HASTINGS RED CROSS HOLD SOCIAL EVENING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 52, 24 November 1937, Page 12

HASTINGS RED CROSS HOLD SOCIAL EVENING

Memhers of the Hastings suh-centro of the New Zealand Red Oross Society and their friends enjoyed a jolly social evening in th_e Barrie Studio, Hastings, last night, when .the medallions and certificates vran during the year were presented. Mr Selwyn Averill, chairman of the Hastings Red Cross presided, and Mr L. T. Roberts, the honorary secretarv, was also present. Also on the stago was Miss E. M. King, of Napier, who received a shoulder spray of rose buds from the V.A.D. 's. An apology for absence was read from the Mayor, Mr G. A. Maddison, who was absent from Hastings, but who wished the society a happy evening. Apologies were also received from Mrs T. H. Lowry, Dominion president of the New Zealand Red Cross Society, Mrs J. B. Pickering, Mrs H. B. Knight and Messrs Bedford, Spence and Barton Hobbs. M'r Averill welComed all the visitors who were present, especially mentioning Miss King, one of the stalwarts of the Red Cross Society not only in Hawke's Bay but in the whole of New Zealand, Sister Norman, who trains the girls and does much good work, and the inembers of the St. John Ambulance Assoeiation. When reviewing the year's activities the chairman said that several very successful efforts had been made both from a financial and pleasurable aspect. He mentioned the annual ball, and expressed the society 's appreciation for the splendid work done in connection with this, the Reveille which showed a fairly substantiaf proflt regardless of adverse conditions at the time. He said that Mrs Lowry had made all those taking part in the Reveille members of the society. The Collins Cup and the McLean Shield had been competed for and though these were not won the competitors gained much" valuable experience. ^ Mr Averill also mentioned the visit of Mr Lewis de Gielgud, Under-Secre-tary General to the League of Rud Cross Societies in Paris, to New Zealand and said that though he was unable to visit Hawke's Bay he had greatly assisted Red Cross work in New Zealand. And lastly he spoke with appreciation of the co-ordination of the members of St. John .Ambulance Assoeiation with the Red Cross Society and hoped that each society would give help to the other. The chairman said that it was with much xegret that the Hastings Red Cross had learned that they were to lose their honorary seeretary, Mr L. T. Roberts, who had been transferred to Auckland, He said that Mr Roberts had been an active, energetic seeretary and had been ably assisted by his wife. Mr Averill then called upon Miss King to. present the medallions aua certificates, the list of those who passed the recent examinations having already been published. As a result of the generopity of Mr H. J. Grieve and Mr Barton Hobbs two cups had been presented for the highest percentage of marks in first aid and home nursing, and these were won by Miss Enid Grantham (first aid) and Miss Margaret Rae (home nursing). Bars to the medallions already received which aro won after four years of home nursing were awarded to Mrs L. T. Roberts and Miss Eileen Taylor. On behalf of the V.A.D.'s Mrs L. T. Roberts made a presentation to Sister Norman with love and appreciation from all the girls of her classes. A similar presentation was also to be made to Mrs J. B. Pickering, who was unfortunately absent through illness. Sister Norman thanked the girls for their gift and said how much she had onjoyed working with them. She expressed her special thanks to Mrs Pickering and Mr and Mrs Roberts for their help.

During the evening several iteina were given and were much enjoyed. Mrs Marsicano sang "Gabbagc Roses," and ' ' Smiling Through," and »Mrs W. M. Lowry sang "Down in the Forest," and "Serenata." Several amusing monologues were given by Mr Foddy, who was heaTtily applauded. Miss E. M. King spoke briefiy to those present and at the conclusion of her talk supper was handed round. Before the evening was brought to a close Mr Averill proposed a . vote of thanks to Dr. A. W. Reeve, who had been a most able first aid lecturer, to Dr. Romaine Wright, who had eondueted the examinations, and to Mrs H. B, Knight and Miss Millroy, who had assisted witli" the examinations.