OUR DEFENDERS' CHILDREN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2951, 11 December 1916, Page 2

OUR DEFENDERS' CHILDREN

CHRISTMAS PARTY AT TOWNHALL. \ The first intimation of unusual happenings at the Town Hall early on Saturday afternoon was the packed phalanx of perambulators outside the main entrance. Then, even the most unobservant citizen would have noticed that quite an unusual number of bright, excited-looking children in holiday attire were all wending their way in the same direction. In fact, over 2000 children were the guests of the committee, to say nothing of parents and guardians. Mr. Luke, in an opening speech, said that this party was the elfort made by the committee and the generous citizens who had responded to the appeal for funds to show somo practical appreciation of the work being done by our soldiers and sailors at the front. The committee, too, had reported that the members had been most gratified by the prompt and generous iresponse made by the public. Mr. Luke then presented a bag of sovereigns to Mrs. Cook, and he referred in moving terms to the heroism displayed by her late husband, Thomas Cook, V.C. The boy was given a wristlet watch and the two girls handsome silver purses. Mr. E. T. Doddrell must be congratulated on his most artistic decorativo scheme. Flags of every hue fluttered in festoons from tall nikaus in the gallery to i ( other nikaus just opposite. More nikaus were placed at equal intervals along the walls at the back of the gallery. The stage and gallery were draped with gieen and orange, and swathes of yellow and scarlet lent a vivid touch to the walls of tho hall itself. ! The floor of tho hall contained numbers of long trestle tables all-prettily-decorated, and under tho gallery there were the usual round tables, so, although the number of guests was so large, everyone was ablo to enjoy their tea without crowding or confusion. The Natives' Association had donated the tea and refreshments, and Mrs. M'Vicar and her numbers of hardworked assistants doserve a special word of praiso for the quick, capable way they managed to attend to everyone's requirements. Tho dexterous manner in which- a number of tho men wielded hugo urns and teapots, and the dexterity with which tho girls threadcd their way through the crowded tables carrying large trays of brim, inmg teacups,' was in itself a wonderlul sight I

During tea Miss Campbell's pupils, tho Misses Muter and Joyce Couzuus, danced, and Miss Bccre's pupils contributed an Irish clog dance, in which the following children took part:—The Misses M. Wiggs, M. Stringer, Z. Bailhe, R. O'Brien, L. Bennett, B. Carr, N. Murray, R. M'Gee, and N. Lemon. Miss M. Madden danced an Irish jig, and Miss Hazel Hardwicke recited "My Friend, Bill Smith," once more. Miss It. M'Gee also recited, and young Master Winston M'Carthy was in excellent voice, and gave somo of his most popular numbers. After tea was over the order was given that tho girls must go to the right, and the boys to the loft.

And then, of course, the cynosure of every juvenilo eye, and after all the main attraction of the fete was the peerless Christmas Tree, which flashed and sparkled with its many, gifts, in the very centre of the stage. All the babies' toys were swinging hero, and a charming, glittering elf (Miss Haze) Hardwicko) presented the tiny tots with their toys. Mesdames J. Hannah and MacEwan were in charge of the tree. Two tables draped with red contained the presents for the boys, and presents for the girls respectively. Mesdames Fitchctt and H. Hadfiold managed the gifts for tho elder girls, and Fairy Hazel Jelfery handed them out. _ On the opposite side, Mesdames Corrigan and Miller presided over the boys' presents, and Fairy Zita Charpman handed them out.

Upstairs, outside the concert room, was the sweet stall, managed by Mrs. Richardson, who was helped by Mesdames Hope, Lewis, C. Tringham, and tho Misses J. Newton and G. Richardson. _ Opposite to the sweet stall was the ico cream department, in cliargo of Mesdames Moss and Gunn. After receiving a present every child had an ice cream, and was given a bag of delicious home-inado sweets, which had taken the ladies most of the week to make. All the flowers on the tea tables had been sent by the order of their Excellencies from Government House. The Mayoress and ■ the Countess of Livernoor Committee had sent over 130 parcels containing presents for- the mothers, which were most gratefully received and much appreciated. The pretty bags containing handkerchiefs ■were also very popular. The whole entertainment was an unqualified success from every pointof view, and reflects the highest credit on every one concorned in the management and direo tion of it.

During the afternoon Mrs. Chatfield received the following telegram from Her Excellency:—"All good wishes for the success of your party this .afternoon. I am so sorry that I coiild not be present, but I shall be thinking of you all. Please convey my best wishes for a Happy Now Year to all tho par-

ent's and children.—(Signed). Anno Liverpool." The committee of the Christmas wish to thank all thoso who kindly donated money and gifts, thereby ensuring the success of the undertaking. At the final meeting, when the accounts are audited, and the balancesheet presented, details will be given of those whom the committeo wish to thank especially.