TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 53

TABLE TALK.

Thursday Evening. The Town Hail was crammed on Tuesday afternoon, when a civic reception was held in order to welcome Sir Ernest Shackleton once more to Duneclin. It also had to take the form of a " gocd-byc," as Sir Ernest was in Dtmedin for only a few hours before sailing for the Antarcticu'egions. The Mayor (Mr Clark) spoke with admiration of the way in which exploration was linked with science, and of how much had been done recently towards it by Sir Ernest Shackleton. Mr J. A. Johnstone and the Hon. Dr M'N'ab also spoke in eulogistic word 3 of the explorer and his men on the Aurora. "When Sir Ernest arose to return thanks loud and lengthy cheers went up, and, although the time was very short, those citizens present fully appreciated the address which was given. The Aurora left Port Chalmers on Wednesday morning early, with the good wishes of all to the rescuers and to those whom they hoped to bring back to civilisation alive. Mr Paul Dufault gave two delightful concerts in His Majesty's Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday The theatre was well filled on both occasions. Mr and Mrs Stewart Holmes and their family have gone to spend Christmas with relations in North Otago. Mr and Mrs Fenwick are spending the holidays with their family at Waikouaiti. Mrs Lindo Ferguson left on Tuesday to spend Christmas with her son, Mr Gerald Ferguson. Dr and Mis Fulton and Miss Fnlton are spending the holidays at Stewart Island. Miss Ruby Neill, who has been the guest of Mrs P. R. Sargood (Wanaka Station), returned to Dunedin en Tuesday. Mr and Mrs Edward Graham and their daughter have gone to spend Christmas with relations in Oamaru. Mr and Mrs Holdsworlh and Miss N. Holdsworth left during the week for Christchurch to spend the holidays with their daughter, Mrs J. Deans (Jtiolm Bush). Mr and Mrs Acton-Adams returned from their trip to Ctmterbmy. Mr and Mrs Menlove, who have been on a motor trip to the north, have returned to St. Clair. Miss Cook (St. Leonards) is spending the holidays with Mrs Sargood (Lake Wanaka). Miss Scaife, who has been staying with friends at St. Clair, has gone tq_spend the holiday* at the Taieri.

Miss Clapperton has returned from lier visit to the Southern Lakes. Mr and Mrs James Roberts are spending: a few weeks at Gladbrook Station. Mrs Chapman and Miss G. Chapman, who were the guests of Mrs Cook, Union street, have gone back to the North Island. Mr and Mrs Carr and Miss Carew have taken up their residence aA Macandrew Bay for the summer. Mrs Shand has gone to epend a few weeks with her daughters, the Misses Shand (Timaru). Mr, Mrs, and the Misses M'lntosh have taken a house at Karitane for a few weeks. Mr and Mrs J. A. Johnstone and the Misses Johnstone left for a visit to Hampden during last week. INVERCARGILI,, December 22. Mrs .Roberts gave a most enjoyable afternoon tea in honour of Mrs Newton (Tapanui) on Tuesday afternoon. Among those present were Mrs Newton, Miss Fynes-Clinton, Mrs Morrah, Mrs F. J. Smith, Mrs Mitchel, Mrs G. Smith (Auckland), Miss Bell, Mrs Page, Mrs Prain, Mrs T. M. Macdouald, etc. The Misses Thomson gave a very large garden party on Wednesday afternoon in onour of the Bishop of Melanesia. After a delicious_ afternoon tea, which was served in the dining room, the guests played tennis and croquet, or wandered about the beautiful grounds. Those present besides the Misses Thomson and the Bishop of Melanesia were Mr and Mrs Bicknell, Mr and Mrs Tennent, Mr and Mrs L. Webb, Mrs J. L. Watson, Mrs Eonaldson, Mrs Bush, Mrs Morrah, Mr and Mrs Christophers, Mr and Mrs Chisholm, Mrs Wylie, Mrs Todd, Canon and Miss Pynes-Clinton, Archdeacon and Mrs Richards, Mrs Prain, Mrs Miller, Mrs Brodrick, Misses Brodrick (2), Bush, Wade, Wylie, Watson, Morrah. etc.

Mis R. J. Gilmour has returned from a visit to her sister at Liiburn. Mr and Mrs Denniston Cuthbertson are down from Trentham, and staying with Mrs R. F. Cuthbertson.

Dr and Mts Dunlop (Dunedin) are the guests of Mrs Gillies. Mrs Newton, who has been visiting her sister, Miss Fynes-Clinton, has returned to Tapanui. Miss M. Brodrick (Wellington) is the guest cf Misa Brodrick (Waikiwi). Mrs Pottinger, who has been in England for some months, is back again in Invercorgill. Miss Walker is the guest of her Bister, Mrs K. A. Anderson. Miss Wilkinson (Dunedin) is visiting Mrs Hawke (Gladstone). Mr and Mrs J. L. Watson and family arc frpendinrf the holidays at Dipton. OAMARU- December 21. Last Friday morning Mrs Douglas entertained a few friends at tennis. Some of the guests were Mrs Darling, Mrs Du Croz (Dunedin), Mrs Rankine, Mrs Dick Fotheringham, Mrs Law (Dunedin), Mrs E. F. Armstrong, Mrs Kissling (Auckland), and Miss C. W. Murdoch. On Saturday afternoon Mrs Pochin had a few friends to tennis at The Firs. The Misses M'Douall hava returned from Dunedin. Mrs Law (Dunedin) is the guest of her sister, Mrs Fotheringham. The Misses Webb (Dunedin) are the guests of the Misses M'Caw. Miss Haines has returned from spending several months in the North Island. Mrs Kissling (Auckland 1 ) spent a few days last week with Mrs E. F. Armstrong. Mrs Du Croz (Dunedin) is the guest of Mrs Darling. Mrs Whit ton has returned from a short visit to Christchurch. Mr and Mrs A. C. Gifford and family are down* from Wellington for the holidays,. Miss Hardy (Martori) is spending the-holi-days with her sister, Mrs Dalzell. Mrs Morrison, who was the guest of her sister, Mrs J. A. Sjjtion, has returned home. TIMARU, December 22. Mr and Mrs Simmers are spending the holidays at the Opihi. Mr and Mrs Moore and their daguhters are going to Wellington on Saturday for a fortnight. Miss Culvcrwell is going away for her annual leave. Mr and Mrs Gresson have gone to Peel Forest for a fortnight. Mr and Mrs M. Gresson (Christchurch) have taken their house during their absence. Mrs Battes (Waimate) will spend Christmas with Mrs W. S'ericker. Mr and Mrs M'Caskill have gone to Oaristchurch for a month. Mrs Matheson and family (Wai-iti road) have gone to Simon's Pass. Miss L. Clifford (Wellington) is spending the holidays with Mrs Clifford, LcCren street. Mr and Mrs Smithson _ (Highfield) are spending Christmas in Waimate. Mrs W. Hart is spending the holidays in Timaru. Mr and Mrs George Murry (Bracmar) have been in town for several days. Miss M. Cottrill (Christchurch) is the guest of Mrs A. Elworthy. CHRISTCHURCH, December 21. Last Saturday an enjoyable garden fete was given in Mrs Beswick's garden hi aid of the Red Cross Fund. Miss Theo Beswjck p.nd her small friends have had a sewing bee for some months, and the dainty stalls arranged in the garden last Saturday were from the efforts of these- young people. Tennis and golf-putting were to be had for the charge of a small fee; also a delicious tea, so that from the day's results these young folk would have the joy of handing over £3O to the Red Cross Fund. Some of -'hose present were Mr and Mrs A. Rhodes, Mrs Wigram, Mrs Vernon, Mrs W. Bond, Mr and Mrs H. Cotterill, Mrs Palmer, Mrs Allen, Mrs T. Cowlishaw, Mrs Gresson. Mr and Mrs Archer, Mrs and the Misses Robinson, Mrs H. Wood, Mrs Lord, and the Misses Reeves, Cotterill, Cowlishaw, Lee, Harley, Humphreys (2), Bendel, Anderson, Gresson, Sanders, and several others. Miss Ella Helmoro was "At home" to tennis on Friday. Those playing were Mrs Godby, the Misses Humphreys (2), Anderson, Gould, and Moore. Other hostesses have been Mcsdames Wigram, Wilding, Anderson, Beswick, Clark, Moore, and Palmer. Mrs Algar Williams and family are visitin e Mrs Boyle. Mr and Mrs Holdsworth and Miss TIOH3worth (Dunedin) are visiting Mrs J. Deans. Mrs Russell Grace and family (Wa.nganui) are the guests of Mrs Stead (Strowan). Miss M." Cracrof* Wilson (Cashmere) is the guest of M ; =!s Northcote (Highfield). Mr and Mrs Allen have gone to Auckland te> meet Miss Janet Ogle, who is returning from England. BLENHEIM. December 21. On Thursday afternoon Miss Connie Clous- * ", Invited tha Barents and friends of her

pupils to the breaking-up of the Cheltenham School. The schoolroom was prettily decorated for the occasion. Great praise is duo to Miss Cloustou for the training of the tiny folk for the cantata of "Nursery Rhymes," which was most successful. The Rev. Archdeacon Grace gave a short address, and presented the prizes wen during.the past year. Among those present were Airs Clouston, Mrs G. Seymour, Mrs C. Mills, Mrs F. Bull, Miss Bull, Mrs L> Ball, Mm E. Ball, Mrs Elvy, Mrs R Adams, Mrs and Misa D. Revell, Miss A. i\eville, Mrs and Misses Rudd, Mrs Whiteford, Mrs Eckford, Mra H. Mills, Mrs M'Artney, Mrs -Meade, Misa Brown (Nelson), Mrs Dobson. The small folk were Misses Molly Ball, Valerie Revell, Kathleen Bagge, Joan Eckford. Margaret Whiteford, Isabel Elvy, Joan Bobson, Betty Bagge, Masters Garthorne Meade, Russell, Ball, Byran Mills, Frank Bennett, and Ken. M'Artney. His Majesty's Theatre held a very largo audience on Thursday .evening, when the pupils of St. Mary's Convent Schools gave one of their enjoyable concerts. Among the audience were Mesdames Bennett, L. Griffihta, Waddy, R. Adams, R. M'Callum, Innegj Revell, Bragge, Ball, Sharpe, Rose, Mowat, Clouston, Vavasour, Noble Adams, Bennett, Misses Smith, Good, Urquhart, Neville, Leslie, Scott-Smith, M'Callum, Innes, Ball, Mowat, Redwood, and Horton. Misses Chapman provided a dainty tea at the Marlborough Lawn Tennis Grounds on Saturday afternoon, when there was a fair attendance. Those present were Mesdamea M'Callum, H. White, Allison, Best, Maclaine, Ross, Adam, Wright, A. Mowat, Hellene Scott, Misses Reid. Jenkins, Clouston, Wolfeifstan, Neville (3). Horton, Anderson, Smith, Mowat, and Lightfoot. _ Mr and Mrs A. Latter have gone to Wellington. Mrs Bagge has gone to Wellington. Mrs and Miss P. Lindsay (Auckland) are visiting Mrs A. Adams ((Langley Dale). Mrs Watts (Lansdowne) was in town during the week. Mrs and Mrs H. Monro (Bank House) have been in town for a few days. Miss Christopher (Invercargill) is the guest of Dr and Mrs R. Adams. Mrs Fisher has gone to Timaru for a holiday. Mrs A. Adams (Langley Dale) was in town during the week. Mrs and Miss M. Price are visiting friend* in Wellington. Miss M. Price has returned from Napier.

"WELLINGTON, December 21. Mr and Mrs T. Wilford are spending the holidays at Rotorua. Mrs A. Myers and her children have leff for Auckland for the holidays. Mr ard Mrs G. Tolhurst have gone soutl for the holidays. There is a perfect exodiis, as usual, foi Christmas, and the judges have taken the infection. Sir Robert and Lady Stout ara away south. Sir Robert bent on business connected with prison reform, which is strong down south, and requires travelling through some verv pleasant summer country. Mr Justice Chapman and Mrs Chapman are also in the south with their two daughters, and Mr Martin Chapman, K.C., the judge's brother. Thcv are at present at the Hermitage, Mount Cook, and from there they are due. late/ at Akaroa. The Christmas dinner for the soldiers at Trentham was a tremendous r.ffair. The Mayoress and her ladies went off at 10 in the morning by train with an army of helpers, and motor lorries and other vehicles conveyed good things of sorts for drinking and eating. Tables were spread in the open air under shady trees —a pleasant thing on a hot day, such as the day selected for the Christmas dinner. A flock of lambs was served up cold, with several acres of potatoes of the newest, and green vegetables, with a lake of mint sauce. These, all done to a turn, and served up daintily after deft carving, were enough to create an appetite under the ribs of death. But as everybody was very much alive, it requires little imagination to realise the tremendous size of appetite actually created. Sweets of the orthodox order—" puddin'a and taits and kickshaws " —were seen there, as the old eong has it, and things went very well then. The lady helpers, with the Mayoress at their head, kept every mouth round about the vast array of the tables full, and when the filling was over there was a mighty shout of gratitude after a speech or two of the shortest and brightest; and then the soldiers placed the ladies at the tables, and ministered with great empressement and many smiles. Hard by the Maoris had an innings of great interest. They had prepared a " hongi," and therein they had placed a whole bullock, stowing him in the old Maori way with leaves and earth and cunning devices of variety. When the appointed time —guessed by some sort of instinct—was over, the bullock emerged as bsef, was artistically cut up and sent round, and all who were lucky enough to get a bite declared they had never tasted such b<»ef in their lives—tender, juicy, succulent, and of a flavour never to be forgotten. There were remarks in consequence to the effect that similar treatment might have transformed the cold lamb into something more resembling a royal feast. But the popularity of the lamb was too well established to 'permit the ventilation of this theory among thr» feasting warriors of Maoriland. A notable sale of work during the week resulted in a sweep-in of .-540 to the Returned Soldiers' Club. The notable thing is that the affair was got up by two children, daught.-rs of Mrs Arthur Duncan, who, with the "aid of some little friends, stocked some stalls remarkably with fruit, flowers, sweets, and fancy goods. Aprons, lavender bags, sachets, handkerchiefs, and dolls' clothes, readily sold to the children present,' made a most unique spectacle. The trade carried on by the little people was brisk, the tea provided by the hostess (Mrs Arthur Duncan) was greatly enjoyed and applauded, and the fund benefited promptly by £4O. It will be pleasant news to many that there is in Sydney a special home for returned New Zealand soldiers on their way home to stay at. Mrs Cecil Stephen's beautiful home by the sea in a fashionable suburb

of the great city has been given by its owner aa a convalescent hospital—a most chajming place, with glorious views all around in front of the passing ships which make the harbours always gay. When a vessel comes in with the Maorilanders aboard lied Cross people aro in attendance with motors, and the dream of delight begins at once, and. lasts as long as you like. AUCKLAND, December 19. "With Christmas so close upon us largo crowds of country folk have come to town. To all appearances the shopkeepers are experiencing the busiest season on record, for throngs of people are passing in and out of the drapers' shops and the fancy goods stores. The heat has been very great of late, and everyone is clad in white from headgear to shoes. We aro all feeling very proud and happy to note that Auckland has got through 191 G without having to take recourse to the ballot, the twenty-fifth draft having been completed l o a man TDr and Mrs Truby King (Dunedin) aro

staying here, and are the guests of their old. friends, Dr and Mrs Beattie. A Christmas party for the poor and needy children of the city, who aro the special care of Sister Esther, was held last week in St. James's Hall under the auspices of the ladies of Remuera. About. 500 mothers and their litllo ones were present, and were made happy by a sumptuous tea and presents, after which a musical programme was i gone through. The Auckland French Club have closed down until March next. The French Consul (M. Rigoreau) has been re-elected patron, and Professor Maxwell Walker the president. The garden fete organisd by the Women's Mutual Aid Society in the grounds of Cintra (the beautiful home of the Hon. A. M. Myers, which had been lent for the occasion) has been a great success. The proceeds aro to be given to the fund being raised, for the Children's Memorial Hospital. Another successful garden fete has been that organised by (he Takapuna branch of I the Navy League, Captain and Mrs Attwood I kindly placing their ohaarming grounds at

the disposal of the promoters. Stalls with every variety of saleable produce were dotted about the grounds, and Mrs Masfeu and Mrs Sharland were in charge of the refreshments. Mr and Mrs C. C. M'Millan have returned to Auckland after an absence of nearly four years in London. The manv friends of Major Shepherd will regret to hear of his death last week at his home, Papakura, at the advanced age of 71 years. It will be remembered that Major Shepherd was at one time officer commanding the Auckland military district, and later sergean-at-arms in the New Zealand Parliament. Mr and Mrs Edward Anderson (Reimiera) are back in Auckland after a pleasant visit 1o Nelsrtn, where they were the guests of Mr and Mrs iiobison.