WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3009, 21 February 1917, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OP INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR,

(Br Imogen.)

SOCIAL AN© PERSONAL Opening of the Plunliet Conference. After tlio formal opening of the conference of tlio Eoyal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women ami Children by His Worship the Mayor in tlio Accountants' Chambers yesterday afternoon, a very pleasant adjournment was made to the tea rooms of Kirkcaldie and Stains' establishment, where tho visiting delegates and a number ef Wellington guests interested in tho work of the society were entertained at afternoon tea by the Welliagton Committee. In all, the party numbered over a hundred, and tha hostesses of tho occasion were distinguished by wearing the badges of the society. The tables wero arranged with red and white flowers, and at the table occupied by the president of the Wellington Society (Mrs. Algar Williams) were delegates who have hitherto taken a prominent part in the work of the society in this country. Among tho guests were Miss Maclean (assistant inspector of hospitals), Miss Stott, (acting-matron of the Wellington Hospital). Dr. Edith Huntley, Mrs. 0. W. Russell, Miss Phoebe Myers (Council of Education), and other representative visitors. At the opening of the conference apologies for their unavoidable absence ivero read from Their Excellencies the Governor and the Countess of Liverpool, Ladv Stout, and the Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke).

Women as Drovers. The Australian busli girl has probably 110 peer in the world as a horsewoman (says an exchange). The sidesaddle has quite disappeared now, not only in the bush, but in tho cities and towns. By consent, the custom has quite excused the change. When women began to straddle the horse as a man there were pruderies who saw serious inroads upon modesty, and even parsons were moved to sermonise about it. All that has entirely disappeared, and tho side-saddle now is so scarce as to -be almost a rarity. In the bush the Australian girl on horseback is extremely useful. She is evnn more so as the war has drained so many of | our sons. Drover Stuart, of South Australia, has been ably assisted for years by his daughters. They are declared to bo as expert as any males doing that class of work. No horso is too wild, and no country too rough to stop them. Averaging 10 and 12 hours a day in the saddle, they assist to take mobs from remote inland districts dtirfn to the Adelaide market, and have been at the gamo for years. They aro well educated, too, and are not afraid of any ordinary society. Mrs. Theomin and Mrs. George (Duncdin) aro staying at the Midland Hotel. Dr. and Mrs. Hope Gibbon (Wanganui) aro staying at the Royal Oak Hotel. Mrs.' Bloomficld (Auckland) is tho guest of Mrs. Arthur Myers. Mrs. Newman (Timaru) is representing that district at the Plunket Conference in the place of Mrs. Elworthy, who was unablo to attend. ; Dr. and Mrs. Truby King, who have com© to Wellington to attend tho Hunket Conference aro staying at Mrs. Facer's, Hawkcstonc Street. Mrs. Black, of Waiiuate, one of tho delegates to the Plunket Conferenco now taking placo in Wellington, is the guest of Mrs. W. Anderson, Shannon Street. 'Mrs. Chilton (Christchurcb) is staying with Mrs. West, Bolton Street, during the timo she is. attending tho Plunket Conference. Tho Camp Commandant at Trentham acknowledges receipt of the following gifts:—l'or the troops in camp: From Nelson Patriotic Society, per Mr. W. Snodgrass, 63 cases, tomatoes. For tho Camp Hospital: From Mr. T. E. Eodda, Havelock North, 5 cases peaches; from Mr. Thomas Clark, Eskdalo, Napier, 3 cases lemons. Lady Allen (ono of tho Plunket delegates) is staying at Miss Malcolm's. Mrs. Henry Wood (Napier) is visiting her mother, Mrs. St. George (Masterton). Miss Wollwood QJawko's Bay) is tho guest of Mrs. Gillies, Otaki. Mrs. D. Eiddiford (Marfan) has been spending a few days with Mrs. Bethell (Pahau Pastures) on her return from a visit to Mount Cook. Mrs. Gaisford (Bulls), who acompauied her, has been the guest of Mrs. Martin (Culverden). An interesting evening at the Returned Soldiers' Club may bo looked for on Thursday, when Major Lampen will give a lecture dealing with HghW aspects of the war. It is not long since Major Lampen returned from the fighting in. Franco, and the opportunity of hearing tho rosults of his observations and experiences while there is likely to be taken full advantage of by mem- . hers and friends. Mr. and Mrs. P. Black, of Remucra, Auckland, and Mrs. A. W. Gould, Ohalninc, are visiting Wellington, and aro staying at tho Royal Oak Hotel. Miss Estello Beere, School of Dancing, 7G Hill Stret, notifies in our professional column that alio resumes teaching at 'her studio on Saturday, March 3.

Army Nurses in Hospital. Tho hospital and ' progress report which was issued yesterday contained tho names of tho following members of tlio N.Z.A.N.S. at tho front, under the heading of "not sovcro" cases: —Sister M. C. Lowe, 22/35 (Mrs. A. E. Lowe, Tai Tapu, Christchurch); Nurso V. It. R. Bayly, 22/100 (Miss J. Bayly, Auckland, 'sis.); "Nurse A. Keith, 22/193 (Mrs. A. T. Bradley, Church Street, Seatoun, Wellington); Sistor K. P. Kitching, 22/135 (Mrs. C. R. Grant, Island Cliff, sis.); Nurso 0. Malcolm, 22/252 (Mrs. A. P. Malcolm, Gisborno, m.); Nurse N. Sullivan, 22/348 (no next-of-kin. given); S.-Nurso E. Tuko, 22/2GS (Miss M. Tuko, Epsom, s.). Military Medals for Women. The award of tho Military Medal to six ladies, fivo of whom aro trained nurses (says tho "Hospital"), is the first occasion on which this medal has been granted to womon. - Their inclusion was effected by Royal Warrant dated Juno 21, which provided that tho Military Medal may, in exceptional circumstancos, on the special recommendation of a Commander-in-Chief in the field, bo awarded either to British women or to foreign persons who have shown bravery and devotion under fire. Pour of tho nurses now honoured were reported as wounded in tho casualty lists of August 17. Their names are Matron M. M. Tttnley, R.R.C., Q.A.1.M.N.5.; Sisters Beatrice, A. Allsop, and Norah Easeby, Q.A.I.M.N. S.R.; and Staff Nurse Jean S.. Whyte, T.P.N.S.; Staff Nurae Ethel Hutchinson, Q.A.1.M.N.5.R., has also been awarded the Military Medal. Matron Tunley was trained at Leeds General Infirmary, Miss Whyte at tho WesternInfirmary, Glasgow, Miss Allsop ■ and Miss Easeby at St. Thomas's Hospital, and Miss Hutchinson at the London Hospital. All have been serving in France, and Matron _ Tunley lias been twice mentioned in dispatches, and has received the Royal Red Cross, firstclass.

A silver "medal of honour" for services in connection with zymotic diseases has been awarded to Miss Dell, an English nurse attached to tho Military Hospital No. id, at Vichy (Prance). Mrs. A. C. H. Collins and Mrs. R. H. George (Now Plymouth) have left for Auckland to attend tho wedding of their sister, Miss Devore, to Mr. Austin Bewley, which takes place on Thursday.