CURRENT GOSSIP.

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 149, 12 March 1923, Page 3

CURRENT GOSSIP.

The Dominion Office, Wellington, March 12, 1923' rHE other day 1 read in one of the news papers a story about an old man—not so very old either—in a railzvay train. He was explaining the zvhy and the wherefore of his presence on the train. He said that his zvife was a "fair 101x0/’ for housework, so every nozv and then he took five pounds in his pocket and zvent off to get out of the sound of the interminable chores. All this sounds harsh and brutal, but there is a moral to it. I believe it is just possible that some men may get heartily sick of seeing their zvives everlastingly pottering about the house—never done, ahvays picking up a broom, or a duster, or meditating a change round of the furniture. In these servantless days that sort of thing doesn’t do, really. A man likes to come home sometimes and find zuaiting for him, not a super-heated being zvho zvarns him to zvipe his feet before he comes into the house, but a nice refreshedlooking vision, rested calm, smiling, mentally and physically ■relaxed, and prepared to listen to him or enliven the evening for him. That looks an impossible vision without a servant. But it can be done if a zvoman makes up her mind io do it. And the effort is zuorth it —don’t you think? ’ Sincerely, x MARGOT.

It is only by labour that thought Can ba made healthy, and only by thought tiliat labour can bra made happy—-and the two cannot ho separated with impunity. 3 a “Chances are not given. They aro taken.” K "X- ’*■ . . A wise rule of conduct, under which a man conquers a woman’s weeping by running away from it.” 3 "tS" ,7 A man of experience flies from a small rosebud mouth as from the devil; a large mouth is the certain sign of goodwill and understanding in a woman.” „„ 3 3 3 Most women when they’re married forgot to adapt themselves and to please . . . that’s their job.” 3 3 3 The Chocolate Bowl, Willis Street, is in tho midst of a busy centre and i» a convenient rendezvous for business men and women. Delicious light lunchqs are served there now. Sandwiches, cakes and bread and butter, fruit g.alad, tea, coffee, and chocolate. Morning and afternoon tea, suppers, and special suppers may be ordered by ringing telephone 1695. Tho loungo is comfortable, prettily fdecorated, and th© service of the best. 3 3 3 If a''business house advertises “something” for “almost nothing” ask before you buy, why so anxious to sell. 3 3 3 Tapestry has come into fashion again in Paris, whether as a covering for chairs, or as wall ornaments, or merely as pictures. This is not the Gobelins or Beauvais tapestry, which is beyond the reach of the ordinary person, but tapestry made on frames at home and after more or less consecutive designs. A good deal of it relapses ultimately into mere wool-work which is all too reminiscent of the worst Victorian period. Other women are. however, taking it really seriously and reviving beautiful fine old stitches and laying groat stress on designs specially made for them. On the whole there is a tendency towards quaintness and simplicity of the kind shown in the Bayeux tapestries. A good deal of the modern trend in art lends itself to this simplification and archaicism. The favourite stitch is the one-way stifeh. which later was succeeded btihe cross-stitch, but which gives a much finer impression than its thickerlooking successor. 3 3 3 Empires based only on terror do not last. , . ■ 3 3 C 3 Thu ball had gojto over the railings, as balls will in suburban gardens, and a small but unabashed payer appeared at the front door to ask for it. Then appeared an irate father: “Ho—dare you show yourself at my house? llow dare you ask for vour ball? Do you know you nearly killed one of my children with it? “But you’ve got ten children, saM the logical lad, “and I’ve only got one football.” •> 3 3 3 A good salesman, never argues with a prospect, lie sticks to facts arid keeps his mind on the merchandise ho has to sell. 3 3 3 Coconut oil nourishes the hair and scalp, keeps away dandruff and promotes growth. A splendid emulsified coconut oil shampoo is stocked by J. It. McKenzie at one and six and two and six a bottle. 3 3 3 People like to shop whore the surroundings are bright and cheerful shopping, particularly to the ladips, in an evqnt to be looked forward to usually with much pleasure. 3 3 3 The introduction of colojir into ths home through the medium of china is although costly, extremely beautiful. Probably the most radiant examples of porcelain are to be found among the manv types of gorgeous lustre ware. The illusive, rich, metallic bloom is of such. exceptional interest that, combined with brilliant and dazzling colours, it goes far to make lustre ware the most popular of all decorative china. TJsfid as metal or table ornaments there is nothing to approach it for Harmonious picturesqueness, buyer lustre ware bowls lined with U?', lustre and touched here and there with specks of jet black are most attracr tive on old-fashioned polished side tables. Ruby or plum shade lustre should be avoided in all W water. The glaze of th s colour is not very durable, and water will very soon cause the piece to become valueless from a decorative point or vicw ’ 3 3 Money doesn’t spell success—it depends Qi' How you make it. 3 3v- 3 . Jim—“ Emmie ’Arris—Bill’s missus you know—throwed herself off end of the wharf last night. ) Tom i > did she? Poor Em! Jim V,; and a copper fished er out agiun. Tom (with intense feeling) Poor BiU! ” 3 3 3 . To have the eyebrows plucked is the fashion. The Louvre (Miss El hot) Boom 14, Second Floor. McCarthy s Buildings, 50 Willis Street, makes a specialty of this. Now that the bathing season is nearly over hair will need attention. Camomill Shampoo s for brightening fair hair, henna glints to bring out the lights of dark hair. Germicidal and hot oil shampoos are beneficial for dry scalps. 3- 3 6 Cast in so slight' and exquisite a mould, so mild and gentle, so pure and beautiful, that earth seemed not her element, nor its rough creatures her fit copanions. 3 3 ® Pessimist: A man who expects to get the worst of it sooner than the rest of us. 3- 3 3 The labour of taking stair-rods out of thoir sockets and replacing -them whenever it is desirable to remove the carpet has been obviated by an ingenious little device which holds tlm carpet firmly in place but moves up or down as required. To all this invention n stair-rod is norln'ps a misnomer • it is better described as a carpetholder, and is a small length of decorated metal which projects at each side of the carpet. Once screwed in place these carpet-holders need never bo removed. They are simple to fix, do not require cleaning, and have the further advantage of being cheap in price. At first sight the eye, being accustomed to tho ordinary stair-rod. finds the space of carpet between the fasteners rather bare, but one soon appreciates the innovation, which shows off the eaipet to better advantage. This little device is made in a number of designs and in various metals. Some of the patterns aro quite distinctive, and all are eminently suitable for the Purpose for which they have been mado. 3 8” 3 I think it takes a great deal from a woman’s modesty, "oing into public life; and modesty is her greatest charm. —(Mrs. Ward Beecher). 3 3 3 Knicker: “Jins Jones upturned to his pro-war work?'' Booker: “Yes, he is looking for tho ...gain© 40b he was looking for.”

The lure of antique jewellery takes us to McKennas’ Antique Shop, 245 Upper Willis Street. Everything in the shop is old and quaint, and therefore, delightful. Some-new jewellery has just arrived —an old French watch with rich enamel work. A pearl and turquoise necklet, a collarette of turquoise beads and seed pearls. Very old onyx ear-rings. A string of garnets with heavy gold filegree clasp. Filegreo gold bracelet set with carbuncles, jade bracelets, a number of ear-rings in gold and coral and various ornaments in old French I’asto. 3- 3 3 Only the knowledge wo seek Has any influence upon us. 3 3 3 Appendicitis: A modern pain costing about a hundred guineas more than our grandparents’ stomach-ache. 3- 3 3 Mechanical cleansing materials, such as natural soda, wood ash. and potash, were already in use by the Egyptians. But tho first use of soap as such is mentioned by the elder Pliny, who states that it is a blend of tallow and ash —in tho best sorts, of goat-tallow and beech ash. It was introduced to Rome by the victorious Goths from Germany, and its first use was for the purpose of dyeing the dark locks of fashionable Roman ladies to a blonde colour. This shade became imperative for smart Roman beauties after the Goths conquered the city and their fair hair was first seen in Italy. Galen, writing in the second century a.d.« begins to refer to this German soap as a cleansing rather than a dyeing material. To improve the effect qt the soap by the use of calcined lime in tho preparation of ash-lye was invented 111 Germany, where much flax was cultivated. Charlemagne, in- arranging for the introduction of fresh plants on the crown lands in the ninth century, addrcescs himself directly! tv Soapboilers, so that it seems as though even at this early stage, soap-boiling was an industry and not merely an activity of the housewife at home. In France and Italy, especially in Marseilles and Venice, the soap industry developed greatly, and the first definite receipt for the preparation of hard soap from potash-lye, olive oil. and common salt dates from the middle of the seventeenth century. French scientists then investigated the nature of fats and the process of saponification, and so prepared the way for the enormous development of the soap industry during tho last decades. 3 3 3Boredom causes folk to spy into other folks’ private affairs. 3-3 3 ‘You’ve been to Bangkok?” “Yes.” . ‘lt must be a quaint city. What did vou see there?” ‘Well, there .was a pretty good Chaplin film at one of the movio houses.” 3 3 3 Complete neiv stocks of women’s and misses smart Autumn attire are nu j' r being shown by Hayward Ltd. Perhaps your fancy lies in a smart three piece suit, or in a distinctive tricotine or soft silk crepe gown for street wear. Again, a coat in one of the rich new fabrics may best fit your needs. Possiblv it is some exquisitely draped and filmy creation in a dinner gown or a luxurious evening wrap that you wish. Whatever you desire, you will find in the exclusive assembly of new autumn apparel which Hayward’s now present for your approval. For authenticity of lino, quality of fabric and originality of design, this apparel will delight the most discriminating and critical matron equally as much as the young girl who leaves” the piquant, the youthful, tho mode that is always different. 3 3' cLet falsehood, liko a discord, anger you. 3 3 3. Novel variations of sleeve styles continue to appear; there is no lack of originality, although sonic are revivals of ipast-day fashions. The handkerchief sleeve—niucli wider than its precursor and open to the elbow along the inner seam to reveal a bright lining —is being used once more on day frocks. A model showing these sleeves had a handkerchief made of the lining material attached to tho end of a ■girdle in place of a tassel. Mitten sleeves, which, as their name suggests, are skin-tight, are given a touch of novelty in having V-shapcd. scarf-pieces attached to the elbows. Sleeves on rest-gowns are really enormous scarves which sweep the floor when the arms aro held down, and finish in bands of fur. It is quite immaterial whether the sleeves on suits be narrow or wide, so long as they are definitely one or the other. Anything that could be classified between the two is out of date—for the moment. A really effective coat-sleeve appears—from the front view—to be in mitten form, but has a wing-like piece that flutters from the seam and presents a wide lino when seen from the back. The world I hate is tlie rule-of-thumb world. —H. G. Wells. 3 3 3 “Did you have any difficulty with your French in Paris?” “No—but the French people did.” 3 3 3 An excellent selection of d nner services is now on view at Wedgwood House, the china shop near Government Buildings. The patterns are most attractive and include the fashionable black chock and Derby decorations, Wedgwood’s blue willow, and manv others. With such a to choose from little difficulty should be' experienced in suiting any colour scheme. Prices range from five pounds. 3.3 3 It is a curious fact that of all. the illusions that beset mankind none i? quite so curious as that tendency to suppose that we are men tally and morally superior to those who differ from us in opinion.

The romance of early days is recaptured in the inodes of to-day, for some of tho gowns are distinctly early victor ian iu their fashioning. Gold lace formed a background for frills or reseda, green georgette which fashioned tho slightly hooped skirt. Tho bodice is discreetly high, and stiff 'little flowers decorated the waistband with trails of gold ribbons. This frock is most original, and one could vision a demure little miss with smooth hair and long earrings wearing it. Jade marocain, simple as the other gown is elaborate, has for its trimming silver and white beads. Clover pink marocain which adopts the cuirass bodice heavily beaded is a very handsome gown and most uncommon. A nut-brown marocain has a battlement edge outlined with bronze nailheads, which is one of the most modish of the present-day trimmings. A nut-brown hat of picketedged ribbon completes this gown at Miss Samson’s, Colonial Mutual Buildings. 3 3 3 Repartee: Insult in evening dress. 3 3 3 If we are ever damned it will not bo because we have loved too much, but because we have loved too little. 3 3 3 Really hot water can be obtained at any hour of the day’ or night if you heat your supply with gas. With the average coal range boiler, baths have to be taken when the water is hot and not when the bather feels inclined for a bath! In some families even now “bath night” is still an institution which may come twice in the week or possibly only once. But with the gas heater water supply, baths and hot water for washing purposes of all -kinds can be had at any time, and endless trouble and worry are saved in case of illness or accident. 'Hie same thing applies to tlie general working and management of a house. For washing up you can have an instantaneous water heater over tho sink. For washing you have a copper which neither smokes or sends out sodt, is ready when you are, and does not waste time or fuel. The same thing applies to gas fires —a room can bo warmed in a few minutes, and when not in use the gas is turned out, which solves tho difficulty of. leaving a nre burning in an unoccupied, room. The winter is almost here, and to ensure warmth and comfort for the cold' months communicate with the Wellington Gas Company. _ 3 3 3 Live teaching is hard worh. 3 3 3 “Robbie,” said the visitor kindly, “have you any little brothers and sisters?” . , , “No,” replied wee Robbie solemnly; “I’m all the children we have got.” 3 3 3 For cut ,apd style and economy in price, George Anderson, 220 Lambton Quay, will give you excellent service. Ladies can take their own materials to be made up in taiileurs, coat frocks and top coats. 3 3 3 Tho best way to improve your mind is to associate with bigger minds. Seekyour superiors, not your interiors. 3 3 3 Frugality: The art of Doing mean without meaning to be. 3 3 3. A pattern department is a mosv necessary adjunct to a large emporium like James Smith, Wellington, ana they have taken the Exlcelia pattern agency, of which they have the sole right. These patterns are simple, accurate, easy to fellow, and each one gives a cutting laj’-out with full instructions and the amount of material necessary for the garment. A construction lay-out. is given also, which is such a tremendous help to tlie amateur dressmaker. Lt shows exactly how the garment is put together, which simplifies things considerably. A quarterly journal, price one and six, gives complete illustrations of all the new season’s fashions in every possible garment for all ages and for all figures. Transfers are also procurable, and exquisite designs for working household linens, infants’ ami children's clotnes are among the many illustrations. A monthly Ifixcella fashion is given away, and this gives illustrations of the last word in fashion, depicting the very latest vogue of the month as worn in Paris, London and New York. When writing for a pattern don’t forget to give bust, and hip measurement, and always buy the correct amount of material mentioned on the pattern. To ensure success, follow the instructions exactly. 30 3 3 Mum: A little word used in addressing a lady; appropriate because of the sex’s well-known love of silence. 3 3 3 Bluff: About the only thing one can’t put up at a pawnshop. 3 3 3 To-day, to-morrow, every day, there’s a little' battle going on in tlie minds of most women. It is the light to overcome the unmistakeable marks left by advancing years, marks that tell age sooner than the calendar. The watchful woman is on guard against grey hair. The minute the silvery danger signals are noticeable, she is alert. Grey hair comes to different women at different times. More than likely you are in one of its stages now. That’s not unusual, because four out of every five women are grey or have been grey. Miss Elder, of the Boudoir Camille, can give .vou advice on how to eradicate or prevent grey hair. She can convince you that there is no need to have grey or faded hair, and after all, why not keep young and frosh as long as possible. In business grey hair is a drawback. You are stamped as middle-aged and you hav© to dress accordingly and wear tni-Jdle-age colours. Another drawback is that it seems to drain all brightness and colour from the eyes and skin and you appear faded. Inoctb is easy, quite healthy, and cannot be detected. Make an appointment with Miss Elder, Boudoir Camille.

Scientists sav that sleeping outdoors makes one beautiful. At Jasti Now wo know how to account for iho tramp’s charming appearance.

-jj- a 6' Ona satisfied customer is worth a hundred disappointed customers —even though you mako more money on the hundred. 3 3 3 If it’s not worth trade-marking, it is hardly worth possessing. 3 3 3. There is more than ono way of building a reputation, but in business the surest way is io give service and sell only that' which will please your customers. „ 33 . 3 It isn’t what your neighbours say—it’s what you do. How to dress the schoolgirl comfortably, suitably and economy, is always a question for the busy mother who lias to send her children to school looking neat and trim. Te Aro House aro making a specialty of top-coats and headgear to match for the winter months for the jeune fille. These coats aro excellent value in good velours, with and without fur collars. In navy blue, brown, fawn and grey, with wrap collars, belts and pockets, at fifty-five shillings io eighty-nine, and ninepence. A number of diiferent sizes ar© stocked. Smart little tam-o’-shanters to match in brushed wool with hand-crochet silk and’ tassels or pom-poms are eleven and nine. Others ar© six and elevenpence and four and elevenpence all smart and becoming shapes. 3 3 3 Gold: A precious metal once known to have occupied British pockets, but now transferred to American mouths. 3 3 Lindsay’s, Ltd., age right in the midst of one of their successful sales. Everything is down to cost price, ana now is a good time to buy iu a stock of reliable footwear. This firm keeps one of the best and most up-to-date stocks in the Dominion, and to make room for tho new winter goods everything over from last season must be sold. I saw splendid bargains in smart footwear. A black patent English. Oxford shoe with Louis heel is reduced from fifty-seven and six to thirty shillings; two-colour strap shoes with flat heels, so much in vogue and in seveial different colours, are reduced right down to cost. Evening shoes in satin and brocade, Court shoes for daj' and evening wear in glace and patent leather, children’s boots and shoes, arc being greatly reduced, also girls and boys* school boots. It would bo as well not to leave your shopping too late, as some of the most desirable makes will probably sell out quickly. 3 Absence: A condition which makes the heart, grow fonder of—Absence. 3 3 3 Some of the latest sleeve models are marvellous affairs; they are pagoda or “bishop” in form and have quantities of frills and ruchings running round the edge —or several bands of fur. Hanging sleeves —again the nioyen apo” outline —are coming in; they have already appeared on velvet coats and on dresses. Scarcely to be rccqmimended for warmth, but very striking on a winter coat of velour, were sleeves deeply slashed for at least nine inches along the front. The very latest wraps have only one sleeve — tho left side forms a cape. 3 3 3 As surely as the winter approaches Conies the need for smart gowns for afternoon, reception, and bridge. Grey fox fur makes an excellent trimming for a black chiffon velvet gown with long lines. The low-waisted frock lends itself to pure harmonies of line and colour. Brown marocain has a wide tucked band forming the. low waistlino and long sleeves. Black velvet beaded in white with bishop sleeves of 'v/hitc georgette has a distinctly mediaeval aspect. Navy blue velveteen has a panel cf beading down one side which makes an excellent foil l for the rich material. Beaver is going to be one of the most fashionable colours for this season, and an exquisite beaver georgette is heavily beaded with bronze and has a gracefully-draped sleeve. A seasonable gown is ono in nigger brown fine sergp with inset panels of georgette embroidered in null cold thread and the skirt finely box-pleated. These gowns especially imported for Caste! Jaloux, Ltd. Also one can always purchase a hat to match the gown at this same house. 3 3 3 Women voted 2000 years ago. This has been proved by recent excavations at I’ompeii. 3 3 3 Cool breezes are warning us that the season for summer frocks is nearly over and that we must turn our attention to warm garments and winter sports. Informal garments in woollen jerseys aro correct wear, and 1 saw particularly enticing ones at George and Doughty’s. Smart and distinctive, these sports costumes have the added merit of being exceedingly moderate in price. Mole , with heliotrope on collar and cuffs and also set in the ribbed skirt is very smart for five pounds twelve and six. This costume has a roll collar. Another design has a most cosy appearance with a collar fastening right up to the neok. This one is five iiounds ten, and can be had in such colours as niole, beaver, brick, and nigger. Thick wool cardigans have for their decoration bands of orange, and some delightful sports coats in extra large sizes are fashioned of heavy silk in dainty colourings and very suitable for indoor wear. 3 3 3 Synonym: What you use when yon can’t spell the word” you ought to use. 3 3 3 For wedding presents there is no firm to equal It. P. Edwards and Sons, Ltd., hardware and china merchants, 32 Willis Street and Palmerston North. They sell only gowns of dependable quality and at prices to satisfy the most exacting. They recommend for Easter wedding gifts, Doulton or “Atlas” china tea sets, a beautiful jardinicr, Byzanta floating bowl, Doulton salad bowls, copper kettles and crumb trays, copper afternoon tea trays, dinner service, stainless knives, Al silver spoons and forks, set aluminium saucepans, silver cake basket and entree dish, oak clock, oak trays, oak cake-stands, etc. These articles can be bought to best advantage from the above well-known reliable firm. 3 3 3 Velveteens, both those intended for use as dress material and those specially designed for covering furniture, can now be obtained dyed in colours that are not affected by rubbing. This is a notable advance, because the great objection to the use of vclveiotn, especially for upholstery, was that it so’oh showed the marks of us©. The new process will make velveteen very popular for furniture covers, because it is a rich fabric which always looks well and is most durable. Now that tho bloom on the material will stand being crushed without showing a lighter patch, chairs and settees will be covered with ib far more frequently. The dyeine: process is a very important part of the manufactiu'o of velveteens, lin'd it may be said without fear of oontiadiction that velveteens dyed in the neighbourhood of Manchester are superior to all others.