CHRISTMAS PARTY GIVEN BY R.S.A.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18644, 22 December 1928, Page 5

CHRISTMAS PARTY GIVEN BY R.S.A.

The Christmas party given by the Returned Soldiers’ Association for the children of deceased soldiers and of soldiers who are patients in the hospital, sanatorium and other institutions, is an annual treat greater looked forward to, and this afternoon no fewer than 300 children w r ere present at the Jellicoe Hall, with their parents and friends. They assembled in the club garden, where throughout the afternoon thp • Working Men’s Club orchestra played cheerful selections. Each child was given a gay paper cap, and all were provided with ice-creams, sweets and soft drinks, the grown-ups having tea in relays in the sxtpper room at small tables decorated with sweet peas and greenery. The president of the club, Mr G. W. Lloyd, welcomed the childrejL on behalf of the executive of the R.S.AT, and said that there was never a happier function held at the hall than the children’s Christmas party. Mr G. A. Hayden, vice-president and chairman of the sub-committee, who had so ably carried out all the arrangements, also spoke. On the lawn the children were kept amused with an Aunt Salh-, exhibition dances, conjuring, and many organised games. Later in the afternoon the children entered the hall at the side door and were greeted by Father Christmas, Mr Leadley, who presented them each with a specially imported toy, and in addition the girls received a small leather purse and the bovs a bookmark made by the returned soldiers. The organisers were ably assisted by the following: Christmas tree—Mesdanws Llovd Hayden, Leadley, Orchard, Willcox and Hoffman. Tea room—Mesdames J. Kelly, Meyers, Marshall, vSanderson, Harries! Smith and Forest, Misses Wugh, Ilewenson and Colquhoun. Ice-cream--Mesdames Fleck, Hanson, Smith and Miss Fleck.