SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 127, 22 February 1919, Page 4

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Mrs. A. J. Willis, who recently underwent a serious operation at the Bowen Street Private Hospital, is making good progress towards recovery. Mr. and Mrs. Colin Macdonald are the- guests of Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Ward, Merivale, Christchuvch. Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Luke are visiting Dunedin. Mrs. Herbert Kirkcaldje is visiting Napier. The Women's National Reserve would like it clearly .understood that it has nothing to do with regard to the arrangements for soldiers' wives arriving in Wellington yesterday. The organising secretary, Mrs. T. -\V. Porter, makes this announcement because many of the new arrivals stated that they had been told that the reserve was making arrangements for tneir accommodation. As a matter of fact, whatever was undertaken was by another society entirely and the W.N.R. heard nothing of it until its office was besieged by applicants. Some newly returned soldiers went yesterday to the Sydney Street Hall expecting "to find the Soldiers' Club still running, as when they left. ■ They were all made very welcome, and entertained at tea, and one man left his coat and bag. It is a very common thing to hear returned men referring to the old club and wishing regretfully that it still existed. Mrs. D, A. Cormack, of Pahiatua, and her three children, are staying with Mr. and Mrs. P. C. M'Clme, Kilbirnie. Miss Lois Eussell, formerly of Wellington, has taken the narofe of "Fifi," and has a part in a play of Bairnsfather, now running in Melbourne. Miss Eussell was educated at Craven School,' Palmerston North, and at Lausanne, Switzerland, where she remained during the first years of the war. Miss Eussell is tne youngest daughter of the late general manager for New Zealand of the Loan and Mercantile Company. The Women's National Reserve Girls' Club have voluntarily undertaken to attend to the soldiers' graves in Karori Cemetery. The only thing they ask from other people who are glad to have this done is.a donation of flowers. The girls will do their labour of love this afternoon, and anyone who can spare them even a few flowers may leave the same at 157 Peatherston Street, the W.N.E. office. Mdlle. Dolores will arrive here to-day from Auckland. She says that she is looking forward with keenness to again singing to a Wellington audience. Colonel and Mrs. Logan, accompanied by Miss Curlett, are at present in Christchurch. Madame Johnston Topliss, who i 6 leav-. ing Wellington this week, gave a farewell concert at the "Victoria Hospital on Friday afternoon. The singer was supported by Mrs. Audry Johnstone. Miss Lucy Cowan (the well-known Christchurch elocutionist), Miss and Mr. Cooper (violinist), Wellington, Mr, Harry Phipps (tenor), and Miss Stella Carter. A most enjoyable and varied programme was arranged.

Returned Soldiers and Their Brides, Sydney Street Hall took on something of its old-time gaiety yesterday afternoon, when Miss Coates and 1 a party of ladies, some of them members of the Victoria League, and some well-known workers from the Town Hall, entertained the soldiers and their newly-arrived wives at afternoon tea there. The tables were prettily decorated with sweet peas and the 'refreshments we're of the best. Many of the couples had little children, and all were glad to avail themselves of tho kindly hospitality. Six of the v ladies went on board tho Ruapehu to welcome tho new arrivals, who apparently found tho ordeal of landing between rows of curious 6trangers somewhat trying. Some of them said afterwards that trhev feared a hostile reception, and wero • delighted to meet with only kindness. "Accommodation for tho night was the most difficult problem, and the telephone wa,s kept busy as place after place was tried to no purpose. The Y.W.C.A. Hostel provided for some, and several private individual? did the same. The hall in Sydney Street was kept open ! until the southern contingent left for tho ferry boat. The rest of the new arrivals will leave to Auckland to-day. For Soldiers' and Sailors' Mothers. All mothers of soldiers and sailors are cordially invited to .be present at the afternoon tea in tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall next Wednesdan at 2.30. As it is impossible to notify each personally it is. hoped all will accept this intimation*' The Hon. Sir James Aljftn and tho, Hon. G. W. Russell will address the gathering, and Mrs. G. W. Russell will preside. It fs expected that all the delegates to the Dominion Women's National Reserve Conference will be present. Y.W.C.A. Notes. On tho recommendation of Mrs, Ivaye, representative of the Y.W.C.A. for Australasia, meetings are being called, of Y.W.C.A. members in all the centres of New Zealand. The motion for the separation of the New Zealand Y.W.C.A. from the National Board of Australia must now be . discussed amongst the members, as it was tabled in 1016 for discussion at tho next convention. Now, in order to prepare for the fifth triennial convention, which takes place in Auckland next October, a meeting is being called for All Wellington members at the Y.W.C.A., Eowlds's Buildings, Herbert Street, next Thursday evening, when a vote of the active members will be. taken on the subject of separation of New Zealand ' from the National Board of Australia. It is considered by the members of the Board of Directors of the Wellington Association that tho Y.W.C.A. movement in New Zealand will bo more progressive in the future with its National Bonrd resident in New Zealand instead of. in Australia, as at present, and that the association in New Zealand is sufficiently itrong now to act independently. An attractive programme of charades, novel rhythmic games, and music will be presented at the Y.W.C.A. to-night, under the direction of Miss Jennings. The performers include Mr. Goudic, Miss Wiiron,. Miss E. Smith, and Miss Jacobs, Miss Caddick acting as accom•panist. The Olympians will be responsible for the hospitality par! of the programme. •In order to obtain the full advantages of tho classes and educational clubs for the yeair, girls and young vomer, wishing to learn dressmaking, millinery, elocution, singing, and physical culture are advised to enrol at once at the Y.W.C.A., Fowlds's Buildings. The new programme will commence during the first week in March. Already several intending students have handed in their names for a course of first aid, and tho doctor's lectures will bo arranged by the St. John /Ambulance Society as soon as there is a sufficient enrolment. At a meeting hold at the Y.W.C.A. on Monday evening the recent epidemic was used to illustrate how people suffered liecause there were not enough women and girls prepared for the emergency of the sick iroom. Dr. Ada Patterson spoke on tlio need there is in the city of women able to meet such emergencies, and Miss Birch outlined a plan whereby girls might get the necessary teaching in the simplest way, and made suggestions which wero taken up enthusiastically by those who wore _ present. On Monday night Dr. Ada Patterson will demonstrate how to make a bed with a patient in it. This demonstration will be preceded by instruction in physical culture, as the new plans include self-development as well as training in usefulness in the liome and in the neighbourhood. Girls from the workrooms of the city will be specially welcome next Monday evening at 7.15 o'clock,

Concert at Lowry Bay. 4. concert which was genuinely appreciated by tlie soldiers and nurses was given at Lowry Bay Convalescent Home on Wednesday evening. The performers included: Misses Eileen Driscoll (mezzo), N'ellio Simpson (flautisE), Gladys Watkins (soprano); Madeline Webbe (pianist), Messrs. Goudie (baritone), Hellish (tenor), and Zanfe Wood, who was heard in monologues and humorous sketches. After the entertainment soldiers, nurses and visitors spent a jolly half hour over a dainty supper.