SOCIAL GOSSIP

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 957, 14 November 1918, Page 19

SOCIAL GOSSIP

I)BAB CHRISTABEL, — T AST Friday was not the First of April, but the City of Wellington, by evening time, felt as if it had been. Early in the morning unofficial news reached from America that an armistice had been signed. The people proceeded to go mad with joy. Even highly-placed and responsible officers of the Government somehow began to be persuaded that, though the news was not official, it was true. There was every sign of universal rejoicing, but the promised signal by the guns was not heard. Nothing daunted, the populace persuaded itself that 'the Government was waiting for something and so it went on. The shops were turned into bear gardens and the streets into a carnival scene and it is feared there, was many a sore head that night. That afternoon the House again adjoiirned because members, like other people, felt upset. The Prime Minister consented to the adjournment, because he said he wanted a Cabinet meeting!

That day happened to have .been set aside for the effort on behalf of the Returned Soldiers' Club. Stallholders merely had to stand in their places. They were besieged for flags. More than three-quarters of the shops and all the offices had closed at once. Every cab and motor in the town seemed to be dashing through the streets, gaily decorated with flags. One big draper's shop, which did keep open, did a roaring trade in flags; it had evidently got ready for just that occasion. At every counter flags and ribbons were, sold, and the place was soon full of children —little and big. Many the customers offered willing assistance in fastening the flags on to {their little sticks. The enthusiasm was indescribable. The people could not be persuaded that the news had not arrived. The disappointment was bitter.

The weather for days had been unspeakably vile, and though Friday did

turn out to be fine, it was windy. The Wellington College Sports had been postponed from the previous Friday and were again postponed, this time indefinitely, owing to the dampness of the ground.

Miss Baber's School sports were to have been held as usual that week at the Hutt Recreation Ground. They also were postponed.

Five sales of work or bazaars were opened last Wednesday. Why on earth can't these things be arranged differently? Mrs. Sprott opened St. Peter's Bazaar and received a glad welcome. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool opened St. Paul's Bazaar, which was held, perhaps for the last time, in St. Andrew's Schoolroom, lent for the purpose again, St. Paul's Schoolroom, m Sydney-street, being still the Club for Soldiers. Stallholders were: Mesdames Badham, Von Dadelszen, Mitford, Knowles, the Misses Barraud and Morton (Guild stall); Mesdames G. Tripe, Clayton, and Miss Clayton (cakes); Mesdames Bell, Harding, Hudson, and Smith (produce); Misses Brandon and helpers (fancy); Mrs. Tilly, Misses Stowe, Hamilton, Brandon (flowers); Mesdames I. Brandon, Warren, Price, and Miss Ellison (jumble) ; Mesdames C. Richardson and Philips Turner (sweets); Mrs. Lee and helpers (Christmas Tree); Mesdames N. Burton and W. Blundell (tea).

A private letter received from England mentions that Mr. T. Stuart and family, formerly of Tutira Lake and Omatua, Hawke's Bay, liope to return to New Zealand after the war.

. Friday must have been an anxious day for the Prime Minister and Mrs. Massey. Their daughter, Miss Isabel Massey, was on the south-bound Auckland express which ran into a land slide north of Marton in full daylight that morning. _ Twoi people were killed and several seriously injured. Not until mid-day did Mrs. Massey hear that her daughter was quite uninjured. Meanwhile the wild jubilant cries of the multitude over the« supposed signing of the armistice could be heard. The Premier's family, of course, knew how great the disappointment must be when the public wasj at last convinced that official news had not reached "Wellington. Miss Massey arrived home safely in the evening, suffering from shock, but uninjured.

The galvanic effect of Tuesday's news "turned all sorts of people in one direction only. All occupations and interests, except celebrations of victory, were dropped at once. National happenings obliterated all social arrangements. From 9 a.m. the excitement began. The streets were suddenly filled with crowds smiling from under waving flags which filled the town with cheerful colour. Songs burst from all directions. On the G.P.O. steps a joyous choir of Civil Servants made the welkin ring with "Sons of the Sea" and "Rule Britannia-" One patriotic citizen playing airs on a flageolet with considerable skill led a pretty and constantly growing procession, waving flags and marching in excellent time. Xiong streams appeared in the grounds of the Government Buildings, and the crowds began to assemble in large numbers in the Parliamentary Grounds to hear the Governor-General's official announcement of the signing of the armistice. Not much could be heard except enthusiastic cheering and spirited singing of the National Anthem. Much merriment was caused by an enormous bulldog upon whose ample back was spread a Union Jack.

The minds of many reverted to the similar gathering at the same spot held more than four years ago, when the Declaration of War was first announced. Those who on that occasion so cheerfully shouted that they were not down-hearted realise now how little they had foreseen on the earlier •date what mountains of difficulties our Empire had to scale before attaining the plateau ,of peace strewn with the relics of the ruined German Empire, and with the more pathetic fragments of French and Belgian art destroyed by the barbarous Huns.

At noon was held the principal function of the day when the Prime Ministic and constantly-growing crowd blazter and others addressed an enthusiasing with colour, to the accompaniment of cheers and patriotic songs, and towards the end the solemn strains of the "Old Hundredth." Colonel Hughes, D.5.0., in a short, well-re-ceived speech, urged recollection at all times of the men who fought and suffered on Gallipoli and other fields.

At the conclusion impromptu processions were formed and marched to various parts of the town. One from the Wellesley Club, led by a Cabinet Minister and re-inforced by many prominent citizens, halted at the Returned _ Soldiers' Club with hearty cheers, which were warmly returned from the balcony where returned soldiers/ saluted. When nearing its base at the Wellesley Club, the) procession encountered Colonel Hughes, who was promptly hoisted shoulder high and carried into tne Clu]>- with hearty cheering and a

chorus Intimating that he was "A Jolly Good Fellow." •Jr * ■» * In tlie afternoon a united Thanksgiving Service was held at the Basin Reserve. It is impossible to estimate how many people were present. The Reserve was absolutely filled and the streets leading to it were packed with people. Very genuine was that thanksgiving, and most fervently was sung "Oh, God, Our Help in Ages Past."

In the course of one of- the numerous occasional speeches made during the day tlie interesting , fact- was made known that General Wilson, the British Military Representative at the Versailles Council, is a cousin of the American President. That each of two men, nearly related, should occupy positions so prominent in the two nations is an interesting illustration of how closely intertwined are the roots of the British Empire and the American Republic.

Mrs. and Miss Massey were standing on the balcony of the Ministerial residence listening to the guns when a tram from Karori passed. Seeing them, the passengers in the tram rose spontaneously and sang the National Anthem. * * & •» The Soldiers' Club,- Sydney-street, has been commandeered by the Health Department as a hospital for influenza; patients. Mrs. Massey, president of the Club, and. the Committee members helped to get the place ready. The Club has been a home away from home for soldiers during four years of war, and has served as an outlet to the feel-

ings of many women, who had an intense desire to render some personal service for the men to whom we owe our heartfelt joy to-day. All are thankful that the need for such a club no longer exists, and all rejoice, boo, that so ne a building can be utilised to alleviate the present suffering. Many an influenza-racked person vas unable to l go out and join in the general rejoicing on Tuesday, but the most sorely stricken must surely have been cheered as they heard the shouting of the multitude.

The schools are closed, also places of amusement. Everything is being dene to check the spread of the disease which is creating somewhat of a panic. Unfortunately it is difficult in many houses to take the advice which is publicly offered—"Go to bed immediately you feel ill." An enormous pity is felt for mothers in poor homes who are without telephone or the comforts which most of us regard as necessities. If the whole family is ill, one quite understands the mother standing on her feet until the last passible second. The Mayor and Mayoress got to work very early, and a very fine organisation has ui 06I i f° The city is divided into blocks, and house-to-house, visiting is arranged for, as in Auckland. Food, medical help and necessities will be provided in all cases where they are required. The war has taught the peoples- of the world a very great deal. The milk of human kindness was always abundant in English-speaking communities. A great and common sorrow has shown ordinary people how to find the spring. Mabel.