uncle Ed. as hostess and host, lor about 600 children, and some hundreds of onlookers were present. The children were nearly all in fancy dress, which looked very gay and fantastic. Elves, fairies, gipsies, Indians, cowboys, children in satin and silk frocks of pink, yellow, green, blue and all the colours of the rainbow, mingled with toy soldiers, Chinese men, Japanese women, children dressed as flowers, sailors, follies, and many other ideas for fancy dress. A committee of ladies helped with supper: —Mesdames Murray, Edwards, Hogg. Lord, Mills, Austin, Murphy. Robins. Music supplied by Mr. Lockyer added to the general festivity. Coloured lights bv Messrs. Wall and Gallien were effective and pretty. Aunt Gwen's popularity and also that of Uncle Ed. showed how much hundreds of small folk enjoy the ‘‘children's hour,” for they were the centre of an admiring throng wherever they went Aunt Gwen was in fancy dress as a little girl with socks, wide straw hat, and flowery cotton frock, and Uncle Ed. was in shorts and a white shirt as a boy THE (.RAND MARCH. The Grand March was a tremendous affair. but the swarms of children were evolved into a procession led by Aunt Gwen and Uncle Ed., the former holding the hand of the youngest radio fairy, Beverley McCoombe, a sweet toddler of 11 years old. dressed in a fairy frock of rose satin, with little bare arms and dimpled shoulders and she was as good as gold and quite oblivious of the admiration she received. Other ladio fairies who preceded Aunt Gwon and Uncle Ed. were small Shirley Hutchison, in white, and silver with gauzy wings, looking a picture; and little Patty Smith in gold satin and gold tinsel with a jewelled star which gleamed on the bodice. It was a most impressive sight and spoke volumes tor the influence of the radio speakers on home life. The real radio fairy for ‘_'Zl Xgairo Murphy, was unfortunately ill in hospital and so unable to come. Alter the grand march Father Christmas in his scarlet robes with his -ihile beard as long as ever, seated on

a reindeer sledge, drawn by fairies with a garland of flowers arched above, entered the room greeted by loud cheers. Next came the little welcoming ceremony, when Aunt Gwen, Uncle Ed. Aunt Wendy (2ZP, Wairoa), Aunt Winnie (2ZH, Napier), and Father Christmas were all on the platform. The A mts were given wonderful bouquets and even Uncle Ed. had his bunch of carrots and cabbage leaves. Mrs. Mills (Aunt Gwen’s mother) was presented with a vivid scarlet bouquet of double ivy geraniums and gypsophila tied with scarlet satin ribbons. Uncle Ed. welcomed the children and hearty cheers were given for all the Aunts and Uncles. FUN FOR. ALL. There were treasure hunts and games and ice cream in plenty. Supper was very well arranged and each child had its cool drink and nice party food, besides sweets in plenty. The supper room looked very bright and attractive with flowers, greenery, ribbons, and the tables laden with delicious food. Congratulation is due to all those who worked so hard during the day and whilst the party continued helping to run things smoothly and making the party such a wonderful success. THE PRIZE-WINNERS. The winners of the various competitions were as follow:• —Doll, I. Blair, Greenmeadows; tea cosy, Jean Weststool, Nola Jones, plum pudding, Mrs. Burns: cushion. Betty Franklin; two hags of coal, M. Shaw; pull-over, Mrs. J. Murphy; bag of eoal, E. English; table centre. Mrs Hain; slippers, Peggy Copp; three bags of eoal, L. Osborne.