WOMEN IN PRINT.

Mr. and Mrs. R. Low and son, of Wellington, are among the guests at the White Star Hotel, Queenstown. Mrs. C. W. Carroll has returned from an overseas tour, and is at the Hotel Windsor. Miss Flora Scales, of Wellington, is visiting Christchurch after spending some time in Dunedin. Mrs. R. Pearson and her daughter have left for a visit to Auckland. Miss Warwick, of Victoria College, has left for a holiday visit to Dunedin. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton, of Brooklyn, are leaving for a visit to Picton and the Sounds. Mrs. G. Hum« has returned to Pirinoa, Wairarapa, after a visit to Wellington. Mr., and Mrs. Dunsheath, of Wellington, are visiting Christchurch. Mrs. H. Douglas, of Napier, has returned home after a visit to Wellington. . A most successful school party was held by tho boys of Croydon Diocesan School recently at the pavilion, when there was a large number of relatives and friends present. The Dramatic Club, under the able supervision of Miss Wells, gave a delightful little play, "Dame Durden's School," in which each part was well done, and those taking the parts of girls wer^ quite as successful as the others. Leading parts were taken by Vicary, Knight, Evans, Tuckey, Skelley, and Shand, all of whom acquitted themselves exceptionally well. This was followed by very wellrendered scenes from Shakespeare's " Winter's Tale," when P.,Blundell, B. Whitcombe, J. Matthews, Kennedy, Mirams, Underwood, Bethune, Felton, and others gave capital representations of the characters. Both plays reflected great credit on those who trained the "boys, and showed that there is a great deal of talent in the school. At the last meeting for the year of the Shakespeare Club, Mrs. Skelley, who has been the leader, was presented with a large framed photograph of the members, with many thanks and good wishes. Later Mrs. Skelley entertained the boys at supper. Prize-giving and other closing ceremonies are taking place at the school to-night.

The secretary of the Wellington Hospital wishes to acknowledge with thanks the following donations to the Christmas Fund:—N.Z. Warehousemen's Association £10 10s, Anonymous, £5 ss; Dr. Ewart, Mrs. Biddiford, £3 3s; Massey Harris and Co., £2 2s; Fairburii, Wright and Co., Baldwin and Co., Jackson and Co., L. T. Watkins, Ltd., Hannah and Co., Scoullar and Co., Gear Meat Co., Ricketts, Ltd., Watson and' Sons, Kodak (Aust.), Ltd., Mrs. Levy, Mr, C. M. Luke, £1 Is; Kia Ora Galvanising Co., Gaby, French, and Cornel, Munt Cottrell and Co., M'Leod, Weir, and Hopkirk, £1; R. H. Wilson, T. Ballinger and Co., Crawley, Eidlejr and Co., C. M. Banks, Ltd., Walker and Hall, Hutcheson, Wilson, and Co., 10s 6d each; Te Aro Meat Co., 10s 6d; Wright and Carmen, 10s; Hudson and Co., Confectionery, M'Carthy's City and Phoenix Brewery,- goods; Cadbnry3 and Frys (N.Z.), Ltd., goods; A. Knight, flags; G. H. Thorn-, ton and Co., J. Bigg and Co., goods; Kirkpatrick and Co., jam; , Nelson Fruit Growers, fruit.

A tribute to the late Miss Isa Outhwaite, of Auckland, is given by Mr. F. Carr Bollett, who was among her oldest friends. He mentions her artistic talents, and is of opinion that some of her sketches, specially those of the Waikato in the old days, should have an historic value. Miss Outhwaite wrote some delightful stories for children, those of the Maoris being, particularly good. Apart from the musical and artistic talents, Miss Outhwaite was one who showed wonderful kindness to others, and through her encouragement and help many young painters, musicians, and writers have received just the impetus which was needed to lead them along to success. The prisoners of Mount Eden Gaol were among those who benefited from her social work, and many of the unfortunate ones of life have also cause to bless her name and memory. Mr. Bollett writes that it is a question if any more noble or capable woman could ever have been found in this country, and he feels that her lostf is one to thj city as well as to a host of individual friends.

The Island Bay Eatepayers' Association has decided that in the matter of a children's play area it will do what is possible towards finding the necessary money to produce the articles necessary for an up-to-date play ground near the beach. The Reserves Committee of the City Council has been approached with a view to seeing if it would provide the necessary land if the money for the material is forthcoming, and the Batepayers' Association is moving in the matter of raising the necessary funds. With, this .object in view a concert was held in the Masonic Hall, Island Bay, on Tuesday, and was very well attended, and the fund will benefit accordingly. , The following artists contributed to a first-class evening's entertainment. Mr. Harold Godier accompanist; Mrs. J. Hunt, solo; Messrs. William and Bobbins, duet; Mr. Barton Ginger; Mrs. Harris, soprano, solo;. Miss Jean Heath, recitation; Mr. Marshall; solo; Mr. Ward, xylophone; Mr. Williams, soloj Mr. Brockenshire, humorous itemj Mr. Bobbins, baritone solo;; Miss Hilda Boberts, solo; Mr. Len Barnes, solo; Mrs. Bontelle, character sketch; Mrs. Harris and Mr. Len Barnes, duet.

The committee of the Society for the Protection of "Women and Children met on Friday afternoon. After the cases had been dealt with, attention was called to the fact that the girls of the Dominion are not so well protected as the boys. At the recent sitting of the Supreme Court in Invercargill, sentence'of ten years' hard labour w.as given to one man for crime against a .boy, "while crime against a girl was punished by only three years' hard labour, the reason for so light a sentence appearing to be that the man is a "nervoug wreck and a waster." The society is

! strongly of the opinion that such a person wpuld bp far better if placed under control and made to work under Government care, thus preventing the possibility of his ruining the body and mind of young girls. The following subscriptions were received with 'thanks: —Mr. J. W. Henderson, Mr. C. Stewart, 2s 6d each; Mrs. Ferguson, Mrs. "W. Ferguson, Mr. Morrah, Tripe and Ellia, 5s each; Mrs. S. D. GnwfoNt Upk dmt, AX U

A very cheerful and enjoyable party took place at the Returned Soldiers' Club Rooms last'night, when a large number of the ladies who assisted so efficiently and generously on Rose Day and Poppy Day were entertained. The rooms were gaily decorated, and dancing formed part of the evening's amusement. Highly appreciated musical items were provided by Misses Harbroe, Esau, Marris, Rubenstein, and Messrs. Patchett, Dew, P. Barcham, and Rubenstein. Mr. Pascoe was in the chair. Colonel Hall gave a brief address of thanks to all who had helped lately at Rose Day, and said that they hoped to be able to secure half the proceeds for assisting necessitous .soldiers and for other purposes. There was unfortunately plenty to do with the money, and the proceeds of last Poppy Day had assisted no feWer than eightly families of soldiers. He felt sure that all would bo ready to assist such a' good cause in the future as long as was necessary.

A very interesting entertainment was given at St. Paul's Schoolroom recently, when a number of children gave a Christmas play, which included a Bethlehem tableau, with the Annunciation of the Virgin, the Visit of the Shepherds, and the Wise Men with their gifts to the Newborn Child. Carols and hymns were sung illustrating the pictures, and tho prologue and epilogue were read by the Rev. V. Bianchi. There was a large audience present, the Prime Minister and Mrs. Coates being among the number.

Yesterday afternoon, at Upper Hutt, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. M'Curdy entertained Commissioners and ex-Commis-sioners of the Town Board, and many others, to afternoon tea in the Independent ,Hall, the occasion being the handing over of the new ambulance for Upper Hutt. Others present were the Rev. H. Van Staveren, Mr. F. Bennett, Mr. C. M. Luke, and Dr. M'Donald Wilson, superintendent of the Wellington Hospital, all of whom commented favourably on the proposal of Dr. Valintine (Director-General of Health) to close all smaller hospitals when' a large one was within easy distance. Dr. F. W. Kemp also strongly advocated the suggestion. The ambulance will not only be available to residents in the immediate vicinity of Upper Hutt, but being on the outskirts of the Wellington Hospital area it may be used in cases of accidents in the sawmill and Rimutaka road districts.

A letter appears in an Auckland exchange from the president of the Women's National Reserve of that city in response to a number which have appeared lately regarding help for mothers with young families. This lady states that a Mothers' Help Division has recently been established, and that on application to the secretary assistance will be sent _ to the homes for light household duties, or for taking care of the children while the mother can go out shopping or have a little necessary rest and recreation. A small charge is made, and it is stated that the beginning of the movement is sff favourable that it is likely to develop into quite an extensive feature of the city life, to the great benefit of mothers and families. ' ;