Wanganul

New Zealand Tablet, 8 September 1921, Page 37

Wanganul

(From our own correspondent.) August 24, 1821 The concert and social at Kai Ivvi on last Friday night was another huge success, over 300 people being there. It was in aid of the Maori Mission Fund again, and everyone rallied round Father Ginisty in wonderful style. A concert party went out from town, they were; Misses A. Wood and B. Boyle, Messrs. C. I. Spillane, T. Travers, P. McLean, and all contributed songs. Messrs. T. P. Souter and Peter Swan, recitations; Lieutenant G. L. Buckley, coronet solo, and an instrumental quartette was rendered by the members of the Queen Alexandra Band (The accompaniments throughout, were played by Mrs. Spillane): and then there were some Maori hakas and poi dances by the Nga Rauru Maori Tribe, winners of the competition for the best haka and poi dance at the Rotorua Maori Reception to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. The whole concert was much applauded by the large audience, especially the Maori items. The warriors warmed up so well to these that some' folk from Australia, whose introduction it was to a haka, were really alarmed. The gathering was easily the biggest and most enjoyable since the welcome homo to the Returned Soldiers, and the committee are grateful to all the performers and everyone who helped to make things go so well. They are specially thankful to Mr. Charlie Tamumu, organiser of the Maori items, who also was kind enough to lend his piano. Before leaving, Father Ginisty expressed his thanks to all, and announced the result of the weight-guessing competition, which showed that Mrs. Mancer, of Brunswick, guessed the exact weight of the pig (691b5.). A delicious supper was provided, after which the social was enjoyed by all and sundry.

Wanganui East had its very first social, combined with a euchre party, in aid of the Aramoho St. Vincent de Paul funds. It was a most successful evening and thoroughly enjoyable. Musical items were provided by Rev. Father Outtrim, Mrs. Ivo Luxford, and Mr. Roy Ahem. Mr. E.

J. Foster kept things going admirably during the euchre, and later was M.C. for the social. An excellent sit-down supper was provided, Mesdames Richardson, Coxon, and Ahern and their assistants being responsible for this special feature. Mrs. Gardiner, provided the music, practically doing this as a donation. During the, evening, Mr. W. Luxford, as past president of the Conference, thanked ail who helped to make .the social a success. He spoke also about the object of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and mentioned the good work done by this society wherever it exists.

Euchre party 'and social at Gonville last week, also quite a success. The return to euchre was by way of a change and for the benefit of the many of us who neither sing nor jazz.

Miss Edith Morgan has just returned from a delightful trip to tho Islands, a round which included Apia, Tonga, and Fiji. It so happened that the visitors were at Fiji during the reception to tho Bishop of those, islands on his return from Europe, and they were privileged to be present at the ceremony. So entirely different from anything of its kind in our Dominion, the whole function was of great interest.. The singing at the Cathedral seems to have impressed itself on the memories of the visitors, so beautiful was it. Liwewise, incidentally the intensity of the heat, the size and price of tho mandarins, and the delicious eating made by soft creamy cocoa nut.

Another very successful evening was held at Castlecliff on Wednesday last, a plain-and-fancy Cinderella social and a euchre tournament. Many pretty dresses were worn, Miss Fahey being the prize-winner for the prettiest fancy dress. Mrs. J. Connor (Miss Folly) was second, and Miss May (Red Cross Nurse) was third. Mrs. Collins made a dainty. "Maid of France," Miss Hugh a charming "Spanish Dancer," and little Mary Lorigan was a wee "Pierrette." There were lots of other fancy dresses, daffodils, harems, pierrettes, gypsies, and flower-girls, and these mingling with some very dainty evening frocks made a pretty picture. The most amusing feature of the evening was the placing of the ladies' shoes in the centre of" the floor. During the evening it was announced that each

lady was to leave one of her shoes in the centre of the room. Suddenly, a shower of shoes came from all directions, including some "dainty sizes" from the sterner sex, and then came the fun of finding the owners of the shoes. A pleasant game of euchre was enjoyed in the supper room, the prizes being won by Miss O'Connor, Gonville, and Mr. Bartlett. During the evening a beautiful cake was competed for and won by Mrs. Tobin, one of the committee. The cake had been made by Mrs. O'Meara for the Gonville folk, and won in the first place by Rev. Father McGrath, who generously handed it on to Castlecliff. Sweets also were sold to help the little "sweet candidate," and brought in quite a number of votes for her. The- duties of the euchre and M.C. were carried out ably by Messrs. Edwards, Tobin, Anthony, and Marsden. The prizes were very generously donated by Mrs. Marsden (ladies), Capt. Connor (gentlemen), and Mrs. Anthony (boobies). The dainty supper served was arranged for by a committee consisting of Mesdames Anthony, Marsden, Edwards, Rogers, Tobin, Johnstone, Collins, Dobson, Cameron, and Connor, and at just on midnight, the most enjoyable evening was brought to a close.

And this I think, ends our little round of flutters. Other things are going on too, building alterations and suchlike, but I cannot record much about this till the work is completed.