SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2297, 3 November 1914, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Countess of Liverpool Fund. The following girts for the Comitess of Liverpool Fund and the British and Belgian Funds were received at tlia 'l'own Hall last week by tlie Mayoress's Committee:—Y.W.C.A., 50 "Lousewives" ; Ethel Davis and Gladys Henderson (South ' Featherston); 1 cap each; May Hargreaves, baby's boots for Belgian Punch Oputara (Hawke's. Bay), per Mrs. Brewer, 41 flannel shirts, 13 pairs socks, 5 pairs wristlets; Mrs. W. Bishop (Upper Hutt), 1■ balaclava; "A FrienS," 2 balaclavas, 1 muffler; Mrs. Len. King, parcel books; "Jo" and "Amy," 4 balaclavas; Mrs. W. Thompson, 3 cholera belts, 5 balaclavas; "British Oak," Pahiatua, per Mrs. Snelson, for Third Contingent,. 12 pairs mittens; Miss Conyars, Tawa Flat, 1 balaclava, Lpair mittens, 2 pairs socks;, Doris Taylor, 1 cap; The Ladies of Moa Flat, Otago, per Mrs. K. M. Armour, 4 mufflers, l eap, 10' pairs cuffs.

For the Belgian Distressed. ' The Mayoress's Committee of V the Countess of Liverpool Fund spent another very busy day at Levin and Company's stores, packing for the distressed British and Belgian people. From quite an early hour in the morning'till after half-past five in the afternoon they were working, and by tlio time they bad finished fully ten big cases—large enough to completely hid© from view one, or two of the. workers who got inside to facilitate matters—bore witness to their'industry. Morning and afternoon 'tea, which was made by the ladies of the staff at Levin's, was greatly appreciated. Mrs. Massey was among those who were working, also the Mayoress and Mesdames Townsend, M'Gregor, Hosking, Preston, Tilly, Tripp, Algar Williams, Turton, and Barnard. Altogether about twenty tons of . clothing will leave here by the'Tainui. The assortment comprises a line supply of serviceable goods for-both old and young, and should prove a, very acceptablo gift during the winter season. What is particularly" appreciated by the committee ■is that some thoughtful and kind donors have placed boxes of chocolate's, small coins, tops, and balls of string in the children's clothes. Such kindness is sure to give at least a little pleasure to some of the poor children of the Homeland and Belgium. The council of the Women's Liberal League, Sydney, have decided to offer a travelling kitchen for the use of the Australian troops at the front. They state that, the provision of warm food is even more necessary than, the provision of warm, clothing. » What Queen Mary Is Doing. '• i "Whilst the King is ; following the for-, tunes of the field in war. Queen Marco's stimulating the myriad organisations wliicli ..have been constituted to soften distress, writes a London correspondent. She lias been responsible for a noble movement which, is "to provide employment for as many as possible of the women of this country who have been thrown out of work by the war." Tho response has been worthy of: the author and the object, and hundreds of thousands of women are' to-day. calling the name of our Queen "blessed." 1 •

What the Freemasons, are Doing. ! ; The' Freemasons of England hive just •given';- a very- generous proof of their loyalty arid devotion to their country, states-the "Queon."TLie quarterly communication of the United Grand Lodge of England was held'at Freemasons' Hallj London, under the! presidency of the Deputy Grand Master, tho Right Hon. T. F. Halsey. It was an interesting occasion, and one which will not Boon fade from the memories ,of those present. Mr. Halsey has no'fewer than five sons now on active, Three dro in the Army and two in the Navy, so that the resolution of loyalty ! fell very happily from hia lips. The resolution of appreciation of loyal and devoted service to the country' was made on behalf of the Grand Master,'the-. ProGrand Master, and,brethren of all ranks in the craft, and' was delivered with much force from the throne. ■ It was then proposed and warmly supported that £4000 should be voted to the Prince of Wales's National Relief .Fund. One thousand pounds was then placed at the disposal qf the British Red Cross Society. Nor-.did the generosity of the Freemasons end 1 here. Since the resolution of these financial donations was framed, the crying, needs of ' Belgium have become apparent. The President of the Board of General Purposes explained that he could not voice' an amendment to his own proposal, but he suggested that someone should take tho initiative. This was promptly- done, with the result .that an additional thousand pounds 'was sent to 'the Belgian Minister in England for.the benefit of the Belgian refugees. In all the Freemasons' . gift, therefore, represents £6000, and it must be admitted that it' could not be devoted to' three better purposes than those selected.