NAVAL MEN ENTERTAINED

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 235, 30 June 1919, Page 2

NAVAL MEN ENTERTAINED

Tho Ladies' Auxiliary of the local NaVy League, by (lie girls' •branch, entertained tho men of the minesweepers now in port at tho Town Hall yesterday.. The Mayoress (Mrs. J. ,P. Luke), vice-president of the auxiliary, presided, and received the guests. The president, Mrs. Hall-Thompson, attended during tho evening. In charge of the various tables were . Mesdames Moorhouse, Murphy, Kirker, W. Luke, ltichnrdson. Larnach, Phillips-Turner, W. 1). Stewart,, and Misses Lanrenson, and Clark, with assistants . at .each table. Whilst tho' meal was in progress .Miss Beryl . Earle played bright selections on ■the piano, and afterwards t programme arranged by Miss Mary Butler was very much enjoyed. Included in it were: OSongs by Miss B. Price. Miijs E. van Staveren, Mr. Leo . Buckcridge, Mr. Goudie, and recitations by. Miss Mary Butler. Mr. Albert Russell, who is always a host in himself,; gave some'of his most popular selections, which were immensely enjoyed bj--' all, particularly the sailors. Mrs. M'rams's concert party contributed several 'choruses very charminly. Tho accompaniments were played bv Miss May Putnam, and .Miss Beryl Earle. Mr. Lynn, of the-Geranium, arranged for several excellent items to bo given by the men. These -included songs, "Till the Sands of the Desert Grow Cold," "Annie .Laurie," . "The Pirate," several comic items, and a recitation. "A Barking Sound' the Shepherd Hears," given by a very young member of . the crew. During tho evening His Worship the' Mayor announced that ho had just reoeived'the welcome news that Pcaco had actually been signed. This was followed .a scene of great-enthusi-n.-m. all rising and singing "Rule Britannia," followed by ringing cheers again and again. Mr. Luke made a very happy littlo speecli7 paying full tribute to tho Navy's-work-in the Great War, and also to the part played by'the. soldiers. Mr.. Luke did not forget the womon's work, mention of which was received by the sailors with renewed - chcering;Commander Bussell also spoke very feelingly of the part played.by tho Dominion anilother outlying parts of. tho. Empire,-.and .modestly said ilint-.'contpared'.to', the.work 'done; by tho Army, that, of the" Navy -was in the nature of am accompaniment. l :.Ho thanked' those'responsible' for the entertainment, and stressed' the' fact that iiothing jvas so acceptable to seagoing iuen' as music ashore, it being, in iys opinion, tho only tiling that helped .a man'to forget what lie had recently gone through. In-thanking the . Mayor and Mayoress, ho. called for cheers for the ladies, which wero heartily given. The men also fiave three 'hearty cheers for the Navy League.' Miss Putnam played the National .Anthem on the organ, and all .joined in singing "Auld Lang Syne." Before leaving, each "man was'given by the committee a parcnl of fruit'to take away, with him. Mrs* J. Darling, hon. fieortfciiT of tho auxiliary, organised the entertainment,' ' The much-appreoiated home-made cakes were contributed- by mniribers of tho auxiliary and the girls' branch. It is hoped that, on tho return of the boats from their mine-sweeping it will bo possible to arrange a dance for the men.