INCREASINGLY BUSY

Camp News, Volume 3, Issue 147, 6 November 1942, Page 4

INCREASINGLY BUSY

A.N.A. Report Reveals Interesting Figures Overwhelmingly large crowds of men and women of the forces made full use of the facilities; offered at 'all the service clubs throughout the weekend. An essential service, that of providing a place where they ' can relax and feel at home when on leave in-Wellington, is being furnished, and .club committees,. hostesses and cafeteria helpers are continually reorganizing and expanding activities to meet the heavy hospitality demands. The Army, Navy and Air Force Club is an extremely busy centre, and a gratifying report has recently been received from the club’s: treasurer, Mr. _ C. G. Thomas. It discloses that during the past month 12,789 hot meals, 3204 ; teas,’ and 7142 suppers were served. No record ■is taken of Sunday suppers, as there is no charge on that night. The report also shows that the attendances are steadily increasing every succeeding month. The ballroom and annexe' were crowded on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. During the week voluntary musicians providing dance music were Sergeant Trevor Powell, Driver Walter Penman, Mesdames Allen and Dickson, Messrs. L. Chalker and L. Cunninghame. The cafeteria committee wishes to thank the following donors : — Case of provisions, Women’s Home Guard, Patea, per Mrs. F. Broker; fortnightly gift of ham, T. H. Walker and. Sons, Hawera; box of jam, Tinui W.D.F.U., per Mesdames E. F. Pain and Ashworth; carcases of sheep, Te Apiti station, Havelock North, and Anonymous, Wellington ; vegetables, Hutt Valley W.W.S.A., per Mrs. L. Pickard ; monetary donation, A.N.A. helpers, Marton, per Mrs. S. Simpson. Former guests of the British Sailors’ Society have, on returning to England, been generous in their praise of the welcome accorded them when they were in the Dominion, and this week the society received a letter from its London headquarters expressing admiration for the work of Wellington members, and the promise of a cinesound film projector as a mark of appreciation. Thirty-four seamen were taken by ferry to Day’s Bay on Saturday afternoon, and accommodation was taxed to - capacity for the concert held on Saturday night. Items were given by Misses R Thompson and D. Glenn, and Mr. Matheson, of the' Tin Hat Club, and Mr. F. Rillstone : contributed special numbers. Mr. L. Jackson took the Sunday service, and Misses M. McCallum and N. Fenton were the hostesses. ■ '■ The largest dance since the Victory Club’s inception was held on Saturday night. M.C.’s were Staff-Sergeant R. Sloan and Gunner J. Marshall, and Messrs. Wade and Henderson were on duty. Miss K. McDonald entertained with a skipping dance, and Ngaire Slack and Jack Marshall played the extras. Prizes were won by Marjorie Pegram and

Corporal L. Baird, Anne McCullock and L/Ac. Ross Thornton, and > Pamela Coxhead and C/0 Ken Andrews. Official hostesses were Mrs. C. W. Anderson, Misses N. Sparkes, and May Morton; ' Servicemen expressed their appreciation of the delicious teas and savoury suppers served, at the Cinderella Club. Mr. T. Duncan played for dancing on Sunday, afternoon, and Mrs. Allan’s orchestra 'supplied popular music • in the evening. The club wishes to thank the Petone Land Group for gifts of vegetables, and would be grateful for the loan or gift of an electric fan for the summer months. . Instead of the usual Sunday concert, a social evening,. combining music and community singing, was held yesterday at the Toe H Club. The lounge was decorated with flowers, given by club wellwishers, and supper was served by a team of voluntary helpers. Friday’s dance drew guests from all branches of the services, many of whom took advantage of the dancing tuition given by the girls on duty. Others who did not dance found amusement in the lounge, where a variety of games were at their disposal. Thanks are extended to those who sent donations, . and. further contributions in the form of produce or flowers would be most acceptable. -- More than 500 service people were present at a traditional Hallowe’en party and dance convened at the Y.W.C.A. on Friday by members of the Business Girls’ Lyceum and the Old Collegians’ Club, who wish to thank all the voluntary, helpers who gave assistance. The Y.F.H. entertained on Saturday, and 60 men and girls went on a “mystery hike” in Wilton’s bush yesterday morning. Cafeteria helpers included members of the Methodist Choir, and the Business and Professional Women’s Club, supper being supplied by the Wadestown Presbyterian Church. The Rev. R. Thornley took the service, which was followed by the Young Pretenders’ Drama Club programme, “Let the People Sing.” Vegetables to help the weekend menus were gratefully received by the kitchen committee from the Karori, Lower Hutt, and Russell Terrace W.W.S.A. land groups.