WOMEN'S CORNER.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17400, 10 March 1922, Page 2

WOMEN'S CORNER.

The Lady Editor will bo pleased to receive for publication in tM "Woman's Corner" items of social or personal news. Such, items should be fully authenticated, and engagement notices must bear the signatures of both parties. Correspondence is inrited on any matters affecting, or of interest to, women.

Mrs J. It. Henderson (Kaiapoi) is visiting her daughter, Mrs G. M. Skevington (Bankside). Lady Kinsey, who has been visiting her daughter inDunedin, returned to Christchurch last night.

Mr and Mrs Jack Anderson (Crannier square) have gone South for a holiday.

1 Mrs R. A. Anderson (Tnvercargill) is | visiting relatives in Christchurch. ■■ Miss Hazel Herdman is visiting her aunt, Mrs J. G. Herdman, Fendalton. Mr and Mrs G. D. MacFarlane (Lower Uiccarton) intend leaving early in May lor a trip to England. Mrs Baicd Luxton has returned to the Dominion after an absence of seven years, six of which were spent in U.S.A. and one in Siam. She is now staving at S. Stephen's Vicarage, Shirley", with her daughter, Mrs N. Friberg.

I Mrs C. T. Major (Auckland) is visitj ing Chiistchurch, and is staying at the j Clarendon. I Overseas visitors at present in Christchurch include Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Faithfull (3), Sydney, who are staying ! at the United Service; Mr and Mrs Main (London*, who are at Warner's; | Mr and Mrs D. - S. Evans (Sydney), who 'are at the Clarendon: and Mr and Mrs John Douglas and the Misses Douglas (2). Wanstead. London, who are at the United Service.

Miss Scully (Wellington) is visiting Christchurch. Mr and Mrs D. S. Lyon (Wellington) are staying at the Clarendon. Mr O. E. Jones, Mrs Jones, and Miss Gwen Jones, will leave New Zealand about the 24th inst- on a six months' trip to the Old Country. Mr and Mrs L. C. Denis (Palmerston North) left for Wellington last night.

Captain and Mrs W. J. Grey, who arrived from Wellington yesterday, are staying at the United Service. Mr and Mrs F. W. Hunnibejl and their family have moved into their new home on Fendalton road.

Miss Violet Warburton (The Terrace, Wellington), who/ since her return from a visit to the Cold Lakes, has been spending a week with friends in Christchurch, left last night for Wellington.

An interesting traveller who is at present visiting Christchurch is Mis 3 Benham, a Londoner by birth, who, with i the exceptiou of three.years during the f«.war, hasVbeen gravelling, continuously through the wilder and less ■': frequented parts of the world. A keen student of nature, -Miss Benham is particularly interested in geography and the configuration of mountains and, to pursue her studies in this direction, she has visited Switzerland no fewer than seventeen times, and has been five times through the. Himalavan . > trip that each time occupied /about ; fipur months. But her most in? : teresting journey was through Central Africa;, in a south-easterly direction from North Nigeria, through the ' Gameroons, French Congo, Belgian Congo, German East Africa, and Northern lthodesia to Portuguese East Africa, , where she embarked from the town or Chinde, which/ has recently been visited by a destructive cyclone, for Mombasa. On.this, journey, Which occupied eleven months, Miss.Benham, unarmed and unescorted, passed through country where a white woman had never before been seen, and she speaks in glowing terms of the African natives, from whom she received nothing but kind:uess. Miss Benham, who.visited New Zealand sixteen years ago, her pack on he? back, she walked through the South Island, has jusb completca a walking tour, alone, from Cromwell over the Haast Pass, through '■ Westland to Otira,_and thence over the Aljte-to Arthur's, Pass. On the journey she made many sketches of mountains, which interest her more from a geographical than from an artistic standpoint. A clever linguist and a observer, Miss Benham is •laturally most interesting, and her descriptions of her travels are vivid and . illuminating. She considers that New Zealand is a particularly expensive country ' for travellers. Her leisure moments are engaged in needlework and in knitting stockings, gloves, and woolfan clothing suitable for her walking tours. Miss Benham intends leaving • New Zealand early in April for Samoa.

' At Warner's are Mrs Cyril A. Hughes (Auckland). Mrs E. M. Hart (Timaru), and Mrs V". H- Taylor (Waipawa). , On Tuesday, at Bealey avenue, one of the Canterbury pioneers, the widow of the late Mr Elias Willis, passsdi away at the age of 81 years. The deceased was born at Tullow, Oounty Carlow, Ireland, and arrived in Lyttelton in 1861 in the Chrysolite. She was an active education, social, and temperance -worker. She was a member of the W.C.T.U. and the committee of the West Christchurch School, and was first president of the Ladies' Orange Lodge. She leaves a family of six sons and two daughters to mourn their loss. At a social held on Wednesday in the Shirlev Schoolroom, a welcome was extended to Mr J. Rowe, who has just returned from a visit to the Old Country The Rev. M. Guy and Mr P. Sharps, on behalf of the Shirley Methodists, cordially welcomed Mr Rowe back to Shirley. Mr Rowe suitably replied. A welcome was also extended to Mr Collins and family, who have just come to reside in the district. A very pleasant function was held at Cashmere on Tuesday evening in the form of a kitchen party given by the residents to Miss Eva Newton on the eve of her marriage to Mr C. W. Gates, both of this district. The guests were received at Grassmere, the residence of Mr and Mrs J. R- Parish, the rooms being tastefully decorated for the occasion. A sumptuous suppet. provided by the ladies, in a large marquee, over 70 guests being present. Mr Parlane, on behalf of the ladies of the district, presented Miss Newton with a complete set of kitchen utensils, besides many useful and valuable presents from other friends, and at the same time extended their good wishes for long life, happiness, and prosperity. Dancing, recitations, muscal items and competitions were indulged in until the early hours of the morning. Credit is due to Mesdames Parish and Parlane for the success of the arrangements. A very pleasant fancy dress ball was held in the Coronation Hall Spreydon, last Tuesday, by the Spreydon Cricket Glub. The hall was tastily decorated with ereenery and yellow and black streamers. Hay's Orchestra' supplied the music for the evening, and Messrs J. Glover and A. Thomass acted as M.C.'s. The prizes were awarded to Miss Irene Shaw (Indian Girl), lj Miss Gladys Cornelius (Lady . Footballer)^; while Mr B. Brown, dressed as a girl, won the gentlemen's prize. Others in fancv dress included Misses M.„ Ellis (Jockev), Dorothy Moore (Irish Colleen), Edie Lees (Pierrette), Betty* Glover (Crimson Rambler), Mattie Glover (Christmas Tree), Marjone Wilkie (Harem Lady), Evelyn- Wilkie (Gipsy), Nellie Usherwood (Domino), Elsie IMier■wood (Pierrette), G. Cameron (Harem Girl), W. Page (Early Victorian Lady), Vera Bloor (Dutch Girl)', Elsie Le Messurier (Red Cross Nurse), Victoria Lund (Irish Colleen), D. Cornelius-. (Winter), Myrtle Dreave (Egyptian Princess), Ivie Glover (Bedtime), Mrs V. Marsh (Jack Frost), Doris Sheehan (Ranch Girl), May Fore (Belgian Girl), D. Cornelius (Pvjama): Messrs J. Glover (Cowboy), F" Kiddev (Indian), G. Tindnll (Parson). H. "Unwin (Girl), A. Woodham (Girl), C. Marsh (Spaniard), A. Thomas (Schoolboy), T. Woods (Milkman)j N. Duff (Barman). On Monday evening a party of friends visited the home of Mr and Mrs McCaffrey, of Addington, to pay a surprise visit to Air Hugh McCaffrey, on the occasion of his birthday. Games and music were indulged in and a most enjoyable .evening' was spent. Musical and elocutionary items were contributed by Miss McCaffrey, Messrs F. Jack, E. Hardingham, and McCaffrey (2), ■".,■■. Mr R. B. Owen is about to inaugurate a campaign having for its' object the equipping of the city parks and recreation grounds with gymnasiums and playground facilities tor children. Mr Owen is at present making a round of visits to the different parks to see what would best be done in each. Sister Kathleen, one of the deaconesses of the West Ham Central Mission, London, who secently visited Christchurch, has written to the Mayoress (Mrs Thacker) thanking her most sincerely for her gifts for the women and little children under the care of the Mission. "We appreciate it far more than we can tell you," added Sister Kathleen, ''especially just now when we are. in the midst of dire distress coupled with an epidemic of influenza. It is terribly sad to see our little children dying with this disease [ and pneumonia." f

Under date of January 26th, our London correspondent writes: —Miss Esther Fisher, daughter of Mr and Mrs F. M. B. Fisher, who is still studying pianoforte in Paris, has been asked by Philippe to give .a recital in Paris early in February, assisting a well-known violinist, and she is to prepare for forty-five minutes of solo playing. In all probability Miss Fisher will be going to Vienna in the spring to continue Tier studies. . . . Miss Millie Knight, daughter of Mr and Mrs Willoughby Knight, x of Lower Hutt, is making good progress with her vocal studies under Miss Kowe, to whom she was introduced by Mme. Ada Crossley. Mr and Mrs Knight are living at Streatham. Mrs C. I. Spillane has been pointed conductor of the Wanganui Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society. ■..-■■ There is a growing interest on the part of the women of New South Wales in publio questions of the day, and already many of them are attaining prominence in various directions (writes our Sydney correspondent). Of several committees formed in Sydney to ob-> tain exact information of the working; of the "dry u . laws of America, one is composed entirely, of women representing various organisations. It is probable that their conclusion, when arrived at, will be like those of the others —acceptable to people previously holding like views and unacceptable to opponents thereof. However, they are enthusiastic in the carrying out of their self-imposed task. There will not be so many women candidates in the-State elections as was at first supposed, but of those who will stand the most are considered capable. There was an unsuccessful-attempt to induce Mrs Storey, widow of the former Premier, to consent to nomination. The rumour that Mrs Ryan, widow 1 of the late Mr T. J. B.yan, ex-; Premier of Queensland, would make ah attempt to win a seat 6eems to have died out.

The cake stall to be held in connexion with the Lewisham General Hospital Fund in the vestibule of the 'Grand Theatre to-morrow morning, will be under the charge of Mrs H. T. J. Thacker and Mrs H. R. Smith. A very good variety of cakes will be offered for sale, and as the popularity of this stall is increasing weekly, there is every reason to anticipate a keen demand and a corresponding benefit to the fund.

' ROYAL HONEYMOON,

\ (E«ut*r'i Telommu) (Received March 9th, 7.30 p.m.) V LONDON, March 8. In order to avoid publicity, Viscount Lascelles and Princess Mary, though they booked seats by the train, motored to London from Shifnal, and arrived at liuckingham Palace unnoticed. They depart for Italy to-morrow.

THE FIRST WOMAN ADVOCATE,

(PBOU A SPECIAL CORESPONDENT.) LONDON, January 26,

Britain's first woman barrister has received her first brief, and she received it exactly one week after she was called last November. Miss Kyle, the barrister in question, who won the Brook scholarship at the Irish Bar, was briefed by a Tyrone solicitor entirely unacquainted with her. She has made her first appearance" in the High Court, winning golden opinions from all. In an interview she pays a tribute to the generous welcome from her male colleagues. Miss Kyle wore the traditional wig and gown in court, thus forming a precedent for the wearing of wigs by women instead of the biretta sometimes advocated —a vexed question which some consider part of a plot to deprive the women of the English Bar of their prestige. It so happened .that the "Law Journal" discusses this question of the women barrister's attire, and suggests that judge and jurymen (and jurywomen) may find it convenient to know at a glance the sex of the advocate. It adds, however, that "it is quite possible the number of women who are chosen as well as called be bo small that the question of their professional attire will remain rajther more delicate than important." The view is expressed, however, by an official of the General Council or the Bar that he did not think there was the slightest necessity: for any such change of costume. The gown does not entirely cover the other garmentis. The woman barrister's 1 blouse will be distinguishable quite easily. There is no rule about the matter, and no authority to make any. The most probable thing is that Mtes Kyle, having made a precedent, others will follow her, and if they do they will be quite right. There must be a gown, and the clothes beneath must be dark. No barrister of either sex would be "seen 7 ' by a judge, generally speaking, with light clothes, though exceptions have been occasionally made.