RED CROSS ENTERTAINMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17686, 25 July 1919, Page 6

RED CROSS ENTERTAINMENT

■ ■-«» WOUNDED SOLDIERS' PEACE CELEBRATIONS. As long as the Red Cross Society stands our soldiers are in no danger of being forgotten, and the Alexandra Ward of the Dunedin Hospital last night gave an excellent illustration of how the Red Cross remembers them. Lest the wounded men should feel out of it during all the festivities that have been taking place, the society arranged a speoial peace celebration concert and dinner for them, last night, and about 120 of them were gathered in tho upper room of the Alexandra Ward. These came from the various wards of the Hospital, from the Convalescent Home, and from, tho Woodside Jaw Hospital, and included all the soldier in-patients in Dunedin. There were also present by special invitation 20 returned army nurses. The Rev. V. G. Bryan King presided as chairman of the Red Cross, and among these present were the Mayor (Mr W. Begg), Cr Bradley, representatives of the Peace Association and the Patriotic Association, and iviijor Fergus, of the N.Z.M.C. An excellent entertainment was submitted, and it was enthusiastically enjoyed by the men. The programme opened with an orchestral selection from Misses W. and P. Hawcridge and C. Hughes, followed by songs from Mrs Astley Black and Mr W. Gemmell; Miss Ivy Mazcngarb delighted the men with recitation, and Mr George Mearns's humorous sketches were very successful. By the courtesy of the Messrs Fuller and then- local manager (Mr John Hamer), the latter part of the programme was supplied by professional entertainers from the Princess Theatre. Brull and Hcmsley provided sparkling comedy, Signor and Signora Molinari rendered somo of their best songs, and Brightie and Carlyon gave a very popular exhibition of dance and song. Miss Clara Hughes presided at the piano. To all these tho soldiers expressed their gratitude and appreciation with characteristic heartiness. A lavish and tempting peace supper, consisting of many varieties of delicacy, was dispensed during the evening, and enjoyed with keen delight At tho conclusion "Auld Lang Syne" was sung, and tho soldiers gave -three chcera tor the Red Cross.