SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2519, 14 July 1915, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

A Cift Conversazione at the Y.M.C.A. A "gift" conversazione, organised, by the Ladies' Auxiliary, of the 1'.M.0.A., for the benefit of - the association funds, was held in'tlie Y.M.C.A. reception hall last evening, and was well attended by friends and. sympathisers. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool was present, and was received by Sirs. Low, president Of the Ladies' Auxiliary, and by Mr. Aljan, president of the Young Men's Christian Association, and Mrs. Allan,, while littlo Miss K.ersley presented her with a bouquet of violets and frecsias. Tho Red, White, and Bluo were pronouncod features of the decoration of tho hall, tiny flags being suspended from tlii ceiling, and also introduced into cornors, ind recesses, while palms- and' foliage plants on stands and brackets, with quantities of spring flowers; added to tho decorative efleet, of tho room. The dais for tho Countess of Liverpool ha<l also been made attractive with palms and flowers, also the platform for tho singers. A brief speech of welcome was made by Mrs. Low, who touched upon ' the work which was being done by the association in connection with the .war. Mr. Allan, in his welcoming 1 speech, also reforred' to the fact; that out of its membership- the association had sent 727 men to tho war. As a matter of fact a very large proportion had volunteered, but had had to be rejected for health reasons, so it was plain to be seen that there were no shirkers among them.'. •-. <

Mr. J. B. Finlay, field-service captain, made a strong appoal for funds to assist in carrying, on the work. Tho association' had already spent' about £GOO at Trentham, and till the war was ended there would be much to do. He rcforrod to the splendid work which was being done by the -association in Egypt, in the Dardanelles, in France, and tho need to keep it going there as well as hero was urgent. . '

An excellent musical programme was contributed by the.following Mr. S. Laslett Exton, Miss Betty Purdom, llr. Prank 11. Johnstone, Miss Mina C&ldow, Miss Marie Fix, Mr. Zanto Wood, Mr. Culford Bell. •. Tho. accompanists were Mrs. F. R. Johnstone, Messrs. W. Jennings and G. F. Holloway. Supper was handed round by the auxiliary and a number of helpers. Apologies for their absence were receiv : ed. from Mrs. W. F. Massey and Lady Stout. Regret was expressed that Mr. Varney, the secretary, was unable to bo present through sickness, .and-'high tributes were paid to his .work in 'tne camp at Trentham.

Heretaunga Military Hospital. The matron of tho Heretaunga Military Hospital Wishes to acknowledge with thanks the following donations:— From Mr: and Mrs.' Birkett, two' sets of, quoits and cards; Mrs. Pike, table bowls and gramaphone records; -Mrs. Ewen, cakes and jam; Miss Ewen, socks and games; Mrs. Mantell, socks; Mrs. Noel Adams, socks; Lady Bell, cigarettes and postago stamps; Lady Ward, cakes; Mrs. Miratns, parcel of tobacco and cigarettes; Mr. Triggs, case; of ' fruit; Mrs.- Whyte; case of fruit; Mrs. J. Campbell, cakes; Madame Marchbanks, socks ; 'Mayor's: Patriotio l i]und,: large parcel of tobacco and cigarettes* and parcel of books. ' Also very'-useful parcel of clothing from Mrs. • Lees, Miss Webster, Mr. Bendall, and Mrs. Tripp. From tho Soldiers' Comforts Depot, the tooth" brushes- and weekly supply 'of fruit :and-fish have been greatly appreciated by the'.men.

Mrs. Marsh and ,her daughter (Mrs. Masterson) are visiting friends in GreytownV . ".. . Though' , the Wellington Ladies' Golf Club is temporarily postponing competitions, tho secretary -will be pleased to receive shilling ■ contributions for July to the Red Cross Fund. These-contri-butions from members may be left addressed to the hon. secretary at Tisdall's, Lambton Quay. News of the death at Sydney of; Mrs., D. Mills, wife of the Union Steam Ship Company's Sydney manager, was received in Wellington by cable yesterday. As a marl; of respect,the flags on the Union Company's vessels in. port were flown at half-mast. ' Mr. and Mrs. H. Lysaght and son have left for. their homo in Tauranga after having stayed for' some weeks.at Mrs. Facer's,' 36 Hawkestoney Street. Among other guests who are 1 staying there are: Mr. E. Newman, M.P., Mrs. and Miss Newman, Miss Hargreavcs, from Christ-church, and Mr. J. H. Salmon. .

Entertaining the Ohlro Home, An enjoyable entertainment was given- • at the Okiro Home on Monday evening, eaoh item presented being thoroughly appreciated by tbo inmates, who were assembled, ill the Concert Hall of the in- . stitution. Tlie programme opened with a pianoforte solo, which was played by ' Miss Richardson. Mr. Edgar Wallace gave much pleasure with his singing of "Nirvana," "The Deathless Army," and. "The Rosary," and with his xeciting of "Lasca." Mrs. .Frank Coozo sang several ballads, and responded to several encores. Little Miss Rita M'Gee recited "A Trip to Blackpool" and "Ain't, ' Yer, Charlie?" and also danced an Irish lilt. Mr. Walter Wood contributed the monologue, "Twenty Gallons of Sleep," and the recitations, "Bravo 1!' and "The Usual Way," while Mr. Frank Cooze'a singing of "Foo the Noo" (in- character) caused much- merriment. As an encore ho sang, "Ta-Ta, My Bonnie , Maggio, Darling." Tho accompaniments were > played by Mrs. . Frank C-ooze, Miss Richardson, and Miss Maclver, and the entertainment was brought to a conclusion with cheors for the performers and the singing of the National Anthem,

Society of Friends New Hostel. The general meeting of the Society of Friends for New Zealand was continued yesterday. In the morning, at Boulcott Street Hall, the session was devoted, to the consideration of. tho state of the society. - An encouraging discussion on tho reports of the monthly meetings waa followed by referemces'to tho possibilitiea for work in the future. !•

In the afternoon a visit of inspection to the new hostel took place. This has built on a site at Kelburn, close to tile new Training; College, and within easy distance of Victoria College. It ia ; specially designed for the accommodation of about 31 women students, and will also serve as. a centre for the society in. New Zealand. Tlio building, a/substantial, one, is of red brick, with concrete facings and tiled roof, and will be. lighted throughout by electricity. At the side is sufficient 'space for a garden- and tenniscourt. The entrance hall. leads into a large well-lighted common room, and the dining-room adjoins. . These two -rooms, which are panelled in well-grained rimn, may be thrown into one by means of sliding doors. Everv'needed convenience has been'fitted in the kitchen and scullery. An up-to-date laundry and dryingroom, are provided. The bathroom and lavatory accommodation is on a liberal scale, and" a special furnace has been installed for heating, drying, and bathroom requirements. The bedroom studies for the students are fitted with wardrobes and bookshelves, whilst the chest of drawers, dressing-tables, and- mirrors are built in. All the bedrooms are panelled in sternite and rimu, and the fittings are of' antique copper. The expenditure on site, -building, and furnishing will be not' less.than .£7OOO. Mr. A. Iv. Bell will have the superintendence of the new. hostel. The, building is not fulljr- completed, but owing to the expiration of the lease of 243 The Terrace, tho move into the new building will take place this week. All the .bedrooms needed for immediate occupation are ready, and tho downstairs living-rooms, together with the kitchens, are' completed. The remainder of the building will be out of the hands of the contractor CMr. W. H. Bennett) in a short time. .Admiration of the thoughtfulness of the provision of : necessary detail for - the special requirements was freely expressed by, those who had the privilege of seeing over the building, . . ... .... . - . Mrs. 0. A. J. Levett (Kiwitea), who has been staying with Mrsi Cyril Oswin, Talavera Terrace, left, for Auckland bj; the' Main Trunk express on Sunday;v.'.:-, Mrs. Donald Donald: arrived, in Wellington from Masterton, and is staying at the Royal Oak. it is not:often that women are aii-; xious to add extra years to their' age, but yesterday Miss Rout, 'who,is organising tho volunteer nursing sisterhood, found many suspiciously- ready to swear they were over thirty..: "I am thirtyone," was tho answer made by one applicant, whose youthful appearance raised doubts in the mind of Miss Rout. "Oh,", replied the other. with an appraising glance. "Now tell. me . really how old you are.". After a pause, Jha answer carno reluctantly, "Twenty-five."-She was not accepted. __i At the residence; 21 Kent Terrace, todav and to-morrow Messrs. A. L. Wilson and Co. advertise that they will 6ell. 500 lots of furniture, which 1 comprise contents of .28 rooms. Included in the large catalogue is" a fine upright grand Diano (by Collard and Collard), equal to new. The auctioneers are empowered to sell the above as a going concern prior to this sale, and which is a really good proposition. (Continued on next page.)