SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 80, 30 December 1919, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Mrs, Gordon (Masterton) and Miss M. Pavton (Auckland), who have 'been competing in tho Now Zealand tennis tournament now being, playod in Wellington, intend. leaving for liotorua to tako part in tho tennis tournament to be played thero shortly. 'Mr. and Mrs. Norman James (Masterton) and family aro at Lyall Bay for tliQ holidays; also Mr. and Mrs. George Sellar, and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence. Mrs. Harley Donald (Masterton) and her childronare staying at Lyall Ray. Mrs. W. James will leave on Wednesday on a visit to Masterton. To the children of the Levin Memorial Homo, Berhampore, Christmas has been a very happy time this year. Tho pupils of Miss Baber's School gave them a Christmas tree party, from which they came laden with toys and books, and tho Paramount Picture Company invited them to tho "Blue Bird" on Christmas Eve. The matron acknowledges with thanks the following donations■:—Messrs. Oppenheimer and Co., £10 10s.; the Warehousemen's Association, £S 55.; Mrs. M. A. Williams, JJ2 25.; Mrs. Stowc, £± Is.; Mrs. W. -Young, £1 ls. ; A Friend (Day's Bay), ,£1 10s.; Mrs. Henry Hall, 4SI; Mrs. Moir, 10s.; Appreciation, £1; A Friend, 55.; a Christmas cake, Miss Joseph; a lamb, Mrs. West; n Christmas cake, Mrs. W. Nathan; a caso of peaches, A Friend; Gd. for each child from "Interested." Sistor R. King, of the staff of tho Trentiham Military Hospital, left yesterI day for a short holiday at Auckland. "The children here had a very good time, all through the kindness of people outside," was tho cheerful Christmas report from th 9 Homo of Compassion at Island Bay. ' There was a. beautiful Christmas tree and an excellent dinner. Tors suitable for all, from the smallest infant to the biggest hoy, wero availablo for distribution. Quite a few of thoso whoso donations provided the good things resido outsido of Wellington. The Sisters of Compassion and the inmates of their homes thank the fallowing donors of Christmas gifts-.—Messrs. if. O'Connor, W. H. Edwards, M. Segrief, J. B. Henrys, H. L. Ryan, D. Parte, Campbell and Burke, A. S. Evans, A. Moller, E. Reichel, Brown, James P. Carroll, G. Winder, Bristol Piano Co., Swan and Swan, K. Evatt, M. Croinbie, Percy jloud, J, E. Connor, Young's Chemical Co., J. Myers and Co., Dustin's, Bannatyne and Hunter, Allonbv, Howard and Tilynrd, O'Kccfe, Jt'Stitlan, Preston, Forbes, Dr. Mackin, Dr. Young, St. V. de P. Council, Warehousemen's Assoo'ation, Commercial Travellers' Club, Mesdames Kennedy, Nathan, Joseph, Lawlor, A. Reid, iM'Carthy, O'Rourke, Ryder, Seannoll, Mulhern, Coles, Iveogh, Biinny, Rediean, Ganiblo, Browne, Greig, Peters, Groy, Mrs. Clark's Sewing Club, Misses Kennedy, Coates, Vealo, Madden. a A.lso Mrs. Clark and butter contributors, Miss Fagan, Mies Strickland, and bread contributors, and all the friends and benefactors who assist them throughout tho year.

Mr. H. W. Haybittle (Marten) and Mr. and Mrs. B, F. Haybittle (Feilding) are now paving a visit to their father, Mr. R. B. Haybittle, who is now in his 96th vear. ' Tho Fcuthorston Military Hospital was closed hist week, and on Wednesday Matron Brooke, Sister Montgomery, and other members of the nursing staff left for Narrow Neck Hospital (Auckland). .Mrs. A. Warburton and Messrs. E. and H. Warburton havo gone north on a motor tour, and at present aro at Egmont House (Taranaki) Tho wedding took placo last week at St. John's Church. Dannevirke, of Mrs. Mario Louise Hindmarsli Eobertshawe, daughter of Mr. mid Mrs. S. Bolton, of Oele, to Mr. Georgo Cog'hill, manager of tho Union Bank of Australia, Dannovirko. Tho Eev. G. B. Stephenson performed the ceremony. Only tho relatives of the bride-Mr. and Mi's. Bolton and their family, Mrs. Eobertshawe (senior), Mr. and K. Eobertshawe— and a few intimato friends wero present. Atiss G. Bolton was bridesmaid, and Mr. S. Macfarlune best man. At the er.nclnsion of tho ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Bolton entertained the wedding guests, at tho residence of the bride, and later ilr. and Mrs. Coghill left en route for Australia. Mrs. T. H. A. Valintino has gono to New Plymouth for tho races. 'In the course of a lecture which ho gave in Sydney, Dr. Truby King, in referring to decreases in population, stated that tho population of France was going down at tho rate of nearly half a million a year. The position was not so much less serious in England, and that which had boon going on in other places •was proceeding among ourselves. The increase of population in Eastern countries was most marked, and very strongly shown where the East met tho West a L . Honolulu. The Japanese there were increasing to a remarkable .extent. If it should he proved that the Eastern nations wero more moral than ourselves, and made more sacrifices for the continuity of tlio race, and if we did. not populate our own country, had we a right to deny other races tho right to come forward and populate those places which we were not populating? (Applause.) It was impossible to havo had better weather than that of yesterday for tho continuation of tho Now Zealand tenuis tournament, played on tho Wellington College grounds. All day long tho si u shone brilliantly with not a cloud to temper its heat and with only the faintest suspicion of a breeze stirring at long intervals. To onlookers it was decided ly warm: what it was to the players, could only bo surmised. There was a fair attendance of spectators, .and t» e play was watched with keen interest, some excellent games taking place. It was a day for unlimited cool drinks, fruit, and' tea, both morning'and afternoon, such as some of the players must have had vivid recollections of when playing in some of the provincial tournaments, but alas! Wellington does not rise to such heights of hospitality as does tho country. ■Representatives of tho Wellington branch of the British Ecd Cross wero actively engaged before Christmas in making up parcels of very desirable gifts for all snldiers'in military hospitals and homes, and these were distributed and gave much pleasure, not only from the gifts themselves, but the kindly Mid sympathetic thoughts which prompted the selection. Tho Bed Cross was a-so responsible for tlio Christmas dinner fore at Treutham hospital, which included poultrv, puddings, green pons, fruit salad, and eakes, while for supper Vhe same kindly power provided strawberries and cream, meringues, oyster pitties. and Christmas cake. Misses Monoktoii. Ewen and Beckett dressed a fine Christmas tree, superintended tho dinner and supper, and generally worked hard and .most successfully in giving (he soldiers a thoroughly good time. This was done in addition to their ordinary work at the Bed Cross Club, which goes on all the lime. There wero about 300 guests present, including quite a number of cot oases, who were provided with beds for the cheery occasion. After Iho Christmas tree and supper, a dance took place, which finished up a really happy Christmas,- which will bo remembered by all present with pleasure. ,

Christmas at the Terrace Gaol. On the afternoon of Christmas Day, Sir. E. Arnold, Kensington Street, tli« prisoner's frieiuf, brought a concert party to the women's department of the Torraco Gaol. The entertainment was much appreciated, and Mrs. Tingey dispensed cakes, fruit, and sweets. Some of tho inmates contributed to tho programme, and one of them, in a neat speech, thanked Mr. Arnold and tho ladies for their entertainment, and tho ControllorGeneral, Mr. C. E. Mathews, for permitting it. It is not only on Christinas Day that a voto of thanks should bo passed for tho Controller-General, for one could safoly he passed every week, for the prisoner to-day Ims much to thank Mr. C. E. Matthews for. A beautiful two-tior cake and boxes of sweets wero received from tho Women Prisoners' Welfare Group. This group is in ils infancy, but judging by its practical interest the members really have tho prisoners' welfare at heart. Oa Saturday Mrs. Glover, official visitor, entertained nil tho women to high tea. the long table being laden with home-made dainties. The evening was spoilt with games and music Tho corridors wero beautifully decorated, and tho long tables covered with masses of gorgeous coloured sweet peas, all tho flowers coming from tho prison garden. A Real Father Christmas, As is usual and proper, Christmas Day was made bright and happy at the Wellington Hospital, tho sick and linlt being catered for in a way that will make tho dav memorable with many of them. Tho wards were beautifully decorated with flowers, greenery, etc., which gave tho place a very cheerful and festive appearance. Presents were distributed among tho patients, and during tho morning carol siiuers and several bands visited the, institution, with tho usual stimulating result. Tho event of the day is reserved for t.ho little ones in the Children's Ward, who are never forgotten. In that ward a verv noblo Christmas tree had been cen-trally-placed, and thickly hung with toys. It was with cries of delight.that at 7 o'clock the patients heard, tho chairman of the board (Mr. F. Castle) announco the advent of Father Christmas, and into the ward he strode in his great furry coat and bushy white beard, and with tho heln of tho matron and nursing staff be made everyone happy by an impartial distribution of the gifts until the amazing fruit of tho tree reposed in the various cots—hugged, and squeezed, and pushed, and dangled according to tho nature of the toy*. Dr. Aymes acted the role of Father Christmas to tho manner born, and Mr. Castle, on behalf of the hoard, returned (hanks to tho medical and nursing staffs (for whom .cheers were given) for the unselfish way they had worked to make Christmas within the walls of the hosnit.il such an enjoyable time for all concerned. Among those present, besides tho staff and friends of tho little patients, wore Jfpsdames Snow and M'Vicar, and Mr. John Smith, members of the board.

Christmas at tho Ohlro Home. I The inmates of the Ohiro Home (for 1 old- people) were given a good time on \ Christmas Day. A capital Christmas dinner was served in the evening, after wlrch there was a concert, tho programme of which was provided by the inmates themselves. This concert was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present. Included in the programme was a really trood 'exhibition of conjuring by a malo inmate, who showed that ho knew just as much.about the delicato art of deceiving 'he eye by quickness of the hand as most ('f those who pxhibit profossionallv. Tho arrangements wero capitally made and carried out by Mr. George Petherick (chairman of the Charitablo Aid Committee) and Mr. A. H. Trucbridge (superintendent; of the- home). Mr. F. Castle (chairmatO and Mesdnmes Snow and M'Viear (members of tho board) were present during the evening. Christmas at tho Salvation Army Homos. It! each of tho institutions under tho rare of the Salvation Army, Christmas was spent very happily. Oir Christmas Eve Colonel' Bray visited the Boys' Homo at Island Bay, where a pleasant social evening was held. The boys received their .Sunday" school prizes, and gave a programme of songs and recitations. Three lads wero presented with soecial prizes for good conduct during tho vear. On Thursday there was a good Christmas dinner. The little girls at tho Children's Home in, Owen Street had a Christmas treo well-laden with presents for all. A "real Father Christinas" presided over tho festivities, which were held in a beautifully-decorated room with a "magic cave" in out corner. Yesterday the youngstors plr.yed games indoors, as the wet weather prevented the holding of a picnic out.sido The Christmas dinner was a great success, and there was an abundance of everything proper to tho occasion. The matron wishes to thank I the ladies and gentlemen who contributed so liberally to tho provision of good cheer. At 7.30 a.pi. on Christmas Day an Armv hand visited the Rescue Rome and entertained the inmates with carols and other selections. Colonel and Mrs, Bray visited the home during the day. After dining upon good Christmas fare, tho girls plaved at games during tho afternoon. There were fresh visitors for tea, and a concert was held in the evening. Children as House-Planners. The school children of Springfield, Missouri, have co-operated lately m a remarkable- housing programme (states tho "Manchester Guardian'"). A group of local architects furnished designs for a .thousand residences, which they laid out iu a regular town-planning scheme, with streets, parks, etc. Models of these houses, on a scale of half-au-inch to tho foot, were then constructed by the boys of the Springfield schools, their interest being stimulated by offers of SCO dollars in prizes. The work was all doue at home. For tho girls- there was arranged a competition in interior decoration and furnishing. Tho result appealed, iu "Tiny Town," which was' placed oh exhibition in the local Convention Hall. To make the experiment still moro realistic, tho children wero invited to elect for "Tiny Town" a complete municipal government. This involved an election campaign according to the orthodox pattern, including tlio delivery of stump speeches and the insertion of election appeals in the newspapers. Tho construction of "Tiny Town" is to be followed up by tho carrying out, on the lines of the exhibit, of a real housing scheme which will run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.