TREAT FOR CHILDREN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24142, 8 December 1941, Page 8

TREAT FOR CHILDREN

LARGE CHRISTMAS PAR An event that will live long in memory of the 520 children of sol serving overseas who were present the Christmas party held in the' 1 ] Hall on Saturday afternoon. Spon< by the Auckland Metropolitan Pati Committee, the function' was ac ably conducted by the Mayoress Auckland, Mrs. J. A. C. Allum gether with suburban mayoresses' the wives of town board chairme: numbei; of women's organisations lent their support. Each little guest was met at main entrance by a group -of fa and conducted to the auditor which had been transformed inti veritable fairyland of balloons, stp ers, greenery and intriguing i scenes painted by members of Y.W.C.A. After being presented to fairy queen, each child was girei paper hat, and was introduced to Blue, Jack Horner, or one of the o famous nursery rhyme characters whose care he remained for the ra the afternoon.

From the gallery upstairs, mothers and guardians watched children as they romped, sang, ret and played all kinds of exciting p games. When tired of taking a ban the proceedings themselves, the < dren eat back and were entertainei dancers, acrobats and a clown, afternoon tea of jellies, strawbei and cordials followed, but the .. climax of the day was the arrival Santa Claus, who sent home 520 t but happy children each clinj tightly to an apple, an orange, a a box of sweets and a balloon.

Mrs. Allum paid a tribute to way in which business firms and vate people had helped so u'nstintii to make the function the unquali success it was. One firm, she said, gone so far as to lend the service six window-dressers to assist with decorations.

A combined Christmas party for Buckland and Wesley Homes wag 1 at the Wesley Home, Mount Albert, Saturday, when 55 children were gu and received presents. The party arranged by the ladies' committee of Methodist homes and orphanages friends.