WOMAN’S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 125, 19 February 1921, Page 4

WOMAN’S WORLD.

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR.

(By

Imogen.)

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Miss Statham, Auckland, officer in charge of military graves, is at present in Wellington.

Mr. and Mrs. Markman have gone to Australia for a trip.

Miss L. Calvert, of Timaru, who has been visiting Wellington, will leave shortly for Palmerston North.

The Misses Cora and Rose Bellamy, of the Trenthani Military Hospital, who' have been on a visit to Feilding, returned to Trenthani yesterday.

Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Duthie, of Hobson Street, have bought Mr. Pearce’s house at Heretaunga, and have taken up their residence there.

Wellington South Nursing Division has decided to take the cake and pie stall at the forthcoming Citizen Soldiers’ Carnival on March 6, in company with the ladies of the Unitarian Church. Mrs. Preston hones that all members of the division will note this, and do their utmost to make the opening night a great success.

Mrs. David Collins is at Seatoun with her children.

Miss Vera Burns, in company with Mrs Cleghorn, is leaving by the Manama for the United States of America early next month. At present Miss Burns is the guest of Mrs. Harold Beauchamp, “The Grange,” Highland Park, Wadestown.

Miss Francis is spending a short holiday at Muritai.

Mrs. De Castro, who' did useful work when the soldiers and their wives were returning from overseas, is shortly to leave for England, and in order that soldiers and their wives and friends may have an opportunity to say good-bye to her, Mrs. De Castro will be entertained at afternoon tea in the Returned Soldiers’ Club Rooms, Brandon Street, on Monday. A cordial invitation is extended to all who are interested.

Mrs A R. Atkinson, of Wellington, i/on. a visit to Christchurch, and will be the speaker at a gathering to be held in the Masonic Hall this evening tor which invitations have been issued by Mis. Andrew Anderson, president of the Women’s Efficiency league.

Mr H. Gerard and Mrs. Gerard have arrived in Auckland from Samoa. Mr Gerard is secretary to Colonel Tate, the Administrator. \

The engagement is announced of Miss Marjorie Drake, youngest daughter of Mrs A. Drake, Waikawa, Manakau, to Mr.' Cyril A. Chennells, Short Street, Masterton.

Mrs. W. G. Russell and Miss Gwen Russell have returned to Hawkes Bay.

The wedding was solemnised at St. Peter’s Church on Wednesday a * tern °°?’ of Miss Ida Reid Quinn, youngest daughter of Mrs. Quinn, of Wellington, and Mr. Victor Parkin, eldest son of Ml. and Mrs. G. Parkin, also of Wellington. The bride, who was awa y by her brother-in-law. rwore ivory crepe-de-chine frock, daintily embroidered with Oriental fringe Her bouquet was of cream roses and sweet peas The chief bridesmaid, Miss Gwendolyn Parkin (sister of the bridegroom), wore a frock of cameo pink crepe de chine, and a large black net hat, and carried a bouquet of pink roses and carnations. Two little nieces of the bride, Linda Taylor and Kitty Levy, acted as flower girls, and wore accordionpleated dresses of cameo pink georgette and large black hats. Mr. I rank Petrie was best man. After the ceremony the party adjourned to Scott s, Manners Street, where a large number of guests were entertained. During ,the reception, musical items were rendered by Misses' W. Symons and M. Mooney, Messre. Petrie and Beckford, and Kitty and Betty Lovy. Mr. and Mrs. Parkin left later for the north, the bride being dressed in a grey tailored costume and a light grey chenille toque.

Sister Christina and Sister Mary St. Leonards, the former connected with the Napier Convent for seventeen years, and the latter for fourteen years, arrived in Wellington yesterday, en route for Kaikoura, where they will iji future be sta. tioned.

Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Sutherland and Miss Sutherland, of “Ngaipu,” Hinakura, and Kelburn, Wellington, leave in a fortnight’s time on an extended trip to England, Scotland, and France. Mrs. J. D. Lawrence and Mise Lawrence, of Sumner, are leaving for England by the Ruahine.

Captain and Mrs. Munro are visiting Christchurch.

The marriage took place on Thursday, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Henderson, Carter Estatd f Gladstone, of Miss Gertrude Veifa, youngest daughter of Mr. L. S. Downes, of iio Mr. Robert Frank Henderson, seventh eon of Mr. and Mrs. Henderson. The Rev. R. Young, vicar of St. Mark’s, Cartel-ton, officiated. The bride was given away by her father, and her brother, Mr. Erie Downes, was best man 1

Convinced that the big drop in mairiages here during the last few months is due to the high cost of living, former Judge Jacob M. Moses says definitely that women should propose, and he feels certain that they would make a better selection of husbands that men do of wives. This opinion is expressed in the “Central News” of Baltimore. Mr. Meses, who formerly presided over the Juvenile Court: and is a well-known economist and sociologist, puts forward this plea because men tefrain from getting* married on account of their inability to support their wives, whereas if the girls “popped the question” and continued at work until the cost of living became normal the slump in marriages, with its disadvantages socially, would be ended.Youth- is the time to marry, declares .Mr. Moses, and the .£5 a week which he considers the fair estimate of the average weekly wage of the salaried man is sufficient to keep two people. In purchasing power, however, this sum is less than half what it was in 1913, but the J!5 a week to-day, plus the. £2 to .£6 a week which girls and women earn in shops, factories, and offices would support a couple very nicely during the present time of stress. Mr. Moses thinks this h far better way of solving the problem from the standpoint of the welfare of society than for tho young people to prolong their period of courtship, spending their money and their evenings in a mad endeavour to perpetuate the ardours of first love, which should find expression in a mutual purpose worked up in close comradeship by the fireside. On tho question of the women actually proposing, Mr. Moses asks: “Why not?” When a woman knows a man loves her, but is afraid to ask her to marry on account of financial conditions, she is justified in letting him know that she is willing to be n real helpmeet, which virtually means she would help him to meet expenses.

Mrs. Pyit-Jackson left yesterday for Hawke’s Bay.

There passed away earlv on Wednesda morning in her 86th year another of the> early settlers, in the person of Mrs. J; R. Duncan, widow of the late Joseph Rideal Duncan, who came out to New Zealand with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William King Wakefield, on board the ship John Taylor, arriving at New Plymouth on November 28, 1853, says the “Taranaki Herald.” She experienced all the hardships and anxieties associated with the Maori War, and in the 'seventies left for Wellington with, her husband, where they resided for several years, leaving later for Auckland. She returned to New Plymouth a few years ago, and resided there until the time of her death. She was much beloved, and will be deejily regretted by a wide circle of friends throughout the Dominion.

The Boulcott Street Hall was filled with an appreciative audience last evening, when an entertainment was given in aid of the funds of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Boys’ Institute. Miss M'Leod, Mesdames Watkins and M'Gowan were in charge of a sweet stall doing excellent business. The programme was arranged by St. Andrew’s Brightlighta Entertainers, and the first part consisted, of items by the Boys’ Institute orchestra, a piano solo by Miss Edna Mahood, songs by Mrs. Wycherley and Miss Jennings, a character sketch by Miss BettyMenard, and a recitation by Miss MacDonald. The accompanist was Mies Clachou. Tlie second part was the comedietta, “Covey Versus Toosweet, M.P.," the parts being ably taken by: Mrs. Wycherley, Miss C. Blackwood, Miss K. Innes, Mrs. Evans, Miss Fail-brother, Mrs. Rennie, Mrs. J. Hislop, Miss I, Orange, Mies N. Thomson, Airs. Crome, Mrs. J. A. Thomson, Miss M. Thomson, Mrs. Anketell, Mrs. Down ar d, Miss M. Paisley, Miss A. Standidge, Miss Harper.

Mrs. W. F. Massey and: Mies Massey were the guests of honour at a delightful afternoon tea given by the Canterbury Women’s Club before their departure for Wellington. The guests were welcomed by the president, Lady Den. niston, and Mrs. Massey, who was made the recipient of a beautiful bouquet, made a charming little speech in reply. Pianoforte • items were given by Miss Agnes Lawlor, and songs by Mr. Cocka and Miss Olive Thorpe. The accompaniments were played by Mrs. Kendall. Among those present were: Mrs. R. .T. Seddon, Mrs. IV. S. Bean, Mns. Andrew Anderson. Mrs. H. Holland, Mrs. M. C. Keane, Mrs. Pairman, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. IL Tosswill, Mrs. Dickenson, 'Miss Stoddart, Miss Eifright, and Mis. Andrew Wylie.

Mrs. Barbara Bainton, whose marriage to Lord, Headley was reported in a recent cablegram, is a very remarkable woman, and said to be one of tho most interesting of Australian personalities. She has had a remarkably successful business career, being noted for her shrewd investments. She has also wnb ten several books, one of _ which created a literary sensation by its powerfullytold stories of Australian life. Her daughter, Penelope, is the wife of Mr. Harry Gullett, the well-known journalist and war correspondent. The new Lady Headlev is said to possess some of the finest black opals in the world. She has made her home in London for many years past. Kindergarten Appeal.

On March 2 the public of Wellington are to be asked once again to support the work of the Wellington Free Kindergarten Association. Aa these various “days” for various "good works make a demand upon the public, they may wish to know to what use the money was put. In all, the kindergarten financial dealings the council try to make certain • that their investments bring in some return. All subscribers should inspect at least one of the five kindergartens in the city. That should convince them of their value to the city and the Dominion. The free-kindergarten movement not only deals with the children, parents, and district, but it pi-ovides the practical work for students in training. Many of our''supporters are_ naturally in sympathy with helping children who are not richly blessed with the good things of this world, but if they could follow the development of the student during her training, they would not hesitate to send their daughter, if not for the two years’ student course, at least for one year. The full .course of training takes two- years. In the first year students study such subjects as will help a young woman to take intelligent cars of children in a home. The second year is planned to enable her to take charge of a kindergarten, with, possibly, elementary work in primary subjects. The general public know little or nothing regarding this great work of character development both of child and student, yet for both it opens up new views of life and possibilities for greater service to mankind. The council, never have sufficient students in training to fill positions awaiting them. No girl with tho kindergarten certificate has found any difficulty in securing a position, yet * there are children waiting io be admitted in each centre where tnere is a kindergarten because there are not the students to eye for them. A kindergarten opened in Newtown on Febru* ary 1, and in three days lutd to refuse children, as the staff could not cope with more. This gave very evident proof of the need of a kindergarten m that district to enable children to live together and be busy in healthy, happy surroundings. Sometimes children have to wait a year for admission, because of the lack of students. Then, again, sometimes a group of fifteen children can quite happily work together, but in all the kindergartens this year is to be noticed a very marked change in those admitted. It puzzled the staff at first, but they think they have found the solution. It is that these are the children who were babies during the epidemic, and they have suffered considerably, and need much more individual attention. They are lacking in vitality and concernt ration, and, generally speaking, are be« standard. This is a time of reconstruction for the whole Empire. Inis is essentially woman’s work, and one would think that there are some girls who. if unable to go as students, could go as helpers, to help build up hat Ims been, impaired, and to stimulate into activity those powers uhich are at present sleeping. The public are caring for and . educating in its highest sense about tiwo hundred children. By increasing our number of students it would lie just as easy to care for and educate four hundred." Anyone willing to provide a student or a bursary to enable a student to do the training may communicate with Mrs. T. H. Gill, 71 Ellice Street, or Miss Riley, at 196 Taranaki Street.