THE SOCIAL ROUND

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 240, 13 November 1914, Page 4

THE SOCIAL ROUND

Mr and Mrs A. E. M 'George, of lyn, Dunedin, are staying at Coker's Hotel.

Mr and Miss Gear (Wellington) are visiting Christchurch and staying at Warner's.

, Mrs Vivian Eiddiford, accompanied by Miss George (Auckland) left last night on their return to the north. Mrs Beamish (Napier)-, who has been in Christchureh for the past week, left last night on her return to the north.

' Mr and Mrs Evans and Miss Evans motored up to town from Timaru this morning, and are staying at the Clarendon.

Their Excellencies the Governor and Lady .Liverpool attended by Mr Gavin Hamilton, were present at the trots yesterday afternoon. Mr and Mrs W. G. Stead, who have been the guests of Mrs Stead, Papanui, for tlie races, left on .their return to the north last night.

Mrs Bonald Duncan, Who went for a trip to England with Mr and Mrs Alfred Bunz and Dr and Mrs Morkane early in the year, returned" to Christchurch yesterday. , She was amongst those present at the trotting, meeting the same afternoon. \\,'- / Mrs Patrick Campbell, .the- wellknown actress (who is v.really Mrs George Cornwallls-West) says that she considers that the hardest part of the war falls on women, because they have to do the waiting, with always the horror of it haunting them. She intends going to America, shortly to play in Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion," and in a recent interview said: —

"I am going to America because I can remain no longer in England a passive observer of entire uselessness to any one,' ' she said. '' I think the hardest part of this war falls upon women, because they have to do the waiting—always the unfortunate horror is haunting them.

■ "It is all very well to insist that we Ere a nation of stoics and to go about our business and our amusements in London, just as though there was no war. I say, it is all very well to talk that way, and no doubt there is a good ileal of bravery in taking such an attitude, but for myself I can find no part -in the life of London in the strange conditions in which I should be compelled to remain here.

"Of course, I am proud to know that my husband and my son are doing their duty, but I would like -to be doing something myself. And what can I do by staying at home? I have thought it all out again and again. After all, it is inaction that rusts one's soul. I also realise —and perhaps I was sensitive to this fact—some persons would say I ought not to be appearing in the theatre while my heart would be elsewhere. I try to adjust myself to what I consider should be my duty. The reason I delayed my decision to go to America was because I wanted to do justice to everyone concerned in my decision. '' The thing I most' dread is the possible news at any moment of disaster on the battlefield to someone whom I love. Fortunately, none has come. Then I came to the conclusion that wherever I might be bad news would reach me and I might as well be in

America or South Africa or anywhere else on. earth —waiting."

Mrs Campbell's marriage to Mr George Cornwallis-West, it will be remembered, took place only a few months ago.

Someone has said that education is sometimes like reading a treatise on botany to a flowerbed to make the plants grow. The exhortations delivered by doctors at some of the ambulance classes were about as effective as this, says a writer in an American paper. Girls in battalions gaily joined the classes, since the social current set that way, and absorbed just about as much know- - ledge as the flowers would have done. The examinations proved that a percentage of the pupils was perfectly free from any taint of reliable information. These '«featherheads,'' although sporting enough to enter the lists, did not realise that a little natural gift, as well as a small modicum of application, is needed if the gentle art of bandaging and locating "blood pressures" are to be mastered.

American advices state that the velvet dresses for young girls will be the smart thing for afternoon dresses for winter. They are made with a long waist, with short skirt made of two circular flounces; between these is a satin belt or sash. A collar of pique or lace, cut sailor or rounding, is the usual neck finish. The sleeveless overblouses of velvet that are seen on the grownup dresses are also a feature of those worn by girls of fourteen. They are rather like a middy blouse in shape, but not' so long, and the arm hole is very much enlarged, so that the foundation dress of serge shows.

In dress we are at a stage when money rules taste to such extent that gold is the only thing needful. Impulse carries women away to often buy clothes they cannot;afford, for the simple reason that they no longer take any notice of the art of dressing. Just now many a dress, with its short sleeves and cut down corsage, looks in front like an evening gown, while at the back the impression of the tweed or serge is plain enough for travelling and other hard wear. As a result the whole is imperfect. That so many badly-dressed women are seen now is by no means want of pounds, shillings, and pence, but a want of taste, and a curious incapable practice of taking no trouble to study the artistic side, of clothes. It is idle to argue that it is the fashion for everyone to look a sight. One might just as well be tastefully dressed for one's money as present a grotesque human travesty, and one has only to cast an eye on a roomful of people today to realise how little it takes to make the beautiful plain, and the plain plainer. All for want of a little study of taste and a sense of modification, suitable to needs, looks, and circumstances.

The vp-to-date drawing-room is a black one, states a recent Australasian exchange. The daring bizarre ideas in all other things is the reason for this, lae scheme is supposed to appeal to those who are determined to have something out of the common. Carefullv thought out, the room is said to be a success, because it is expensive and original. Up to now black has not

much attention in decorative schemes, and the present idea is that it must be the drawn g room of a woman with either golden or auburn hair, and thai, it mast be avoided by the black-haired woman. The walls are decorated in two ways. If the greater part is black the frieze is white, and if the walls are white then the frieze is black. In either case the woodwork is all black. The carpet and curtains are also black. | If liked there can be inner curtains of either tinted net, pink soft silk, or curtains of any preferred material in deepi'mande-: yellow. The ebony furniture is upholstered in either moirg, satin, or brocade, and cushions, that must be numerous, are in the relieving colour to match the inner curtains. To take off from the sombre effect of the carpet tiger or leopard skins mounted on black cloth, are thrown in front of the brass-fitted fireplace, and in other positions equally effective. The summit of effect in the black room is reached through the china and bric-a-brac, and the pictures, that must all be in gilt frames. A rose decoration in a black room is a superb finish, and the crowning point when arranged in black bowls and other holders.

Blouses and shirts are of particularly attractive design now. One model is cut in thick crepe de chine on the lines of a man's shirt, which- allows for pouching all round, and permits the utmost of freedom for sports. The Shelley collar, falling open at the throat,' is hiHi at the back, with the new rather rucked and careless effect; the cuffs are frilled. A most practical and becoming tailor skirt has broad pleats in front, and full back set in a shallow yoke, and again a Shelley collar of linen, or in thick pyjama silk, whicli washes beautifully, and is endless wear.