News from the Gold Coast

On the occasion of the third anniversary of the founding of the "Lebanese Women's Union" in the city of Kumasi — one of the great cities of the Gold Coast — a grand dance was held at the Lebanese Club, bringing together all the government figures, official departments, organizations, and highest authorities. What caught the eyes of the guests was the polish of the organization and the splendor of the management despite the crowding, and this is owed to the wise administrative machinery of the said Union's committee and the zeal of its members, those striving ladies who directed the bulk of their attention to that party until it won so great a share of attendance and success. Shortly before the end of the party, valuable prizes were distributed to the winners among the dancers, ladies and gentlemen alike, and at about three o'clock in the morning the guests departed amid warm hospitality and welcome.

* Rarely does a great personality pass through the city of Kumasi without turning aside to the house of the Lebanese Club there, in view of its distinguished standing in all the circles of the Mahjar and its beauty, unrivaled in West Africa. The Club was recently visited by the Prime Minister of the Gold Coast and leader of the well-known People's Party, Dr. Kiwan Karuah, accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture, the lawyer Casely Hayefard, the Minister of Education and Instruction, Mr. Botsio, and the great deputy Krobo Codusei. They at once inscribed their names in the visitors' register, and a cocktail party was held for them under the patronage of the Club's president, Mr. Melhem Tawq, in the course of which the Club's secretary, Mr. Joseph Richa, delivered the Club's address; he was followed by the treasurer, Mr. George Makouzel, with a speech that made a great impression. The Prime Minister replied with the great love and affection he harbors for the Lebanese Club and for the Lebanese and Syrian communities, and after him the Minister of Agriculture enumerated, with proofs and facts, the merits and services of the two communities in the Gold Coast throughout the years of expatriation.

* The Lebanese Kataeb delegation, composed of Messrs. Elias Rababi and George Amiri, visited the Lebanese Club in Kumasi, and the Club's administrative committee held an evening party for it under the patronage of its president, Mr. Melhem Tawq, gathering all the sons of the Lebanese and Syrian communities. Throughout it there shone generosity and splendor at the tables, and order and harmony despite the crowding — the credit for which goes to the two committees: the committee of the Lebanese Women's Union, and the administrative committee of the Club. The party opened with the Lebanese national anthem; then Mr. Joseph Richa, secretary of the Club and of the Lebanese Cultural Forum, delivered a rousing speech and a word of thanks in the name of the Lebanese Club and the community, interrupted repeatedly by applause and cheers. Afterward he proceeded, as is his custom, to present the speakers one by one. The first address, in the name of the Lebanese Women's Union in Kumasi and of the Lebanese woman, was delivered by Mrs. Minerva Bardaweel, and it won the admiration of all; the warm cheering and applause continued until she stepped down from the platform. The second address was by that zealous patriot and Lebanese to the core, Mr. Asaad Milad Abboud. The third address was by the young man of letters Shawqi Ashquqi. And here rose Mr. Elias Rababi, the eloquent Kataeb orator, while the Club's secretary introduced him, and he delivered a rousing, eloquent speech in which he enumerated all the patriotic and Mahjar stands and the aim of the delegation on its journey, whereupon the Club house turned into applause and cheering that knew no limit of warmth, enthusiasm, and ardor. His speech lasted nearly an hour and a quarter, after which the occasion gave way to an atmosphere of Lebanese songs and dances until midnight.

On the following day the delegation, in the company of Mr. George Makouzel, treasurer of the Lebanese Club, went to the palace of the British Governor of Ashanti on an official visit. Around noon the delegation left the city of Kumasi by plane for Accra, and a large crowd saw it off at the airport.