Y.W.C.A. INSPECTED BY MAORI PRINCESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 397, 4 July 1928, Page 4

Y.W.C.A. INSPECTED BY MAORI PRINCESS

MANY ENGAGEMENTS “A Maori girl receives precisely the same welcome here as a Pakeha girF. There is no difference.” Miss Jean Begg. general secretarj-, when welcoming Princess Te Puea Herangi, of Waikato, to the Y.W.C.A. in Auckland yesterday, when the chieftain ess was the guest of the at afternoon tea, expressed her keen admiration for her social work among the Maori people. “It is of particular interest for us to learn of your efforts on behalf of the girlhood of your race, for that is what concerns us most. We are more than happy to learn of this movement among the Maori people.” Miss Begg assured the princess that anything her association could do to assist her, they would be only too willing to undertake. Replying, the chieftainess said: “It fills my heart to know of your sympathy for my Maori people. I thank you for your kind offer, and my only regret is that w e have not heard of it sooner.” Te Puea issued an invitation to the staff and committee of the Y.W.C.A. to go to her model village at Ngaruawahia and to “see for themselves” what had been attempted. Mrs. Kaihau and Mr. David Katipa accompanied the chieftainess. Miss Begg was assisted by Dr. Elizabeth Brownell and the other members of the staff in receiving her visitors, who also visited the hostel and inspected both buildings. Others present included Mrs. G. H. Wilson, Miss F, M. Gryels, and Miss Elsie K. Morton. This morning Princess Te Puea visited the St. Stephen's School for Maori Boys at Parnell. To-morrow she will visit the Auckland public hospital, accompannied by Mr. E. H. Potter, when her poi dancers will perform for the inmates. The old people’s home conducted by the Little Sisters of the Poor will be visited by the rangatira on Friday afternoon. The following day the party will return to the Waikato.

SUCCESSFUL DANCE

MAYORESS’S RELIEF FUND A delightful dance was held last evening in St. Michael’s and All Angels' Parish Hall, Belmont, for the purpose of assisting the Mayoress’s Relief Fund. The hall was brightly decorated with streamers of pastel pink and blue tones, festooned around the walls and cerise and blue streamers added oplour to the stage. Committee members present were: Mrs. W. Verran, wearing a steelbeaded frock of black georgette. Mrs. Codd, whose frock of black satin was embossed in a floral design. Mrs. A. Rowe, who wore a frock of beech-brown chiffon and satin. Mrs. Buckley, wearing a rhinestonetrimmed frock of black georgette. Mrs. Jones, who wore a cedar brown satin frock banded with gold lace. Miss Joy Verran, secretary, wore a cherry red ring velvet frock, with a bouffant taffeta bow. Among the dancers were:—Airs. J. W. Williamson, Airs. Black, Mrs. Biddle, Airs. AlcFadgen, Mrs. P. G. Esson, Airs. Nicks, Airs. W. Airs. Pruden, Airs. Blackwell, Airs. E. Wiseman, Airs. White, Airs. Alills, Airs. Nailer, Airs. Aliddleton, Airs. Gilbert, Aliss H. Lewis, Aliss Alossman, Aliss Verran, Aliss J. Langton, Miss J. Davis, Aliss Lockwood and Aliss B. Brett. .

LYCEUM CLUB

ELECTION OF OFFICERS As no new nominations were received tile president, . vice-presidents, and executive committee of the Lyceum Club were returned unopposed at the annual meeting of the club, held last evening. Miss Ellen Melville presided, in the absence of the president, Mrs. W. H. Parkes. The report and balance sheet were read, showing that the past year lias been a successful one, financially and otherwiseMiss Melville remarked upon the pleasing growth of the club spirit, and the fact that members were more and more coming to realise that the club really had a community of interests. Reports showing a wonderful variety of activities were presented by the following circles- and committees: Musical circle, house committee, gardening circle, luncheon committee, dramatic circle, literary circle, camera circle, motor circle, bridge circle, dance committee, and welfare circle. The welfare circle was congratulated on the activities of its members and the splendid work it is doing in sending comforts to hospital patients and inmates of the various institutions; in taking soldiers from the Evelyn Firth Home for outings; and sending clothes and presents to the lepers on Makogai Island, as well as on all the other useful work the circle plishes. Appreciation was expressed of the wonderful work done by Mrs H. Marler, who for a long time past hns put herself and her car at the disposal of St. Elelens Hospital to take home any patients who need a car.