FOR SERVICEMEN

Camp News, Volume 3, Issue 144, 16 October 1942, Page 4

FOR SERVICEMEN

'; ■■ Grosvenor Club Opens New Premises ; Hospitality offered by the service clubs in Wellington was fully appreciated by the hundreds of men . on leave at the weekend, and the voluntary workers report another busy time. The Grosvenor Club, founded in 1941, opened new ' and larger premises on Saturday ; afternoon,- the mayoress,' Mrs. T. C. A. Hislop,' performing the ceremony. Mrs. Hislop congratulated the girls on the fine work they had done in making the rooms so homelike and attractive. The fact that the club opened with a ' membership of 45, and now had 200, showed that the management and • running were-successful. Members received no financial assistance. in running the club. Knowing- the girls of today, lie speaker said no job would be too difficult for them to undertake. In this connexion, Mrs. Hislop paid a tribute to the W.A.A.C.’s who passed » out on Friday on completing their training. There is a sizable . dance room with cream walls and orange curtains, and a small carpeted lounge. The cafeteria is commodious, with a counter running the length of the room. \ Here soft drinks and light refreshments will be served. The main lounge, carpeted in a plain green shade, with cushioned easy chairs and writing tables, is. situated on the lower floor. Lilies and cherry blossom-were attractively arranged- about the room. Mrs. Hislop received a sheaf of flowers, and with official guests and girls of 1 the club, was entertained at afternoon tea. Miss Lindsay Harris, president, Miss B. Haynes, secretary, Mrs. M. Harris, treasurer, were present. Special guests included Colonel Foster, Captain Brusiloff, and Sergeant S. J. Fishel, tenant Gibson (Navy Headquarters),. and Miss M. Cohen (representing the 'Provincial Patriotic Fund Board). The club will be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. ' . ' ■ The A.N.A. club rooms , looked springlike last week with bowls of flowers and cherry blossom in the cafeteria and lounge. The catering committee is grateful for the gifts of vegetables received, as this commodity is so necessary, and at the present time so expensive and difficult to procure. Another welcome gift was a large case of jam ; this item has been limited on the menu of late, as supplies have not come to hand. Sincere thanks are extended to the following for gifts of provisions: Case of jam, Citizens’ Circle and W.D.F.U., Waverley, per Mrs. Graves; large carton of cakes, Manakau Women’s Patriotic Society, per Mrs. Marshall Miles; hamper of cream cakes, Manakau Younger Set, per Miss Birdie Corbett; two carcases sheep, Waipoapoa Station, Havelock North; a cheese, Alton Dairy Company, ■ Patea ;r a ham, anonymous, Woodville ; sack of vegetables, Hutt Valley W.W.S.A., per Mrs.

N. Pickard; tins of biscuits, Upper Hutt branch, W.D.F.U., per Mrs. D. James. The dances are popular, and were particularly well attended at the weekend. i Dance music during the week was provided by Lance Corporal- G. Steedman, Mrs. P. M. Dickson, and Miss' L. Chalker. Members of the girls’ auxiliary are again requested to be in attendance at the club at 7 o'clock from Monday to ' Thursday, inclusive, and at 7.45 on Friday. and Saturday nights. Last night the Repertory concert party, under Mr. Eric Harrison; gave ballets and other items to a crowded, attendance. Members of . the ladies’ and girls’ auxiliaries of the Y.M.C.A. were , hostesses at the association’s tea for servicemen last evening. ■ Mr. R. T. Wright was chairman. Items given were : Songs, .Misses Andrea' Lawson and Molly At- ■ kinson ; violin solos," Miss Ruth Reid; 1 elocutionary items, Miss Monica Bell; ■ accordion solos, Mr. ; Davidson. Miss ■ Nora Gray was the accompanist, Mr. jF. I Allwright led community singing, and ' Mr. Wood was, pianist. The tea was • crowded to overflowing and representa- : fives from among the men -extended , thanks for the hospitality. ■ Helpers worked hard at the Toe H • Club on Friday night, when a large gathering, was . entertained at a dance i and . supper. As some servicemen found i accommodation difficult to obtain, mem- > bers of the club arranged this for them. ; All branches of the services were repre--1 seated at the informal entertainment yesj terday. The lounge was decorated with i spring flowers and. games were played. i The. men appreciated the home-like atmor sphere, and also the- suppers given by . friends interested in the work, and which were served by women helpers. Thanks , are extended for these gifts, and it is ; hoped that there will be a continuity of this service. , ' . . . • Webby’s Club activities have been car- ; ried on at Miss Kathleen O’Connor’s g dancing studio. The members entertained . large numbers of guests during the weekt end. Supper is provided by women g helpers and this is appreciated by all. j Sunday tea was enjoyed, after which a j large crowd danced to excellent music. ’The club’s activities will continue till further notice at the temporary premises. Many friends and members of the " Fighting Forces Club, Rechabite Cham- , bers, Willis Street, Wellington, enjoyed 1 the club’s hospitality last weekend. On ” Friday and Saturday nights the usual ■> table tennis and dancing were enjoyed, 1 vocal items being contributed by Mavis I Spackman. Miss Gladys Jarvie and Pris vate W. Kerekere assisted Messrs. D. II Sparkes and A. Dentice, of the orctiess tra, by playing several extras. Girls s in charge of supper on Friday were s Misses Isabel Ingham, Zita McMahons’ Box, Dorothy Coe, Helena Young, Mon- >. ette Lum and'Pat Smith, and on Saturu day Misses Pat Hunter, Joan Fuller, Lois 5. Dollar and Valerie Fitzgerald. ;, The Victory Club was the rendezvous e for hundreds of servicemen during the a weekend. Enjoyable music was played ;, by the Rhythm Trio. On Saturday night i, a vocal item was given by Miss Dorothy j. Sligo, Dunedin. The masters of cerej. mony were Staff Sergeants R. Sloan end

f . Glen. Prestidge. The helpers included ' Mesdames Slack, Jeffs, Baker, Nash, and J Misses Jean and Mavis Rae, Gladys • Moir, Win Smith, Florence . Bennett, ’ Anne Sander, and May Morton, and Mrs. Henderson, doorkeeper. During the weekend at the' Cinderella 1 Club record numbers signed the register, j On Friday night the usual informal dance was held, and hostesses gave a ’ special welcome to the many members of ' the Merchant Navy present. On Sunday j a savoury-tea was served, followed by . dancing to Mrs. Allen’s orchestra. Dur--1 ing the week a party of Cinderella girls was entertained by men of a military a camp at an enjoyable dance. . Vegetables were welcome gifts received at the Y.W.C.A. to help in serving 1 meals at the weekend. They were sent s in by the W.W.S.A. land groups at B Lower Hutt and Rusell Terrace, and the . Paraparaumu garden circle. Meals were

prepared by regular helpers, under Miss A. D. Rennie’s direction. The cafeteria was in charge of the Progressive Women’s Club on Saturday, and Marsden School old girls yesterday. Women of St. Aidan’s Church, Miramar, provided and served Saturday’s supper. Yesterday’s entertainment was given by the Wellington Magicians’ Society, and the Rev. J. Churchill, Rongotai,' conducted the service. ■