CHRISTMAS CHEER

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 2, 4 January 1932, Page 14

CHRISTMAS CHEER

- PRESBYTERIAN HOMES

.As in previous years, ths children of the Presbyterian orphan homes have been lemembered at Christmas by people 5n many parts of the country, as well as by business and other associations, the ir-unrulative result being a fortnight full t>f good cheer. ' " The round of entertainments included It "tea party given by .the ladies' huxiliary of "the Presbyterian Social Service Association,-held in St. John's Hall. !An enjoyable entertainment followed the tea.

A ramble, over the rocks at Happy -Valley was followed by a paperchase and a '"supper" tea at the home. After tea a .tisit en bloc to the Island Bay picture theatre was the spccial'treat of St. John's {Bible Class boys. XUe pupils and staff of St. Mark's-Kindotgarten gave the children the usual enjoyable entertainment at a childten's variety concert, at the conclusion of which snpper was served. The home children were -conveyed, to the place of entertainment in buses, specially chartered for the purpose. The girls o£ the Island Bay Home were taken on a'harbour trip by the pupils of (Wellington East Girls' College. The Wellington Rotary Club altered Iheiv general practice by having girls as gaests at their special dinner instead of noyti. The dinner, as well as the other good things received at the hands of their Kotarian "benefactors, was thoroughly enjoyed by the children. One entertainment falling at this season of the yeap to which the children look forward with great expectation is the motor outing arranged by the Wellington Automobile Club, This year's, outing was no exception, to the rule so far as idnjoyment was concerned. Another annual event is the visit to the toy caves at the D.I.C. and Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd. Father Christmas greets the children at each place and'gives each child a »icp present.

The staging of "Cinderella." in the' ConCert Chamber of the Town Hall was a great success. The translation into Teal jife of what had hitherto been but h fairy story was of absorbing interest to the.audience of little folk._

'.' Instead o£ • the usual day visit; by Tather Christinas, this year he paid'a -.■'•■•'■ '■■■ ."■ v- ■..' ■

nocturnal visit, the children hanging up their stockings for the occasion.

The meals, too, were real Christmas ones, 'due in large measure to friends of the. home who sent hampers containing cakes, puddings, and many other delicacies." .With lamb, new potatoes, and green peas, followed with the inimitable pudding, the little ones of the homes \sere enabled to "enjoy to the full the Christmas season. < Holiday-making is closely associated with the Christmas season, and in this respect too the children-- have been most fortunate. For the past three years the superintendent (Mr. G. B. Stephenson) has appealed to friends of the homes Ho have the children for the holidays. This year^ the -people ("connected with the Presbyterian Church liave again - opened their, doors to the little ones, with the result that over seventy of the children are having a "Christmas holiday." In this way a. great benefit is conferred upon the children,-and it has a lasting effect.