Cuba Street Methodist Ladies’ Guild

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 189, 12 August 1936, Page 15

Cuba Street Methodist Ladies’ Guild

STIMULATING TALK EY MBS. E. T. McKAIN. “It always gives mo great pleasure to talk of Belgium for it, draws me back to my- own little, country,” said Mrs. E. T. McKain, when speaking to the members of the Cuba Street Methodist Ladies’ Guild at their monthly meeting yesterday afternoon. Mrs.-Me-l-fain, who was introduced by Mrs. P. J. Meller, came to New Zealand as a bride 17 years ago and sho gave some very vivid impressions of' her homeland. Her address was really a delightful travel talk, which-, caught the imagination of all as she .touched on the various cities, customs and ways of the Belgian people. Along the coast of Belgium, bordering the North Sea, were many seaside resorts, said Mrs. McKain, and in a very small corner was La Panne, the only stretch of land left after tho Germans had attacked tho country. It was here that King Albert and Queen Elizabeth lived, determined to savo thislittle piece of Belgium. In speaking of Ostend, another very popular seaside town, Mrs. McKain remarked on the great, dilference betwocn the Continental and New Zealand bathing places. Not only did the people of Belgium frequent the resorts-but many English people, too, journeyed across to spend the week-ends. Ostend was also termed the “Second Monte Carlo,” continued‘the speaker, and tho casino was situated right on tho - seashore, thus commanding a magnificent, view of the beach and harbour. Besides the casino there were beautiful big hotels to which gathered all the elite of the world. Mrs. McKain spoke of tho light beer, whiejr was such a favourite beverage in Belgium, and which was served outside or inside the hotels.

The next city described was Bruges, a very old city, which was in the ■ past very wealthy, being the meeting placeof all merchants.. Now,. however, the sea had receded'leaving the port dry and the city had lost its commerce,, making it tho peaceful and quiet old city it is to-day, with its old inhabitants and elderly' women, who sit contentedly making lace. The buildings were modorn but of old Flemish architecture, with gold facings and many angelic figures. Most of tho older peoplo iii Bruges had given themselves to tho Beguinasji; an institution through which they aided tlio poor and eared for the sick. Bruges reminded ono of. Venice, continued Mrs. McKain, for the waterways were the only souvenir of tho sea that remained. Ghent was an ancient city with artistic traditions,- statod the speaker, for it was- tho home of Flemish art, but of late the city had become commereialiscd. Tho Flemish universities were also in Ghent. : , j At this point Mrs. McKain described | the Belgian peasant, who was most religious, clean and tidy. Each family was allowed only a ,small portion of land, just enough to ipake a living, for it was a tiny country and had to be divided among them all.Not only were the peasants religious but all the Belgian people, and. not a day passed without prayers. Thero was

always a corner where ono could worship. Mrs. McKain. stressed this characteristic! However, on a Sunday all the theatres were open and all kinds of sport indulged in during the afternoon. ■ In referring to Ypres, Mrs. McKain spoko of-the sacredness:, of'tho Monin Gato and of . the great number of English peojilo who. Had settled at Ypres. In fhet, -it .was called ' English Ypres now, said’tho speaker. - Antwerp, on the Kiver Scheldt, one of tho largest ports of tho world with its great docks, wharves and waterways; .was described clearly and fully by tho' speaker, especially, tho very beautiful railway station built of coloured marble. To show the citizens’ great appreciation of music and opera, Mrs. McKain said that many, journeyed from Brussois just to hear an opera. It was interesting to noto the origin pf.fhe name Antwerp. ■ Mrs. McKain spoko of tho .diamond-cutting industry and of tho very rich•' quarries to bo found throughout Bolgium, which was a self-supporting country. The different methods of cooking proved to bo very ihteresting and the laundry arrangements very unusual. All Belgian people wero very thrifty, stated the speaker, even the youngest children. In: Belgium, too, tho people spoke two languages, Flemish and French, as they, had no language of their own, said Mrs. McKain, In' the schools it was .compulsory 'to learn Flemish, French and Goman, , and perhaps Latin, Italian and Spanish, for in such a Continental country thero wore so many different peoplo coming in. Names of piacos and signs were all written in both Flemish and French.

In concluding this very stimulating talk, Mrs. McKain referred briefly to tho Boyal Family and of tho recent tragedies that had befallen t.hem, Two "very pleasing elocutionary items, “ An.Ellin Artist” and “An English Apple'Orchard,”: were given - by Miss Given Hancox during tho afternoon. It was also announced by the president that,, the guild intended to hold a spring fair and the secretary read the proposed list of stall-holders and those in' charge of competitions. On tho motion of Mrs. Blakemore, a warm vote of thanks was accorded Mrs. McKain. , Mrs. A. Fergusson moved that a vote of thanks also bo accorded the tea 'hostesses, who were members of the committee, and Miss Gwen 'Bancox. This was carried with acclamation, .