WOMAN'S WOULD.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 211, 25 May 1918, Page 4

WOMAN'S WOULD.

(BY J.MOQEN.)

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Yesterday's Stroet Day. It would have been difficult to have found a moro iinpronitious day for a street effort of any kind than that of yesterday. Thunder, lightning, and torrential rains at intervals made tho task of street selling and street collecting one , that was little short of heroic. As a rule drenching rains do not make people open-handed, and it is to be feared Hint the Navy League effort for their camudato in the Baby Competition aud the sale of produce and flowers by Mrs. -Manton and her helpers for tho Northland babv did hot realise tho results that might iiavo b«en looked for with eouie certainty had the day been fine. Once a day has been fixed for a street sale it is, however, practically an impossibility to alter it, and it has to take nlaco wet or fine, since tho goods have been sent in for that purpose. Quantities of beautiful flowers had been sent in, and these wero sold, for a tinio. in Messrs. Harcourt'tj auction miirt by Mrs. D. W. Stewart and her helpers, who later on in tho day ventured outside and look up their stand in front of tho Economic; in front of tho Keiburn trmnwaj , Mrs. Lever and her assistants were at work selling flowers also. Homc-mado cakes, jam, pickles, chutneys, etc., also helped to in money, and a salu of Hags by Mrs. F. 51. B. Fisher and her helpers did remarkably well considering the prevailing circumstances. Some sailors in port did excellent service in going round with collection boxes and in whetting people's curiosity in regard to naval mysteries. Not even the Trentham Band, however, could add inspiration to such a day. Mrs.. Hall-Thompson (president of tho Ladies' Auxiliary) assisted at tho depot, and also sold flowers at ono of tho stalls. At Mercer Street corner Mrs. Manson and her helpers were in charge of tho stall for the benefit of the Northland baby. Produce of all kinds, (lowers, and vegetables were sold, and uot oven tho most drenching rains drovo the ladies from their posts. Mrs. Manson had been fortunate in securing quantities of beautiful violets, and, needless to tray, they went very quickly. By the time tho end of the afternoon was reached the stall was practically denuded of its goods, to the great satisfaction of all concerned. For their courage and persistence in carrying out their objects despite such deterrents as were offered liy yesterday's climatic conditions, tho workers for these babies are greatly to bo admired. St. John Ambulance Brigade and Red Cross.

Tho monthly meeting of the SI. John Ambulance '.brigade and Bed Cross Society was hold ill the Star Boating Club on Thursday, there being present: Sir. Seed (in the chair) and Mcsdumes Exloy. Gaby, Helyer, Collett, AV'allis, and Preston (acting-secretary). it was reported (hat the work was still continuing in a most satisfactory inauncr, and over fifty cases of goods were- ready for dispatch. A letter was read from Lieu-(enaiit-Uolouel D. A. Chaytor, officer commanding tiooru in Egypt, thanking Hie coininiliee in anticipation of goods arriviug. Letters had also been received l'rum the matron of Aotea Koine, expressing pleasure for a recent consignluent. Mesdau'cs Exley mul Jlelyia , 'were added to the Badge Committee.

Miss N. Daines, of Meyfield, Blenheim, is visiting Wellington.

Mrs. J. A. Pike (Lower flutt) and Miss Nun Piko arc leaving next week on a visit to Wanganui. The Press Baby Committee acknowledge the receipt of 7s. (id., being tho reunit of a penny raffle, (of a box of handkerchiefs), arranged, by Lena Plimmer and Thelma Snyii-s, ot (ho Clydo Quay School. The.wimttir was Daisy Tail. In connection with tho Thorudon rafflo of a chest and its contents of house linen, a pair of beautiful blankets has bceii given by tho Wellington 'Woollen Company. This raffle of house linen is organised to benefit iho Tuorndon day at tho AVellingtou Ked Cross Shop. A handsome natural musquash fur coat is being raffled in.connection with Tho Terraces Day at the Wellington Red Cross Shop. Tickets are selling rapidly, and the coat, which is a full-length one, satin lined and fiuished in every detail, should satisfy tho heart of any woman who has tho good fortune to win it. Tickets (Is.) may be bought from Mre. Metis, caro of Miss Abraham, or from Sirs. Adams, 96 Tho TciTace, during' the next fciv days. A meotiii" of tho Society for tho Protection of Ayomen aud Children was held yesterday afternoon. Latly Stout, president, presided. There were present: Mesdaiues .1. lvirkculdie, A. Hoby, and Chapman and Miss Parlane. A 'large number of cases which had been investigated were reported upon, and help rendered where necessary, and others are being attended to. The following subscriptions were' acknowledged:—A. P. Palercon and Co., XI Is.; Mrs. W. H. Jloqrliousc, .£1; Sirs. Finch, £1; Mrs. M'Kerrow, JOs.,- . Mis. L. Blundell, 10s.; Sirs. A. Myers, l(k.-. Mrs. Kebble, 5s. > Mrs. Tilly, 55.; Mrs. C. lzard, 55.; Union Clothing Factory, 55.; Thompson Bros., 55.; Mrs. Brice, 55.; Sir. £. Stidolph, 5.5.; C. Hill and Son, 55.; Sliss A. Greenwood, 55.; Sliss Johnston, 55.; Sirs. Donaldson, 55.; "IT.W.H. and C 0.," . r «s.; Mrs. Ilarcourt, 53.

The Island Bay branch of tho Women's National Reserve was in chp.rgo of tho Wellington Bed Cross Shop yesterday, and in spite of the stormy day realised (lie very satisfactory amount of £i'i 15s. Ilome-made cakes, produce, needlework, etc., always iiiid ready purchasers, and yesterday was no exception to the general rule. In charge of the stalls were: Airs. Neale, Mrs. Bruce, Mrs. .Barnard (V.1 , .), Wrs. Boocock (secretary), Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Lowthor, and Mrs. Perry. On Monday evening a concert organised by the Island Bay Women's National Reserve will bo given in aid of the Red Cross and Red Jersey funds. ■

Y.W.CA. Notes. Tho Kev. S. Beckinghara will speak at the Y.W.C.A. service to-morrow. The reminiscences of Welsh life and experience, given by Mr. Beekinghain m his earlier visit to Wellington adds to tho anticipation of this service. Tho servicewill bo open to Y.W.C.A. members, and girls who are strangers aro specially invited to como and to stay for tho social hour and tea at tho closo of tho service. During the past month the entertainment jwi't of tho programme for the "souinls" held-at thu Y.W.CA.. on Saturday ovcnii)!,'.s lias been provided by Miss Picktlwll, Mrs. Percy Woods, Hiss Still, and the Misses Clark, it will be provided this evening by Mis-s Clarke .lohnson, when soldiers will bo welcome. Of all the countries in the world where tho Y.W.C.A. exists, perhaps it is in Franco that it makes tbi> most rapid advance. The towns aro full of women's auxiliary army corps. Girls aro being sent out in hundreds every week to Vranco to relieve men for the trenches. They are in Inliour camps with their cosmopolitan inlnbitauts, cooking, serving, doing forestry work. A visit to a lonelv enmp in Franco not very far from tho firing lino will make this clear, llcro W.A.A.C.'s have been introduced, and work very hard for long hours. At the end of their day's work there is'nothing to look forward to but a walk in muddy lanes or an hour's reading of such old books or newspapers as thoy can obtain,. One. day llieso girls will find next to their camp tho beginning of some kind of erection, and gradually thoro appears a Y.W.C.A. Hut with a blue trianglo nailed to tho front. A shout of gladness 1 goes up from tlio girls, for this will mean rest, comfort, amusement, and, above all, friendship to the lonely girl who is far from home. Chairs i'.nd tables begiu to arrive, with cushions and other things that bring comfort. The Y.W.C.A. secretary's cheery presence gives tho homb (oiicli. Concerts and other wholesome entertainments are. arranged, and thus tho need of one group of girls is met. iho Y.W.C.A. has over thirty huts in Franco and many inoro in England, and they aro all urgently needed. The Hon. Emily Kinnninl, vice-president of the world YW.C.A. writes: "The Y.W.C.A. has stood the test of tho terriblo modern emergencies. It lias moved with tho time, and is meeting tho needs of to-day with . enorgv, pluck, and understanding."

Work at St. Dunstan's Hostel. The splendid work being dono in tho interests of blind soldiers and sailors at St. Dunstan's Hostel, England, is mentioned by Sir Arthur Pearson, the founder, in a letter to the Bed Cross Committee of tho Victoria League, Auckland, in which ho acknodledges the receipt of ,£SOO forwarded by the committee. The writer states that the reeducation and training of these men who have mado such a great sacrifice is proceeding in a manner that surpasses tho most sanguine expectations ]ie had formed when St. Duiistaii's was started, and mentions that those who have left the institution, with scarcely an exception, aro taking up their lives anew with a confidence and ability that seemed cjuito impossible to them in tho early days ol their handicap. With tho prolongation of the war, be says, the numbers of those who have been called upon to join the "dark" regiment aro increasing with sad rapidity, and to properly train iiud equip each of these bravo men for a career of usefulness will entail very heavy expenditure. Such, generous assistance as the committee has given the fund is therefore most encouraging and very deeply appreciated, concludes the. letter.

Dr. and Sirs. Sinclair, Taihape, aru visiting Napier. Major IT. N. Harvey, N.Z.M.C., and Mrs. Harvey, who have been spending a few days at Kutonia, left for Napier on Thursday. Major Harvey recently returned from tho front after having been away for nearly four years. Tho many friends of Sirs. H. M. Boddington, of Masterton, will greatly regret to hear that advico has been received announcing the death in action in 'France, on April 0, of her youngest brother, Corporal Louis Wilson; of the South African Sharpshooters (a corps raised and equipped by Sir Abo Bailey, a South African millionaire). The members of tho South African Sharpshooters are nil picked expert riflo shots, and detailed for sniping duty only. They have been on service for over two and a half years. Mrs. Nisbet has returned to Duucdin from a brief visit to Wellington. The Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions, in Clmstcliurch, will to-day and on Sunday celebrate the golden jubilee of their convent. The first convent 1 in Chrietchurch was commenced in 18GS by four pioneer Sisters, who came- from the mother house of their Order in Lyons. They opened th« first Catholic Girls' School with an attendance of sixty pupils, in «■ wooden building near the site of the present convent. >

An ingenious descriptive title has been 'discovered in l'lnglnml for tho Church Army. It is "Charmy." This constitutes mi admirable appellation, attractive to the eye and Suggestive- to tho mind of. 6omet'hiug particularly inviting {This name was first applied to the. new Church Army Club Bestanrnnt facing Marble Arch, London.' It has boon point, cd out that it could be advantageously used in connection with the Church Army's war Work campaign in New Zealand. Indeed, it is thought that tho term is likely to come into general xiso here. Mrs. Guy Mace and' her two children are staying at Miss Malcolm's. Airs. Mawley (Ditton, Maslerton) is slaying at Miss Malcolm's. Miss H. Elder has left for Sydney to meet her brother, Lieutenant K. lilder. Miss Fanny Dur'ack and Miss_ M'ma Wylie, the two most brilliant swimmers Australia has yet produced, arc visiting America to compete iu the American championship. Miss Mary Durack, a sister of Miss Fanny Durack, accompanied them as chaperone. Mrs. Fulton and Miss Monica Fulton have returned to Wellington from Christchurch.