A MAID IN MAYFAIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 181, 1 August 1936, Page 3 (Supplement)

A MAID IN MAYFAIR.

New "Monkey Club" For Younger Set

WOMEN OBJECT TO BUILDING SCHEME.

(From Our London Lady Correspondent,

THE more serious members of society's younger set are frequently to be seen earnestly discussing national and international affairs at their club in Pont Street. They, call it the Monkey Club, because their motto is the wise Eastern one of the three little monkeys who "Hear nothing, see nothing, say nothing," but I think the girls rather lean towards the angelic version which is "Hear no evil, see no evil say no evil.'' Much of their spare time between social engagements is spent at the club, where they listen to lectures by authorities 011 topical matters and enter into animated discussion on politics, literature, the drama and housewifery. The more domestic-minded have recently banded themselves .together to attend a weekly cookery class under a famous London hotel chef. Saving Sussex Beauty Spot. Lady Bertha Dawkins, Violet Lady Beaumont and Dame Laura Knight are amongst tho large number of women who Lave signed a petition against a building and development scheme affecting tlie lovely foreshore and harbour of West Wittering. Professor Gladys Turquet, of London University, who has a house in West Wittering, organised the petitiw, and has interested many people in London as well as many house and landowners in the district. These include Miss Turner, head mistress of Roedean, and Lady Phillimore, who owns a large estate close to West Wittering. Over 1000 people have already signed the petition, which is to bo given careful attention before any final decision is made.

Knocker-up. i In certain industrial districts in England, the "knocker-up" is still employed to come round ill the early hours, with his long pole, and tap on the windows of men who have to he up and out in time for the early morning shifts. His job is ta knock persistently until there is outward and visible evidence that his customer is out of bed. A visitor from New York tells me that a similar service has just been Inaugurated by a young woman there, but on altogether more luxurious lines. Every morning regular clients are called by telephone in good time to keep their first appointments. "Service please," as the organisation is called, believes in beginning the day well. In the manner of the old town criers, a specially selected golden voice says: "Six o'clock and a lovely morning." The matter does not stop there, for the voice goes on to speak of news, the weather and, like' the oldfashioned knocker-lip, insists upon getting a Coherent reply before putting up the receiver.

Norman Blood. The Hon. Nancy Brett, for whom her mother, Viscountess Esher, gave a small "coming out" dance recently, traces her descent back to one William Brett, who secured the Manor of Brett's Hall in the time of Henry 111. That William in turn came of an ancient family originally of Fecamp, in Normandy. The family has written its name boldly on our more modern records, for Tuesday's debutante is a great-granddaughter of the first Viscount, who was Master of the Rolls. Her grandfather, the second peer, was a most versatile man, and a

Frhv f , ri VT? and confidante of Kin" ties 'lf T? Cl ° Se that he was somencs r c f errcd t° as "the power behind vLc H * ( ; r father - the present tor so,'; 1 , ls - chlt ' es as a legislaof flio I( TT a 1 1? I s an act * ve member hail? f tr ° f Lords - La dy Esher bails from New York. Miss Brett is a thoV tI!G * a > h of Sarawak and of tile former Miss Zona Dare. Tyrolese Yodellers. Yodellers will be heard in Park Lane when a large party of Tyrolese entertainers arrive in London. The Kin" when abroad in the Austrian Tyrol last ? i on , v ' the local cafe at Kitzbuhel where mine host brought out his best in the way of good fare and entertainment for his Royal guest. The local guides and village girls are born cancers and musicians, and so much did the King enjoy their unsophisticated performance that ho expressed the wish that they might come to London some day. They will wear the picturesque and voluminous Tyrolese costume, and will sing, dance, yodel and perform upon tho zither. Several Mayfair hostesses are planning Tyrolese parties at which some of the village artists will perform. Toni Praxmaver, tho proprietor of the cafe, is bringing the party over.

High Heels. One cannot help observing how many women, without distinction of class, wear very high-heeled shoes. Indeed, I am not sure the more moderate heels are not to be found as a rule on Mayfair, rather than Milo End feet. Skirts may lengthen or shorten, waists may dodge up or down, hair may be bobbed or bunned, but the feminine high heel, like the poor, is always with us. Few women can walk gracefully in very high heels, most can walk only painfully, but, nevertheless, they persist in adding an inch or two to their stature at any cost. Apparently that cost may be even heavier than is suggested by the obvious signs of corns and twisted ankles that the high-heel patrons betray. A surgeon, who is a specialist of repute in this particular operation, tells me that appendicitis, one of the few maladies more prevalent among women than men, may often be traced directly to the unnatural poise that high-heeled shoes impose on the female form divine. But even that, I fear, may not prevent women wearing abnormal heels.

Fashion's Portias. If women quarrel this season, there possibly will be wigs on the green. The legal flavour in the fashion world has spread to hats. After dresses in the manner of barristers' gowns, and bearing ■labels like "Good Counsel" and "Just Verdict," we are now presented with hats very much like the stiffly curled wigs that barristers wear. It is common knowledge that there is no more uncomfortable type of headgear than the legal wig, but the milliners have got over that difficulty by making their wighats of fine straw. They cover the head completely and are lacquered all over the rows of synthetic curls. An even more fantastic headgear, for it can scarcely be called a hat, is a replica of the flowing wig worn by a judge. This is made from innumerable strips of curled cellophane, and its appearance would cause more than a little surprise amongst the solemn Benchers of Middle Temple.