CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1930, Page 12

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

FRIENDLY SOCIETY FUNCTIONS. ODDFELLOWS AND DRUIDS. Christmas is pre-eminently the children’s festival and there is nothing that appeals to the children more than the old custom of distributing gifts, from a fir tree. Christmas trees formed the motif of two successful children’s parties held by friendly societies on Wednesday evening. In the St. Mary’s Hall the Huia and Kiwi Rebekah lodges, Independent Order of Oddfellows, had prepared a treat for the children, 100 of whom were assembled. There was no formal programme and for half an hour the children amused themselves. Then Santa Claus arrived, not down a chimney because there was not one, but through a high window, the novel entrance delighting the youngsters. Then the real fun of°the evening commenced. There was a gaily coloured balloon and a present for each child and when the distribution was completed there was supper for all. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” concluded a happy evening. Nearly 400 children found the hours passing all too quickly in the Winter Show buildings, where the Druids’ party was held. There again Father Cnristmas did the honours with a big fir tree literally covered with presents. Games and competitions, too, were conducted to the delight of the children, winners being:— Boys. —Laughing competition, S. Richards 1, J. Ramsay 2; quoits, W. Wright 1, W. Wann 2; pig tail, A. Evans 1,.C. Nicholas 2; fizz, J. Corbett 1, C. Nicholas 2; sausage, M. Dymond 1, G. Nicholas 2. . Girls. —Skipping, Betty Archbold 1, K. Dick 2 (7 to 10 years), P. Buckley 1, I. McDonald 2 (11 to 14), W. Armstrong 1, O. Croifibie 2 (5 to’7); sausage, —. Evans 1, —. Watkins 2; recitation, Joyce Dick 1, Betty Combes 2 (6 to 8 years), G. King 1, J. Goodwin 2 (9 to 12); p’g talk N. King I, —. Cann 2; fizz, —. Buckley 1, —. Evans 2. Mrs. J. Goodwin won a competition in-guessino- the name of a large doll in a’cradle, the name being Catherine. Mr. N. Jacks woni a competition, computing the number of peas in a bottle. There were soft drinks and sweets for the children and they and. the “grownups” were served with supper by. Mrs. W- Adams and a band of assistants. On Tuesday evening, as in other years, the Hawera hospital was visited by the Druids and Father Christmas. Each child received a toy, fruit and sweets and the visit , was much appreciated by th® children and nurses. UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF,

SOUTH TARANAKI COMMITTEE. The South Taranaki Relief Committee met yesterday afternoon. The secretary reported that the committee had: found work for 17 men for 99 man-daye at a cost of £3O 6s. The borough had placed 14 men, A number of farmers had rung up for men and had eaid they did not require the subsidy. The splendid part about these farmers was that they were doing their best to ho.lp- One farmer had aeked for two, men ahd Had later stated that he wished he could always get mon like that, yet these men had not been able to find work. All the men who had been employed were anxious to find work and' it had been remarkable to see the keenness with which men had taken on scrub-cutting jobs. ' ? It was decided to make a request to the board for sustenance payments for certain men who werfe not physically, fit for work. . „ ’ Those present were Mr. E. A. Pacey (chairman), Mrs. Henry, Rev. E. 8. Emmitt, Messrs. W. W. Sutton, F. W. Horner, A. H. Larkman, F. Gillanders, H. G. Dickie, M.P., A. T. Wills and Jas. E. Campbell (secretary). WORK OF DENTAL CLINIC. MANY CHILDREN TREATED. Nearly 70 per cent, of .the children on the rolls of schools using the Hawera dental clinic, representing a total of 814, were treated by the clinic up to November 30, according to a report submitted by Nurse Cato'to the Hawera ■School Committee on Wednesday night. The estimated ultimate number of treatments would be in the vicinity of 80 per cent.. Seven schools used the clinic, the highest class under treatment generally being standard IV. The following table was included:— Hawera Main.—Highest class under treatment, IV.; total roll, 630; number under treatment, 449; estimated ultimate number for treatment, 504. Tawhiti.—lV., 206, 121, 164. Turuturu. —IV., 144, -99, 116. Normanby—lV., 140, 80, 112. Tokaora.—lll., 27, 18, 20. Whareroa. —IV., 26, 20, 20. Whakamara.- , —, 2, — Not school age.— —, —, 25, —. Totals.—ll 73, 814, 936. RED CROSS ACTIVITIES. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES. The presentation of home-nursing and first aid certificates was made by the Mayoress (Mrs. E. A. -Pacey) at a well-attended meeting of the Hawera. branch of the Red Cross Society at the Islington on Wednesday evening. The president, Mr. W. G. Simpson, presided. . Congratulations to the winners of certificates and to. the class generally were, extended by Mrs. Pacey and Mr. Simpson. Mr. Simpson stated that the establishment of a South Taranaki Red Cross Federation had now been realised, the Hawera ■ branch being one of the members. He thankd Dr. Sinclair fot his services, Dr. Buist for his work with the class, Mrs. C. J. Trotter and Miss B. Young, for acting as examiners, and Mrs. A. ’E. Stevens as secretary. On behalf of the first aid . class, Mr. Simpson made a presentation to Mr. W. R. Shaw. He thanked all who had aided Sister Inglis ahd hafided her a bouquet from Mrs. J. Cahill. Special mention of the work of Sister Inglis was made by Mrs. Pacey. A number of entertaining items were given during the evening, the contributors being: —Solo, Miss Beechey; solo, Mies Davies; duet, Mr. and Mrs. M. R. Jones; song, Mr. E. Pacey. A play, “The Twelve Pound Look,” was read, those taking part being Mrs. W. G. Strange, Miss M. Washer, Messrs M. Gray and W. G. Simpson. An enjoyable supper was served.