CONVENTION SATURDAY

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 3, 1 April 1947, Page 11

CONVENTION SATURDAY

Bth MARCH, 1947

PEEPS AT THE QUEEN CITY Our Convention Hostess Union, the Auckland District Executive, arranged tor u s on this day a very interesting 'ifogramme. We were taken tor a ,'ipu of over two hours, to introduce to a few of Auckland’s beauty spots; then to Pitt Street Methodist Hall for Jest and tea, the whole concluding with j a ven bright and happy entertainment |m the evening. Three buses for our own especial use drew up at the Town Hall just before •wo o’clock and found between seventy jpd eighty delegates awaiting them. Perhaps most of us were beyond the age. ot showing excitement iti the anticipated mp but we certainly showed animation. The day was just as beautiful as all tiie Convention days had been—a gentle cooling breeze, though not as gentle a:, some would have wished at the top of Mount Eden, but enough to temper the <teadv afternoon sunshine.

Our route was first to St. Heliers, along Auckland’s quite deservedly famous Water-front Drive. Hen?, as at all other parts of the drive, tfit delegates who knew the city were in grea* demand. “What’s that point at the back cf that vessel?” “Are there usually so

i any seaplanes on your harbour '” ‘‘How high is Rangitoto?” ‘‘How long does it take a ferry to get to it from the wharf?” These, and scores of other questions were heard from left and right in the buses, and very often the attention of the enquirer was attracted elsewhere iiefore the answer was given. Mission Bay and its Mission House and Museum came in for its share of attention. and then we w'ere very soon at Kohimarama, where the interest was to catch the “cheerio” from our late VicePresident, Mrs. Kasper, who would be watching for us. Having caught the cheer germ and shouted hack our greetings, we passed on into St. Heliers Bay, with its cool green lawns for bowls and tennis on the one hand, and the blue expanse of silvery sea on the other. Prom the Bay we drove as if we were returning from the city. We were taken towards Meadowbank, past Bishop Selwyn’s old Church of St. Thomas — an interesting old ruin, and St. John’v College was pointed out to us, and then, before we had finished peering over the Tarraki stretch we found ourselves with a change of direction, and "ere passing through the new settlement, or if not new. new tD most of the delegates—Orakei. It is quite a city in •tselt. and a very pretty one. too with :, s attractive houses and gardens. From diere. via Orakei Road, we crossed Kemuera, and were soon driving down r, reen Lane. There was a shout of amusement and surprise when we found otirselves in the verv unfamiliar grounds °f Fllerslie Race Course. The gardens ' Vf re in perfect order, planted with meticulous care. Xow’here could I see an V sign of the attentions of grub. slug.

or other garden i»est. Where were the dead flowers and withered leaves in aliout a mile of garden liorders? The water-lilies were a source of great pleasure, so many lovely colours were to lie seen.

From FJlerslie we went via Market Road, past St. Cuthbert’s to Mount Eden. This was the piece dc resistance of the trip. Such extent of country and variety of scenery left one gasping. We visitors knew before that Auckland was >yew Zealand’s largest city, but it takes the opportunity such as this was, to help one to realise what that means. There below us, on all sides, seemed to be thousands and thousands of houses, with their net work of streets. Here again the Auckland delegates were in great demand! I’d like to have seen a few sco-e of children playing in the huge grassy crater, but that joy was denied us.

Th buses were not long in returning with heir loads to the City, and we were soon refreshed hv a rest before tea. The Auckland District Executive had arranged the tea for the delegates in order that they might be spared the to-and-fro for the evening meeting. We did justice to the appetising meal and very much appreciated the generous thought and attention of the Executive in providing it. Some eighty ladies sat dow’n to it.

THE “Y” CONCERT Following dose upon the meal, came the “Y” Branch Concert. A surprisingly large number of young Maori boys and girls assembled. Their happy, smiling greetings were a pleasure to see. But when they SANG,—well, that was something of wonder. Led by the newlyappointed Youth Director, late President of the “Y’s,” the Rev. J. B. Chambers, M.A., choruses were sung before the programme proper began. The beauty of the voices in some of these was remarkable. Miss Kirk presided a* the gathering, which was a very large one. Devotions were conducted, and the Maori Choir sang several fine antherns, doing great credit to their conductor. The great event of the evening was the Sj>eech Competition, prepared and impromptu speeches. Four “Y" members competed, all showing good promise. The natural eloquence of the Native Race was well exemplified by Ann and Adam Latimer. The latter spoke really brilliantly, and produced enormous enthusiasm among his hearers. Miss Edmed acted as judge, and her criticisms were truly masterly. With an unerring finger she pointed out faults and weaknesses, hut in so fair and gentle yet humorous a way that no one could feel in the least humiliated or hurt. The Shield and the Banner went to “Rangimarie” Rranch. Mr. Les George gave an enjoyable solo. The evening was a delightful close to a happy, interesting day.