SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1632, 26 December 1912, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Christmas at the Hospital. People who arc- accustomed to thinking of a .hospital as a place of suffering an<l of the depression that accompanies suffering would havo been surprised had they been visitors to the institution on Tuesday afternoon, when Christmas festivities were carried out. All tho wards had boon decorated with palms and flowers, and cheerfulness and kindliness pervaded the entire place, even the patients who are now and again inclined to hug their invalidism rousing themselves to "take their share of interest in what was going on. In tho children's home, in going, through the wards, one might almost have forgotten that they were all in there for some physical malady, and had only gone to bed a little earlier, 6omo of .them, so cheerful were the sights and sounds that greeted people. From thros to four visitors were odmitted (many of them being the parents of the children), and Santa Claus had a very bhsy time distributing the gifts from the Christmas tree. . Palms and flowers, as well as gay coloured flags, added to tho general air of cheerfulness and pleasure, and here, as it had been in the streets, talkative toys added to tho chatter of the little ones. On Christmas morning a still, further pleasure awaited them ■in the shape of bulgy stockings (more brightly coloured than, any ever wprn in their lives), filled with presents." Not one inmato in the hospital was forgotten, • everyone receiving a present that' added to their little,stock of luxuries or to their comfort. Members of the board visited the hospital on the Tuesday afternoon, and tho Mayor, Mr. M'Laren, was another of t'hose who showed <i kindly interest in the well-being of tho inmates. In seeing that their patients enjoyed themselves as much as they possibly' could, the nurses, too, apparently gained as much pleasure as the most cheerful of their charges. i Christmas Festivities in the Salvation Army Children's Home. Christmas for the children in, the Salvation Army's Children's Home was "a very happy time indeed, and nothing had been left undone,' apparently, that could in any way add to their pleasure. _ Their joys began when they found on rising in the morning their stockings filled with delightfully surprising things, and after they had attended service they came back to a specially-prepared Christmas dinner, at which Commissioner and Mrs. Richards wore present. The dlecorations of the diningroom for the occasion were exceedingly pretty, and had been carried out to represent an English Christmas scene, the appearance of falling snow, which was. ingeniously, given, being most realistic The flowers upon the table were read and white carnations, and touches of red About the room were in keeping with the fresh red and white attire of the children. Father Christmas made his appearance and distributed the gifts from the Christmas tree. In the evening there was still further entertainment for the little ones, and altogether a day full of interest and incident was Yery happily passed by everyone, including the visitors, of whom there was a considerable number. ,

Acknowledgment, The secretary of the Wellington Hospital and\ Charitable Aid Board desires to acknowledge with: thanks the following further donations to the Christmas fund: Dr. Herbert, five guineas;' Mrs. T. C. Williams, two guineas; Seamen's Union, two guineas; and goods from Messrs. Irvine and Stevenson. ' , Obituary. There passed away on Tuesday night a very old resident of Wellington—Mrs. Bull; relict of the late Mr. Joseph, Bullafter a long illness. The death occurred at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. A. Russell, Waripori Street. Deceased will be missed by a large circle of friends. She and her sister, who survives hor, were the first white twins born in New Zealand, and they would have celebrated their 70th birthday next, February. Mrs. Bull leaves four daughters and three sons, twentyfive grandchildren, and five great-grand-children.

Donations for the Hospital. t The matron of the hospital acknowledges the following donations:—Flowers: Clyde Quay School children, Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. Hills, Baptist Society, Petone, Vivian Street Baptist Sunday School. Old Linen: Mrs. Maudsley; Mrs. Hill. Books and magazines: Mrs. Hill, Miss Hopkirk, Miss Coates, Mr. Turnbull.

Children's Hospital.—Dolls for Christmas tree: Miss Hilda Kelly, Miss Mary Kelly. Scrap books: Hutt District High School. Toys: Mrs. W. J. Cameron, Veitch and Allen. Children's garments: Miss Coatea.

Miss P. Myera has gone on a visit to the Hermitage.

Mrs. Lowther Broad is spending Christmas with her daughter, Mts. Ormond Cooper, Masterton. .

Mrs: Betts (Nelson) is visiting , her mother, Mrs. Morrison, of Blairlogie.

Miss Cameron (Kaiwarra) and her sister left for the Wairarapa on Tuesday, and will 6pend Christmas at Mungapakeha.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Hayes (Nelson) and their children arrived in Wellington- on Monday, and are staying at Oriental Bay.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Booth (Dunedin) aw in Wellington, and intend leaving by the Maunganui on Friday for Sydney.

The variableness of Wellington weather is a prime factor in causing roughness of the skin. Wind and rain join forces in this fell work by making the complexion coarse and chapping the hands. The ravages of unseasonable weather may be combated by the use of Mrs. Rollcston's Complexion Creams, which are imported from leading houses in France, England, and America, and sold at 3s. Gd. per jar. "La' Oigale" is a leading French nongreasy Face Cream. An English preparation, "Massieno" is a successful complexion beautifior; while for removing blackheads and skin blemishes, the Virginian Massage Cream is also a great favourite. Free advico is given purchasers regarding their complexions, Mrs. Rolleston, 25G Lambton Quay (opp. Economic).—Advt.