Business Girls’ Club

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7027, 10 December 1932, Page 2

Business Girls’ Club

BANQUET MARKS CLOSE OF YEAR’S ACTIVITIES Marking tho close of a year of. happy association and useful endeavour, rue annual banquet of the Business Girls’ Club was held at Messrs Collinson and Curmiughame’s last evening, and was attended by over fifty members and friends. Tho president, Mrs. M. H. Oram was in the chair, and also picsein, were the patroness, Mr 3. A. E. Mansford, and several of the vice-presidents. The long tables were charmingly arranged and laden with tempting fare and a very harmonious atmosphere prevailed. Christmas pudding and ices added to the festive occasion and a very pleasant surprise awaited tho company at tho closo of the evening. Following the Loyal toast the president, Mrs. M. H. Oram, extended a welcome to all present, particularly mentioning a new member, Miss Fitchett, and she offered apologies on behalf of Mrs. and Miss Day, Mrs. and Miss E. Christian, Mrs. Nathan and Miss Bruce.

Other toasts honoured were ‘‘The Patron,” proposed by Miss A. Varcoc, responso by Mrs. Mansford; ‘‘The President,” Miss V. Royal, responded to by Mrs. Oram; ‘‘The Vice-Presidents,” proposed by Miss M. Day, Mrs. ltoyai in reply; ‘‘Secretaries and Treasurer,” (Misses Garment, Cookslpy and Collins), proposed by Miss D. Edwards, responded to b}- Miss Carmont; “Absent and Past Members,” proposed by M. Cookslny, Miss V. Willson iu reply; “The Committee,” proposed by Miss M. Barker, M.iss D. Stairs in reply; “Tho Press,” Miss G. Bates; “Tho Artists,” proposed by Miss M. Long, Miss Purton in reply. Replying to the toast of “The President,” Mrs. Oram mado refcrenco to the honour conferred on tho club recently by the presence of her Excellency Lady Bledisloo, at a luncheon. That occasion had marked an important milestone in tho history of tno club and had served to bring its activities more beforo the public and to strengthen the members’ pride in their organisation. Appreciation was expressed that the membership was growing and that undeterred by the difficult times tho club had continued to raiso money for tho very good work they were doing in helping women and children. Mrs. Oram expressed her thanks to the committee and mcm«un> for their loyal support and her personal pride in the association. Interspersed with the speeches were items which added considerably to the pleasure of the evening. Songs were contributed by Misses D. Stairs, J. O’Neill, M. Penkcth, M. Day; recitations by Misses A. Varcoe and R. CnTmont; pianoforte solos, Miss N. Davidson, all the artists responding to encores. Miss Purton was the accompanistc.

Community singing was entered into enthusiastically under the leadership ot Miss D. Stairs with Miss Purton at the piano, many old favourite songs being sung, also the club round and song. Opportunity was taken during the evening by Miss Carmont to make a small presentation from the committee to Miss E. Collins and Miss C. Kells in appreciation of their kindness in lending their room for committee meeting. Musical hQnours were accorded the recipients, who briefly returned thank 3. The vote of thanks to Mrs. Coates and her tearoom staff for their kindness and attention throughout the year was proposed by Miss M. Penketh. Before the singing of “Auld Lang

Syne” the surprise wa,3 disclosed when everyone present received a small gift. Mrs. Oram returned thanks on behalf of the company for this kindly thought and estendod Christmas greetings to all present.