SPRING FAIR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 212, 7 August 1937, Page 13

SPRING FAIR.

HOSPITAL AUXILIARY. £IOO RAISED. Organised by the Palmerston North Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, a most successful spring lair was held in the Empire Hall yesterday afternoon, and continued in the evening. The auxiliary had worked for weeks in preparation for the event, and as a result the well-stocked stalls offered a pleasing array of articles for sale. The amount raised was in the vicinity ot £IOO, which is gratifying to all those who lent their assistance.

At the official opening, the president of the auxiliary (Airs M. Aitcliisou) explained lhat the fair was being held to augment the auxiliary fund, a portion of the money to go towards the erection of a chapel at the Hospital for nurses. She welcomed the Mayor (Air A. E. Mansford), who was present to declare the function open, Air J. Hodgens, AI.P., a member of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, and Air J. A. Nash, chairman of the board. Air A. J. Phillipps, managing-secre-tarv of the Hospital Board, and Airs Phillipps, were also present on the stage. Referring to the formation of the auxiliary, Air Alensford 6aid that it had been established l>y reason of the fact that 'the Hospital Board enlarged its operations in taking over the district nursing. The auxiliary had been established to create a link between the hoard and the patients, and bring about a harmonious spirit between them. The auxiliary had taken over some of the work which had previously been done bv the Central Belie. Committee in helping indigent mothers. with clothing for their babies, a special groun giving service in tins direction which was nreatly ..appreciated. There w°s no fiupr spirit than service to their fellow-men and women, and that was the spirit the auxiliary was showing. The erection of a chapel was a laudable object deserving of every support, and j\Tr Alansford expressed the hope that the appeal would he most successful and that a chapel would bo erected at the Hospital at no very distant date The sum of £5 had been handed to Ir'm bv Airs T. R. Moore, said Air Alansford, as a prize for the stall which raised the most money.

Air Hodgens complimented the auxiliary on the well-stocked stalls, which were the result of weeks of work, with everyone lending a hand. There was satisfaction in doing work for a hospital which was hardly derived horn any other activity, and he complimented the auxiliary on the interest they were taking in the work. As chairman of the social welfare committee of the Hospital Board, . Mr Hodgens congratulated the auxiliary and said he trusted that the results would lie to their utmost satisfaction. Thanks for what the auxiliary was doing for the welfare of the patients of the Hospital were voiced by Mr Nash. In merely three years ‘the auxiliary had accomplished much, lie said. Radio had been introduced into the Hospital and a considerable sum for this purpose had been, donated by the auxiliary. All realised the need for a chapel: thanks were due to the clergy for holding services in the past, and the erection of such a building would greatly facilitate matters. Referring to the stalls, Air Nash expressed appreciation of the fact that three were-being conducted by ladies not belonging to the auxiliary, besides the three organised by members, and said it showed that they were all wrapped up in the work. Some people thought that everything for the Hospital should come out of the rates, hut the institution stood for more than that, and it was gratifying to find pen pie prepared to give service and do all they could to try to alleviate the suffering of patients. Air Nash concluded bv assuring the gathering that where patients found it was not possible to pay for care the board had always been most sympathetic. Pleasure at the attendance of Mrs Hodgens was expressed by Airs Aitchieon. ,

A telegram bad been received from Airs R. A. Bettle, the secretary of the auxiliary, who is convalescing.in the far north after her illness, conveying best wishes for the success of the fair, announced Af r s Aitelnson.

A vote of thanks was accorded the speakers.

COLOURFUL ATTRACTIONS

The hall presented a gay appearance, with red, white, and bine predominating, a large jewelled crown being hung in the centre of the hall. The walls were draped with bunting (kindly lent by the City Council) in the predominating colours, and the stage (decorated by Mrs C. A. Anderson) looked most attractive with wattle, spring flowers and blossoms, ferns and greenery arranged with artistic effect. In the tearooms vases of Iceland poppies and fern graced the tables. The stalls were decorated as well, with the Townswomen’s Guild stall in blaok and gold (the guild colours). Mrs Aitchison suitably supervised the organisation of the fair and was assisted by the able acting-secretary, Mrs W. M. Huntington. Stalls and stall-holders were as follow:—Cakes: Mesdames F. G. Murphv (convener), W. J. Child. AV. L. Cutten, W. Templeton, K. Fraser, M. “Wood, D. Rabone, and B. M. Munro, and Miss E. Prentice. Sweets: Mesdames .A. M. Wilson (convener). T'eenan and Radcliffe. Registered Nurses’ novelty stall: Miss Y. A. Kelly (convener). Misses G. Kearns, I. Maddon. B. Kelly, and I>. Wright, and Mrs R. Burnett. Townswomen’s Guild stall: Mrs A. E. Mansford. president of the guild (convener), Mesdames G. Lvne, E. W. Drake, D. Evans. 11. Gillott, R. J. Mclver, G. Melville, Bee, Spraggon, F. Holmes, D. James and Cranton, and Miss M. Cranston. Variety: Mesdames J. A. Nash (convener). A. Grigor, I. Wilson, J. Miller, M. Ashworth. Grant Fraser, E. L. Christian, K. Dean, Misses T. Christian, Clark and M. McLagan. Ice-cream: Mesdames W- G. Black (convener), and W. E. Winks, Misses A. Black and R. Armstrong. Afternoon tea : Mesdames S. .7. Parkes and J. Barsanti (conveners), C. A. Anderson, H. Brown, C. Cater, J. Stone F. Bennett and B. F. Mitchell and Miss J. Gaustad. Chocolate wheel: Miss M. Cranston (afternoon), Messrs Cone and E. R. Chapman (evening). Doorkeepers: Messrs S. J. Parkes and W. M. Huntington. In the evening, in addition to numerous competitions, there was a programme with folk-dancing by teams from Milson Women’s Institute and dances by pupils of Miss Jean Scott. The Garrison Band <was in attendance and rendered pleasing music.