VISIT OF H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 272, 13 August 1919, Page 4

VISIT OF H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND

LUNCHEON FOR THE MEN.

A meeting of the Mayoress's Entertainment Committee was held yesterday afternoon in the Mayor's room of tho Town Hall to discuss' arrangements • in.: connection with the luncheon to bo given to the men of H.M.S. New Zealand, after it arrived' in port next week. Tho Mayoress presided: In explaining the purpose of the meeting Mrs. Luke said that the Entertainment Committee must not bo confused with any other committee which was assisting with tho entertainment of the men from the New Zealand. This committee was the one which had been associated with her while tho war was on in providing hospitality and amusement for the soldiers in camp, and also for some time in welcoming soldiers as they returned to Wellington from overseas. What they wanted, to do waei to have a certain amount of preliminary arrangements completed,to bring before the cili\ zens'; meeting, which was to be held on Thursday, so that time would be saved and. overlapping would be avoided. It luul been moved at tho first citizens' meeting that-the Mayoress's Entertainment Committee should give a luncheon to the men, and this resolution had been carried. Sho would like to know how many were prepared to help with-the luncheon, with the club, the dances, for tho men, or any other form of cntortainraent that might be thought of. They were now associated with the Navy League, and all suggestions and offers of help would bo useful. A boxing tournev was one thing that had been suggested,' but • beyond arranging for gloves they could hardly be expected to lake charge of it. Motor picnics or drives had been suggested, and Mrs. Dyer was seeing what could be done in regard to that idea. Arrangements for relays of'workers had. to be made, as the Town Hall Club would, be open for the men from nine in the morning till, cloven at night. . ■ . .. •Uter some discussion, an executivecommittee was set up, consisting of. Mrs. Luke. Mesdanies" Blundell, Moorhouse, Yates, Wilson,'Barltrop, Kirker Murphy, Mis.? Back and Miss Clark, with Miss Bock as secretary. Among those willing to give their time to the entortainiiur of the men in any way at all, and at specified times, wero i-Mcsdaines Jell. Bannister, Henry, and-tho Misses Henry (2), Griffiths and Miss Griffiths, Hempton, Hauler, Mrs. and Miss Kinvig, Murphy, Lang, Wilson, Muses Veale, Fraser. Marks, M'Gowan Phillips, Barker, Steole, Samson, Eeid, Wallace, and Townsend, with power to add to their number. The executive were to bo regarded as-free lames, not being tied to any specific work. It was pointed out that there were at least 700 men to bo entortained, and the number that could be seated at one time in tho Town Hall at luncheon was 300. So far it had been impossible to ascertain what time the New Zealand -was likely to arrive. The motion was put to tho meeting and earned that half the men should be entertained at hmcheon on one day and the other half tho next Mrs. Luke suggested that the Racing Club equipment (crockery, cutlery, etc.; which was being loaned them should only Ito used for tho luncheon and tho bail, and their own for the ordinary club usages. This was agreed to. The menu for the luncheon was next discussed, and it was decided that there should bo vegetable salads, cold meats, annle pies, mince-pies, fruit salads, dried fruits, nuts, sweets, pickles, sauces, etc. The provision of drinks (beyond tea and coffee! would lw left in the hands of the men's committee to see to. Stated times for meals at the. club wero. arranged for, and wero as follow —Morning tea, from 10 toll o'clock; lunch, 12 to 2; afternoon tea. 3.30 to 4.30; supper, from G to 1 Mrs Luke emphasised'the fact that tho officers were being very well provided lor in the matter of entertainment and nospitnlily, and'sho relied upon tho committee to, see that everything possible was done to make the stay ot the men in Wellington thoroughly onjoyable; also that plenty of girls would turn up for tho dancing. Mrs. Luko omphasised and tho committee endorsed her suggestion that evening dress would not_ be worn at the-club at night-only the simplest ol house frocks.

The fiouthorn porhon .of theiiien who returned-from Egypt by tiie Ulimaroa woro not able to leave Wellington for their ultimate destinations until Monday evening, ami in consequence tho hospitality of tho lteturned Soldiers Club, which Kept open house all day, was greatly appreciated. ltefreshments were obtainable at all hours, and tho. laches in charge had quite a, busy day. ■ , " The wedding took place at tho Presbyterian Church, Brighton (England), by tho Rev. Williams, early in December! of Winifred J. Wilson, staff nurse, KZ. A N S., eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W Wilson, Feathcrston Terrace, Wellington, to David Collingwopd Low, N.Z.M.C, third son of Mr. and Mrs. D. W Low, Palnicrston North. Cabled advice has been received that Dr. and Mrs. Low are returning by the Athemc this month. .