FOURTH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED BY HASTINGS TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 147, 9 July 1937, Page 11

FOURTH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED BY HASTINGS TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD

-The fourth birthday of tlie Hastings Townswomen's Guild was celebrated yesterday afternoon with a very jolly party, which was held in tke Hastings Assembly Hall, where every available seat was filled with Guild members and their friends. The stage was gaily decorated with tall jartlinieres of red paper flowers and green foliage, and all along the front was dainty red and white blossom with foliage. Qn the central table was arranged a lovely bowl of pink japonica, camellias and maidenhair fern. At this table were seated Mrs A. F. Glennyt Guild president, Mrs F. Deans, secretary, Miss Jerome Spencer and JVIrs G. A. Maddison. The programme opened with the National Anthem, followed by the Guild Ode and Aspirations. Mrs A. F. Glenny said tbat it gave her great plea- ' sure to welcome everyone and to wish the Guild very many happy returns on its fourth birthday. Miss Jerome Spencer was specially welcome, the president mentioning that no birthday party was complete without her. Representatives of the Napier, Port Ahuriri, Gisborne and Palmerston North Guilds were extended a warm welcome and also the other guests of' the day, all those who had entertained the Guild during the year. Greetings were received from the Dannevirke and Masterton Guilds. The afternoon's business was quickly dealt with. ltemits were re&d from the civic circle, to be.sent to the Borough Council, and it was announced that the first council meeting of the New Zealand Union of Townswomen's Guilds would be held in Wellington on September 22. Two delegates would be chosen and resolutions discussed at the August Guild meeting. The programme opened with an appropriate item for Coronation year, "Changing Guard at Buckingham Pal.ace,"- presented by members of the rutusic circle in smart suits with red gold-braided coats, white trpusers and black busbys Miss Compton sang the solo, and those taking part were : Mesdames V. L. Westernian, Kelly, Baddeley, Young, Hill, Anderson, Norton, Warrington, Warren, McAlister, Misses McLean and Normanby. Vocal solos, which gave great pleasure, were "Reaping" (ConningsbyClarke) and "Lullaby" (Brahms), «sung by Mrs Rees Kemp. Members of the music circle then gave a minuet in costuine. with dancing and singing and later had to respond.to an encore. Those taking part were: — Mesdames Jenkinson, Whitstone, Kirkman, Maeaulay, Misses Compton and McLean. An original item which caused mueh merriment Was "Our Singing Circle," Mrs F. S. Budd being the teaclier, and the music circle members the pupils. Amusing references to guild activities and members resulted in much laughter. At the conclusion a dainty bouquet was presented to Miss McHutchon, the Guild accompanisfce, as an appreciation of her help. A very delicious tea was handed round and during this interval the ceremony of cutting the cake was performed by Miss Jerome Spencer. Two large square birthday cakes were made and cleverly iced by Mrs L. W. Goldfinch, and when the members tasted the cake it proved as good as it lookod. Miss Spencer thanked the Guild for the invitation to be present at their birthday party, and complimented tliem on the enjoyable programme. Miss Spencer said that she liked to see their fun and pleasure, and at the same time to know that thought was being gjven to the more serious side. An excellent play-reading "Suppressed Desire" (Susan Glaspell), was presented by the literary circle, and caus-

ed much amusement. It was splendidly read by Mrs Jackson (Henrietta Brewster), Miss Helen Ford (Stephen Brewster), Mrs Franklin (Mabel) and Mrs Taylor read the directions. Two exhibitions were viewed with much interest, one having been arranged by the members of the arts and crafts circle to sliow the work done by members during the year. Beautiful-ly-made soft toys, knitting, embroidery, leather work and wood painting were much admired. Members of the garden circle gave an exhibition of artistically-arrangied baskets, bowls, float bowls and shoulder sprays, iceland poppies, camellias, pansies and violets predomdnating among the flowers used. A very happy birthday party concluded with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne.n