A LADY FROM MAINE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1277, 4 November 1911, Page 10

A LADY FROM MAINE.

MRS. NELSON'S EXPERIENCES. MORE GLAD THAN SHE CAN SAY. "The repeal of prohibition throughout the State of Maine is, beyond all possible doubt, the best thing that could happen, not only for the State itself, but also for the cause of temperance." This is the opinion of Mrs. E. L. Nelson, a recent arrival from tho United States, who is staying .at 45 Macleay Street, Potts Point, Sydney.

"I am a 'Mnincac' myself, and I know what I ani talking about," said Mrs. Nelson, and then, noticing the surprised look which her assertion gave rise- to, she explained, "No, I don't mean that I'm an idiot. 'Maineao' is the term applied to those born arid raised in tho State of Maine.

"I seo by the paper that a friend of Archdeacon Boyco told him that he went to a public school in tho Stato of Maine, f.tid upon his asking those of the scholar's who had seen a_ drunken, man to hold up their hand, not an arm was raised. That may bo all right, but let me tell you that in the town of Bangor, where I was born and brought up, wo schoolgirls were often obliged to take side streets in order to avoid tho numerous drunken men who reeled about tho main street frequently before one o'clock in tho day,"

Mrs. Nelson tells of a man, a friend of to seeing drunken men about the street of her home town that whon she journeyed to California, which is a non-prohibi-tion State, she remarked the fact that sho never saw a drunken man in tbe street there, and thought it so extraordinary that sho mentioned it as

A MATTER OF WONDERMENT in a letter which she wroto to a relativein Maine. There was just as much, if not more, nlcohol sold in Bangor, according to Mrs. Nelson, as in any town in a liquor-licensed Stato, and, in fact, sho believes that mor« homes wero ruined through the man of the family imbibing bad whisky than in any other placo sho has ever been in.

Mrs; Nelson tells some amusing stories about the methods practised by men of the place in smuggling liquor into their homes. "I havo often known respectable business men to tako a trip to Boston and to return by tho next train, bringing a suit-ease full of liquor back with them for tho uso of themselves and their friends," she reinavkcd.

"As for the State's supervision," sho continued, "it was nothing more than a farce. If a 'deputy' intended to visit any particular city, tho news of his proposed visit always leakod out before his arrival, and everything was arranged for his inspection. Tho consequence was that 'blind pigs' flourished everywhere, and quantities of bad whisky were sold, thus robbing the State of the big roveaue it would have received from liquor licenses."

Mrs. Nelson tells of a man, a <riea;i of hers, who had travelled through ("try State in the Union, and when nske.l hy 1 temperance mission leader as lo tho different aspects of prohibition and Jiqutr license States, caustically answer.*! (not "the only difference ho could see wi.s llio quality of the whisky." "It was also A GREAT HARDSHIP "for invalids and sick people," said Mrs. Nelson. "Why, often pcoplo were taken ill at night, and unless they went to a doctor and got a certificate, no whisky, and, for that matter, not even alcohol, could bo obtained at tho chemist's shop. In consequence, if alcoholic baths bad been ordered by tho doctor, pnloss tho patient went to tho doctor every day for a certificate ho was compelled to go without them."

Mrs. Nelson is proud of tho fact that she is a Yankee, which, by tho way, sho explains is a term that is applied to those who aro born in the New England States only, and not, as it is believed over here, to tho American people generally.

"I am n Yankee, I am a 'Mninoac,' I am also a temperance woman," she said in conclusion, "but I am more glad than I can say to hear that (ho days of prohibition, with all the consequent abuses which went with them, arc a thing of tho past in my native States, and I am sure that all practical and thinking 'Itaincacs' are of the same opinion,"

Now, if the women in Now ,7ienland would avoid the evils of prohibition they will on election day strike out tho bottom linos on both ballot papers, and kivo this country from the .abominations misguided people so long thrust upon | Maine. t

opera which sht hopes to complete by noxt spring. Tho subject is taken from ono of Mr. Maurice Hewlett's novels, and Mrs. Maddison has prepared the libretto, which she has written both in German and English. In addition to "Dor Talisman" Mrs. Maddison has composed incidental music to tho fairy play "Stcppenmarchen" by tho Russian author G. von Mottleeamp, and her songs are well known in France and Germany. An Afternoon Tea. Tho ladies taking part in tho New Zealand competitions were invited to an afternoon tea yesterday afternoon arranged by members of the Pioneer Club in their rooms on the Qnny. Owing to tho fact that the competitions wcro still going on in the Town Hall, and that various other attractions woro taking place, the gathering was not so largo as it othcrwiso might havo been. Lady Gibbes and Miss Richmond received the visitors, au'd during the afternoon songs and recitations were contributed by Mrs. Cairns (Masterton) and her very small daughter (a gold medallist), Miss Carte, Miss HardingcMaJtby, Miss Rita Lyons (Auckland), and Miss Price.

What She Thought. ' Mrs. M'Vey, a lady from Youngstown, Ohio (11.5.), who has just toured Now Zealand from Auckland to tho lilull', is not enthusiastic about what sho has Keen of Now Zealand towns. To a "Press" reporter sho oti'ercd tho consolation that sho could truthfully say that sho liked Christchurch better than any other town she had been in. "Thore is ono thing about all New Zealand towns that is unfortunate, and that is the dirt, it blows everywhere—in tho houses, in the shops, and ii» Iho tiamears. When you meet a gust of wind you have to close- your eyes to go through it. 1 think the ladies' clubs in Now Zealand should take this up, and insist on their menfolk keeping the streets clean. Women's clubs in America have gone a long way in that direction, and aro very hard workers in the lino of civic improvements. They take a great interest in civic affairs so far as they nfl'ect tho health of their families and tlw beauty uud cleanliness of their towns."

Wedding at Ohau. Yesterday a wedding in which much interest was centred took placo in the Uhau Church, at Uuau, when Miss Marjorie Kebbell, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ivobbcll, of Olinu, was married to Mr. Gorman Kirkcaldie, of third son of Mr. and Mrs. John lurkcaidio, of Wellington. The church had been beautifully decorated for the occasion by tho girl friends of tho bride, and tho Kov. .Mr. Compton conducted tho service, which was fully choral, Miss Stewart playing tho organ. Tho bride, who was given away by her father, wore a very simplo but charmingly graceful gown of white satin, (rimmed with Honiton lace, and a beautifully embroidered veil. Sho carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley and maidenhair forn. There were threo bridesmaids attending her, Miss Alison Kobbell (chief bridesmaid), Miss tiraco Kirkcaldio, and Miss Robinson, all of whom woro very pretty frocks of white muslin, mado tunic fashion and finished with pink ribbon, and Inrgo straw hats lined with black lace, the crowns vfircathcd with pink roses. Their bouquets were of pink flowers and maidenhair fern, fastened with long blnck tulle streamers. Mr. Keith Kirkcaldie attended tho bridegroom as best man, and' Mi. Charles Mirams was the groomsman. After the ceremony a large number of relatives and frienda were entertained at

Weddings—Shower Bouquets for brido and bridesmaids. Only the Choicest of Flowers used. Specially packed, and sent to auv part of the Dominion. Miss Murray, 3G Willis Street (Florist to His ■Excellency Lord Islington).

Mrs. Erl Williams (Wairarapa) is in town, and is staying with Mrs. W. Kennedy.

Mrs. Dare Caselberg (Mastorton) is staying with Miss Mandel in Tiuafcori Road.

Mrs. W. Turnbull was a passenger for Christchurch last evening.

Miss Sybil Hnggitt (Dunodin) has been visiting Wellington, and leaves for Nelson on Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. Mandol have gono hi Chrislchurch for the races.

Mrs. F, Cnroy has roturned to Masterton from a brief visit to Wellington.

Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Lowry, of Hawke's Bay, have gone. to Christchurch for tho races.

Mrs. Newman met the ladies of Hataitai at a meeting held for tho purpose of making arrangements in connection with Dr. Newman's' candidature for Wellington East. A committee was set up, and matters generally dealt with.

Mrs. Hnyward (Lower Hutt) lins been staying with Mrs. C. P. Vallauce, and motored through with them to Napier early in the week, returning to Mnsterton on, Thursday.

Mrs. Roso (Christchurch) and her daughter aro in town. . . ,

Mrs. W. Reynolds left for tho south, last evening.

A meeting of tho Society for (he Health of Women and Children was hold in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, Mrs. A. R, Atkinson presiding. Accounts amounting to .£lO lis. Od. were passed for payment. The Plunkct Nurse's report was good, and tho work,of tho society stcadllv improving. Tho annual meeting takes pfneo shortly, when tho now committee, will be elected.

Mr. and Mrs. John Fuller woro.passen. gers for Dunedin last evening, Mr. Fullor representing his firm in some industrial dispute now before the Arbitration Court. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward left fot the south last evening.