Women’s Club Function

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20128, 23 December 1939, Page 14

Women’s Club Function

The annual Christmas party sponsored by the Gisborne Womens Club is always eagerly awaited, and Wednesday night’s function was, if possible, even more successful than its predecessors. The large reception room was artistically decorated with great bowls of shaded hydrangeas and Iceland poppies advantageously placed on tall stands, and the same taste was displayed in the adornment of the stage, which was beautified with scarlet geraniums, the vivid blooms standing out in striking contrast against the blue curtains.

Members and guests were welcomed by the president, Mrs. J. Pyke, who, in expressing her pleasure in the occasion, took the opportunity of extending seasonal greetings to all present.

The members of the entertainment committee, Mesdames Lyndon, N. Hooper and I. J. Quigley, were responsible for the presentation of a delightful programme. Two vocal solos, “Sleepy Hollow Tune” and “A Bird’s Love Song,” by Miss E. Ray, drew much applause, and Miss V. McCarthy’s lovely voice was heard to advantage in “You Will Never Grow Old” and “You've Got Your Mother’s Eyes.” “Butterflies” and “In An. Oldfashioned Town” were charmingly rendered by Miss L. Trowell and Mrs. Marley was distinctly successful in her interpretation of “Nazareth ’ and He Shall Feed His Flock.”

Two much-appreciated vocal duets, “The Crooked Bawbee” and “When Ye Gang Aw’, Jamie,” were contributed An character by Mesdames Lyndon and Sutcliffe. The melodious rendering of Christmas carols was another charming number. The accompaniments played by Mesdames I. J. Quigley and W. A. Smith and Miss J. Riddell. , Comedy Interludes

A bright comedy in one act, entitled “Under Suspicion,” was presented, and, judging by the bursts of enthusiastic applause with which the performers were greeted as. the plot unfolded, one could gather that, in her choice of plays, the producer, Mrs. N. Hooper, had correctly gauged the

taste of the audience. The east comprised Mrs. Teece as Miss Sherborne, Mrs. Hooper as Mrs. Elsie, and Mrs. Foster as Dolly Elsie. The one-act play “In the Dark,” which concluded flic programme, was cleverly portrayed by Mr. and Mrs. Selvvyn Wood. Auckland. The little comedy was gaily presented, in the unusual setting of a complete black-out, with an appearance of natural occurrence which was most diverting. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Wood was well known in dramadc circles in Gisborne as Miss Enid Hooper, and many friends enjoyed the opportunity afforded of again witnessing her artistry-. , During an interval Mrs. Pyke, on behalf of the members, asked Mrs. H. E. Hill, who is making her future home in New Plymouth, to accept a well-filled purse, together with an illuminated address, the artistic work of Mr. E. T. Doddrell, in recognition of her services to the club over 20 years. In regretting Mrs. Hill’s departure from the district. Mrs. Pyke eulogised the manner in which she had given her time and talent to the club in the capacity of both secretary and treasurer, and wished her every happiness. Regretful farewells also were made to Mrs. Taffen, a foundation member, who is leaving Gisborne for the south.

Gifts of lovely flowers were presented by Mi's. R. Hepburn and Mrs. H. Holmes, on behalf of the club, to Mrs. Pyke, Mrs. H. E. Hill and Mrs, Tiffcn. Two bouquets also were handed to Mrs. F. R. Hill as a tangible token of the appreciation of her untiring efforts in the interests of the club. Each recipient suitably replied. A lucky number competition, under the direction of Mrs. F. R. Hill, who also donated the prizes, was a source of interest. Festive paper hats were donned by all present to the serving of a delicious supper by the members of the committee. On behalf of the club, Mrs. Hooper thanked all who had contributed to the success of the function.

War Work of Mrs. B. C. Freyberg’

The country home in Surrey of Brigadier-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., who will command the New Zealand Force overseas, and Mrs. Freyberg, was handed over for the use of evacuees as soon as the official project for the removal of children to safer areas was formulated. There are 35 little Londoners, under five years of age, in residence, with a matron in charge. As soon as they were comfortably installed, Mrs. Freyberg left for London.

In London, Mrs. Freyberg is very actively employed, working for the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Paddington. This unit, which she organised, is working in co-operation with the borough authority. She naturally now is also much interested in the New Zealanders—those who are already on active service in Britain and those who will come subsequently. She has generously offered to have a considerable amount of knitting done," to be enclosed in the Christmas parcels which will be distributed from London through the channel of the New Zealand Society and the New Zealand Women's Asociation, money having been subscribed for the purpose by both these organisations. Many New Zealand women here are knitting comforts.

Mrs. Freyberg was formerly Miss Barbara Jekyll, daughter of the late Sir Herbert Jekyll, K.C.M.G., She first married the Hon. Francis W. McLaren, M.P. Her two sons by the marriage are on active service—one in the Grenadier Guards and one in the Coldstream guards. When, she became Mrs. Freyberg in 1922 she was a widow. The one son of this marriage is a boy at school.