Farewell Function

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 862, 4 January 1930, Page 18

Farewell Function

Women of Auckland Pay Warm Tribute to Lady Alice Fergusson AFTERNOON GATHERING Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson must have felt yesterday afternoon that she was indeed loved and honoured by the women of Auckland, for at a farewell gathering in her honour the big chamber of the Town Hall and the circle were filled to overflowing with women from all sections of the community and every branch of society. Over 50 women’s organisations were represented besides those hundreds present who belonged to no organisation, but who came to say farewell to one whom they had come to regard with affection. The stage was transformed, being beautifully decorated with flowers and fern. Masses of delicate blue and pink hydrangeas stood out against a green

background of feathery bamboo, flax and Kenya palms, while across the front was a low border of primula inlovely shades of pink, rose and blue. Brightly-coloured flags added to the attractiveness of the scene and round the hall were tubs of tall bamboo, hanging baskets of fern being suspended right round the circle. The Mayoress, Mrs. A. D. Campbell, and the committee which had assisted her in organising the function, greeted Lady Alice Fergusson on arrival, and little Margaret Campbell, daughter of the Mayoress, presented her with a lovely bouquet of pale yellow and gold blossoms. Mrs. Camjabell, in presenting the gift of the comtined women's organisations to her Excellency, and Mrs. J. T. F. Mitchell, in presenting the gift of the Mothers’ League, both expressed the regret of the women of Auckland at losing Lady Alice Fergusson, and paid tribute to the work she had done in New Zealand. An orchestra, under Mrs. Singer, played several enjoyable numbers and songs by Mrs. Cyril Towsey and Mrs. Leonard Cronin, and a ’cello solo by Miss Hemus, were very much appreciated. The committee assisting Mrs. Campbell in organising the function comprised the presidents of the principal women’s societies of Auckland:—Lady Sinclair-Lockhart, Mrs. W. H. Parkes, Mrs. Bradstreet, Mrs. J. T. F. Mitchell, Miss Carnachan, Mrs. G. Coats, Mrs. W. R. Wilson, Mrs. Cammell, Mrs. P. A. Lindsay, Mrs. McNair, Mrs. A. Mulgan and Miss Mowbray. On the arrival of her Excellency, and on her departure, a guard of honour was formed by the Girl Guides. Taking part in the Maori delegation were Mrs. Kaihau, Mrs. Karaka, Mrs. C. P. Newton, Mrs. Rukutai, Mrs. Tamehana and Miss Etta Harris. WHOLE-HEARTEDNESS The success-of most enterprises depends upon how much heart we put into them. There was a report in the paper of a girl who appeared before the magistrates. It was said in court that she had given her whole heart to dancing. Men, especially, often give their whole heart to business. They may be half-hearted in some things, but they are whole-hearted when it comes to striking bargains, to " buying and selling, to making money. They leave no stone unturned for success.

We have all known young people who were serious about their studies. Their whole thought -was given to examinations. Others might play, but they burnt the midnight oil in order that they might excel in their studies. There are many worse forms of wholeheartedness than that, and I would not depreciate such earnestness. The trouble is that we are seldom whole-hearted about the things that matter most, the things which are not only temporal but are eternal.