THE MAYORESS'S AT HOME

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2525, 28 July 1915, Page 3

THE MAYORESS'S AT HOME

Yesterday afternoon the Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luko) r for the first time in very many months allowed herself a little relaxation from her many and constant duties in connection with various forms of war work, and gave an "at home" in the Concert Chamber of tho Town Hall. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool was present, and very many guests, most of whom have been more or less closely associated with the work of the Countess of Liverpool Fund .or with the different bodies in iWellington. that -have been giving' their time and energies to work for the soldiers. A. transformation scene bad l /taken place ill the Concert Chamber, the floor being carpeted, with small tables decotated .with narcissi; and arranged for tea, set about tlie room, while chesterfields-'and easy chairs offered allurements to the weary. - Buffets arranged .with spring .flowers had been carried down one side of the Chamber, and the stage had been tanked with palms; and more flowers. ■Mrs. Luke, with Miss Luke and Mrs. Fitchett, received the guests as they arrived, while downstairs at the main entrance, Mrs. Dymock, Mrs. Hall Thompson, Mrs. Tripp, and. Miss Nathan first met the Countess of-Liverpool on her arrival, at the hall.. During tlie afternoon Mr. Frank Johnstone (with Mrs. Johnstone as accompanist) contributed to, a very enjoyable musical programme, also Mr- Reginald Blow, Miss Castles, and Mr. Elwood, while Miss Petrio gave two or three recitations.

Before everyone departed Mrs. Luke .made a very happy little speech, in which she expressed the pleasure she felt in; having such- an opportunity jdf thanking everyone for the way in which , they had assisted herself and the committee in carrying on the. work of the Countess of Liverpool Fund. The way to the' Town Hall had been often .traversed by those present since the war began all but a year ago, and during those months they had been constantly ,at work. \ Mrs. Luke also paid a very emphatic tribute to Her Excellency," who had started the work, and who • had closely associated .herself .with -it ever since, and she expressed the hope that so long as the war lasted Her Excel- , lency would continue to work as. ; she : had done during the past twelve months. His: Excellency the Governor had also come, closely into touch with them all through the Hospital Ship, on which our wounded soldiers were to be cared for.. Mrs. Luke also spoko of the extra calls .which had been'made upon workers- by' unexpected emergencies, such as sick•ness,, and she emphasised the way in which these calls had' been responded to, . not . only in the Wellington: area, but beyond .it. The part .the children Were playing in providing . for the' comforts >of the soldiers was also spoken of, alid Mrs., Luke told her audience that the children out of their combined funds had provided about five thousand pocketbooks, soap, and also ia gift of six. tons of sweets, which were-to be sent away yery shortly for the men at the front. In this way everyone was being linked up in the chain of service. For those who had suffered heavily in- the...war, . and they- had those among their, work- / ers,. she. asked for the thoughts • andl the ; sympathy of all present..' i - Mrs. Luke's speech met with. much . applause, and a very pleasant afternoon ,was shortly.ended.

Owing to a previous engagement/Mrs. iiW. F. Massey was not able to arrive .'until, late. xHer Excellency the Countess ! of Liverpool wore. a navy blue coat and ' skirt, and shady. rose T wreathed- hat. : Mrs. Luke wore black,silk, with a grey, feather boa, and- small • black hat with a cluster of flowers. Mrs. Fitchett ,was in mauve, with fuschia coloured .hat, ; and Miss Luke was in grey, with pretty •Jh'at to match. _ A very, lovely bouquet of ■ "freesias and violets had been .presented to Mis. Luke by the committees. • I Miss A. P. Chance, who has been correspondence clerk at the Trades _Hall for. 1 some considerable'time,'has joined the'j ; staff of the Publio Trust Office. Prior to taking up her new duties, the officials of the Trades Hall presented her with- a handsome gold l watch and brace- * let. j . , Mr. Raymond; J. White, of • Wairoa, (Hawke's Bay), and Ms wife aid two boys, who spent some days with friends, in New York en route to England, were almost persuaded to wait for tho, Lusitania, but fortunately came over by, an earlier. boat,' only booking berths on the day they sailed. Mr.. White has obtained a coinmissiori-as second liauten-. ant in tlie A.S.C., and has joined the 20th. Divisional Train (horse transport) at Salisbury. The Division is commanded by Major.-General Davies, C.8., tie wellrknown New Zealander. Mrs. Raymond White is at present living in London. •; ' '

■ The friends of Sir-Joshua Williams, Hie septuagenarian Now Zealand Judge, who was Teported as being .'seriously i]l early ill the year, will be pleased to hear that' though he is still, far from strong ( there has been considerable imrtroveI ment in the state of his health of late. Miss Helen .Williams is shortly expected in England from the Dominion, to take care of 'her father.