WOMAN'S WORLD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24178, 21 January 1942, Page 4

WOMAN'S WORLD

AIB EAID PRECAUTIONS ' PROTECTION OF Y.W.C.A. BUILDING OCCUPIED BY WOMEN One of the few large buildings in the Auckland city area to be occupied solely by women is the Young Women's Christian Association, which comprises the hostel as well as the main building. A survey of the emergency precautions yesterday showed that the women residents and staff have prepared intelligently and efficiently for any eventuality. Following tho suggestions of people who have suffered some of the worst "blitzes" in London, a room on one of the middle floors has been chosen as an air-raid shelter in preference to the basement. This room has eight exits and is equipped with water, cooking and other facilities. A fully-equipped emergency cupboard and a casualty station have been established in each building, while emergency coaking apparatus has been procured to serve both for indoor and outdoor use. Believing that hot tea is a small but important item in the maintaining of morale, the authorities have also provided stoves, crockery and biscuits. Residents in the hostel, who nuqiber approximately 100, and staff and residents in the main building, numbering about 60, are acting as wardens in their respective buildings, while certain ones have also been allotted special tasks in an emergency, such as the turning off of power and gas, and lighting the kerosene lamps. Sandbags are being used as one of the main protections for the two buildings, and a number of girls commenced on Saturday with the filling of the first 200. Following suggestions from England, these bags are being only partially filled and tied with string at each corner, so that they can be easily lifted and thrown on to an incendiary bomb or small fire. As the bag breaks the sand filters quickly through to do its work ot smothering the fire. Regular emergency practices have been held in the hostel and the organisation is now in hand for constant firewatching on the part of the staff, the members of which, together with many residents, are also trained in first aid. If it ever became necessary to evacuate the Y.W.C.A., the authorities of the association have arranged for the people to go to the Y.W.C.A. holiday house at Blockhouse Bay, bedding and other necessary stdres are already provided. SOLDIERS' PARCELS 2200 PACKED IN A DAY The work of packing 4880 soldiers' parcels for the next overseas consignment was commenced on Monday by members of the women's activities subcommittee of the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Council in the Seddon Memorial Technical College assembly hall, which had been made available for tha work. Of the 16,330 parcels required

from the Auckland Province, the quota for zone 0 of the Auckland metropolitan area was 7880. of which the ISiavy League undertook to pack 3000. Thirtyseven women's organisations in land sent three helpers each to pack the 4880 parcels for the women's activities sub-committee, and so rapid was the work that on the first day 2200 parcels were packed. It is anticipated that the work will be completed to-day. The women helpers start work at 9 a.m. and finish at about 5 p.m., with short breaks for lunch and afternoon tea, for which the Women's Institute members provide and serve the tea. The parcels are packed to a standard design, from eight to 10 being accommodated in each wooden case. Many of the women have wielded hammer and nails effectively in the closing down and labelling of the boxes, while valuahle assistance has also been given by a group of soldiers who have lined, stencilled and wired the boxes. No space in any box is wasted, papers'and periodicals being included if room is available. Each parcel contains a, tin of cake or shortbread, a tin of fruit or meat, condensed milk, fruit salts or aspros, tin of sweets, handkerchief, dental block and toothbrush, soap, foot powder, chewing gum, a pair of socks and a greeting card from the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee. Many "half-crown" cards are also included, these having been paid for by individuals or business firms, whose name is attached That this provides a much appreciated personal touch to the parcels is shown by the letters of thanks from the soldier" received by the donors of the cards. The proceeds from the salo of the cards are used toward providing the contents of the parcels. The Mayoress, Mrs. J. A. C. Allum, president of tho sub-committee, has attended each day to supervise the work with Miss B. E. Carnachan, chairman of the Yorkshire House Committee. SOCIAL NEWS 'Mrs. S. 0. English, Hamilton Road, Heme Bay. left last night for Wellington. Miss Olga Lawrie, Huntly Avenue, Epsom, left last night for Wellington, where she will remain for three months. Mrs. G. W. Atkins, of Wellington, is spending a short holiday with Mrs. Drummond Holderness, of Remuera. Mrs. Gilbert. Archey, Laurie Avenue, Parnell, left last night for Wellington to visit her daughter, Mrs. Graham Chater. Miss K. Moseley, the new headmistress of Woodford House School, Havelock North, has arrived in Wellington from England, and will proceed immediately to Woodford House. ENGAGEMENTS Marshall—Going.—The engagement is announced between Clarence Vivian, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. 0. Marshall, Pukekura, Cambridge, and Betty Isabel, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs C. M. Going, Puahue, Te Awamutu. Sara—Miller.—The engagement is announced between Edward Lester, eldest son of Mr. and Mth. W. Sara, of Roefton. and Marie Hazel, eldest, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G Miller, To Aroha, Smith —Henson. —Mr. and Mrs. E. Henson, Remuera, announce the engagement of their daughter, Marion Pamela, to Sergeant John Raymond Smith, Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J Smith, Remuera. Stewart—Dunlop.—The engagement is announced between Hutton, second son of Mr, ] and Mrs. W. Stewart, Highland Park, Wellington, and Joan, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Dunlop, Epeom, Auckland. I