SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21831, 19 December 1932, Page 7

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

SUCCESSFUL. CHILDREN’S PARTIES SEASONAL CHEER AND FESTIVITY “ Hound goes the dock in a twinkling,” said the Mad Hatter. “ Half-past 1, time for dinner! ” And the close of the year brings back the Christmas season with a suddenness that is almost equally disconcerting. But what is more disturbing still is the fact that another Christmas has come round; with no appreciable alleviation of the distress which afflicts a considerable section of the community. Even another year’s revolutions of Time’s fast-running wheel ” have failed to alter sensibly conditions which demand concerted public action for the provision of seasonal cheer and festivity for thousands of children. Saturday afternoon in Dunedin was devoted to the entertainment in a variety of ways of children whose enjoyment of the inalienable privilege of youth in the matter of Christmas celebration is threatened by the straitened circumstances of parents without regular employment. The success of functions held in three different parts of the city, the completeness and appropriateness of the largesse distributed, and the strikingly enthusiastic spirit in which it was proffered revealed the existence of a genuine Christmas spirit and consideration for the misfortunes of others, not only on' the part of the actual organisers and helpers, but also by a wide circle of business people and citizens whose contributions of cash or kind made possible the brightening of little lives no more responsible for their gloom than they are aware of its causes.

It was an afternoon of strenuous and unremitting labour for a great many people, but for no one more than for the Mayoress (Mrs R. S. Black), upon whose generously-accommodating shoulders rested the chief burden of the entertainment in the Town Hall of over 3000 children. Her public oWes Mrs Black much for the assiduous and unsparing work she has done in the past in the interests of the unemployed community, and particularly the mothers and children, but it is doubtful whether on any previous occasion she has spared herself, or her large and willing committee, less in the service of others than she did on Saturday. It was a bright and joyous occasion for which she was responsible, and her thousands of guests, young and old, furnished her with visible and audible evidence of their appreciation of her efforts. ‘ If the exercise of the virtues of true kindliness and genuine consideration for others needs any reward, the reaction of Saturday afternoon’s attendance at the party must have repaid a great many people for their weeks and months of preparation. At Tahuna Park another Christmas party wag held under the patronage of the Mayor of the borough (Mr J. Beattie), at which several hundred children were entertained. The third event was the function arranged by the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and held in the First Church grounds, for the benefit of the children of deceased and badly disabled soldiers. This, like the others, was a boisterouslysuccessful and happy affair, characterised by the happiest spirit among hosts and guests, and the infusion into the proceedings of an atmosphere appropriate to the season.

GAY AND COLOURFUL SCENE MRS R. S. BLACK AS HOSTESS OVER 3000 GUESTS. It was with great expectations and illconcealed impatience that hundreds of small boys and girls awaited at 2.30 p.m. the opening of the doors that would lead them to the fairyland of colour and brightness which the Mayoress, as hostess, had provided for them in the large Town Hall. The waiting crowd grew and grew until, when the time came for everyone to be seated, the tokil number of guests exceeded 3000. Whatever anticipations had been aroused must have been amply fulfilled by the spectacle which opened thousands of eyes saucer-wide as hurrying little forms swarmed the long rows of tables and commandeered plates and drinking vessels against the time when the large staff of amateur waiters and waitresses would commence the distribution of the toothsom'e viands and delicious sweets which are always one of the foundations of a youthful Christmas. Thousands of balloons, air-filled by Boy Scouts who must have spent many a pink-cheeked hour at the task, floated over the tables and around the galleries. Then the mass of conflicting shades and hues was further intensified by the distribution of thousands of paper hats of all colours and shapes. Little tongues wagged incessantly, bright, care-free laughter and shrill, excited shrieks filled tiie air, to develop finally into unabashed roars of delight and satisfaction when the afternoon tea was served. Packages of sweets were also handed round, and with them squeakers,i hooters, and whistles, the combined effect of which temporarily drowned the voices of the excited little revellers.

The distribution of toys and gifts, the piled masses of which surrounding the illuminated Christmas tree had drawn all eyes from the moment of entrance, was a lengthy and exciting business which taxed the energies of four Father Christmases. There were presents for all ages and both sexes, toddlers and babes in arms, schoolboys and schoolgirls. ' The tiny tots remained in the gallery with their parents, but the main body of guests were waited on at the foot of the Christmas tree on the stage. The supply and variety of gifts seemed endless, but as the gupsts trooped up in the scores the piles diminished with surprising rapidity. Books, dolls, tiny household furnishings, and mechanical toys of all descriptions had been provided by a generous public in a variety of ways, and the sweets and other delicacies dispensed wore mostly secured either as straight-out gifts or their purchase was made possible by publicly subscribed funds.

A programme of entertainment was provided by an all-juvenile company of performers from the dancing establishments of Miss Lily Stevens and Miss Gwen Webster. The ballets and dance scenas were delightfully executed, and completely captivated the large audience. Two little maids in a romance of a butcher’s shop astonished young and old with an exhibition of acrobatic dancing that was a revelation of endurance and plasticity of body and limb. Military ballets and other dance items filled in a happy half-hour, and merely served to increase the exuberance and unashamed revels of a gathering which gave itself up completely to the pleasures of the occasion.

When the party was over, it was a tired, if very happy, crowd which filed out into the narrow street outside, blowing whistles and squeakers, sucking sweets, clutching gifts and holding balloons aloft. And for an hour afterwards the small guests could be seen in all parts of the city making their way homewards after a strikingly joyful and gay afternoon.

The _ management and conduct of the gathering was a tribute to the organising skill and painstaking effort of Mrs Black and her Ladies’ Committee. For four long months the work had been in hand, and many days and nights of leisure time had been devoted to the effort by large numbers who could not expect limelight, only hard work. Nor was the work finished when the party was over. The cleaning up and repacking which always follow such occasions kept the baud of helpers busy late into the night before the Town Hall resumed its normal appearance.

IN FIRST CHURCH GROUNDS RETURNED SOLDIERS’ EFFORT There was a large attendance of mothers and children at First Church grounds, where the president of the association (Mr P. S. Anderson), the Executive Committee and members of the club acted as hosts to war orphans and the sons and daughters of seriously disabled soldiers in hospitals and sanatoria. The bright sunshine made an ideal afternoon for such an out-of-doors treat, and tho guests enjoyed themselves to the full. Unfortunately a lack of funds made it necessary to- exclude from this year’s party the children of economic pensioners, who in the past have ahvays participated in the party. Mr Anderson, in a few well-chosen remarks, welcomed the mothers and children in the Burns Hall, and at the close of his speech Father Christmas came through the window and took charge of the Christmas tree. Then followed a distribution of gifts for all the children, who were also supplied with balloons and sweets. A huge Christmas cake, weighing GOlb, the gift of Mr T. H. L. Goodley, chairman of the Waikouaiti Committee of the association, was shared by those present. Ice creams and fruit drinks were also dispensed by a large band of willing helpers. During the afternoon Miss Gwen Webster’s dancing pupils staged a highly enjoyable series of ballets. * While the mothers were being entertained at afternoon tea the children indulged in races and other competitive games, all of which were keenly appreciated. The manner in which members of the association assisted with this and other features of the afternoon's programme was greatly appreciated by the committee, whoso arrangements were thus completely and successfully carried out.

AT TAHUNA PARK ST. KILDA CHILDREN ENTERTAINED The efforts of the people of St. Kilda to bring cheer and gladness to the Christmas of children of the unemployed were no less successful than those of the organisers of the city functions. The Christmas Cheer Committee, under the chairmanship of the Mayor (Mr J. Beattie), embarked on an ambitious project when it decided upon the programme carried out, but thanks to the generosity of the people of the borough there was enough and to spare for every little participant in the afternoon’s fun. There were the inevitable ice creams

and soft drinks, supplied in abundance I by generous supporters, and dispensed by j grotesquely or humorously clad pierrots, I nigger minstrels, and old dames, who I added to their heavy task by assisting | in the control of a varied and interesting series of sports and games. Everything went with a will. Parents and committee combined to entertain the young guests in the most whole-hearted and enthusiastic manner.

The main ground at Tahuna Park was used for the sports, and the well-filled grand stand watched the games and races. The basement of the stand, however, proved to be the most interesting place on the ground for the children. Here, in the midst of gay and colourful decoratiops, they were regaled with afternoon tea on a most generous scale. The combination of ice creams, drinks, sweets, jellies, cakes, and other such must have put a tremendous strain on juvenile digestions, but no one seemed to have a moment to spare for such considerations. During a lull in the programme of sports the children were assembled for afternoon tea, and when this important item had been disposed of they passed from the tea room in single file into the sanctum of Father Christmas, where each child received a suitable gift and a bag of fruit.. The selection, of gifts and toys piled almost ceiling high in the small room was an exceptionally fine one.

Mr Beattie and members of his committee expressed the keenest appreciation of the manner in which the people of the borough had come to their aid, providing money and goods in such volume that, notwithstanding the large number of guests, there was never any danger of a shortage. City firms and individuals also contributed to the funds.

Father Christmas arrived at the park in the well-known pony carriage of Messrs Thomsons, Ltd., and was jycorted into the ground by tho Forbury School Band, the members of which had a strenuous afternoon providing the necessary music. As at both the city functions, a feature of the Tahuna Park party was the abundance of willing help available for the entertainment of the children. In every way it was a highly successful occasion, reflecting great credit on the organisers, who were for the most part unemployed men themselves.

Messrs F. Jones, M.P., and D. C. Cameron also spoke in appreciation of the generosity of all who had assisted to make the event a success.