21 YEARS OF AGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 228, 25 September 1940, Page 10

21 YEARS OF AGE.

EMPLOYEES' AID SOCIETY. SOCIAL AT GEORGE COURT'S. That talent for some form of stage entertainment exists among the employees of a business organisation was revealed at the 21st annual meeting and social function of the Mutual Aid Society of the staff of George Court and Sons, Limited, Karangahape Road, which was held in the firm's tearooms last night. Over 400 members of the society were present, Mr. J. McDougall, the president, being in the chair. Among the gueete were three directors, Messrs. A. J. Court, J. A. Court and T. G. Symonds, and the secretary of the company, Mr. H. G, Thomson, all of whom are patrons of the society. Other guests included Mr. H. Blakeley, staff manager, Mr. N. R. Fen ton, merchandising manager, and Mr. R. K. Angus, sales manager. Mr. H. W. Chamber*?, of the Social Security Department, was also present. The business meeting of the society preceded the programme of entertainment, and Mr. McDougall referred briefly to the healthy state of the finances as revealed in the balance-sheet for the' year. He traversed the activities of the organisation. and eaid that its "coming of age" meeting wad ,a landmark in the history of the firm. Officers and patrons were re-elected unanimously.

"Television" Studio. After supper wae served, the large gathering present settled down to enjoy a concert that lasted more than an hour and catered for all tastes. The stage was converted into a "television" studio and the audience had the opportunity of "getting behind the scenes." An excellent girls' choir rendered selections from Strauss and Handel, and a running commentary in humorous vein from the "television" experts added attraction to the concert. One of the items that drew rounds of applause was the clever foolishness of a "reverend" gentleman and hie little protege "Ralphy-Walphy." The youngster, who was of husky build, and bore a strong resemblance to one of the firm's employees, was difficult to handle at times, but all troubles were finally smoothed out —and the ambulance men had a job on their hands. A tongue-twisting competition with pointed references to prominent members of the staff brought the ■ house down, and a humorous song with impersonations of various singwe was a popular item. An attractive feature was the singing by Mr. A. C. Coburn of "When England Sounds Reveille," a patriotic song written and composed by himself. Another outstanding item wae a recording of an Air Force play written and produced by Mr. R. IC. Angus. The staff manager, Mr. H. Blakeley, received rounds of applause when he sang "The Old Brigade," and the chorus was taken up by the audience.

Prima Donna's Troubles. Further fun ensued when a "prima donna," ' bedecked with feathers, gave of "her" best. In spite of the difficulty "she" had with high notes, low notee and all the notes in between, the "lady" met an appreciative audience, and not even the trifling ditncuities "she" had with "her" skirte could damp their enthusiasm. • Those who contributed to the programme included Mrs. Marsden, the Misses M. Bond, M. Peake, E. Johnson, E. Paris, McCann, Pye, Gladding, Beaven, -45. Andrews, Temtn, Pinson, B. Adeane, U. Irvine and Messrs. W. E. Connelly, J. Fox, R. Dyer. A. M. Wilkinson, A. B. Coburn, H. Blakeley, G. Stanley, R. Crawley, N. Wiberg, C. Whittaker, G. Brown, T. Partridge, A. Bond, P. Platt and C. Tasker. The organiser was Miss I. Norgrove, Mr. S. Murray-acted as announcer,, and Mr. R. K. Angus was the "studio manager,"