PENWOMEN’S LEAGUE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 80, 25 June 1927, Page 18

PENWOMEN’S LEAGUE

A BIRTHDAY LUNCH To-day it is our joy to greet The Journalistic 'World's elite. And hid them graciously partake Of pressed tongue, sandwiches and cake. We've heard, at Dawn awakening, “New Zealand Herald" angels sing. And wistfully have gazed afar Upon the brilliant “Evening Star"; Oft tarried in our homeward flight To watch THE SUN come out at night , A late “Observer" might remark: “In Auckland it is never dark!" Clear as a pool the "Mirror" lies. Reflecting Fashions joyous skies. Where, birdlike, through the changing hues. Flit items of “Pictorial News." So, "Weekly" rhyming I’d propose A " S porting and Dramatic'’ close By asking every one to drink A welcome to our guest—in ink! Perhaps at some more sumptuous lunch Your health will be ivroposed in "Punch." EDNA MACKY. Blue pencils, scissors, paste pots, inkwells a colossal fountain pen, and an ominously crepe-draped W.P.8., effectively decorated in an original and decidedly appropriate manner the tables at the Farmers’ dining room yesterday, when the League of New Zealand Penwomen gave a most delightful birthday lunch in honour of their association having celebrated its second birthday. The guests were welcomed by Mrs. Mary Stuart Boyd, the president of the league, who looked particularly charming in an attractive gown of softest black crepe faille, worn with a graceful wrap of black corded marocain, from which peeped a pretty lining in tones of rose and black. Her black hat was trimmed with an ostrich plume. In a happy little speech of welcome to the guests, Mrs. Boyd spoke of the pleasure that it had given all members to see the rapid way in which the league had grown in its brief two years of existence from a tiny beginning to the flourishing club it was at the present time, possessed of charmingly appointed rooms, and in a perfectly healthy financial position. Mrs. Boyd then referred more particularly to the guests, saying that though she knew that at most functions the guests of honour were accustomed to receive the most glowing flattery and fulsome adulation, she would bear in mind the slogan of the league, the slogan indeed of all penwomen, and confine herself to “sincerity.”

She had the greatest pleasure in welcoming the leading penmen and penwomen of Auckland who had honoured the league by a gracious acceptance of its most timid invitation to be present at the birthday lunch, and she declared that for beauty of feature, grace of carriage and deportment, brilliance of wit and attainment, perspicacity, the people who were preperspicacity, Heaven-directed judgment, and general profound wisdom, the people who were present as the guests of the league could not be excelled in any part of the world. The different circles of the league were then congratulated on the work they had accomplished during the year, Mrs. Boyd mentioning the delightful and original outings that had been arranged by the art section, under the leadership of Mrs. Fletcher, and the splendid and inspiring evenings that the literary section had spent in studying the works of other great authors, under the, guidance of Mrs. Arthur Griffiths.

Tribute was paid to the help given the club at all times by Miss Elsie K. Morton.

The study of impromptu speaking had not been neglected by this energetic club, and, after being successfully inaugurated by Miss Sweet, the speaking sessions had been carried on under the leadership of Dr. Mildred ►Staley. Mrs. Boyd mentioned in passing a most interesting competition that is being conducted by Mrs. Nello Porter, who is inviting members to write a play. So great was the temptation to become a competitor that Mrs. Boyd declared that she herself was almost inclined to take up her long-rusted pen and send in one herself. The only thing that had debarred her from doing so up till the present time was the fact that she could not quite decide whether she could give better expression to herself in the four-act tragedy of pulsing real life or in a short and sparkling one-act comedy similar to those turned out by a man named Mr. A. A. Milne.

A number of charming little speeches of goodwill towards the League of Penwomen, and thanks for their invitation to the cheery function, were made by various representatives of the Auckland Press, some of the speakers adopting . an amusing vein of facetious acceptance of the sincere blandishments poured upon the heads of the illustrious visitors by Mrs. Boyd, and in return laying a thickish covering of the flattering umetion on the souls of the combined penwomen.

An amusing original “Ode to a Waste Paper Basket” was recited by Mrs. Isabel Maude Peacocke who gave to her witty words an added meaning by her most expressive and highly interpretative gestures. Miss Linda Murphy delighted the audience with a. highly humorous sketch entitled “Nini, Ninette, Ninon,” and a charming solo was given by Mrs. Parry. During the luncheon the opportunity was taken by Mrs. Boyd to present Miss Dora Payter with a charming little etching as a slight token of the esteem in which she was held by fellow-members, and in recognition of the invaluable services she had given the club with her splendid reports of their activities. An intriguing poem of welcome to the representatives of the various papers was composed and recited by Mrs. Victor Macky the untiring secretary of the league, and brought in its train a storm of acclamation. The toast of “The Visitors” was responded to in hearty manner by the penwomen, and honoured in flowing ink bottles of scarlet raspberryade. The large party then adjourned to the spacious roof of the Farmers’, and “had their pictures took.” BRING-AND-BUY SALE MAYORESS MEMORIAL LEAGUE The Mayoress’s War Memorial Library League will hold' a Bring and Buy Sale in aid of its funds on Thursday, June 30, at 2 p.m., in the Y.W.C.A. The stalls and stall-holders are as follow: Cakes, Philanthropic, Mrs. McNair; flowers and pot plants, W.C.T.U., Mrs. Hall; plain and fancy, St. John Ambulance, Miss Bull; produce, Civic League, Mrs. Matthias; sweets, Grammar Old Girls’ Association, Mrs. Morpeth; afternoon tea, F. A. Mission, Query Club and special workers, combined. There will be an exhibition of scrapbooks, samples of bookbinding in the various stages and magazine covering.