CHRISTMAS GATHERING.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12536, 30 December 1933, Page 3

CHRISTMAS GATHERING.

“NOTHING UNDER SEVENTY CLUB.” About 40 men and women whose ages aggregate approximately 3000 years, sat down to a jolly Christinas dinner on December 20th last. They were the members of the 'Nothintr Under Seventy Club. which, incidentally, has recorded only one death among its membership since it was established three years ago. The president (Professor Randal AVoodhouse), who presided, is * < years of age, and the secretary (Mr H. J. Foreman) is 82. The oldest member. Air Tom Buckley, of Henry Street, Lidcombe, will be 93 to-day. Air Bucklev has not a grey hair on his head ; he tells a good story, as was evident from his speech last night; and he can still do a step dance. The “baby” of the gathering was Air Louis Proudlock, who is 70, and who, 41 years ago, won a baritone solo competition in the Sydney Town Hall. He claims _ tbat: he can still “sing a good song.” The male members of the company were asked to indicate by a show of hands how many were teetotallers. and how many non-smok-ers. Only six declared their abstinence from liquor, and only five admitted that they did not smoke. Looking considerably younger than her" 77 years was Airs G. F. Alitchell, better known in other days on the concert platform and operatic stage as Aliss Alay Glendenmng. Someone alongside jocularly asked her how she preserved her schoolgirl complexion. “Well,” she said, with a smile, “I feel younger to-dav than I have felt for the last 10 years. And do you know the secret of it? It’s orange juice, and plenty of it.” Another who still remembers the applause of theatre-goers when she was with one of the old-time opera companies is Airs L. Brearley, who sat opposite to Airs Alitchell. Seventy-four years of age, Airs Brearley- proceeded to New Zealand when she left England, aud recalls many memories of the Alaoris. The official accompanist on the piano when it came to the musical part of the programme yvas Airs P. Symonds. She is 73. It yvas in the) spirit of youth that Mrs Phil Chapman, looking far younger than hed'72 years, acknoyvledged the toast, “The Apropos of this toast, one of th'e speakers said, amid the vociferous a|iphiuse of the male members, that the women gracing the tables that night yvere “the most charming looking ladies” he had ever seen.