WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 75, 21 December 1917, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR

(By luoobh.)

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Cheerful Letters. Mrs. Luke, the Mayoress, lias iecoived a largo number of cards f.nd letters from men at tho front, expressing their gratitude for the parcels sent through the Countess of Liverpool's Fund and the Citizens' Gifts Fund. All the writers express their most sincere ami hearty thanks, and one man writes: —"I wonder if the goqd popple in Wellington know low much flieir gifts are appreciated byus all. • Wo only caine out of the firing lines a few days ago (October 27), after a very severe spell, so your gifts were more than usually •welcome. Some qf the things we most liked were Ihe socks. • The weather ha 6 been very bad, and a change into dry socks is highly appreciated by all thoso who are lucky enough to get them." Another soldier says that wliat he enjoyed most was tli'e New Zealand milk and jam. "You wish to know," ho writes, "whether the gifts wero .delivered to the men in the trenches, but trenches are a luxury we have not had for a very long time. Shell holes filled with the bnst Flanders mud are the fashion in this sector 1 As I write this all your pareels are being investigated with (;reat clamour-and enthusiasm." Mrs. Luke has also just received a letter from General Richardson, stating that the 12,000 parcels from Wellington had arrived safely, and would be at once forwarded to the front in time for Christmas. The General writes: "It is very good of you to divert somo of your parcels to units other .than to those to whom they are addressed— otherwise many men would receive none at all, In addition to tho units in my division wo have in various parts of France about 8000 men,,many of whom arc from Wellington. I feel sure the donors of the parcels would be sorry if they knew that these men had not been able to participate in your gifts. Your parcels are highly appreciated by tho men, and on their arrival they are always forwarded to France with the utmost dispatch." These very plain statements from General Richardson must be very gratifying to Mrs. Luke and her tireless band 'f workers, whose minds must now he finally at rest. It is evidently, quite clear' that our men do receive their gifts and thoroughly enjoy them. Red Cross Soldiers' Comforts Fund, The hon, treasurer of tho above fund acknowledges tho following donations received during November and December:—Hastings Red Cross workers, £6; Stratford Red Cross, £10; Mrs. John 'Hutcheson, £2; Miss Coatcs, 10a.; Miss S Nathan, sale of cookery books, £6 65.; Miss C.L.R., £1; Mrt). Joseph I Joseph, £1; 'Nanier Hd'. Cross Shoo, 1 £4; Messrs. J. Nathan and Co., 501b. raisins. Women's National Reserve. On Tuesday the industrial section of tho Women's National Rosorvo met in committee. Dr. Platts-Mills, president, Mrs. Corliss, hon. secretary, Mrs. Tripp, Mrs. Porter, organising secretary, and Mrs M'Laren were prosnnt, and also Mrs, Pearson, tho president of tho Y.W.0.A., and Miss Lawflon, the hon. peoretary. They mat to confer on an important sido of their work ; which was suggested by Dr. Platts-Mills. Sho proposed that consideration should be given to tho question of board and lodging for the largo number of women employees 'of' Wellington, and tho ad, •visabiiity of estnbliehinct canteong and hostels for womfliv worltere.

The Hon. Charles Johnston and Mrs, Johnston returned yesterday from their trip to America. They have taken up their rosidence in their home at Karori, "Holmwood." Miss Payne lists just returned to 'Wellington from a trip to Rotorua and Wangaivui. She will probably remain in town for some time. Quite a large number of people who liavo been on a visit, to Wellington in order to attend the inter-collegiate cricket matches are returning homo. Mr. R. Marshall, of MoUiteiwhai, Marton, ami his two daughters have been staying at the Royal Oak Hotsl. It will be remembered that Ken. Marshall and M. Marriner tied for the championship of the Wangamu Collegiate School at the Easter sports this year. Mrs, and Miss Morris,' of Cameron Road, Napier, who were visiting AVellington for the cricket matches, ;md who were staying at the Royal Oak Hotel, have returned to Hawke's Bay. Mrs, D'Atc.t, of Wanganui, is expeoting'tho return of her son, Selwyn, who,has been on'active, service, hut is now'■invalided. Mrs: Albert Mnrtin and her family aro staying at Titahi , Bay for tho holidays. Miss .Olga,- Carlyon, of Gwavas, Hawke's Bay, has just passed through' Wellington on her return from a very enjoyable trip to Mount Cook. Miss j. Bidwill, who was with Miss Carlyon, has returned to the Wnira'rapa. Mrs. Christie, of Wangamii, and her daughter, Miss Gladvs Christie, 1 are at tho Royal Oak Hotel, awaiting the lirri.val of Dr. Wilson, jun.. who was in the N.Z.M.C. abroad. Miss Christie's marriage to Dr. Wilson will take place shortly. All yestorday the Town. Hall workers were busy packing hampers of extra Christmas cheor for the men in camp at Trontliam. Fruit, almonds, and raisins and cakes were dispatched, a hamper for each hut, for the dinner today.

The "Weaker" Sox. Dr. Dudley A. Sargeant, physical expert at Harvard University, has promulgated a new theory, regarding tho fitness of women for war, and his views are formulated as follow: Pound for pound, the average normal woman in good health can endure more pain, discomfort, and fatigue; and can expend more muscular energy than the average normal man of similar condition. A woman of necessity comes nearer the primitive typo than man. Sho is biologically more of the barbarian, qnd she has therefore more physical endurance. She can undergo many strains the man cannot. Withstanding cold or thirst or hunger or physical privation of any sort, a woman can outlast man. Nine times out of ten a woman from the standpoint of physical endurance should make as good a. soldier an a man,

Tlib bazaar held at the Willis Street School on Tuesday in aid of a patriotic fund by tho children, with Miss Bright as the principal director, netted T,]m handsomo sum of £23 Uβ'. Id, which will be mainly spent in wool, to be made into garments by the pupils for the soldiers in the trenohes.

Tho French Club's concert, held recently in the Town Hall on behalf of the French Red Cross Society, lias resulted in the raising of £39, which will be transmitted to France for tha.t ecciety through the Department of Internal Affairs.

Mrs. Crawford, hon. secretary of the Countess of Liverpool Fund, acknowledges the following donations:* —Manawatu Patriotic Society, £25, towards tho holiday fund for tho Voluntary Nursinc; Sistnrhoodin Egypt; the Dunedin Patriotic Sociaty, £68, for the same fund; and tho Hawera Patriotic Society, £10, for tho Sisterhood; Mrs. Elliot Barton, lion, secretary, Haweni, also forwarded £68 11s. 6d. for the Christmas Comforts Fund, and £10 for the Parcels Fund. The Waitara Patriotic Society has sent £5, so altogether over £250 has already been cabled for tho fnnds of the Voluntary Nursing Sisterhood. Mrs. Crawford also reported that tho Countoss of Liverpool Fund Committee have received a largo number of letters and,postcards from men at the front, acknowledging gifts and parcels and expressing gratitude for tho same.