RELIEF WORKERS’ SOCIAL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 June 1933, Page 8

RELIEF WORKERS’ SOCIAL.

DANCING* CARDS IAND COMMUNITY SINGING. That the fortnightly functions being held by the Relief Workers’ Association are gaining in public favour was well illustrated at the Druids’ Hall last evening, when the Hall was filled to overflowing, 'there being in the vicinity of 240 people present. Foxton was well represented by the Relief Workers’ Novelty Orchestra, Hr Geo. Smith (community sing leader) and his pianist, Mr Leslie Mattar, also Mr Byne (President of the Relief Workers’ Association), Mr Martin (secretary) and Mesdames Byne and Martin. The district surrounding Levin was also well, represented. *

The duties of M.C. were carried out in a very capable way, by Mr Roy Cole. He arranged yrhat proved to be a very popular programme, and saw to the smooth running of it. On. the Whole, the function could be termed a “joy night,” the huge assembly having a hap)?y time from start to finish.

The Foxton relief workers’ orchestra, under the baton of Mr Tui Carter, opened with a one-step. This orchestra immediately became popular with Levin dancers. It truly answered, to the description of “Novelty Orchestra”; the time througuout left nothing to be desired, and the local organisation will be pleased to have this combination in operation again. After the card players adjourned at 10 p.m., Mr Geo, Smith and his pianist were introduced by Mr Gregan, who said he had great pleasure in introducing a very old friend, in the person of George Smith, whose presence -hewas sure they would all enjoy. Mr Smith had kindly consented to come to Levin for old friendship sake and with a desire to help the unemployed, in every way he could. The Association was deeply grateful to Mr Smith, and the speaker was sure his hear-era. would be in like frame of mind when. “Georgie” took them in hand. Mr Smith is a champion expeller of “the blues”; and within ten seconds he had the whole of the people present smiling and with him. For half an. assembly, led by George, gave of their vocal best. It would be impossible to single out any particular item. Suffice it to say that the jokes and songs right through Mr Smith’s effort were most popular and. ereatecL immense fun and amusement. At the conclusion Mr Gregan called for three cheers for Mr. Smith and his pianist, and those were most lustily given. On returning thanks Mr Smith volunteered to contribute another item, which he hoped hie old friend Tom Gregan would not take too literally as applying, to himself: “He Was Not Always Bald.” This number “brought down, the house” and concluded Mr Smith’s turn.

Mr Smith, as an •experienced leader, expressed himself in glowing terms with regard to the singing, with whicfli he was very pleased indeed. In all his concerts, he said, he had very rarely had as good singing as his Levin audience had contributed. He advised that more opportunity be given to Levin audiences to sing. After the community singing, a dainty supper was served, everyone being given an opportunity to satisfy “the inner man. ’ ’ The supper arrangements were in the hands of Mesdames Ferris, Thompson, Higgs and Hassell, with a willing band of helpers. These ladies are to be congratulated da the way they carried out this work, the. more so as they had such a large gathing to attend to. Dancing was kept up in fall swing until 2 a.m. The Monte Carlo waltz competition was won by Mr N. Cressy (Hawera) and Miss Hough (Levin). Mr Gregan thanked the Foxton association for bringing the orchestra to Levin, and called if or three cheers for the band. These were most heartily

given. Mr Martin replying on behalf of the orchestra, said that the idea of forming the band was that they might help distress throughout the district. Such a reception as they had received in Levin was a recompense for the time and practice the men had to put in to become efficient. They were pleased to help Levin. Their wish was to promote a social spirit between the various towns. Foxton would hold a grand, social and dance on July 11th, and he invited as many .as could make the trip to be present on that occasion. The Association wishes to thank its friends and supporters for jtheir patronage, withput which such functions must be a failure.