AN EX-AUCKLANDER

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 2, 24 March 1927, Page 15

AN EX-AUCKLANDER

MAKES MANY KIDDIES HAPPY The well-known “Mrs. Brown’s Little Tea Shop,” at 36, Wardour Street, London, that is run by Mrs. Iredale, of Auckland, was full of happy children on the Sunday before Christmas. The shop is very well known by the many distinguished folk who lunch and tea there among its restful surroundings. But they were not the individuals catered for on December 19. In a warm and gaily decorated room were, instead, nearly 70 poor children, Mrs. Iredale s happy guests, surrounding a dazzling Christmas tree. It was laden with tantalising gifts, just out of reach for the moment. Mrs. Iredale, aided by her staff, had worked to some purpose beforehand, and the room was a swirl of colour and light. From the ceiling gay balloons were floating, and over the pictures and around the glittering brasses and copper, for which the tea shop is famous, evergreens and holly had been twisted. On the topmost pinnacle of the tree \v«ts & dream fairy doll, who later found her way into the outstretched arms of a little cripped child. The coveted toys were distributed by Mrs. Iredale’s brother, who impersonated Father Christmas. Every year this party is given, and- every year a number of children, deprived of their birthright of happiness—spend an enchanted afternoon. The trouble is, for them, that Christmas comes but once a year.