LEAGUE OF MOTHERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 2 October 1936, Page 11

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS.

PALMERSTON NORTH BRANCH. TALKS ON FAMOUS WOMEN. There was the usual large attendance a.t the monthly meeting ot the Palmerston North branch of the League of Mothers, which was held in the Empire Hall yesterday afternoon. Mrs G. G. Hancox presided and welcomed those present, specially mentioning Miss E. Revere. She also made appreciative reference to the fact that Mrs Waugh, of Feilding, did not allow distance to prevent her from attending meetings, a.nd that members were also present irom Woodville, Rangiotu, Rongotea and Aorangi. New members welcomed were Mesdames W. P. Cranfield, A. J. Bowden, Hammon, E. Bee, O’Connor, and de Vantier. The stage was attractively arranged with Iceland poppies and pink blossom, marigolds lending a bright note of colour along the front. Mrs Hancox said she had received a letter from the former secretary, Mrs G. Young, who has now taken up her residence in Auckland. Mrs Young had written to say that she had joined the Remuera branch of the league, and sent greetings to members. Mrs F. Wilkinson carried out the duties of door hostess.

The Singing Circle, under the direction of Mrs 0. Christiansen, opened the programme with an enjoyable item, “Just a Song at Twilight,” Miss 1. Currm being at the piano. Miss Revere delighted with pianoforte solos, “Rigoletto Fantasia” and the “Prelude” by Rachmaninoff. Vocal solos, “I Know Not Why” and “It’s Quiet Down Here,” by Mrs F. McLaclilan, were very much appreciated, Miss Curritx being at the piano. The happy tnought for the month was supplied by Mrs C. Waters as follows: “Do all the good you can to all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as often as ever you can. Six five-minute talks on famous women were the feature of the programme, and proved unusually interesting. Mrs J. Barsanti chose Elizabeth Fry, and spoke of her wonderful reform work in connection with English prisons. The life of Florence Nightingale, foundress of the modern system of nursing, was dealt with by Mtb C. Anderson, who spoke of the prejudice with which she had to contend and of

her well-known work during the Crimean War. The story of Edith Cavell, England’s martyred nurse, was told by Mrs A. Graham, who spoke of bow she was dogged by spies and after a secret trial was shot for giving shelter to refugees, thus ending an heroic life. Mrs M. K whereto in drew a vivid picture of the life of Mary Slessor, pioueer Presbyterian missionary, in Africa, who was born in Scotland. The arrival of Queen Astrid from Sweden, who came to Belgium as a “fairy princess” and captivated the hearts ot the Belgian people, was described by Mrs E. T. McKain, who also spoke feelingly of her subsequent life and its tragic ending. The talks were concluded by a eulogy of the work of Mrs Elizabeth MeCoombs, New Zealand’s first woman M.P., by Mrs V. Stagpoole. Afternoon tea was served by Mesdames W. Mouldey, It. Greig, G. E. Stevens, T. V. Yardley, W. Templeton, Williams, Dalton, C. C. Aitken, P. Burns, D. Wheeler, G. Melville, L. Gold, E. W. Drake, D. Rabone, S. Browning, E. J. Sloinan, M. Boyes, /. McMillan, D. H. Fraser, K. Clarke, C. Waters, W. Petrie, J. Leesoii, and J. Barsanti (convener). Mrs A. Stewart proposed a vote of thanks to the contributors, speakers, and tea hostesses, and specially congratulated the Singing Circle on its item.