SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 74, 21 December 1918, Page 4

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Salvation Army Street Collection. A crowd of busy lassies, shaking collection-boxes, were a feature of the busy streets yesterday, and the beauty of the day and the nearness of the Christmas season should hsive warmed tho generous instincts of the public and loosened its purse-strings. Once a year they make this self-denial appeal, and this year it had to be postponed from November owing to tho epidemic. They hope to realise JJIIS. Tho money will lie spent on the general work of the Salvation Army, wnich is so widely philanthropic. An Appreciation. In connection with the winding up of the Sydney Street Soldiers' Club, it is interesting to remember that the proposal to run it was not cordially receievd by tho powers that be! The women who had the matter in hand were far-seeing enough to know that it would be a very valuable institution, but even they did not realise just how valuable. From the, time of its inception, early in July, 1915, it has proved a home for thousands of our soldiers. The greater part of the business of management has been carried on by the House Committee—Mesdames Massey (president), W. Nathan, Coleridge, H. Hall (hon. treasurer), C. W. Earle (hon. secretary), and Mrs. Pearson. In the early days a dance was held once a month, before the departure of oach reinforcement, and sometimes oftener. But since the early closing of hotels becamo law there has been a dance each- week, and for many weeks two. Mrs, C. W. Earle and Mrs. Coleridge, who comprised the , Dance Committee, have organised and superintended the dances during the whole of the time, which constitutes a very fine record indeed, and one that is warmly appreciated by the relatives of the soldiers for whose sake it i-as done, by the soldiers tliemeelves, and aleo by tho girls who attended, the dances. It is a mattor of regret to the committee that the sudden closing of the club (owing to the epidemic) made' it impossible to have all the helpers, including the girls who attended the dances, gathered there for a final reunion, They may possibly entertain the idea of doing something of the sort at peace time.

The engagement is announced of Dr. Margaret'M'Cahpn to •Mγ. Stephen Boper, of Dargaville. Dr. M'Cnhon has left to spend Christmas with relations in Timaru. Miss May Kissling, of St. Stephen's Avenue. Auckland, who has been visiting in Wellington and the Wairarapa, has returned home. The engagement is announced of Mr. K. G. Salinoml, son of Sir John Salmond, K.C., Solicitor-General, to Miss Gertrude Applegate, Coromandel. Mr. and Mrs. C. Tolley. who have been in Christchurch for a short stay, have gone on to Greymouth. Mrs. T. M. Wilford and Miss AVilford left Christchurch on Thursday/by motor for Timaru, ivhere they mean to spend the holidays. Mr?. Henry TTall and family arc' to spend the holiday season at Muritai. Madame Cope-Dowsing and her daughter left vestordny on a visit to the north. They intend to spend the holidays at Eotorua and Tauranga'. Miss Amy Kane and Mi'ss> Isaacs left yesterday for the south. They intend spending the holidays at 'Mt. Cook. Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Webb. Talavera Terrace, leave for Napier on Monday, for the holidays. "Her Excellency the Conntessvof Livernool' paid an informal visit, to the Weilington South Convalescent Home on Thursday morning. Her Excellency was received by the matron, Mrs. E. Gibbons, and was conducted around the respective departments and wards. Her Excellency distributed flowers ami and expressed her entire satisfaction with the nrraneement, equipment, and condition of the home. The matron and stnff were coneratulated upon the cheerful and healthy appearance of the patients..

Mrs. Robert Pearson, president of thf» Y.W.C.A., entertained the members of tho board of directors at morning tea on Thursday, when matters relating to the general policy of association work was disoussed. In the evening a social took place at the Y.W.C.A. Clubrooms in honour of Miss Grace Warren, who was visiting Wellington from Gisborne. A programme was ananged, and carried jut by tho gills, who also provided tne refreshments. It was announced at this social that Miss Bland had accepted the tppointment of educational secretary in the Melbourne Y.W.C.A., and that Mis* Lucy Kershaw had been appointed girls' department secretary for the Wellington Association.

Miss Newman, of the Wellington Girls' College teaching staff, is spending her vacation in Christchurch. ' ■ The following donations are acknowledged by Mrs. A. F. Bodon, the honsecretary of the Returned .Soldiers' and Sailors' Hostel on Wellington Terrace, to provide a good time at Christmas and New Year for tho inmates;— Mrs. Dall, Kelburn Parade, a ham; Mr. P. C. Watt, 2 guineas; C. an/1 A. Odlin, 1 guinea; Thos. Ballinger and Co., 1 gninea. Mrs. Louis Blundell intends to 6pend the holidaj-s at Mount Cook. Mr. and Mrs. Coleridge and their children' purpose, spending the holidays at Karnka. Bay. They are having Mrs. Tait's house. A lorry picnic has been arranged for Boxing Day for senior Y.W.C.A. members. Seat* should be booked early at the office, Herbert Street.

The Board of Governors of Canterbury College resolved to express its thanks to Misses Watson and Bums, and their band of voluntary workers from the school, for their valuable work in connection with tho epidemic soup kitchen established in the Girls' High School.

y.W.C.A. Carol Service. The carol 6ervice which' always draws 6uch a large group of gills and young women will be held at the Y.W.C.A. at 1.15 to-morrow. The Rev. A. M. Johnston will deliver the Christmas message. A short service will be followed by a Christmas tea, given for Y.W.C.A. members and girls who are strangers in Wellington at the invitation of the board of directors. Seasonable Advice. When choosing a turkey, it should be remembered that in a young bird the spurs are short and blunt. It has smooth scales on the feet, short, delicate claws, and black legs. The breastbone is pliable, ahd the skin is soft and smooth. Up to one year old turkeys have black feet, which gradually change to pink, and at three years old they are grey and dull. To cook the turkey, season with veal stuffing, cover with white paper, well-greased, then with baking fat or dripping. Tie round the breast to keep the paper in place. Put on a grid in a large baking-tin, with one pound of sausages. Bake from one and a half to two hours, keeping the bird well basted. When tl\e sausages are done remove, and keep hot in another dish, or they will get dried up. To test whether the bird is cooked, pass a skewer through the thick part of the leg. If not cooked enough it will be difficult to pierce. When dishing up, garnish with the sausages, and serve with good brown gravy and bread sauce if liked.

The firW entertainment party of the Victoria League gave a very pleasant afternoon tea on Thursday in honour of Mrs. Chatfield, and presented her with some volumes of E. L. Stevenson's works. It is. interesting to remember the first series of entertainments given by them to the soldiers early in tlio war, before there were any halls provided. They were tho first to l>egin as thoy were the last to finish, and only had one period (the measles epidemic) during; which they did not regularly visit Trentham. They did a good deal of part and chorus, singing,, which entniled at least two evenings a week given up for practising, and yet the personnel of the party is vory little changed. A few of the girle havu married, and a few new, ones have joined, but none grow fainthearted and drifted away. Mrs. Chatfield lias been their diaperone throughout. It is the intention of the girls to continue tjieir organisation with a view to brightening the lives of the inmates of lioepitals.

During the past week the girls' resident in .the Y.W.C.A. hostels have made merry at two festivities. One at Brougham Street took the form of ii Christmas dinner, followed by speeches and songs, and the house rang with the laughter of many girls' voices. At Ma'cdonald Crescent the girls met at a supper party before breaking up for Christmas holidays, and good wishes were expressed by the president and others, and return speeches of thanks were made by the girls. Building erections for extending the hostel accommodation are progressing. . •

The sad news of the death of Mrs. Palmer, wife of Dr. A. ¥~■ A. Palmer, of Featherston, will be learnt with regreat by a very wide circle of friends. 'the deceased lady, who had been ailing for some time, died at Oriental Parade, Wellington, at an early hour on Thursday.

Miss Jennings will be responsible for the entertainment part of the programme at the Y.W.C.A. social to-night at 8 o'clock, when soldiers will be welcome to join with the members in the games. The Woman's National Reserve, Karori, were fortunate in having perfect weather for Paddy's Market yesterday. There was a good attendance, considering how busy everyone is preparing for the holidays, and into what a short space of time all preparations had to be crowded. Mr. M'lCenzic is president of the reserve, and Miss Ida Bristow secretary. Mesdames M'Kenzie had charge of a well-stocked fancy stall; Mrs. Nash and Mrs. Kilininster produce; Mrs. Collins cakes; Miss Gooder flowers, which were lovely, especially the roses and carnations. Afternoon tea was in charge of Misses M'Grtgor and Bristov. ' The effort realised j>29, which is to be given , to the. fund for sufferers by the epidemic. Miss M'Gregnr and Miss Bristow will "carry on" to-day, in order to dispose of the rest of the produce, jam, etc,

A great number of women in Wellington have helped in some way during the years that the Sydney Street Soldiers' Club has been in operation. The following letter from Trentham will be of great interest to them:— Mrs. Miissey, Wellington. Dear Madam,—Amid all the excitement and relief of long pent-up feelings to-day there were many of us who noticed ono item of news with genuine regret. That was the passing of fclie Sydney Street Soldiers' Club as such. 1 suppose we must accept it as final; and 1 cannot refrain from writing you a few lines to express, I'm afraid all too inadequately, the very appreciative feelings that many of us entertain towards you and your numerous willingohelpers for all the wonderful work you have, done f,or us and our predecessors. I use the word wonderful advisedly.' How often have we soldiers marvelled at the achievements of the many self-sacrificing women working in such a multitude of ways for our comfort anil entertain, ment. Perhaps the gratitude of the average soldier is inarticulate, but I'm sure it is there, though it go no further than his Thursday morning comment that "the club was a bit of or! right last night, Bill. Better come along next Wednesday."

The Soldiers' Club almost held a unique position, inasmuch as it was one of tho few exceptions to the axiom that you can't get something for nothing— especially in these hord times—and'particularly in Wellington. Can you wohder that the supper appetites were somewhat healthy?

A special word of appreciation is due the (Urls who came week by week to dane'e with the soldiers, and sent us to S»it last train feeling that tho Army had its compensations. With, hearty congratulations on tho success of your efforts, and the approaching close of the need' for them.—Believe me, yours faithfuly, (SpU G. AUBEEY GOW. N.Z.E., Trentham M.C.