SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2416, 23 March 1915, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

To Relieve the Belgians. A meeting of women, convened by the Mayor, was held in Dunedin yesterday to consider ways and means of affording relief to the Belgians, says a Press Association telegram. It was stated that Otago and Southland were expected to find one-fifth of the proposed public subscription of £500 per month in New Zealand. It was decided to divide the city and suburbs into 198 blocks and make a personal canvass for funds. A large number of lady collectors is to be enrolled for the purpose. The Sportsmen's Battalion—Raised by a Lady. A very interesting account is given in the "British Australasian" just to hand of the raising of the Sportsmen's battalion in Jiiigland by Mrs. E. Cun-liffe-Owen. Like so many of the important things of life, it ail apparently happened by ohance. The lady in question was walking down Bond Street with her soil when she met tlvo well-known big game hunters of her acquaintance and gently rallied them upon not being at the front. They told her they lad volunteered but had been rejected because of the age limit. Half-humor-ously, half-seriously, the suggestion was made that Mrs. Cunliife-Owen should raise a corps of sportsmen without giving undue prominence to their birth certificates. The lady communicated with Lord Kitchener, and, to shorten the story, the Secretary of War gave permission ior a battalion of 1600 to be formed.

The duties of recruiting officer were performed by Mrs. Cunlitt'e-Owen herself, with headquarters at the Hotel Cecil, and so efficiently did she disoharge them that on the full • strength of the first battalion having been enrolled the War Office requested that a second battalion, also 1600 strong, should be formod, and to this second voluntary task the lady, with the assistance of a competent staif, is now devoting herself. The second battalion is under-the command of Colonel A. de B. B. Paget, and both battalions enjoy the distinction of having the King as their honorary colonel. Mrs. Cu.nhffe Owen is therefore the first lady to raise a regiment 6ince the beautiful and famous DUchess of Gordon "raised the Gay Gordons with a kiss" a century or so ago A furthor interesting feature of this battalion is the fact that a very large number of Australians and New Zealanders figure among the commissioned and non-commissioned officers as well as among the ranks. Colonel Viscount Maitland is in command of the first battalion.

Journals Edited by Women. Iu the report which was forwarded for publication in yesterday's issue of the W.C.'i'.U. Convention, it was stated that the magazine "The White Ribbon" was the only instance of a Now Zealand magazine being edited and controlled by women. It is pointed out that "Kai Tiaki" ("Tho Guardian") is another journal for women. Ic is the Journal of the Nurses of New Zealand, which they own and control through their enterprising editor, Miss H. Maclean, Assistant-Inspector of Hospitals, who is shortly to leavo for England in charge of the contingent of New Zealand nurses.

Mrs. W. F. .Massey acknowledges parcels of books for the Trentham Library from Mrs. Ewart (Kelburn) and Mrs. J. Gow, Mrs, Montgomery (Little River) and Miss Allen, who returned from England last week, left for Dunedin on Friday. Misj? -Beattie, matron of the Knox Home for Inourables, Auckland, is visiting Wellington, and is staying at the Mansions. Mrs. Ormond Cooper (Masterton) and her children are visiting Wellington. Mrs. J. Bolton arrives in Wellington to-dav on her way through to Palmerston from the south. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Cohen passed through Wellington yesterday, on their way to Auckland, where they will stay with the Hon. J. Millar and Mrs. Millar. Later they leave for Rotorua. Dr. Brown, missionary and president of the Methodist Church in Australasia, is the guest of Mr. Mrs. Corkill, Oriental -Bay. Miss Miles (Feilding) is staying at the Hotel Windsor. Mrs. G. M. Snelson, of Palmerston North, is still very busy working for the supply of socks and mittens for the troops. Old socks past repairing she makes into mittens, and she is ready to receive parcels of old socks for this purpose.

Dr. Isobel Ormieton, formerly of Australia, who has distinguished herself for her devotion to the wounded since the outbreak of the war, is now working at a Belgian Red Cross Field Hospital at La Pavre, France, which .is only about eight miles from tho firing line. Among Hawke's Bay people who are travelling by 'the Niagara are Miss White, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond White, and Mr. and Mrs. J. 11. Couper, of Opowiti, Wairoa. An opportunity of assisting a deserving cause is given this evening at th 6 "gift evening" which is to take' place in St. John's Schoolroom for the benefit of the Presbyterian Orphanage. One of tho attractions of the evening will be 6ome patriotic action songs given by the children, and brief addresses will be given by the Prime Minister, the Uon. W. F. Massey. The schoolroom will .be open all day for the receiving of gifts.

A Face—to face this strenuous life, whether you be young or old, Miss Milsom will teach you how to keep the face free from wrinkles, smooth, youthful, natural and healthy. Use "Cultene" Skm Pood (3/-) nightly. Mornings—Wa6h with Milsom s Herbal Soap (1/-), then anply Hygienic Face Powder, 2/6 and 4/6 a box (skin food in powder form), delightful to use; shades, pink, buff, white, cream; cleans the face and leaves it rested with that soft velvet-like appearance. "Culteno" Balm (3/6) for day time, dinners, theatres, balls. Always use it; it is just delightful and gives that natural clean look to the skin. All hair and face treatments; latest hair nork aud toilet requisites stocked. Miss Milsom, 94 Willis Street (1 doors above "Evening Post"). Telephone 814.*

Feildlng Notes. Miss Bruce has returned from Rotorua. v Mrs. Barton has gone to Auckland. Mrs. Alymer is staying at the Denbigh. Mrs. Twigg has returned from Wellington. Mrs. Miles has gone to Wellington. Miss Bates (Wanganui), who has been on a visit to Mrs. Miles, has returned to her home. Mrs. Fry has returned from Wellington. Mrs. Haggitt has returned from Waitomo. Miss Shannon is staying at Plimmerton. Several members of the Feilding Tennis Club went to Palmerston on St. Patrick's Day to play in the tennis tournament there. Among those who went wereMesdames Hitchings, Perry, Haggitt, Fraser, Misses Shannon, Bailey (2), Messrs. Haggitt, Graham, Ongley, Barron, Maguire, Perry, Bailey, and Hitchings. Mrs. Johnson is staying with Mrs. Kirton.

A large number of people' were present to welcome the returned members of the Samoan Force yesterday morning, most of whom looked very fit and well. Speeches and photograph-taking were of course part of tile welcome, and very hearty cheering was accorded the returned troopers. Later in the morning Miss Hester Maclean, Assistantinspector of Hospitals, entertained the nurses, who had returned from Samoa at morning tea in the D.I.C. For luncheon they were the guests of the Hon. James Allen, Minister of Defence, it must have been very pleasant for the nurses to have received the grateful acknowledgments for their care of the invalided troopers in the hospital at Samoa from some of the mothers and relatives who were present to welconie their returned soldiers —a care of which the men had written in the warmest and most appreciative terms. Miss Borlase is holding the first of her winter assemblies on April 9 in the Goring Street Hall. Mrs. Frewen Thompson, of Sydney, is staying at Caulfield House. Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Wellwood returned to Hastings on Saturday from a six months' visit to England. For Face Massasre, Shampooing, all Han Treatmerts, and Electrolysis, Mrs Eolleston's is recommended. Spacious Private Rooms, Qualified Assistants, and Personal Attention. Switches and Transformations of every shade a speciality. Hair guaranteed to keep its colour. • 256 Lambton Quay*