Y.M.C.A.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 October 1940, Page 8

Y.M.C.A.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER BANQUET HELD IN MASTERTON LAST NIGHT. INTERESTING ADDRESS ON JAPANESE CUSTOMS. Over 100 mothers and their daughters sat down to well-laden tables at the annual mother and daughter banquet held in the Masterton Y.M.C.A. rooms last evening. The president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, Mrs. H. E. Pither, was in the chair. Those present did full justice to the repast provided and the function proved one of the most successful ever held. A hearty welcome was extended to all present by Mrs. Pither. An entertaining programme had been arranged and included in the items was a vocal duet by Joan and Heather Douglas and recitations by Diana Kjestrup. Miss D. Jamieson delighted with two songs and Miss Jean Mac Kay played two piano-accordeon numbers. A toast “Our Mothers” was proposed by Beryl Nelson and was responded to by Mrs. Norman Lee. Mrs. Lee urged the children to be more kind and considerate towards each other. “God Defend New Zealand." and “There'll always be an England,” were sung by all present. An interesting address on life in Japan was given by Mrs. Hessell Troughton. Mrs. Troughton exhibited many articles of interest and demonstrated the correct way of wearing the Japanese kimona. Her remarks were followed with keen interest. Mrs. Troughton stated that she had been in Japan for five and a half years and had found the people amicable and very easy to get on with. The language had proved very difficult at first, but after a year or so she had been able to converse with the Japanese. It had required a vast amount of patience to learn the language. It was disappointing to the Western people to see that the Japanese women were not thought as much of by the men as in their own countries. Mrs. Troughton concluded her remarks by commenting on the diet and customs of the Japanese. She was presented with a bouquet. On the motion of Mrs. Pither, votes of thanks were passed to Mrs. Troughton, Mrs. E. J. Brown (hostess), Mrs. W G. Perry (pianiste), Mrs. Scharnweber (for making bouquets), the Ladies’ Auxiliary, artists and members of the Optimist Club for their services. The singing of the National Anthem brought a most successful gathering to a close.