SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Evening Star, Issue 23687, 21 September 1940, Page 19

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Hobo Ball. Next Wednesday night a big hobo ball is to, be staged in the Main Town Hall to support the Army Queen patriotic funds. This carefree and unique entertainment will doubtless attract a largo crowd of dancers, for the costumes of hobos leave a wide and fascinating field to choose from. Jerseys and skirts, patched summer frocks, peasants I or dancing ladies are but a few of the forms feminine garb will take. Already many tickets have been sold, and intending dancers would be wise to secure them immediately from Jacobs’s, the D.1.C., or, from members of the committee. Navy League. Since the parcel of 190 garments for the New Zealand minesweepers was sent off last week, great progress has been made in the accumulation of “ comforts ” for the North Sea minesweepers. After these have been despatched, work will still continue, as a certain quota is required each month by headquarters_ in Wellington to fit out further ships, both minesweepers, merchant vessels, and others; also to replace worn garments. I

A quantity of wool has been received from the Town Hall for naval comforts. This lias been distributed among our knitters, and the garments will be forwarded direct through the Navy League, which will account to the Patriotic Council for the wool received, giving details of how it is made up and where sent.

Townswomen’s Guild. There was a large attendance of members at the monthly meeting of the Townswomen’s Guild, which was held on Tuesday evening last, the president (Mrs R. S. Black) being in the chair. A motion of sympathy was extended to Mrs J. E. Macassey, and also to Mrs J. Y. Love, each of these members having suffered the sad loss of a sou.

Mrs R. S. Black was congratulated on having been elected to represent the Townswomen’s Guild as a member of the committee of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary. Professor A. G. Strong entertained the meeting with an interesting and enlightening address, her subject being ‘The United States of America.’ The speaker explained the system of government, geography, industries, people, and problems of the States, and spoke of the present closer relationships existing between Britain and the United States.

Mrs L Y. Lilly thanked the speaker on behalf of the members of the guild, after which supper was served and the meeting brought to a close. Girl Guides’ Association.

The combined annual meetings of'the local associations of the Dunedin South and Central districts of the Girl Guides’ Association was held in Wilson Hall on Thursday, Mrs .1. Hebditch presiding. In her opening remarks, the president of the south district gave a resume of the work that is required of and is being done by the district committees. The annual reports and balance sheets of the respective districts were then read. Airs J. A. Hanan, in moving the adoption of the annual reports, congratulated the committees on

all their activities being well main-, tained, especially their service to the Kmpire. The speaker stressed the fact that the Girl Guide movement is a great builder of character. Mrs W. L. Colvin seconded the adoption of the reports and balance sheets. The election

of officers resulted as follows:—South district: President, Mrs Jas. Mooney; secretary, Mrs O. E. S. Wood; treasurer, Mrs P. G. Hall. Central district: President, Mrs G. H. Parkinson; secretary and treasurer, Mrs DerekSmith. After the business meeting a very enjoyable programme was given by the Guiders. Mrs S. M. Park passed a vote of thanks to all workers in the Guide movement. The serving of supper concluded a happy evening.

League of Mothers. The September meeting of the Musselburgh branch of the League of Mothers was held on Tuesday evening, presided over by Mrs M'Connell. The meeting opened with the singing of the league hymn, followed by the league prayer and special prayer for peace. Mrs Race brought the thought for the month, “ let every hour be winged with joy and every day a blessing.” The president then introduced as the speaker for the evening Miss Vial, who, as vocational guidance officer for girls in Otago, was able to give members advice as to the correct training required for girls by present-day employers. The value of secondary education was stressed considci'ably, as, it was pointed out, it was during the transition period between childhood and adolescence that education was so vital. The benefits gained through social contacts, as well as the knowledge and poise acquired, proved of great value in later life, besides assuring girls of readier and more profitable employment. At the conclusion of her talk, Miss Vial was the recipient of many eager inquiries, a proof of the interest aroused by her address. Mrs M'Connell proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker for her highly educative talk, and this was passed by acclamation.

The Maori Hill League of Mothers held its September meeting on Thursday, when Mrs Sharp presided. After the league hymn aand prayer the president welcomed all the grandmothers, who were the guests of the afternoon. Mrs Scott, a great-grandmother, read a portion of Scripture, and Mosdames Ellis and Pickering presented each of the 14 grandmothers with a beautiful posy of spring flowers. The following items wore rendered;—

Airs Naylor, ‘ Songs My Mother Taught Ale ’■ ' and 1 Belgian Lullaby ’; Mrs Middlemas, ‘ Old-fashioned., Rhymes ’; Mrs Bezett, Love’s Old Sweet. Song,’ with humming accompaniment by the choir; Airs Ellis,. ‘ Alother,Alachree ’; Airs Scott, ‘ln An Old-fashioned Town, ’ and Mrs Robinson, ‘ The Second Alinuet.’ During the singing of the last song, Mcsdaraes’Billing and Walker danced a graceful ‘ Minuet ’ in costume. The choir also,sang ‘Lullaby,’ and the accompanist for the afternoon was Mrs ipioksoUt'iyMrs H. Turner gave a most interesting and amusing account of her ■experiences while living in London. Interspersed between the, musical items were ‘ Helpful Thoughts,’ given by. quite, a .number of grandmothers. Mrsi Fairbairn, on behalf, of the guests, proposed a vote of thanks to the performers . and to the.'committee for giving them such a delightful afternoon. ■

The Roslyn branch of, the League of Mothers held its monthly meeting on Tuesday last, when Mrs F. S. Layeock presided. Arrangements were made for members to attend the branch rally on September 26,' in the R.S.A. Hall, in honour of the Dpminion president, who is at present visiting Otago and Southland., A,'parcel ■of , wool was distributed for the knitting of. scaryes .and pullovers; Mrs Dow read a paper on Hebridean life, which had been prepared by, Mrs Magaus-Jobnson, who was unable to be present. This was interspersed,with. Hebridean folk songs, delightfully interpreted, by Mrs Hon. MTnnes, demonstrating-how the islanders have ,songs .to suit their various occupations. The accompanist was Mrs Dunne* Mrs Finlayson ably voiced the appreciation, of members. The thought for the day was : “ If vou have gracious words to say, O give them to our hearts to-day. But if your, words will cause us sorrow, pray keep them till the last, to-morrow/’ Mrs de (Beer, convener,

advised that the date for the League of Mothers to take charge of the Dug-out in the Octagon had been positioned until November.

The Kaikorai branch of the League of Mothere held its monthly meeting on Wednesday last, presided over by Mrs Dawson. The thought for the month, brought by Airs Thompson was as follows: “ To-day’s good deed is tomorrow’s happy memory.” A humorous play, ‘ Engaging a Maid,’ was given and greatly enjoyed, those taking part being as follows: Mesdames Spiers, M'Killop, Ellis, Aitkeu, Duncan, Hanna, and Bauld. The speaker for the afternoon was Mrs A. J. Fox, who gave a most interesting and demonstrative talk on home nursing, showing the correct method of making and applying hot fomentations and linseed poultices. Mrs Spiers thanked the speaker for her most helpful talk. Afternoon tea brought the meeting to a close.