LONDON’S PLAYGROUND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 288, 4 December 1929, Page 2

LONDON’S PLAYGROUND

THE LITTLE PEOPLE OP KEN SINGTON GARDENS. THE CHILDREN’S PARADISE. Anyone with spare time enjoy an amusing hour in the neighbourhood of the Kensington Gardens playground, where the poorer children from North Kensington, and other districts within walking distance, spend their leisure hours, says an English writer in an exchange. The part of the gardens dedicated to the children lies to the north-west, and her girb under 14 and boys under 10 are admitted. No man is allowed to go into thc playground, and only women who are in charge of children have that privilege. An Exchange. But what a jolly place it is! Kensington Gardens are the paradise of the children, as everyone knows. Day after day one sees thc sheltered children with their nurses playing near the Broad Walk or sailing their boats; but these children and their nannies are, scattered far and wide. In the country gardens, at the sea, in Scotland you will find them. Now Kensington Gardens belongs to the children of another class, who are as happy as if they had all the advantages of the others. On a sunny day the place is crowded, and the seeker after peace and quiet will be well advised to flee from that part of the gardens. Here the little mothers of the great age of 11 and 12 are in evidence looking after the various Gladyses and Horaces in their charge. There are small children just old enough to toddle into mischief, and there arc babies in prams, brought by genial mothers and grandmothers. There are even babies in arms, and some pale young mothers, who look like children themselves, croon over them in the sun until it is time to go off and prepare * ( his” dinner. The Cupbearers. Picnic parties are all the fashion. Delicacies are produced from pieces of newspaper, while children with lively imagination prepare elaborate banquets with the aid of odds and ends served on leaves for plates. As for water to drink, is there not the well-known big fountain from which four young cupbearers, usually bare-legged and rather dirty, can draw water into a tin which once housed syrup? The fountain has a touching inscription. From it one learns that this gift was made in 1909, “In memory of a beloved son, and one who loved little children.”

BIG FAREWELL PANTOMIME A wonderful collection of animals are being created for the pantomime, “Cinderella.” So fur. Mr and Mrs Bailey and their players have gathered together two cats, two dogs, a frog, a rooster, a prehistoric monster, a lot of white mice, an obstinate old elephant, a giraffe, and a kangaroo. But Mr Bailey says almost every day another animal is born and although a number of them are wild at first, they will do anything for him with a little training. All .these animals are being specially trained for the Great Animal Act, a Toy Maker’s Dream. But once let loose from their cages or off the rope for this special number they appear in the performance at all sorts of unexpected moments. Several keepers have been engaged to watch that they do not come into the dress circle. But owing to the length of the giraffe’s neck it is feared they cannot control this animal’s movement? entirely, he may peep over thc dress circle balcony.

Coming Of Age. Mrs D, Major gave a party on Wednesday evening in honour of the coming of age of her daughter Phyllis. A most enjoyable time was spent in dancing, games and music, and Miss Major was the recipient of many congratulations accompanied by pretty and useful gifts. Those present were Misses Glentworth (3), C. Walker, M. Scott, 11. Sachwell, Mesdames E Ward, J. Dean, W. Morgan, C. M. Ward, L. Cook, W. Chamberlain, N. Osbourne md A e Major.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL Miss Merle Banks, of Mount Biggs, is visiting Halcombe as the guest of Mr Mrs H. H. Davies, “Hallgate.” Mrs Tennent Wells and Miss Sylvia Wells have motored to Wellington to meet Mrs 8. Millward, who has returned from a visit to England. Mrs A. Crawford, Nelson Street, has returned home after a visit to Blenheim and Nelson. Miss L. Herbert is on a visit to Nelson. Miss D. Neumann has returned home after a visit to Feilding. Miss Ewart, of Wellington, is the guest of Mrs A. J. Crawford, Wicksteed Street. Mr Barstow, W’ho was the guest of his brother, Mr Barstow, St. John’s Hill, has returned to Auckland. Mr D. Campbell and family motored down to Wellington this week, to meet Mrs D. Campbell, who has returned from a visit to Australia. Mrs Lampitt and Miss Lampitt returned by the Makura from Australia, where they spent a holiday of several months in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Mr and Mrs Hussey are spending a few days in Auckland. Miss Marjorie Knight is the guest of Mrs Warner Knight, Palmerston North . Miss Fussette, who has been the guest of Mrs Vine, returned to Wellington this week. Mrs Day, who has been the guest of Mrs Ivo Symes, returns to-morrow to her home in Palmerston North. Miss Parsons, who was the guest of Mrs J. Glen, Mangaweka, has returned to her home on Durie Hill. Miss Lily Copplcstone, who is making a swimming instruction tour of New Zealand, commenced at Martou yesterday. . . Miss Gwilt Stone, Kakatahi, is a visitor to Wanganui. Mrs Gerald Avcrn returns to New Plymouth to-day. Mrs A. Haworth has returned from a visit to Feilding. . Mrs E. Whiteman is a Kakatahi visitor to town. Miss A. Reed has returned to Auckland. . Mrs G. V. Holmes (Dunedin) is visitling friends in Wanganui. Miss Burns leaves to-day for some weeks holiday in the South. I Miss Hilda Rogers (Turakina Valley) is in town for a few days. Miss Wikitoria Marumani, teacher of the Parewanui Maori Sunday School class was the guest of Miss H. Wilson last week-end. Mr E. O. Parnell, who for many years has been attached to the Shell Company’s staff, has accepted an appointment in Havana, Cuba, and leaves New Zealand in the New Year. Before sailing, Mr Parnell, who has reJal ions in Havana, is touring New Zealand.

PRESENTATION. Mrs Huse, of Anzac Avenue, received a pleasant surprise on Monday afternoon, when twelve ladies of St. Alban’s Guild, carrying baskets, and led by Rev. J. Olpkert, invaded her home. Afternoon tea was quickly spread, and after social chat, Mr Olphert expressed the great regret of the Guild at the approaching departure of Mrs Huse owing to her husband’s transfer, in the Railway Department, to Hamilton. He voiced the general esteem in which the lady was held, and the gratitude of the congregation for all the work done so cheerfully during her association with thc Wanganui East church. On behalf of the ladies he then presented a beautiful rose bowl, which, he trusted, would ever be a reminder of the goodfellowship of the Guild of which she had for several years been president. Mrs Huse, who jvas deeply moved, said that it was very hard to leave the little church, where she had worshipped and worked so happily; she would treasure the gift as a token of the love of those with whom it had been a pleasure to work. The party then adjourned to thc lawn, where group photographs were taken, to be distributed as mementos of the occasion.