ENGAGEMENTS.

PETERSON—FINLAYSON. The engagement is announced of- Ena ■ Isabella Finlayson, A.T.C.L., only -' daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Finlayson, Lansdowne, Masterton, to Francis (Frank) Edward; second son of Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Peterson, Bongotai, Wellington. Miss E. Warwick, Wellington, is the guest of Mrs. M. Elgar, Featherstou. The Mayor and Mrs. Troup are leaving shortly for a visit to Kotorua. Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Wood, Wellington, are visitors to Christchurch. Mi-, and Mrs. Murgatroyd, Wellington, are visiting Christchurch. Miss Ailsa Willis, Green Lane, Auckland, is a visitor to Wellington. ' Mrs. J. Breeds, Wellington, is a visitor to Auckland. Mrs. Linton Lodge and family have' left Wellington for Oamaru, joining Mr. Lodge, who is already there. Captain and Mrs. Plummer, Tokomaru Bay, have arrived in Wellington and will spend a few days here. Miss Nancy Bagnall, Palmerston North,' is the guest of Mrs. J. Hare, Khandallah. Miss Nancy Pasley, who has been visiting Mrs. Gransford Baeda, Blenheim, has returned to Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. F. M'Kechnie, Wellington, have been recent visitors at the White Star Hotel, Queenstowu. Miss Betty Duncan, Palmerston North, is "the guest of Mrs. W. :B. Montgomery, Kelburn. Lieutenant-Commander and Miss Lang, Wellington, are visiting the South Island. Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Eobinson, Christehurchj are visiting Wellington. Mr Robinson is attending the annual council of the Architects' Institute. Mrs. B. Gardner, Wellington, is visiting Botorua and Hamilton, and is the gnest of Mrs. Richard Gobbe, "Lydoro," Bjillcrest. Miss Thelma Mickle, who lias been staying with her sister, Mrs, T. Gladstone Hook, Titahi Bay, has returned to her home in Akaroa. Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Mazengarb are leaving by the Maunganui on Friday for a holiday visit to Egypt, Palestine, the Continent, and Great Britain. They will be away from the Dominion for about a year. Obituary. A large circle of friends in New Zealand and abroad will hear with much regret of the death of Lady Wilson, widow of the late Sir James Wilson, of Bulls. Her death occurred on Tuesday at her home at Bulls, where she had lived for a considerable time, in the old dajrs being known, with her husband, for a great deal of kindly hospitality. Lady Wilson was also a talented writer, having published several books of poetry—"Themes and Variations" in 1889; "Book of Verses,'? 1901; "Alice Lauder," 1893; and "Two Summers" in 1900. Lady Wilson was born at St. Enoch's, Victoria, and educated at Goelong College, Victoria. She married Sir James Glenny Wilson in 1874. She is survived by the Misses Jean and Naiicy Wilson and by three sons, with whom much sympathy will bo felt in their bereavement. Important Cats. Cats have figured in many historic episodes. A ' writer in the Glasgow "Weekly Herald" recalls that Mary, Queen of Scots, wept bitterly over the death of a kitten presented by her first husband, the Dauphin.-of France, a few weeks before he died. Afterwards —whether out of respect for his memory or not—she had a. warm affection for cats—so much so that while escaping from, the'disastrous field of Langside she delayed almost too long-at a wayside cottage because of her interest in a pretty kitten. Oliver Cromwell is credited with having been fond of cats. A print of the Protector, in a Dutch library, represents him clad in full' armour, STs'ord in hand, while perched on his Shoulder was a black cat. Of all people in the world one would not think that Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor of Germany, was in any way susceptible to the love of animajs. Ho hail, liowever, a special companion in his leisure hours—a white cat. . ' A Presentation. On her return to I'almerston North Mrs. E. D. Gambrill, who won the Ladies' Championship in the North Island Croquet Tournament, recently held at Lower Hutt, was entertained by the Manawatu Club. ' Mr. J. B. Gerrard, president, presented Mrs. Gambrill with a handsome piece of crystal and a beautiful bouquet, and said how delighted they were to honour their member who had done so well. Garden Party. Extensive arrangements have been made for the garden party to be held on Saturday afternoon in Mr. Vivian Eiddiford's grounds, Woburn road, Lower Hutt. Among tho attractions will be a human menagerie, exhibitions of jiu jitsu by Barbara Phear, duo balancing by Freida Shaw and Marion Todd, relaxation exercises by Marion Todd, and short explanatory talks by Freida Shaw. Miss Jocelyn Biddifor'd will be in charge of the sweets stall, and Miss Humphries of the faneywork stall, and there will also be flower, produce, cake, and lavender stalls. Tho effort is to assist the funds of St. James's Anglican Church. Tho Hutt Band will be in attendance and there will bo numerous lawn games. Positions in India. A New Zealand woman once wrote to India regarding tho chance of earning a salary in Bombay, and was answered: "Do not come unless you have an income. With an income, you will have an excellent time." The various clerkships and typistes' positions, which are now almost a feminine preserve in some lands, are thero filled by AngloIndian young men or natives, says an exchange. Nursing is tho best occupation, and of women doctors more could bo taken, while in the various Y.W.C.A. hostels young Englishwomen are, of course, required for positions of responsibility. As European children are now kept in India longer than formerly, positions as governess or nursery governess are often open, and lead to an interesting life, while some have taken up positions in the zenanas where English training is desired. The merely handy woman, however, will find little for her in that land where so much is done by the natives, and, of course, laud jobs are out of the question. Nevertheless, we hear of one venturesome lady who experimented in a poultry farm, and did so well that she demonstrated from a train that toured tho country. A Delightful Employment. Into tho colour research department of a large firm of motor-body builders in Sydney has been introduced a woman director. Her duty is to create styles for motor-car bodies instead of having them slowly evolved "by criticism. As well-as dictating tho exterior colours, however, she selects interior trimmings, garnish mouldings, and even the tassels and blinds, in order that the complete effect will be a symphony of colour.