SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1611, 30 November 1912, Page 10

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Presontation lo Mrs, Massey. Our Auckland correspondent writes that Mrs. Massey, wife of the Prime Minister, was entertained by 250 members of the Women's Political Reform League yesterday, and presented with a handsome diamond necklaco and pendant as a token of the esteem in which she is held by the ladies o£ the League. In making the presentation, the vice-president pointed out that although the recipient hcrseli was content to remain at home whilst _ her husband gathered public honours, all.recognised that in Mrs. Massey the Prime Minister had a wife and helpmeet whose influence and good counsel at home could be depended upon to smooth away many of the difficulties and worries which are the lot of a public man. A man owed a great deal of his success in life to his wife, and in Mrs. Massey; the Prime Minister had one whose wifely qualities could bo counted upon to clear away many of the frowns gathered in the stress and strain of office. (Loud applause.)

Acknowledgment. The matron of the Hospital desires to acknowledge the following with thanks:— Flowers-. Mrs. P. E. Hills, Girl's Realm Guild, Mrs. M'L-eod; books, Mrs. Johnson; papers, Mrs. James Reece, ill's. A. H. Miles; old linen, Mrs. Alccck. / Children's Hospital.—Goods, Mrs. M'Kelvie; toys, Mr. Miles; flowers, Girl's College; postcard albums, Anonymous.

Y.W.C.A. Notes. The first summer _ programme of the Young Women's Christian Association of this city has .been circulated this week. In addition to the usual devotional meetings, and meetings for Bible and mission study, it provides for a Ramblers' Club, a Short Term Reading Club, and a Sketching Club. Each club will have its own offioers, and the .idea is that cach club shall plan and carry out its own affairs and be responsible for its own finances. Saturday evenings will still be dovoted to 1 "open socials," when music, games, and needlework will be tho order of the hour. To-night Dr. Alice Collie will give the last for this year of her health talks to girls. . Among the visitors staying at the Occidental Hotel are Mr. and Mrs. Endean (Auckland), Mr. and Mrs. Trimble (Wairarapa), Mr. and Mrs. Harris and Miss' Irvine (Auokland), Mr. and Mrs. Deacon (Wanganui), Mr. and Mrs. Wilwood (England)/ .

An Interesting - Wedding/-• A pretty wedding took place on Wednesday, November 27, when Mr. C. H. Wyatt, son of Mr. H. P. Do K. Wyatt, assistant officer in charge of the Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington, was married to Miss Ruby Aldous, youngest daughter, .of Mrs. Aldous, Goldie s Brae, the Rev. A. M. Johnson, officiating. The bride, who was given away by her brother. (Mr. G. Aldous), -wore a handsome gown of soft duchesse satin, with peavl embroideries, and a beautifully embroidered veil. Shs carried a sheaf of lilies. Miss Ethel 'Aldous was chief bridesmaid, and wore a gown of shell pink Arabian .crepe, with picture hat wreathed with roses. Two little attendant nieces wore muslin frocks, trimmed with guipure, and white satin hats with pink rosebuds. . The best man was Mr. Fred Turnbull. The. bridegroom's gift to the bridesmaid was a gold bangle, and to the little 'nieces,; gold brooches. : A reception was afterwards held at the residenoe of the bride's mother, at Goldie s Brae, where a large number of guests were entertained. Mrs. Aldous_ wore a gown of black satin, and carried a beaubful bouquet of dark crimson _ roses. The bridegroom's mother was m pale grey satin, with steel passementerie, and carried a bouquet' of pink roses. Later, Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt left for the south.

I' Mrs. A. Hoberts' and Mrs. Dowling: left Wellington for the south last evening;

The council of the Girl Peace Scouts will meet next Tuesday in the Museum Council Room, at 11 a.m.

Mrs. M. Louieson (Auckland) is in town, and is staying at the Hoyal Oak.

The Bev. G. Heighway (Dunedin) and, Mrs. Heighway passed through Wellington on Wednesday by the Wammoo, on their return from a visit to New bouth Wales. ■

Mr and Mrs. Maurice Cohen were pasgangers from 'Wellington yesterday by the Manuka for Sydney. •

The variableness of Wellington weather is a prime fa° tor in causing roughness of the skin. Wind and rain join forces in Hiin fell work by making the complexion coarse and ohapping the hands. The ravages of unseasonable weathor may be combated by the use of Mrs. Bolleston'a Complexion Creams, which are imported from leading houses in France, England, and America, and 60ld at 3s. Cd. per jar. "La Cigalo" is a leading Irench nonereasy Face Oream. An English preparation "Massiene" is a successful complexion baautifier; while for removing blackheads and skin blemishes, the Virginian Massago Cream is also a great favourite. Free advica is given purchasers regarding their complexions. Mrs. Eolleston, 256 Lambton Quay (opp. Economic).—Advt.

It is every .woman's duty to learn the hvgieno of the hair and skin. These days people age far ioo rapidly. Miss Milsom's exclusive and up-to-date methods and preparations will win back tho worst cbmplexion and restore the poorest hair to its proper life and energy. To those who possess both, keep it so for all time, but obtain tho expert knowledge given bv Miss Milsom and the right preparations and how to use them. Delightful face massage will remove wrinkles and smoothes eoarso skin. Culteno _ Skin Food (reg.) acts like magic for wrinkles, Electrolysis (permanent and painless), Hairdressing taught, Orey hnire restored to natural colour successfully. Shampooing, Manicuring, Clipping. Just received Srom Parisian buyer, beautiful Switches, Puffs, and Natural Hair Pads. Personal' attention, stactly confidential. Miss Milsom, King's Chambers (opp. Stewart Dawson's), Willis Street, Wellington. Telephone 841.—Advt.

Young Women's Christian Associations of Australasia. The annua! meeting of the National Board of the Young Women's Christian Associations for Australasia was held at tho national headquarters, Sydney, last week. The reports of the jwesident (Miss Heard) and tho heads of tile departments —seoretariaJ, read by Miss Kispath C. R-oid; foreign, read by Mlis Thompson; industrial, presented by Mrs. LVaucia' Thorn, of Melbourne; and publications, presented from tho publications department. at Adelaide—showed marked progress in every' phase of the work. Tho report of Miss Barnes (national secretary) gave a review of the work since her arrival in Australia on November 9, I'JH. She has travelled over 7000. miles by land and sea, and has visited every association in New Zealand and Australia, oxcept in the far north, of land. The report was divided' into threo parts—(l) Tho study of v the field and acquaintanceship with the workers; (2) ; inspiration of ttie field and education of tho workers; (3) progressive work and proposals for advance, liuildiug campaigns bavo been conducted in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Christchurch, and plans are on foot for campaigns in other places. The leading progressive step is the proposed organisation of work among girls under 20 years of age, for the problem of Australasia is the "girl problem." Tho National Board of the 'ioung Women's Christian Associations proposes to study methods and features for young girls, and are ready to launch an organisation known as the "Hearth-fire Girls," similar to the popular "Camp-lire Girls" organisation in tho United States. Policies were decided upon regarding the foreign, work, and it was recommended that tho' organisation of an Australian "Twentyfour Hours a Day" Club should be launclied, this club to undertake tho support of a national secretary in Canton. The plans for the triennial convention, to ba held in Melbourne in September, • 1013, were formulated, and arrangements made for the holding of summer ■ eonfereacee in Australia and New Zealand.

Prizes for Cadets, A meeting of ladies was held at Dun®, din yesterday afternoon, in connection with the Senior Cadets' prize fund. ' After Mrs. Godley had addressed those present; Mrs. T. K. Sidey. offered to donate a cup for competition locally. Similar offers were made by Airs, Colquhouu and Mrs. Ferguson, while Mrs. O'&'eill undertook to provide two cups for Hibaruiaa companies. Sirs. Park also promised one cup, and is- making arrangements v.ith the head 9 of the girls' schools in order that the girls may provide cups for the boys' schools.—Press .Association.,

A Renowned Contralto. - "Of the few really distinguished singers England can. claim as hers by right of. birth and musical education, tne name, of Mine, lurkby Lunn, now in the' zenith(of.her fame, at once stauds out prei eminently" (says the. "Pall Mall: Gazette"). . ''Mme. lurkby Lurin was born m Manchester, and early iu childhood evinoed signs of having a phenomenal voice. Her. responsible teacher at-that-time was the late Mr. W. J. Greenwood, .the organist of All Saints' Church, and a. .-musician of considerable local -repute. In the summer uf 1892, Mme. Kirkby Luna entered „ for an open scholarship at the Royal College of Music, and proxime accessit. And here, it may be remarked that early failure in examinations is not necessarily a proof of want of ability, for is it not on tcoord that the great Gladstone was ' ploughed in Eesponsions, but left Oxford with a Double First? Entering the Royal College the next year as a student, Mme.. Kirkby LunniWoni>a/icholarehip.i='ith. Q tok lowing year, and from'this point we. must, briefly summarise events. , "In the autumn of this, same 'year;; Schumann's opera, 'Genoveva/ .was performed at Drury Lane by the students of tho R.C.M., when, 'as 'Margaret; thoWitch,' Mmo Kirkby I,unn laid the foundation of a great artistic career, her parr ticular performance being rapturously: acclaimed by the press. In 1891. she sang, the role of tho 'Marquise de, Moncontour in Deli bos' 'Le Roi I'a d# at the Prince of Wales's Theatre, which opera had the honour of a 'command? at Windsor Castle by Queen Victoria, the cast again bems. filled, by the students of the R.C.M. "In 1896 an agreement, with the Carl Rosa Company was entered into for three years, to sing all the big contralto • roles which were fulfilled : chiefly in. the .provinces, with occasional'visits to' London; In 1891) Mr. I .Robert '.Newman;:;tlio ;astute and capable mana.'i'r of tie Queens Hall musical activities, arranged a. three-years contract with her, and it was largely due to him that Mine Kirkby Lunn wont, back again to Covent Garden in 1902, where she sang 'The Sandman' in 'Hansel ' and Gretel,' from which time her great and artistic* services have b?en retained by. the directors of the Royal Opera Syndicate, as principal contralto. Tho Wagnonai\ roles of Mme. Kirkby Lunn are Brangane' ("Tristan and Isolde"), 'Ortrud ("Lohengrin"), and 'Fricka' ' ( Der Ring"). Other great operatic parts, are 'Anmeris' ("Aida), 'Carriien,' Herodiado in Massenet's 'Salome' (which isV probably tho first Biblical opera that has passed tho cautious vigilance of the' Censor, and in which Mme. Calve appeared at tho sain© time as 'Salome' with JI. Planoon as the 'High Priest*). Lastly, and* above all, her favourite and most successful role as 'Dalila' has been one of tho distinguishing features of the season. "Her festival engagements in England have been at Norwich (from which she has only just returned), Sheffield, Leeds, Three Choirs, Bristol, and Cardiff. An incident worth recording ■is this, that when singing at a Saint-Saens oonMrt ill the old St. James's Hal), Mme. lurkby : Lunii was unprepared with-, an<• encore, but said sho oould .. sing M»n y Coeur. s'o-euvro a ta voix' if tho famous composer would play the accompaniment, trom memory, ller request was immediately complied with, and it is her boast that she is the only singer who has ever, been accompanied in public by M. Saens in his song." Mmo. Lunn is to sing in Wellington on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday next.