CHRISTMAS BANQUET

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 153, 2 December 1938, Page 20

CHRISTMAS BANQUET

FINALE TO Y.W.C.A. YEAR

"Oyez! Oyez! All ye club members, board and committee members and sports girls are bidden to the Y.W.C.A. Christmas banquet," ran the invitation issued for the concluding general function of the association's year, held last night at the Wellington headquarters in Boulcott Street. Nearly 200 members attended, every seat in the hall being filled.

Scarlet and green struck a festive and appropriate Christmas note in the effective decorations, spruce-green valences surmounting • broad streamers which swept diagonally across the walls to finish in knotted clusters. A silver bowl filled with flame and red nasturtiums made a glowing centrepiece to the carpeted stage, and stands of cherry red azaleas and roses stood out in vivid contrast against the black hangings behind. On the tables miniature Christmas trees in scarlet tubs i were linked to alternating vases of red and white poppies with tinsel ropes, and broad scarlet ribands running the length of the tables added the finishing touch. At each place on the official table stood a tiny Santa Claus to welcome the executive officer or member of the board. The official party included Mesdames R. Gardner (Wellington president), R. Pearson, H. D. Bennett, J. M. Wilson, Knox Gilmer, P. M. Cameron, Bowden, L. Bell, Steptoe, E. Hurley, F. O. Austin, W. B. Matheson, E. W. Hunt, Nicholson, F. C. Spratt, H. Taylor, M. McLeod, R. S. Mclnness, L. Avann, P., Page," and Misses I. Hurst, M. Bell, E. Jones, E. Law, D. Veitch, M. Cooper, F. Low, H. Taylor, Nicholson, K. Youngwai (Sydney), Reeves, and Hammerton. After the lights had been dimmed a procession of twenty scarlet-hooded "waits" made an impressive entry, each bearing a lighted candle. Accompanied by two violins, they sang a group, of carols, winding their way in single file between the tables, and concluded with a beautiful descant rendering of "Holy Night." Members of the Y.W.C.A. residence and club-girls were responsible for this effective opening. The dinner honoured the festive season in traditional fashion, ending with hot mince pies, nuts, fruits, and such favours as rattles and carnival caps. A large three-tiered Christmas cake which held pride of place, was cut by Mrs. Gardner and distributed among the guests. Between I courses the diners joined in rounds of singing under the' able conductorship of Mr. D. K. Hindle. Miss M. Cooper was toast mistress, proposing "The King," and other toasts honoured were "The International Y.W.C.A." (Miss E. Law and Mrs. L. Avann) and "The Family" (Mrs. H. D. Bennett and Mrs. R. Gardner). Presentations were made by a jovial "Father Christmas" to Mrs. Gardner, Miss R. Law, Miss Cooper, Mrs. M. de Muth, Miss I. Hirst, and Miss Norris.

Rousing choruses were interspersed between the excellent programme of items which included a Margaret Morris movement display by Miss M. Bell and pupils; a rhythmic poi dance by members of the Ngati-Poneke Young Maori Club; a solo, by Miss I. Hirst; a "sports surprise," by Y.W.C.A. sports girls; a piano solo by Miss K. McKay; a recitation by Miss V. Marshall, and a play, "The World's Christmas Tree," produced by Miss E. Jones. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" ended a delightful evening.