Garden Party to Aid Missionary Funds

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 292, 10 December 1936, Page 11

Garden Party to Aid Missionary Funds

SUCCESSFUL EFFORT AT ALL SAINTS’ VICARAGE

Favoured with, lino weather the annual garden party organised by the Missionary Guild of All Saints ’ Church and held in the Vicarage grounds yesterday afternoon met with gratifying success. The stalls were set in a corner of the pretty garden sheltered from the wind, gay garden beds of cinnerarias, scarlet geraniums and hydrangeas making an appropriate setting.

Among those present were Canon G. Y. Woodward and Mrs. Woodward, Rev. J. S. Holland, the Mayoress, E. Hansford, who was accompanied'by Miss Ceoilio Jones, of Dunedin; also Miss Dinneen, organising secretary of the China Mission. Canon 'Woodward explained that the function had been arranged to create interest in mission work and to collect money to realise the parish quota; in other words, to make tho missionary barometer rise. ■ He expressed pleasure that the. Mayoress had again consented to open the garden party, and before? calling upon Mrs. Mansford, the Canon introduced Miss Dinneen, who was to address the gathering later. Mrs. Mansford. and Miss Dinneen were presented with dainty posies of rosebuds and lavender by Mrs. Woodward.

Thanking the organisers for the invitation to be present, Mrs. Mansford said it was really a pleasure to be asked to take part in such a worthy cause. “Wo are asked to assist in this work only at home, but what about the more practical people who do by far the lion’s share of the work,” Mrs. Mansford said. ‘ “They indeed carry out our social principle of which we are so proud, namely, that the strong should stand by the weak. We all'realised,” the speaker continued, “the wonderful work of the missionaries could not possibly be carried out unless they were assisted from their home lands. Surely if they could make the sacrifice of leaving civilised society, it was the least society could do to aid them in every possible way. And the garden party provided excellent opportunity of showing practical appreciation of those efforts.” In declaring the function open, Mrs, Mansford expressed the hope that the results would exceed the highest expectations. The' stalls were well laden and the goods found ready sale. The- ; stails and stall-holders were as follow: —

Fancy work, Miss Gaustad, Mrs. Byrne and Aliss Pasley; produce, Mrs. Wheelan, Alisses Harwood and Clarke; sweets. Misses G. Hands and J. Woodward, assisted by All' Saints' Ranger Company; afternoon tea, ALesdames H. Dawiek and N. Metcalfe, Aliss K. Owtram", Alesdames Ekersley and T. Inglis. Croquet competitions provided interest throughout-the afternoon under the capablo control of Alesdames Snelling "nd Bighar i. Addressing the gathering, Aliss Dinneen voiced her pleasure in finding the Alavoress of the city giving her personal help to a missionary effort. • Aliss Dinneen proceeded to give her audience an outline of the mission work in China. At the outset she said a missionary must take up this work only if she believed this to be the part she must play in life. The speaker showed by various incidents that a missionary in these Eastern countries was called upon' to face many difficulties and immediate' danger, but over and above all these experiences was a guiding providence and a purpose which more than recompensed the hardships. Aliss Dinneen referred briefly to. the present ruler, Generalissimo Chiang Kai iShek, and his wife, known .as •'Madame,” both of whom were earnest'Christians, who openly stated that their aim was to serve Christ in China as the late King George and Queen Alary had done in England. In several ways Aliss Dinneen showed the-outcome of the work of the missionaries and the help given by Christianised Chineso in raising moral standards and obviating dishonest practises. She mentioned in particular a brilliant man in the Government, Air. Wu Ding-Song, and the part he had played in breaking up a ring of notabilities whose nefarious practises were defrauding the Government of millions and ruining the farmers. In the evening a splendid film ot China, illustrating the work in the mission field, was shown by Rev. Long, Aliss Dinneen giving a descriptive narnativc which "was followed with interest.

A delightful play entitled ‘ ‘ When the Chimes' Rang,” was also presented by Takaro Guides, under the capable direction of their captain, Miss Gwen Hands.