WOMEN'S CORNER

The Lady Editor will be pleased to receive for publication io tlie "Women's Corner" Items of social or personal raws. Such items should be fully authenticates, and engagement notices trust bear the signatures of both parties. Correspondence is irvitcd on any matters affecting, or of interest to, women. Mr and Mrs Derisley Wood (Cashmere Hills) have returned from "Woodbank," Marlborough, where they have been the guests of Mr and Mrs A. J. Murray. Miss Doreen Hight (Kugby street) is returning to-day from a holiday visit to "The Hermitage," Mt. Cook. Miss Joy Bridgewater and Miss Chassie Howdcn (Timaru) are the guests of Mrs Reg. Corsbie (Papanui). Miss Lettie Corsbie has left for Kaikoura, where she is the guest of Mrs Harold Robertson. Mr and Mrs Renny, Mr and Mrs D. Pinner (Wellington), and Mr and Lovegrove (Wanganui) are staying at the Clarendon Hotel. Mr and Mrs Maurice Fell, from Wanganui, are staying with Mrs G. H. Merton, Montreal street. The engagement is announced of Hazel Irene (Nancy), youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs E. F. Dorman, of Happy Valley Station, Wellington, to John Alexander Mathieson, of The Cairn, Otago, elder son of Mr J. D. Mathieson, Papanui, Christchurch. Recent arrivals at the Mt. Pleasant Rest House are Dr. ft. H. Grundy, Mrs Grundv, and child (Cashmere), Miss M. O'Brien (St. Martins), Mrs H. G. Patis (Monck's Bay) Miss E. Gale (Palm-?rston North), Miss V. O'Brien (Hokitika), and Miss J. Morel (Mayfield). Latest arrivals at the Hotel Federal include Mr and Mrs Neal (Seddon), Miss H. Collett (Hastings), Mr L. W. Payne (Napier), Mr H. Sundstrom (Wellington), Mrs J. Bruidwood (Greymouth), Mr W. McQueen (Dunedin), Mr L. J. Ireland (Dunedin), Mr F. C. Evans (Wellington), Mrs W. Armour (Wellington). Miss W. A. Valentine (Wellington), Mr F. R. Murphy (Wellington), the Rev. L. B Busfleld (Auckland), Mr F. S. Bloom (Wellington), Mr E. V. E. Anderson (Wellington). The Rev. A. H. and Mrs Barnett, of Chatham Islands, arrived last month for a visit to the mainland, and return after Synod. The Rev. Coleridge Harper, now Rector of Ford, Northumberland, and formerly Archdeacon of Rangitikei, recently officiated at the marriage in London of his cousin, Miss Margaret Howard Tripn (daughter of Mr and Mrs Howard" Tripp, of Timaru), to Lieutenant V. F Boyle, R.N. Guard against colds and influenza. For the rainy season, Gloshettes keep your feet absolutely dry and warm. Four styles in Fawn and Brown. Pan nell and Co., 105 Manchester street. 'Phone 694. —6 Distinctive Appearance Feminine charm is always paramount when asso elated with fur-wearing apparel. We have an appealing selection of attractive furs for your inspection at reduced sale prices. Mac Gibbon's, Fur Specialist, 154 Armagh street, Christchurch. 'Phone 7168. —2 UNIQUES FOR CHILLY NIGHTS. At no other period of the year is a "Unique" hot water bottle so necessary as now. A sudden chill brought about by the ever-changing weather is quickly rectified by popping into bed with a Unique hot water bottle. Unique hot water bottles are out on their own for quality and durability. Sold by all dealers. • —2 lODINE COMPULSORY. In Michigan. U.S.A., you would be compelled by law to use iodised salt. Their Government has realised the necessity for iodised salt in food for the prevention of goitre and so compels its use . . yet in New Zealand goitre is as prevalent. The daily use of Windsor lodised Salt will prevent goitre. Always use Windsor lodised Salt. "A pinch a day keeps goitre away. —6

A HAPPY SCENE.

BASKETBALL GIRLS' DEPARTURE

Not often does the ferry wharf at Lyttelton present such a gay and animated appearance as it did prior to the departure of the Wahine on Saturday evening, for aboard v the steamer were over a hundred girls and young women, returning to the North Island after a very enjoyable week of basketball in Christchurch. Auckland had won the shield and therefore were the most jubilant. But their defeat had no effect on the gaiety of the other girls, and songs and cheers mingled with the usual stir and hustle of departure. Yellow streamers for Wellington, white for Auckland, green for Wairarapa, and blue for Hawke's Bay, mingled with a great variety of ofher colours, and with great jubilation the players left, with happy memories of the Basketball Tournament.

FROCKS AT THE THEATRE.

So very palatable and piquant is "Applesauce," which was presented for the first time in New Zealand at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, that the large audience, in their keen enjoyment of the good things provided for their delectation, hardly had time to notice such comparatively unimportant details as the frocks and hats. Nevertheless the frocks worn by the talented new-comers, who won instant favour with the Christchurch public, were quite attractive. Miss Euth Nugent, who played the part of the heroine, has beautiful auburn hair, which, with proper spirit, she continued to wear rolled low on her neck despite her fiance's efforts to make her knot it to the crown of her head! To set off her lovely colouring, she wore a frock of Bordeaux blue faille with flounced skirt, narrow belt clasped with a diamente buckle, and deep collar and narrow cuffs of parchment tinted lace. In the second act, she wore an evening frock of almond green georgette with plisse pleated seal" oped skirt, while the corsage was embroidered at the waist with silver paillettes. The accompanying coatee was of ring velvet to match and her shoes of green crepe de chine. later, in her tworoomed flat, dividing her attention between a cooker and a cookery b >ok, she locked most winsome in a yellow and white cheek gingham frock, white organdie collar, cuffs, and diminutive apron. Miss Viola Forteseue, as Ma Robinson, wore a becoming frock of patterned crepe de chine in two tones of fuchsia, the scarf collar and the belt being of ribbon of the two shades. When going out-of-doors, she donned a deep fuchsia Kasha coat and close-fitting little hat to match. Another frock of grey crepe de chine had a dainty vestee of pear) grey georgette, but she looked her best in a smart frock of crepe de chine patterned on mastic, black, and red, made with a mastic vest, and red tie, and worn with a chic little red hat. Miss Gertrude Augarde, as Mrs Jennie Baldwin, who, in eight years of married life, had lost in comeliness and gained in loquacity, had no opportunity of wearing smart frocks, but her excellent comedy work was inimitable. The comedy, in the most amusing way, shows how valuable, as well as pleasant, can be the use of "applesauce," which is American for "adroit flattery." Every wife should take her husband to "Applesauce."

MINISTERIAL "AT HOME."

Wives of members of the Cabinet were the hostesses at an "at home" held in Wellington on Friday afternoon, when Mrs Bernard Wood, daughter of the Prime Minister, waa the guest of honour, and the invited guests were wives or daughters oi members of the House of Representatives, the Legislative Council, and of Parliamentary officials. The gathering was held in the old legislative Chamber, where many deliglitfui parties of a like nature have taken place. An orchestra played in the gallery, making a pleasant accompaniment to the ronversation Tea was set at a buffet placed down the centre of the room Beautiful silvei bowls, lent by Mrs T. M. Wilford, were used in decoration. They were filled with daffodils and narcissi in great profusion, these having been sent from Mrs J. G. Cobbe's garden at Feilding. The hostesses received near the doorway They were Mrs G W. Forbes, who wore black mariette with embroiderv in beige tone, and a black hat with ospreys; Mrs T. M Wilford, in black satin and black hat en suite; Mrs W. A. Veitch, wearing a navy blue p ; n-strioed costume and black hat; Mrs E. A. Ransom, in tabac brown crepe de chine, banded in satin of the same tone, and hat to match; Mrs W. B. Taverner in black mariette and wide hat, with medallions of ecru lace; Mrs J. B. Donald, in black with fur coat and close fitting black velvet hat; Mrs J. G. Cobbe. in black, with black hat and furs. Mrs A. J Stallworthy, in navy blue, with touches of red and hat with deen red flower motifs: and Mrs T. K. Sidey, wearing princess blue silk with touches of gold and hat to match. A? the guests arrived they were introduced to Mrs Bernard Wood, who was in a frock of ecru lace and canarycoloured hat. Among those present were Mrs Baird. wearing black satin and hat of dark red velvet: Mrs Cecil Dav, in Mack; Mrs .). G. Coates. in deep red mariette with frilled skirt and hat to match; Lady Statham. in dark blue and red jersey cloth : Ladv Carncross, in deep blue; Lady and Miss Bell, Mrs Hawke. the Misses Forbes and Veitch. Miss Downie Stewart, Mrs Nash. Mrs Coulson. Mrs R. A. Wright, the Misses Hall-Jones and McGregor (2). Stocker, Mrs Lowe. M?s E. W. Kane. Mrs Poison, Mrs McDonald, Mrs Malcolm, Lady Mitehelson, Mrs W. F. Boden Mrs Chapman, Mrs P. Fraser, Mrs Malcolm Ross, Mrs Semple, with the wives of members of Parliament at present in Wellington.

DANCE AT SUMNER.

A cheery little dance arranged by Miss K. Selby was held at Sumner on Saturday evening, when fifty young people danced beneath a canopy of pink and white streamers. The many present included: —Mesdames G. Gosset, J. Wethey, H. Thompson, and P. B. Climie, Misses K. Selby, Enid Buxton, Mary Hamilton, Buth Collins, Brenda Smith, Margeret Patterson, Betty Boulton, Mavis Boulton, Ngaire Watson, Hazel Cook, Lois Cook, Noeleen Bishop, Kitty Sinclair, Allison Gough, E. Bonnington, Natalie Hampton, Longuet, Lorna Best, Sybil East, Frances Turnbull, Dorothy Alexander, O'Brien, Wauchop, and Clowes, Messrs B. Newburgh, H. Bishop, J. Wethey, E. Barber, Harry Thompson, Flower, Hilgrove, Gosset, Allister McGibbon, Tony Martin, Max. Wiggins, Croyden Francis, Hugh Francis, Don Climie, Clifford Collins, R. Boulton, J. Heslop, O'Brien, Patterson, Lawrence, Woods, and J. East.

SOCIETY FOR IMPERIAL CULTURE.

The Society for Imperial Culture held a well-attended meeting on Saturday evening. Professor Shelley occupied the chair.

A very entertaining lecture on "The Romantic Revolution in Art," was given by Mr James Fitzgerald. The following musical programme was contributed by members:—Piano solos, by Miss D. Davies; Etude in C Minor (Chopin); Intermezzo in B Flat Minor (Brahms), and "Toccatta" (Paradies). Contralto solos by Miss M. Miller, "A Summer Night" (Goring Thomas), and "Softly Awakes My Heart." Supper served by the ladies concluded a very enjoyable evening.

WINTER GARDEN.

More than three hundred people attended the usual weekly Winter Gar den Cabaret dance on Saturday. The supper tables were decorated with lilies, anemones, and spring flowers and foliage. A spirited programme of music was supplied by the Bailey-Mars-ton Orchestra.

OBITUARY.

MISS M. V. GIBSON. After an illness of many weeks, the death occurred in Oamaru, yesterday afternoon, of Miss Mary Victoria Gibson, who retired last year from the principalship of the Christchurch Girls' High School after 30 years of devoted service. Shortly after her retirement Miss Gibson spent a holiday in Auckland. She returned to Christchurch, and, after a lew mon.lis of leisure, she consented, with characteristic unselfishness, iro undertake relieving duty for a year at the Waitaki Girls' High School, Oamaru. to enable the laity principal of that school to visit Europe. She herself hoped to take a trip to England next year. Unfortunately a few months ago, Miss Gibson was stricken with pneumonia, and though,, from cime to time, her condition improved slightly, causing her family and friends to hope for her ultimate recover, her strength proved unequal to the strain of the lengthy illness, wluch she bore with the greatest cheerfulness and fortitude. Miss Gibson was the eldest daughter of f he lato Captain and Mrs F. D. Gibson. She was born at Lyttelton and received her early education at Mrs Crosoy's school, which was situated, at Opawa, and afterwards in Armagh street. Shortly after the opening of the Christchurch Girls' High School. Miss Gibson was enrolled as a pupil Proceeding to Canterbury College, she gained her M.A. degree in 1888. Miss Gibson began her teaching career in the primary schools, holding the position of head mistress of the girls' side of the East Christchurch School. . When, in 1898. the principalship of the Girls' High School became vacant through the death of Mrs T. S Foster, Miss Gibson was appointed to the position, which she held till the date of her retirement. This long period was marked by a great development of the school. Owing to the increase in the roll numbers resulting from the institution in 1904 of the free place system, it was necessary in 1907 to add a new west wing and in 1912 a south wing. Ten years ago a bianch school was opened at Avonstde. This branch began its life as a separate institution under the control of the same Board of Governors last vear. It is estimated that well over three thousand pupils passed through the school during Miss Gibson's term of office. Miss Gibson was responsible for the founding of the Old Girls' Association and held office from its inception. She consented to fill the office of president again last year. Mention must not be omitted of the splendid and unselfish way in which Miss Gibson organised relief work at the school during the Great War. Miss Gibson always took the greatest personal interest in the girls, and at her suggestion a hostel for country girls was instituted. So successful was this that "Acland." the present hostel, was founded On the occasion of her retirement on May 31st, 1928. the pupils of the Girls' High Schoo' and staff members joined to give Miss Gibson a farewell worthy of the thirty years' service she had rendered the school as principal. Deepest sympathy will be extended to the members of the bereaved family— Mrs Fred Talbot (Auckland), Dr. F. G. Gibson (Christehurfh), Mr T. F. Gibson (Christchurch), Mrs Leslie Rutherford (Haydon Downs, North Canterbury), Misses Helen, Ethel, Ruth, and Winifred Gibson, of " Bangi-ruru,'' Christchurch. The funeral takes place in Christchurch to-morrow afternoon.

MRS R. MEREDITH.

Mrs R Meredith, relict of the late Mr R. Meredith, M.P. for Ashley for several years, and one of the early settlers of Christchurch, passed away at her residence, St. Albans, on Thursday, aged 82. She was the elder daughter of the late Mr and Mrs James Willis, who arrived in Lyttelton in 1851 After her marriage she resided at Woodend, Fernside and Cust. When her husband retired from the scholastic profession they settled for some years at Waimate On the death of Mr Meredith she removed to St. Albans She is survived by four sons and three daughters. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon at Waimate.

SOCIAL EVENING.

On Thursday evening, the members of the Wairarapa basketball team as-sembled-at the residence of Mrs G. H. Bradford (Vernon terrace, St. Martins), where a social gathering was arranged in their honour. Musical items were given by Misses D. O'Donnell, Denys Mahoney, Messrs B. Bradford, and M. Willis and company, also a ballet dance by Miss Sybil Galley. Competitions were won by Misses P. Hessell, D. O'Donnell, M. Jones, and Messrs M. Rudge and Neil. Dancing was enjoyed, and a pleasant evening concluded with cheers for Wairarapa, and the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." Those present were Misses D. O'Donnell, 8. Gulley, M. Jones, P. Hessell, Denys Mahoney, ,E. Crosse, U. Snadden, G. Angove, T. Smith M. Turley, M. Collins, N. Donaldson, Mesdames G. H. Bradford and H. G. Flatman, Messrs A. Thompson, J. Annand. E. Marriott, S. Neville, M. Willis, W. Harrison, M. Budge, P. Thompson, W. Orme, A. Goddard, Neil, A. Smith, E. Elmes, B. Bradford, and C. Courtney.