CURRENT NOTES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24768, 8 January 1946, Page 2

CURRENT NOTES

Queen Mary commissioned the New Zeaiand-born artist, Mr Oswald Birley, to paint a portrait of the Duke °f Beauiort for presentation to him and the Duchess of Beaufort, in acknowledgement of the war-time pitality they extended to her at their beautiful home in Gloucestershire. Queen Marj who would have preferred to remain in London during the "blitz,” went to Gloucestershire at the express wish of the King and the Royal Family, and she enjoyed her quiet stay in the country. Mr Birley has in the past received many Royal commissions, including the portrait of King George V and Queen Mary for Windsor Castle. He painted also the portrait of Lord Birkenhead in the National Gallery, and no fewer than four Viceroys for Government House, New Delhi.

One of the names to be given the daughter of the Governor of South Australia, Sir Willoughby Norrie, and Lady Norrie, born just before Christmas, will be Adelaide, in honour of the city of her birth. Sir Willoughby Norrie’s first wife died in 1938, and there are a son and daughter of the marriage. In 1939 he married a daugh-. ter of the late Mr Emerson Bainbridge, M.P., and they have one son and • two daughters. M. Armand Gazel, French Minister to New Zealand, and Madame Gazel, are expected to pay their first visit to Christchurch next week. They will arrive on Sunday evening, January 13, and will be entertained by Cercle Francais at the Mayfair lounge on the following evening. Speakers at this reception of welcome will be Monsieur Gazel, Mr G. E. F. Kingscote, consular agent for France in Christchurch, M. Honore, president of Cercle Francais, and Mr Gordon S. Troup.

A former Christchurch resident, Mrs Rothes Grut, will arrive in the Dominion by the Rangitata to visit her Barents, Mr and Mrs F. H. R. Neville. [er husband, Captain R. Lennartsson Grut, who during the war was engaged piloting military transports in Australia and the Pacific, has returned to his Malayan plantation, where his wife will join him when authorities pernyt.

The death has occurred of Mrs Catherine Lilian Isobel Sellar» wife of Mr D. A. Sellar, of Hamilton. Mrs Sellar, who was born at Christchurch, was the daughter of Mr W. W. Charters. She was educated at the Christchurch Girls’ High School and lived in Hawera for 14 vears before going to Hamilton in 1926. She was closely connected with organisations affiliated to the Presbyterian Church. Mrs Sellar is survived by her husband, and two married daughters.

The Polish children in Pahiatua celebrated their second Christmas in New Zealand with national customs which have developed in Poland during the centuries, and are hardly known in any other country. The Christmas supper was served on a white tablecloth with hay underneath—a reminder of the stable of Bethlehem. Polish cooks prepared the national dishes. Beautiful carols, of which .Poland has produced more than any other country, were sung during the evening, and afterward midnight Mass was celebrated. For some weeks prior to Christmas the children were preparing their own Christmas decorations and the hand-painted Christmas cards, with their traditional designs and illustrations, will be treasured no doubt by friends who received them.

The Sunlight Lesgue health camp committee gratefully acknowledges receipt of a generous supply of fruit for jam from Mrs C. C. Davis for the children at “Glenelg” camp, and a large quantity of raspberires from Mr and Mrs C. C. Harrow, Riccarton, for the children on Christmas Dey.

An American research technician, who has been visiting London, gave a brief description of the textile revolution that is taking place. Nylon, he said, was the first conquering chemical textile, but there were others. Already yarns, twisted and untwisted, have been made from aluminium. Soyabeans and peanuts are the basis of new fibres discovered in the last year, the peanut fibre being a British idea. Nylon alone, however, may well change every idea we have about the shape and function of clothes. • It is a fabric which, when set at great heat, retains whatever shape is given to it: crimps, folds, and pleats cannot wash out. The most easily washed of fabrics. it dries in 10 to 15 minutes—indeed. it is impossible to keep it wet for longer. And in most instances it does not require ironing. So finely-pleated clothes in white or palest pastels can become normal city wear of the future.

After two years’ war service in Eng land, Miss Jume Howden, daughter of Dr. and Mrs C. E. Howden, of Rotorua, formerly of Waiuku, will return to New Zealand by the Rangitata, which is expected to arrive this week. Miss Howden was the youngest of the four New Zealand girl flyers in the Air Transport Auxiliary engaged in ferrying Spitfires and other types of aeroplanes. She was the winner of the “New Zealand Herald’s” air scholarship for South Auckland in 1936, while still a pupil at the Hamilton Diocesan School. Miss Howden gained her A licence and her endorsed A licence under Squadron Leader Harry Lett and held the position of airwoman of the watch at Woodbourne for two years before going overseas. The lady editor of “The Press” gratefully acknowledges receipt of packets of used stamps from H.S., Riccarton. Mr W. A. Erasmuson, and anonymous friends.

Trousseaux, hand-made from Ladies’ own material. ’Phone 35-508. —6 Mrs Freeman has just received the newest in Straw Millinery in all colours, including white, navy, black, and natural. Georgette Millinery, Ballantynes Bldgs.. 122 Cashel street, and Ashburton. —1

Skin and Scalp Ailments, Alopecia, and Baldness are successfully treated at Klexema Rooms. Consultations are free. Telephone 34-566. Triangle Building, 281 High street. —2

SOAP AND WATER NOT ENOUGH. The best soap and water washing as often as you like each day is not enough for health. Real health comes from internal freshness. The system must be regular. That’s where Stevens Health Salt 'plays its part. Stevens Health Salt helps to create outward alertness arfd freshness by energising the body. Take sparkling Stevens Health Salt Sold everywhere. (Mfrs.: H. F. Stevens, Ltd., Christchurch.) —1