CONTINUOUSLY BUSY

Camp News, Volume 3, Issue 145, 23 October 1942, Page 4

CONTINUOUSLY BUSY

Weekend Entertainment At City Service Clubs Regular euertaiuments and hospitality programmes are being maintained by the numerous service clubs in Wellington catering for men and women of the armed services. Their activities are manifold, but cafeteria services and dances form the primary and most popular features provided. Willing support is given each week by hundreds of volunteer helpers and donors, who staff the kitchens, and act as hostesses or supplement food supplies by contributing edibles and flowers and reading matter for the lounges, and the many guests welcomed at the clubs this weekend were appreciative of their efforts. The A.N.A. club has been a busy rendezvous this week, increasing numbers of Allied servicemen making it their headquarters while on leave.' During the week the club was honoured by having many of the personnel, including the matron and a large party of nursing sisters, of an Allied hospital ship as guests. The dances were crowded at the weekend and during the week dance music was provided by Corporal Don Johnston, A/C. Fraser, Invercargill, and A/C. McColl, Nightcaps, Dunedin; Mesdames J L. Allen, P. M. Dickson, and Miss L Chalker. The cafeteria committee thanks the following senders of provisions: Fort nightly gift of cooked ham, T. 11. Walkei and Sons, Hawera; monthly hamper of provisions, Dannevirke Women’s Patriotic Society, per Mrs. A. Smith; carton of eggs, A.N.A. helpers, per Mrs. S. Simpson; box of cakes, anonymous, Levin; sacks of vegetables, Hutt Valley and Paraparaumu W.W.S.A., per Mrs. L. Prichard and Miss M. Loughnau ; box of provisions, Pahiatua branch of the W.D.F.U, per Mrs. C. Walker. The cafeteria committee would welcome the gift of carvers or carving forks. Any citizen having any to spare is requested to leave them at the club, 33 Willis Street. The rooms of the Cinderella Club were attractively decorated with lilies, lilac and an abundance of greenery, on the occasion of the club’s second birthday, when a large number of men of the Army Navy, Air Force, and Merchant Navy were entertained. On Saturday night a special dance was held, music being provided by Gordon Marple and his orchestra. An exhibition of dancing was given by Mr Bill Self and Miss Edna Hamilton. Yesterday a special tea was served, and music for dancing was provided by Mrs. Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Koskela, and Mr. J. Edlin. During the evening a presentation was given to Airs. Allen in appreciation of her kindness by playing music on Sundays. A conjuring act, which was appreciated by the large gathering, was staged by Messrs. J. Thomas and N. Brasch. Airs. Branson, one of the club s vice-presidents, made the birthday cake.

The Victory Club held two dances during the weekend. On Friday night Corporal Lewis Fisher, an overseas serviceman, received much applause for his rendering of two popular song hits. Mr. R. Morton, who is entering camp in the near future, and has given invaluable assistance in the capacity of M.C. since the club's inauguration, will be greatly missed. Thanks are extended to Mr. Turnbull, Hataitai, Purity Bread Co., Mrs. Howard, and Joe Lee Bros., Newtown, for contributions. • .

A novel concert was arranged at the Toe II Club yesterday for a record crowd of servicemen and their friends. Mr. Liardet gave a sleight-of-hand performance, Mr. Peter Rowell presented a party of small tots who entertained with items, and others who figured on the programme were the Campbell sisters, Messrs. John Seymour and G. Johnston, Private Painter, and Master Bustin. Guests adjourned to the lounge for an appetizing supper, supplied by Toe II Club supporters and served by women helpers. The dubrooms were also full on Friday, when the usual dance and supper were held. ■ Nondancers played table games in the lounge, and many men made use of the club’s sleeping facilities. The Toe H committee thanks a number of generous donors who have sent supplies in the past, and would be grateful to anyone wishing to contribute flowers for weekend decorations. Pickles and jams would also be appreciated. The British Sailors’ Society staged another Welsh concert on Tuesday, when the Welsh choir, led by Mrs. Catliel McLeod, and Mr. Ben Evans, a Merchant Navy man who has the distinction of being an ‘All England’ ’three times nation al prizewinner for singing, presented a series of vocal items. Messrs. B. Dent ice and P. Cousins, took part in comedy sketches, and Mr. Dentice also contributed a ventriloquist act. Misses D. Burrows and T. Deere gave items at the Saturday social. Padre Barnes took the service yesterday, which was followed by vocal, instrumental and elocutionary numbers by the Salvation Army Songsters, Wellington corps. Mr. F. Jackson sang, and the hostesses were Misses M. Bennett A. Waugh and E. Wall.

The National Club experienced a capacity food demand yesterday to such an extent that visitors had to queue up for meals. Mrs. R. O. Chesney, and her group of helpers from the Lower Hutt electorate, coped with the emergency, and also dispensed an extra quantity of cakes which they had made available. The W.W.S.A. land army supplied cabbages. Misses Patricia Hogg and Betty McLaren were the hostesses at the National Union's Saturday tea dance. Lieut.-Colonel Rabone, recently returned from overseas, spoke of the' wonderful work the Y.M.C.A. and its secretary were doing for men in the Middle East and other theatres of war, at the Wellington Y.M.C.A. Sunday soldiers’ tea, which was provided by an anonymous donor yesterday. Mr. R. 11. Nimmo was in the chair, and Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs. . Rabone were special guests The programme was given by the Cheerful Sparrows Concert Party under the direc-

tion of Mrs. Ann Lane, those taking part being Rosina Calvert, Monica Pauline Craig, Evelyn Hunter, Ann Lane, Joyce Webster, P. Full, Shirley Craig, Berenice Burgess, Helen Harman, Shirley Hodierne, and Noeline Ahern The pianist was Mrs. Kent Howard. Mr Mr Wai I t d + community singing, with Mr. M ood at the piano.