THE SPINSTERS' CLUB

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 65, 11 December 1918, Page 2

THE SPINSTERS' CLUB

A YEAR'S WORK. Owing to the disorganisation caused by the epidemic the Spinsters' Club has not held n meeting to wind up its work for the year. The annual report states:— October, 1918, sees the end of tho fourth year of work by tho Spinsters' Club. During the paßt year the club has assisted in most street days; and has answered many calls for patriotic work. In October, 1917, an entertainment kindly givon by the Daysbathcrs (through Miss Driscoll) realised £M>, which. was sent to the New Zealand Stationary Hospital in France for the Christmas dinner and comforts for patients. The club assisted the Y.M.C.A. appeal, by holding a street stall in February, which made £40, and by a sale of work and treasure hunt held at Eona Bav in March, which realised over £40, half of which went to the Red Cross shop and half .to tho Bed Triangle funds. In this the club was indebted to Mr. Kennedy for, arranging the treasure hunt and to Mr. Rothschild for donating a prize of a wristlet watch, and many, other friends for assistance. The club undertook two days at the Rod Cross Shop during the year, in May and Octobor; the first realised .£47, the second (a Tuesday) .£33 15s. 2d. The club also assisted the Red Jersey Appeal by having a coffee stall at tho Paddy's Market, whereby they handed in the sum of .£2". They also sold programmes at the matinee for the same fund. Early this year a raffle was held in aid of the Countess of Liverpool Fund, whereby tho club was able to hand the sum of J!4?> 19s. to (.ho fund. For donations to this tho club is indebted to Mrs. Coull, Mr. Evans, and members. The money so raised was in aid of the Christmas Parcels Fund, which the club has always assisted. The : Liverpool Fund was further assisted on its flower day'in September, when the Spinsters' Club sold balloons, .-£5 only resulting owing to"' the bad weather"; and by a "sole"of sweets at Miss Campbell's entertainment which realised ".£l6 83. 3Jd;

The club members sold programmes at the Opera House on ■ AiiJiac night, realising .£l2, and also sold sweets, etc. , , for the Savage-Club at their annual entertainment, which resulted in £11 being handed over. Tho club assisted the Bed Gross ou "Violet Day," when balloons mid flowers were sold, and ,C 46 was mude. Tho club is- indebted to Mr. .Tacobsen, Mrs. Martin, and others for .help on that day. ■ • ' To assist tho Gopper Trail, a selfdenial fund wa,s. started among the members, with the result that £9 18s. was. raised and handed to the-workers, at. the qluilet.. - • - ■'•- .■ ■ .-. ~,-,'..■ . At the Italian. Red Cross •.Market;- a coffee stall was again held, whereby tho club was able to. hand over. -JJI7- to that During the year the cliib has' held three jumble sales. Tho first, held in February, ..realised jG2O, and =fil« of this was used to pay interest on the Kona Bay 'Tennis Club's ground,, which had lapsed,.as nearly all members were away on active service.- The twin.of ,£lO was also sent to Captain Lawless' for. the New Zealand Convalescent Club at Boulogne. . The. second .sa.lc, held in June, also realised .£2O, half, of which was added to the club's Red Cross Shop' day's takings, and the rest, with tho result of the third sale, hold in September, tota.llins; ,£3O, was. sent to the .No. 1 Stationary Hospital for tho.Christmas cheer for 1918. This is tho fourth, itud will be tho.last year that the -hospital", will .have received its Christmas dinner from the 'Wellington 'Spinsters'. Club. . During' the .year the club members have made and sent sweets to .this' hospital at the request of the matron, and also woollen comforts, mid the club has received many grateful letters', in • acknowledgment .of these. : :In-March last..the club began to' hold sewing bees,.and inade ,bags .and.- p.cncilcuses for several schools, 'which has entailed'touch individual 'work by"'several •member's, and tho money raised thereby has enabled tho club to. buy wool' for .making soldiers comforts, as well as sweets, etc., for parcels. A games', evening was .again held this year, and provud very popular, loalisin? £.1. Tho club has taken an evening every month'at the Soldiers' Club since--the opening.of tho.latter." In July of.this year it was decided to give' up this and devoto attention to iiiore' pressing needs. Tho members have contributed the monthly 'subscriptions, however,- and these helped to enable the club to send a second illO to the New Zealand Club at )Boulogno in'Stptember last. ' , ■■"-'■' Tho club is much indebted tolthol.miiny good friends who have assisted it during the year, and to those who' hiivo' subscribed regularly to its upkeep. Special gratitude is extended to Mrs. .Townsend, wlio sends regular donations to the club, and who recently forwarded ilOnen "peace" thanks-offering,'which would bo devoted to the needs of returned soldiere.

Although the club was originally formed for the purpose, of acting in war work, it is not the intention, of the members to disband, as there may be. efforts required on behalf of returned 'soldiers, whether sick" or well, in which the'.club will be .able'; to. assist." " " "' r ".' '