WIVES AND MOTHERS Of Oversea Soldiers Entertained by the Ladies of the Women's Institute. The City of Brantford claims to have been the only place in Canada where a community Christmas was celebrated this year. However, the ladies of the Red Cross of Caledonia acted as hostess at a somewhat similar affair on Thursday afternoon, when they had as their guests the wives and children of the men who have gone overseas from the town and immediate vicinity. The schoolroom of the Methodist church was given for the purpose, and here a very happy and interesting time was enjoyed. Rev. Mr. Copeland acted as chairman and gave a short address of welcome. Mrs. D. Young, president of the Red Cross, also welcomed those present on behalf of the society. The program consisted of solos, recitations and some clever little sketches: The children was very much excited over the Xmas tree, but managed to keep their impatience in check until after they had eaten quite a substantial lunch. After that, however, it seemed quite a long time before Mrs. Santa Claus appeared, which she did, finally, explaining that Santa was at the war and too busy to get away. The tree was such a large one it needed several helpers to distribute the gifts. Each child was the recipient of a bag of candies and nuts and a toy. The little girls were given dolls, teddy-bears and musical boxes. The small boys were made glad with sleighs and hockey sticks, while the older children were given books. To the children that was the most successful part of the afternoon, but to the ladies present the opportunity for getting acquainted and of a few sociable hours together was a very pleasing feature of the afternoon's pleasure.