RETAILERS' QUEEN GROUP

Otago Daily Times, 20 September 1915, Page 3

RETAILERS' QUEEN GROUP

SOCIAL IN ART GALLERY HALL

Thoso who helped to mako the retailors' effort in the recent Queen Carnival the conspicuous eucoees that it was, were entertained by the queen of the group (Miss Emery) and Mrs W. Emery ut the Art Gallery Hall on Saturday evening. Upwards of 400 persons gatnored in the hall about 8 o'clock, and the proceedings, which were of a 6ocial nature, afforded a great deal of enjoyment to those present. The hall had been decorated on a most lavish scale. The floor was laid with large carpets and furnished as a drawing room, while round the walls wae trellis work and greenery. Overhead were Chinese lanterns, festoons of coloured paper, and suspended bowls of beautiful spring flowers. The stage was a veritable bower of flowers. The combined effect was charming, the hall having a delightfully fresh and springlike appearance.

the appearance of Miss Emery on the stage was the signal for a prolonged outburst of applause. Mr George Crow (chairman of the executive) presided, and, in a preliminary speech, referred to the able manner in which the retailers' group had been supported by Mr and Mrs Emery, neither of whom had spared trouble and expense to iltdvance the ■ cause of the wounded soldi&rs.

Mr Emery, on behalf of the Retailers' Queen, her mother and himself, gave them all a cordial weicomo. They had not yet had an opportunity of congratulating themselves upon the great measure of sucoees which rewarded their efforts-on behalf of the wounded soldiers. In their most sanguine moments they had never hoped for such a. splendid result. He hoped that the unanimity and good feeling which had existed throughout the retail section would continue long after the Queen Carnival had become a mere name and a thing of the ■ past.—(Applause.) The Chairman then asked Mies Emery's acceptance of a memento of the carnival from the whole body of the members of the executive. This took the form of a beautiful inscribed silver casket containing a platinum necklet and pendant with diamonds. In making the presentation the chairman said that their queen by her winning personality, tact, and uniform consideration, had won a host of friends, and in this way she had very materially helped the work. The present had been subscribed by very small amounte, and all her loyal subjects had been delighted to give her some little token of their appreciation and esteem.—(Applause.) The audience then sang " For She's a Jolly Good Fellow," followed by three hearty cheers. Miss Emery was accorded an ovation on coming forward to reply. She 6aid that the handsome gift would always bo to her a reminder of the great kindness she had received at tho hands of the retailers. She*" was proud of their efforts in that they had brought such a splendid response for the wounded soldiers, and ehe hoped that the friendships formed durinsr the carnival would live for all time.—(Applause.) Mr J. IT. F. Hamol thanked those who had been responsible for, the success of the work undertaken by the group. He then presented Miss Emery, on behalf of tho employees of Messrs A. and T. Inglis, with a framed photograph of the employees in their naval uniform. He also presented her with the retailers' flag, which had been flown from the masthead in the Triangle I on many occasions. Miss Emery was later made the recipient of a framed photo of the grocers' stall at the Cafe Ohantant. Miss Emery replied neatly, thanking the donors for their gifts. The Chairman presented a report from the executive, expressing high appreciation of the work done durins; the carnival. The Cafe Chantant was a feature of the campaign, and the not profit of over £3000 showed what could be done by united effort. Too much praise could not bo given to their Ladies' Committee for thnir share in the work, and a special meed of praise was due to the organising secretary (Mr J. Inglis Wright).—(Applause.) While on the whole the response made by the retail traders to their appeals was a splendid one, they must confess to a little disappointment. _ Some of their people refused to recognise their obligations, while others reckoned them at a very low figure indeed. They wore not without those, who, evidently waiting in patience for the war tax, absolutely refused to contribute.—The report was received with warm applause. A statement of accounts read by Mr Wright showed that the receipts totalled £10,102 17s 4d. The expenses were £298 18s 4d, leavinsr a net total of £9803 19s to go to tho Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Mr Wright referred to the invaluable services to the group by Mr G. Crow, -and moved£nat ho be accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The motion was seconded by Mr Emery, and carried with enthusiasm. An enjoyable programme of musical and elocutionary items was followed by aeupper, which had been tastefully set out in the annexe.. After an hour's pleasant social intercourse, theifloor was cleared and dancin" was indulged in until about 11.30. °