CURRENT NOTES

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25448, 20 March 1948, Page 2

CURRENT NOTES

Lady Duff (Wellington), it is hoped, will attend the women’s peace rally which is to be held next month in Christchurch bv the National Council of Women.

Mrs Norton Francis and Lady Turner were guests of honour at a well attended meeting of the Parents National Educational Union, held last night at the Deanery. Armagh street. Mrs A. K. Warren was hostess. Mrs Francis has been president of the branch since its foundation about 26 years ago. and was granted leave of absence when she left Christchurch about 18 months ago for a visit to her daughter (Mrs Angus Vickers), in Scotland, and to relatives and friends in England. Lady Turner, who is visiting Christchurch after an absence of many years, was an early member of the branch, and both she and her husband (Sir Henry Turner) have given interesting addresses to members in tlie past. Mrs Douglas Anderson presided, and welcomed Mrs Francis and Lady Turner, who were presented with bouquets by Mrs F. A. L. Cookson. Both the guests gave descriptions of some phases of life in Britain. Mrs Francis dealt with the position of Parents’ Union schools in England and with shortages of food and clothing in the Highlands of Scotland, as well as in England. Lady Tqrper described life at Colwyn Bay. in North Wales, where she lived for some years. They agreed that the kindness of the people of Britain to one another, their willingness to share, and the pleasure they derived from small gifts, was amazing and heartening. On behalf of members, Mrs J. G. Collins thanked the speakers for their addresses, and Mrs Warren for her hospitality. Misses Helen Buchapan and Kathleen Rutherford, who have been visiting Dunedin, will return to-moitow,: 'and Mrs W. Toomey and Miss Eileen Nutt will return on Monday. They have been playing in the Otago women’s centennial golf championship at Balmacewen. where Miss Nutt wdn. the championship. Miss Rutherford, the previous Week, won the Dunedin open championship at St Clair. . Miss Daisy Bridges, a London nurse, who won the Royal Red Cross for her work in Army nursing in the Middle East, has been appointed the first British executive secretary of the International Council of Nurses, an organisation that represents 300.000 nurses in 32 countries.

Miss J. Mclnnes (Wellington), commissioner for Lone Guides in New Zealand, recently visited Southland and made an appeal for more guides and guiders to join the movement.

Mr J. McCracken (Bryndwr) and his daughter, Mrs R. McClurg (Barrington street) left Christchurch on Thursday to join the Empire Star for England and Ireland.

At a social gathering held in Dunedin by the Otago Ladies’ Golf Club in honour of past members of the club, Mrs J. H. McDougall (president) presided and presented bpuquets to the two oldest members present. Miss C. M. Cutten, and Mrs Andrew Todd, both foundation members who joined the Otago club 56 years ago. A putting competition played earlier was won by Miss K. Begg, a life member, who joined the Otago club in 1893.

Rumours have been circulated in America that Miss Sharman Douglas, daughter of the American Ambassador in London, is soon to become engaged to the Marquis of Milford Haven, the Dulce of Edinburgh’s best man. Miss Douglas-.' a slim, attractive blonde, says the reportis untrue and absolute nonsense. and adds that she has not even met the Marquis very often. She thinks that the rumour started a few Greeks ago when she and the Marquis made a foursome for an evening with the Duke of Edinburgh an.d Princess'Elizabeth An all-day conference of leaders of the mothers’ unions of the diocese of Christchurch was held recently at St. Barnabas’ Church and schoolroom. There were 90 persons present, and some had come from as far away ,as Hokitika and Timaru. A short service was conducted in the church by Archdeacon A. C. Purchas. -Later-, addresses were given bv Mrs/N- ET.Robertshaw, of Wellington, on the-ideal enrolling member and the ideal' secretary, and by Mrs F. N. Taylor on evangelism in the Mothers’ union. Members took part in a discussion which followed the addresses. - < At the Richmond Methodist Church recently, harvest thanksgiving services were conducted by Mr H. Chapman and Mr J. Cummack. The choir, conducted by Mr C. H. Sharr, sang appropriate anthems, and a duet was sung by Mrs L. Grace and Mr Sharr. The organist was Miss Shona Worrall. There was a good display of produce and of food for Britain. On the following evening the harvest sale was held, and the annual Sunday School prizes presented. A presentation was made to’Mrs W. H. Boulton, who has retired from the position of church organist after more than 30 years’ service. On behalf of the church. Mr A. G. Williams presented Mrs Boulton with an eight-day clock. The election of officers at Sydenham School Parent-Teacher Association resulted as follows: patron. Archdeacon E. Osmers; president. Mr R. W. Fox: vice-president. Mr C. R. Spiller: secre-tary-treasurer Mrs J. N. Franklin; parents’ representatives. Mesdames M. Tozer. R. Lilley, ,0. Johnson, and Messrs Wilder and B. S. Jago.

The lady editor of “The Press” gratefully acknowledges receipt of a donation for an invalid from “In As Much,” magazines from Miss Leslie, gifts from Miss Sayers, stamps and cards from "Grandma.” and stamp from Jeanette and Neil Anderson (Lincoln), arid magazines from anonymous friends. The New Zealand delegation to the International Conference of the Red Cross in Stockholm in August was bidden farewell yesterday at a gathering in Wellington. The delegation consists of Mr C. G. White (leader). Miss H. Iris Crooke, director-general of Red Cross V.A.D.’s, and Mrs D. A. Hennessy, chairman of the Waimate centre. The chairman of the Dominion executive., standing committee of the Red Cross (Mr J. Abel) said that Mr White and Mrs Hennessy were making the trip entirely from their bWn resources.—(P.A.)

A course for "house matrons” was recently instituted in Britain under the Children Bill Scheme. Thirty women from all parts of Britain, including the Channel Islands, are taking the course which will teach them how to be substitutes for real mothers to family groups of the many hundreds of British children who are without parents. For six months the students will study every aspect of child care in theory and in practice. They will then have six months working in children’s cottage homes as assistants to house mothers.

The Christchurch North Townswomen’s guild resumed activities with a social afternoon when members and friends were entertained. Mrs J. M. .Forbes. president, welcomed the guests. A programme was arranged by Mrs R. E. Voller. Those taking part were; Misses Carroll and Bain (solos ■and duets), Mr Maddams (violin solos), Mr Maddams (reading of Mother Shipton’s prophecy poem), Mesdames Cooper, Doig and Powell (sketches). Mesdames Reeves and Bain <accompaniments). Prizes for the monthly competitions were awarded to Mrs J. M. Forbes l 0 and Mrs J. S. Hawker 2,

•An account of the Dunedin Horticultural Society’s flower show held during the centennial celebrations was given at a recent meeting of the Riccarton Garden Club by Mrs R. T. Tosswill. The meeting was held at the jiome of Miss Ina Jones. Rata street. Riccarton. Mrs Tosswill congratulated Mrs W. Milne Shand, a member of the club, who wa§ a successful exhibitor in the decorative section at the Flowers for winter and spring was the subject of the guest speaker, Mr F. J. Shanks. Assistant hostesses were Mesdames W. Arnott. G. Cowie, J. East, F. W. Helmore, and R. S. Kent Competitions resulted: decorative A. Miss I. Jones 1, Mrs R. Keir 2, Mrs W. Milne Shand 3; decorative B, Miss L. Rainey 1; cut flowers A, Miss I. Jones 1, Mrs Milne Shand 2. Mrs J. R. Templin 3; cut flowers B, Mrs T. L. Uren 1, Miss M. Metcalfe 2; collection of wild flowers, Mrs Arthur Stewart 1. Mrs F. Wagner 2. Mrs J -East 3. The Christchurch Girls’ High School Old Girls’ Association Annual Dance will be held on Wednesday. May 26th, at the Winter Garden. Intending debutantes notify Miss M. Kissel 90 Bristol street, immediately. « Advt.

Your Easter portrait begins with your Hat. Magic of the new silhouette, that makes you attract more than ever before. Women who want to be in the Easter holiday picture will visit Beaths Millinery Salon and select from the provocatingly feminine Hats there. Advt.

Fur Repairs and modernising at shortest notice. A. S. Cantrell, 205 High street. Telephone 7028. Advt. Make an appointment on Kiexetiia Telephone 34-566 and benefit oy specific treatment of skin and scalp troubles. Address: TriarigJp Buildings 281 High street Advt VICTORIA LEAGUE GARDEN FETE If wet the Victoria League Garden Fete will be held in the Cathedral Grammar School Gymnasium, 18 Park terrace, by kind permission of the Headmaster. Advt.