PLUNKET CHRISTMAS PARTY

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 61, 6 December 1926, Page 5

PLUNKET CHRISTMAS PARTY

The long-looked for Plunket party was held on Saturday afternoon, anil a large number of children turned out to have a good time and enjoy all the fun provided for them. There were children everywhere with mothers or guardians, soon after half-past two and almost directly Air. Silver was on the floor inviting all the children to come and sing. Mr. Mason opened the proceedings by reading telegrams from Mr. Albert Russell, who was detained in Napier, and Mrs. James Hannah from Sydney The children sang several nursery rhymes, led by Mr. Mason (who worked very hard), while Mr. Wilson played. Then there was a programme of dancing Miss Helen Gard’ner staged “Oranges and Lemong.” The’ first four children in Spanish dress (because oranges come from Spain) carried large hoops hung with oranges and smaller children represented fem-/ ons. There were Father Baitpate and the poor lady (in grey) who owed five farthings, two sticks and an apple,” “Brickbats and Tiles says the bells of St. Giles,” and a most realistic headsman “to chop off his head,” and fin-, ally the rich lady (the Bells of Shoreditch) in blue velvet scattering largesse. After this Miss Kathleen O'Brien’s pupils gave several dances, including a water lily ballet, danced by Ada Motrom, Dorothy and Audrey Daniels, Una Scott, Thelma Bartholomew, Joan Raine, and Eileen Colgate. Una Scott danced a toe dance, Thelma Bartholomew “the Policeman’s Holiday,” Joyce Banks a ba’lcf dance, Dorothy Daniels and Jim Lockwood, a Dutch duo; Joan Raine and Eileen Colgate, a Russian dance. The chief business of the afternoon, however, was buying, and all round the hall there were stalls filled with fascinating goods A Christmas tree was at one side with a lovelv lot of toys. This was in charge of Miss Cameron, and Mrs Clayton, and Father Christmas (Mr Downs), who had a very l.usv time. There was a stall of toys for hoys and for girls, amongst them some hand-made doll’s furmture, beam tifullv lifted Mrs Gill, Miss MacTnfosh Mrs Johnson, and Mts McLean were in charge. A flower stall was in harge of Mrs. Joseph Joseph, Mrs Harvey, Mrs Edward Joseph. Misses Enid Smith, Alice Nathan, Marjorv Joseph and Meta Hammond. A cake stall'was in charge of Mrs. C. Richardson, Mrs. Elliott, Mrs McKibbin, and Miss Barnett For this stall a silk bag made bv Mrs. Wilson realised £4. A stall for children’s clothes had most fascinating things for sale under the charge of Lady Hoskings, Mesdames Clahburn, Alpers, Hodson, Wilkie and McGowan. A fauev stall was in charge of Mrs. Morice, Mrs. Herbert, Mrs. McEwan and Mrs. W Luke The dolls stall was the most fascinating of all, where they had dolls dressed in every conceivable stvle, including small imitation Pavlovas. Those serving here were Mrs. G. Nathan, Mrs. Xliller, Mrs. R. Miller, and Mrs. L. Hyarns. A stall for babv dolls was in charge of Sister McLean. Nurse Mitchell, and the Plunket nurses, and thev had the Plunket stork supplying batches of babies, all dressed in proper Plunket baby’s clothes. Afternoon tea was served at small tables set under the gallery, and the helpers were kept well occupied. Miss Ward, the secretary of the society, had a busy time looking after the arrangements, and Miss McVicar, vice-president and all committee members assisted. An orchestra played during the afternoon under the direction of Mr Wilson. Mr. Silver was in charge of the floor and Mr Mason, of the children’s singing. Under these able managers a number of volunteers assisted in looking after the arrangements, while others helped at the doors under Mr. Parton and Mr. Mills. Mr. Major was in charge of the finances. Over £lOO was realised, and it is expected that more will come ill,