WOMEN'S CORNER.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16408, 31 December 1918, Page 2

WOMEN'S CORNER.

The Lady Editor will be pie**** to receive for publication in too "Women's Comer" items of social or personal news. Such items should be fully authenticated, and engagement notices must bear the signatures of both parties. Correspondence is invited on any matters affecting, or of interest to» women* Mrs R. Chapman (Sumner) has gone to Mount Bassett for a few: weeks. Mrs Bennett and Miss Norah Bennett (Christchurch) are on a three weeks visit to Hanmer Springs, where they are staying at "Th© LodgeMiss Lorna Martin is spending the holidays with Mrs C. H. Ensor at White Rock. Mrs Cross has returned from the country, where she spent the Christmas holidays. Dr. Matid Fere is at Hanmer Springs for a week. Mrs R. Harley has left her house in Kilmore street, and is staying at Sumner. Miss Oowlishaw and Miss Dorothy Cowlishaw ar© staying at Rakaia huts, Mr and Mrs G. R. Chapman (Ross) returned last night _ from Hanmer, where they spent Christmas. Mr and Mrs P. W. Dorrington (Dannevirke) are staying at the Clarendon. Mr and. Mrs H. van Asch (Rangiora) are holiday-making at Akaroa. Mr and Mrs Bullock (Blenheim) motored to Timaru yesterday • after a brief 6tav in Christchurch. Mr and Mrs R. O. Bell (Masterton) are visiting Christchurch. Among ladiea who are afflicted with superfluous hairs Dr. "Waldron's preparations prove a boon, as they can be applied with perfect safety.' A special outfit for summer use comprises Maseage Cream for Freckles ana Sunburn, Vanishing Cream for applying before ponder; Rougette, an emollient for the lipe a nd a delicate powder, any of four shades. Price 16s, postage 16s 6d. MRS ROLLESTON, Dominion Buildings, 1 Cathedral square. PRINCESS "PAT'S" BETROTHAL. The news contained in yesterday's cable messages of the engagement of Princess Patricia of Connaught to Commander Ramsay, son of the thirteenth Earl of Dalhousie, will please the large number of people the world over ivho have alwavs been interested in Britain's "prettiest princess." Obviously Princess "Pat,' f as she is affectionately 1 known, is to wed the man of her choice, and it is a significant sign of the times that the King has approved her betrothal to a man not of Royal birth.

Princess Patritsia has always been on© of the most ponular of Royalties. In. Canada, during her residence there, she was literally adored by all sections of the community. The first Canadian, regiment to cross the Atlantic for France was known as "Princess Patricia's Own," and she is its honorary colonel-in-chief. A London journal of Tecent date records a little incident which, proves her interest in the regiment. "The other day," the story goes, "when a Canadian fighting man was walking in London, feeling .rather lonely, a lady suddenly stopped It was Princess Patricia's lady-in-waiting. The Princess had recognised him as one of 'her men,' and could not pass by without speaking a few words to him." Many have been the speculations as to whom Princess Pat would marry. At one time her engagement to the Count of Turin was rumoured, the Italian Press being particularly fond of the tale. The wish was evidently father to the thought with the Italians, However, for London Court circles did not believe that such an alliance was contemplated. It was even asserted in Italy that the Count embarked upon an adventurous expedition atj the request of the Princess, who was said to he anxious that h© should distinguish himself as tho Duke of Abbruzzi had done.

Princess Patricia's sister, Princess Margaret, will one day be Queen of Sweden. Her marriage took place, inl 1900. Prince Arthur of Connaught married the young Duchess of Fife, eldest daughter of the Princess Royal, the match being a very popular one. COUNTESS MARKIEVICZ. The first woman who has been definitely declared elected to the new British Parliament is that stormy petrel of Irish affairs, the Countess Markievicz. Countess Markievicz was the most prominent of the women rebels in the hapless and ill-timed Sinn Fein rising. She held direct military command, dressed in male attire, and led her men with great dash. For her part in the rebellion she was tried and sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life. Afterwards released she was again apprehended and imprisoned. Countess Markievicz is an exceptional woman. She was, prior to her marriage to Count Markievicz, Miss Constance Gore-Booth, sister of Sir Jocelyn Gore-Booth, of County Sligo. fefto was presented to Queen Victoria in the Jubilee year—lßß7. Although connected with some of the noblest families in England, she appears to havo cut herself adrift quite early, and it is recorded that, on account of her eccentricity, she was a source of trouble and anxiety to her people. She lived in a Dublin suburb, and conducted a small farm. . She wore "male attire," and was constantly" to be seen digging, pushing wheelbarrows, and doing all the manual work of the place. She always took part in public affairs, and was one of James Larkin's staunchest supporters. She was known for many years as a Gaelic Leaguer and a Sinn Feiner. Her husband was very popular in Dublin on account of his personality, and because ho belonged to Poland. He saw service with tiie Russian armies during the war. Countess Markievicz is not the only famous member of her family. Her only sister, Eva Gore-Booth, is one of the best known of the younger Irish poets, and contributed largely to the Irish literary renaissance. Some of her lyrics, notably one, "The Littlo Waves of Breffnv," find a welcome plaoe in any anthology of outdoor verse, while no Irish verse anthology is complete without* them.

CRECHE AND KINDERGARTEN. A meeting of tho Creche and Kindergarten Association was held in the Y.M.C.A., Mrs Taylor presiding ever a good attendance. Reports" showed the term to have ended on November 6th, owing to the influenza epidcmic. Mrs Taylor reported on work done at the temporary hostel for children at lev avenue, and hearty votes of thauks were accorded to Messrs H. Cotterill, C. Lord, and S: Smith for help given. Mrs Taylor said it would _ have been impossible to have carried out the work so successfully had her staff not received the generous help from voluntary workers, citizens, and merchants, and she thanked all who had helped or given in kind and money. A report was received from the Building Committee. Tenders for the new echool at Phillipstown had been received and considered, aud the tender of Mr T. G. Haigh, for £1248, had been accepted. "Work had been begun, aud so far everything was satisfactory. Miss Cocks (honorary treasurer) reported that there was £220 in the current account and £300 in the Savings Bank to the building fund. Mrs Taylor said it would be necessary for local committees to make greater efforts during the coming year. The kindergarten festival arranged for December 4th had been postponed, and it was decided to hold the festival. during the first or second week in March, 1919.

The secretary read applications from Misses Todd and King to beoome students in schools. Mrs Taylor _ said the staffing: of the schools was satisfactory, and with new probationers next year, the work of the kindergarten schools 6hould make great progress. A vote of sympathy was passed to Mrs _W. Morton in the loss she had sustained by the death of her son, Mr H. M. Cotton.