MOTHERS' UNION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23616, 28 March 1940, Page 3

MOTHERS' UNION

AFTERNOON RECEPTION MRS. AVERILL' FAREWELLED PRESIDENT FOR LONG PERIOD A very large gathering of members n!' the Auckland Diocesan Mothers' Union was present at the I own Hall yesterday afternoon, when a reception was hold in honour of Mrs. Averill, the retiring jiresident of the union. The hull had been attractively decorated for the occasion with palms and hanging baskets of fern, and vases oi gaily-coloured dahlias on tho tea tables. The front of the stage was banked with greenery and flowers, the background being composed ol : palms, above which the monogram of the union was hung. Tbe official party was led to a semicircle of easy chairs in front of the stage to hear a short musical programme which had been arranged by Mrs. T. H. C. Partridge. Here Mrs. Averill was presented with a bouquet of cream roses by Mrs. N. J. Mason. At the conclusion of the programme, they moved up to the stage, where Archbishop and Mrs. Averill were seated in easy chairs covered in 1)1 no, which were later revealed as part of a presentation made to them by the members, the gilt being completed by a wireless set. The vice-president, Mrs. It. G. Coats, who presided, spoke of the regret of the members at Hie loss of Mrs. Averill as president of the union, and of their appreciation of her work and the inspiration she had given them. Mrs. Averill was a devoted wife and a loving mother, Mrs. Coats said, and had carried her ideals into her everyday life, giving the ifiembers a lead which they had been proud to follow. Increase in Numbers Similar sentiments were expressed by the Diocesan secretary, Mrs. W. J. Simkin, who stated that during the 25 years that Mrs. Averill had been president the membership of the union had steadily increased, so that jt now numbered over 2100. the highest of any Diocese in the Dominion. Others who spoke in appreciation of Mrs. Averill were .Airs. 11. B. Morton, the oldest member of the executive, and Mrs. 1,. Selwyn, on behalf of tho Maori members, her interpreter being Mrs. Mat ire.

W lien thanking tlio members for their good wishes and their gifts, .Mrs. Averill siwko of the happiness she had always found in working for the union. She suggested that .Mrs. Coats and Mrs. Simkin should take her place until the new bishop's wife was available. In adding his thanks to those of Mrs. Averill. the Archbishop expressed appreciation of the help the union had given him. The members had not let him down on any of the many and varied occasions when he had asked them for assistance, lie said. The union was a never-failing power for good in the community and stood for the things which really mattered in life, and now its ideals were more important than ever before. Mothers were Empire builders all over the world, and any time a man was found who had high ideals, good intentions and a noble character, behind him there would be found a woman who possessed the same qualities. Tribute to Mr. Savage At the conclusion of his address the Archbishop referred to a period at the beginning of the reception when the members had stood in silence in honour of the memory of the late Prime Minister. the Rt. Hon, .M. J. Savage. He spoke of his sterling qualities, visible in his striving to attain his ideals, and his care for the people in poor circumstances. A letter was received from Her Excellency Lady Galway, the patron of the union, expressing her regret at being unable to attend the reception. The musical programme included instrumental items by a trio which comprised M is«; Daphne Hicham (violin). M iss La lln H emus ('cello) and Miss Moya Cooper Smith (piano). Violin solos were given by Miss Higham, and Mrs. X. J. Mason sang.' The official party comprised.—The Archbishop and Mrs. Averill, .Mrs. R. (1. Coats, Mrs. H. 15. Morton. Mrs. W. J. Simkin. Mrs. T. TL C. Partridge, Mrs. J. MaeMurray. Mrs. TL Hawkins, Mrs. W. Fancourl. Mrs. W. W. Averill, Mrs. Carlton Hay. Mrs. .1. Sloman, Mrs. A. Iv Wethcrilt. Mrs. A. D. Jack. Mrs. R. T. Reid. Mrs. L. Selwyn and Mrs. X r . J. Mason.