THE SOCIAL ROUND

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 77, 7 May 1914, Page 4

THE SOCIAL ROUND

impossible for the newly wed to go to Paris, Monte Carlo, or somewhere else where they are flung into a perfect maelstrom of gaiety, they should not go away for more than a couple of days, and then at once assemble their friends about them and entertain, and be entertained.

Mrs Harry Payne Whitney, a society leader, has submitted plans for a Titanic memorial in Washington, which have been accepted by the Pine Arts Commission. The memorial will cost 43,0f)0d01., and for it designs were sent by the most prominent sculptors in the country. The selected design takes the form of a male figure, symbolic of heroism, with outstretched % arms and head thrown back. The memorial will be in white marble, giving the impression of a crucifix when seen from a distance.

The Child Study Society in England has been considering, the subject of humour in children. The conclusion is that children have a sense of fun, more than a true sense of humour, and. that broad comecly or farce makes to them the most visible appeal. Sausages, fat people, red noses and huge animals make children laugh most, as they do frequenters of music halls and circuses who are grown up. Several hundred elementary sehool children have been questioned as to what was. the funniest thing they had ever seen,? or could remember hearing of, and ambng the replies -the items of comedy just mentioned figure frequently, as do people in a fix, the breaking of rules which end in disaster, puns, riddles, and personal oddities.

| On the other hand it appears tiiajb [ parents and teachers do not always sus-_ pect the depth of resentment and the tenacity of anger among youngsters. There is a case of a chilcV' who, ha/jng been whipped because he had pushed his brother's head for an alleged "telling of tales out of school," was asked if he was not now sorry. "Yes, I'm Borry,'' he said grimly. Sorry for what?" "Sorry I didn't kick him as well." Connected with the ready laughter and the lasting anger of children is the fact that they are slow to pity, in many cases sympathy being a feeling rather late in developing. A lady who can clearly recall the social life of 40 years ago tells the "Pictorial" that in looking on at a party to-day the most striking change is the amazing amount of manners which people exhibit. They vie with one another in nods and becks; they permit themselves no moment's respite from wreathed smiles; they bend their bodies into every possible contortion, and twist their features into strange, unlovely grimaces in their efforts to •express sertous interest or lively amusement. Animation is no doubt the salt of social intercourse, but if it is cultivated in the mind and allowe.d to shine chiefly through the natural channels of eyes, lips, and voice, with perhaps occasional pretty gestures of the hands, the effect is far more pleasing than when it makes the entire personality restless and. even occasionally grotesque.

NOTES AND NEWS.

Vr and Mrs M 'Gavin Dennison and Miss H. Dennison have arrived in England from Oamaru, and intend residing in that country.

Mr and Mrs T. Williamson, of Auckland, are on their way to London, via Japan.

A team of lady hockey players will leave England next month for New Zealand. They will also visit New South Wales before returning. ,Mr and Mrs W. H. George (Wellington) are visiting Christehurch. The engagement is announced of Miss Laura Harris, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Harris, Neutral Street, North Sydney, to Mr Amos M'Cullum, eldest son- of Mrs M'Cullam, of Auckland, New Zealand. The marriage is arranged for July.—"N.Z. Times." Mr and Mrs Mather (who was Miss Milne, Christehurch). have returned from their honeymoon trip, and have gone to their home at Marton. Mrs Stewart, "The Grays," Riccarton, and her children left yesterday for ©lenmark Station, where they purpose spending the winter vacation.

Sir Charles and Lady Bowen have re-

turned to Christchurch from a visit to , Coldstream, where they were the guests of Mr and Mrs J. Studholme. 'Miss C; W. Christie, whose lectures in

connection with the Theosophical Soci-

ety have caused such interest in Wel- ' lington, will deliver a series of lectures in Christchurch, commencing on May 10. The engagement is announced of Mr J. D. M 'Arthur, of Southland, to Miss Othlie Bean, second daughter of Canon Bean.

A jumble sale in aid of the Sydenham Free Kindergarten is being held in the Hastings Street Hall to-day. ,

Mr and Mrs Overton arrived in Christchurch from the north yesterday. Miss Mabel Schumacher, of Lyttelton, leaves this morning by the Victoria for Auckland, where she is to be married to Mr Burke English, of Nuie, New Hebrides.

Several Australians and New ZeaJanders, including Mr Arthur Myers, exMinister of Defence for the Dominion, Dr Norris, the Commonwealth Medical .Officer, and Mr J. S. Cormack, attended the dinner of the Liberal Colonial Club, at which the Lord Chancellor, Viscount Haldane, presided, and Sir Frederick Pollock spoke upon Imperial Courts of Appeal.

< Mr Edward Newman, M.P. for Rangi- ■ tikei, and Mrs Newman arrived in England by the Eotorua towards the end of March, and when the mail left Lon- '*■ they were in town, staying at St. Ermin's Hotel.

Callers at the High Commissioner's ® offices for the week ending March 26 L; included: —Mr and Mrs K. Phillips, ;; Wellington; Mr H. L. Benjamin, Auckf land; Mrs Kate Bannister, Wellington; Mr H. Harris Eobson, F.R.C.1., Christtfrurch; Dr and Mrs E. Cross, Hamilton; v Mr Arthur J. Smith, Wellington; Miss Jessie Higgins, Wellingtco; Miss G. Merton, Christchurch; Mr E. V. Loder, Wellington; Mr and Mrs James Innes, Gisborne; Mr and Mrs Stocker, Wellington; and Mr F. George, Eiccarton. The Methodist Bazaar, which was opened in St. Paul's Papanui, yesterday afternoon, was continued again last night, with great success. The ladies, particularly the. younger generation, in charge of the stalls, competitions, etc., were most energetic and enterprising, and it is expected that the amount which they set •themselves to raise will fulfil their anticipations. The stall decorations were i extremely attractive, particularly those of the sweets stall. This corner of ; building, which was directly in front of ; 'the platform, was simply bowered in peach blossoms, and the stall-holders, all young girls, apparently, wore dainty ' white dresses and clusters of peach blossom in their hair. The platform itself, which was used for refreshments, was artistically decorated with laburnum. A large number of people were present, including many prominent members of the Methodist church, and also friends of other denominations. Mr and Mrs Wesley Spragg, and Miss Dorothy Spragg, of Auckland, who have been several months in England, left for New Zealand on Friday by the Euahine, says the "British-Australasian" of March 26. Mr Spragg, who is president of the New Zealand Alliance, has been in close touch with the leading members of the temperance party while over here. He stayed recently at Cambridge with Professor Sims Woodhead, and also visited Manchester to meet the leaders of the temperance party there. The London branch of the United Kingdom Alliance gave a reception for him, when Dr Eutlierford, chairman of the Alliance in London, presided, and among those present were Mr Leif Jones, M.P., leader of the Temperance Party in the House of Commons, and president of the United Kingdom Alliance, and Dr. Chappie, M.P.

There is a disposition (says the "Pictorial") .in modern matrimonial circles to rebel against the honeymoon. This has already been cut down. People absolutely refuse to be sent away for a month or a fortnight, and they are "'finding even a week iiksome, unless it IB spent in a continual whirl of new sight-seeing. This is no indication whatever that modern brides and bridegrooms are not in love with each other, nor docs it augur that if they' «annot endure each other 's undiluted aociety in the roseate dawn of. wedded life they must necessarily hate each other later. The fact is, the early ,; period of matrimony is just the time when the contracting parties need to be liistraftt.p.d from themselves. If it is