CURRENT GOSSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 54, 28 November 1923, Page 3

CURRENT GOSSHIP.

"Dominion” Office, ■■ Wellington, November 28, 1923. /7’ seems now that we havegno alternative but to lay aside our shimmery parly frocks and bran-new little summer hats hud religiously confine our activities to our rightful place—the kitchen. Cool, green seas may tempt us, bathing-suits be lined up in glorious array in every shop zvindow —but their beguiling is of no avail. We must roll up our sleeves, put on our plain and serviceable little cretonne aprons and betake ourselves to the business of getting ready for Christmas, There are darkbrown and dangerous-looking cakes to ice, thimbles, bachelors’ buttons (as if they ever had any!) and threepenny bits to be stirred vigorously into that supreme mystery of the culinary art the Christmas pudding. All this is zvearing work for the arm. mind and conscience of a woman —not to mention the eventual effect on the digestions of her family. But it is at Christmas time that a zvoman's heroic qualities are weighed in the balance and usually found to be very much overweight. She can’t turn a corner zuithout encountering some shop windozu brilliant zvith those frivolously pretty unnecessaries which arc more tempting to the average zvontan than pink candy pigs zvith blackcurrant eyes zvould be to her small daughter. Does she give in ? On the contrary, she hurries past with averted eyes and finds sanctuary in the' unromantic but safe recesses of some shop zvhere zvisc housezuives can expend their allowance in butter, flour, raisins and lemon peel. And then its ten chances to one that her pudding goes down in the middle! Pessimistically. MARGOT.

Silence is the fenco around wisdom, if is’ 'g' “How do we hear?” asks a scientist. Someone tells a friend, and tells him not to tell. And the friend of the teller tells a friend of ours, who tell us. That’s how we hear. in a recent case the Courts decided that spirit mediums were not entitled to take a legacy left to them Spirit distillers, however, continue to take all they can get. „„ , * * The latest novelty from Paris is a cigarette holder with ash tray attached. For ourselves, we prefer io stick to the time honoured lie that cigarette aMi is good for carpets. k a “Always look at your audience,” is the advice given by an eminent authority to singers. That’s right, then you can see what’s coming in time to dodge it.

•8 a a Just four more weeks and dear old Santa Claus will be shouldering his packs again. Dad is going to hang up a sock, because at breakfast time ho said, “Look here! you youngsters, if there are any Christmas boxes knocking around make mine a decent sized cup —one that won’t rasp the skin off my lips.” Whereupon mater made pathetic referenco to the cherished Douton salad bowl that the cat broke months ago. » If 'B’ Daphne’s weakness was for a cut crystal powder box—to match the crystal candlesticks she got last Christmas. Gwen, with an eye to the future, sighed for a shrimp pink Aynsley tea service. “You know the one, Jean, isn’t it a dream?” Jean agreed and whispered audibly re a baby’s plate for Bubbles—one with black cats on. “Hump!” agreed Dad, “it looks as though Dixon’s China Shop, near the Government Buildings, is going to be cleaned out this Christmas.” And’l shouldn’t bo surprised if it is nearly, for there are simply hundreds of glorious presents to be had. And cheap. 'S’ Employer (to new office boy): “Has the cashier told you what you have to do in the afternoon?” Youth: “Yes, sir. I was to wake him up when I saw you coming.” % 'S’ New etceteras include a dainty floral fan that has a little silk pochette attached to the stick, containing a delicate perfume sachet exhaling the fragrance of the flower chosen for the-fan. The handbag must now bo very small or very capacious. The small type is the still favoured pochette; the reticule variety, introduced to Paris, bv the American tourist, will contain anything from your travelling passport, last will and testament, and a packet of love-letters, to beauty aids and all the silver and copper change you accumulate -on the most hectic day’s shopping. Tan leather is the general shade ; with here and there a , bold spirit sporting a reticule of royal blue or pillar-box red. A novelty for evening wear only is the small, round bag of cut steel, of such excellent workmanship that at first glance it resembles a cluster of diamonds. Apropos, paste is permissible again, notablv the paste bracelet of brilliants remarkably akin to priceless diamonds in their myriad : faceted gleam. Paste buckles are similarly reappearing on evening slippers of vorv soft black sued© with a surface like black velvet. -8- 'S’ 'S’ “Mother-in Jaw is one word.” announces an official note from the Post Office. • Yes. but we cannot print it here. „ 'S’ 'S’ In choosing her cotton frocks the smart woman makes suitability her

guide and simplicity her philosophy. Caste! Jaloux have a new stock of tub frocks in many delightful materials. The soft, uncrushable dress linens make up well, and a cornflower blue with gaging round the hips has collars and cuff.'- of organdie. Delphinium blue linen makes another frock with wide flat pleated skirt, long-waisted bodice and oraandie collar both scalloped and tucked. Havana brown voile is chosen for a straight little frock which has heavv embroideries in white. A frock I like much is in white French cotton georgette with sunflower yellow chenille embroidery. Two silk frocks came next — a C ream fugi striped with golden brown, made with a wide sailor collar, finished with a knot of brown ribbon. This frock is ideal for tennis. The other is crepe de chine with a cherry red stripe roll collar, and new girdle. Some verv French frocks, to be seen as this house, three-piece suits in cotton materials, are most original. Father was giving his little son a first lesson in physics. “Now,” he said, “the very first thing to do is to produce a vacuum. Do vou know what I mean by that?” “Yes, dad,” said Johnnie. “Go and get the carpet cleaner!” Although shops and the women will? . patronise them seem strung with beads, one has no idea of the variety of beads until one has had a glimpse of tho stockroom of a bead merchant. Show cases, counters and bins are piled high with all manner of heads, thev sell by thousands in tiny boxes, and on strings; beads so small that th by sell by thousands in tiny boxes, and beads as large #s small eggs > heads so valuable that the cost exceeds that of the more common precious stones, and beads that cost a shilling a necklace. As to colour, 265 shades are distinguished and supplied. No wonder we are all bead mad. 'A "A A traveller says that lions and tigers can race a man for half a mile; after that their wind gives out. Explorers are recommended to see that they have the reauisitc number of yards start in anv future races of this nature. T Y T This time of the year must be a trying one for the mother of a large family which has to be clothed. Each child must be sent out fresh and clean and properly dressed. Pretty, inexpensive cotton materials are the correct wear for school girls, and George and 1 Doughty are giving ample opportunity in the wav of acquiring materials for frocks aftd also a choice of frocks readv made, and of exceedingly moderate price. A vast choice of materials is offering at this wholesale warehouse. and there are many bargain attractions in every department. In the showroom the' many cotton frocks in linens, voiles, spongecloth, ratines, zephyrs, and ginghams, prettily made, is reallv a revelation, and these frocks are so suitable for holiday making. The voile and muslin blouses are particularly dainty and moderate in price. Special bargains are being offered in the underwear and hosiery departments. hosiery being a speciality of this house. _ ■§- "St “It was Archbishop Magee,” says Lord Frederic, “who, when Bishop of Peterborough, encountered a drunken navvy one day as he was walking through the poorer quarters of that town. The navvy staggered out of a public-house, diffusing a powerful aroma of gin all around him ; when he saw his chief pastor he raised his hand in a gesture of mock benediction and called jeerir.gly to the Bishop: ‘The Lord be with you!’ ‘And with thv spirits,’ answered Magee, like a , flash.’*,

A new fan takes the shape of a rose petal. It is quite unique, being made of fine net, which shows the embroidered ribs very plainly. The trimming is most subdued; a narrow strip of short, tightly curled ostrich feathers in exactly tjio same tone as the net is laid round the edge of the “petal.” 'S’ » It is perfectly safe to compliment a woman on her well-chiselled features, but she doesn’t like to be told that her head is turned. A If The true-to-type Now Zealand woman is essentially an outdoor creature and never looks more ravishing than in summer frocks. Time was, and not so very long ago, when summer frocks, especially t?iose of cotton, were only suited to' the very young, and even the silk frocks designed for the older woman were not always for comfort. Any shadow of reproach which may formerly have rest'd upon dross designers on this score has now vanished, and to-day the gaiety of young girlhood and the gracious charm of more mature womanhood can both find a frock at once cool and smart, comfortable, and pretty. James Smith, Ltd., have been running a huge sale of all dress goods, and this sale will continue until Saturday. It is a unique opportunity to acquire some really beautiful materials at very moderate prices. These materials are all this season’s and of course the latest fashion. Some further drastic reductions will be made in spongecloths before this sale finishes, and it is well worth your whjjo to make a choice.

“One well-known actor-manager came in full of a desperate row he had had with his leading, lady because the printer in the bills of the new production had forgotten the allimportant ‘and’ before her name. She merely appeared at the end of thp list of characters, whc-reas sho wanted ‘and Miss Lilian Vavasour.’ ‘Such a ridiculous fuss to make about an “and.” ’ grumbled the actor-manager. ‘Yes,’ rrtorted Comyns-Carr. ‘and unfortunately ’and and ’art do not always go together on these occasions/ ”

The great advantage of the knitted dress is that it permits no extraneous decoration to spoil its really beautiful lines. At a short distance, some of the silk evening dresses resemble a very supple very rich, brocade. At Dinant ono white knitted, silk, frock is almost “de rigueur.” It is being worn very much by older women, because its' lines are very flattering and the knitting and embroidery together break up becomingly lines that might otherwise be too hard. In some cases white hats are worn with the dresses, but they have to be very special whites to catch the particular shade which the silk knitting gives. A good many people are, in consequence, preferring a black hat. This should be small, pulled well down oyer tho eyes, and made of intense back straw or felt. 8r 8- 'S'

The courts have decided that a man has no control over the correspondence of his wife. But that decision will n.ot prevent a man from carrying his wife’s letters in his pocket for a month before ho posts them. •S’ 8- 'B'

A wide range of choice is given to the woman when choosing her holiday attire. Cotton frocks are even more charming than they were last summer, and the bright colourings of this year’s materials are very enticing. Miss Samson, Colonial Mutual Buildings, has some very modish tub frocks in line, spongecloth, and organdie muslin. A beige spongecloth, very simply made with long bodies, has a wide net collarette and jabat ruffles on the side of the skirt. Another frock of charm was in powder blue suede-finish-ed linen with strap and finishings of white. At Homo, of course, the organdie frock is the thing for our jeune fille. For smart occasions she wears it with yards of fullness in the skirt, a long bodice and tho briefest of sleeves. Miss Samson has some organdie frocks with embroidered designs, very daintily made. Shady hats in wide-brimmed shapes trimmed with swathings of ribbon and wreathed with field flowers for hot days are delightfully original.

A man camo along a road in Ireland. Bv tho side of tha road crouched an old beggar woman waiting for alms. As the man drew near she began to croon. His hand went to his pocket. Sho crooned louder. “May the blessing of .lieaven follow yez,” she said. “May tho blessing of heaven follow yez all the days of your loife.” At this moment the man produced his tobacco pouch and pipe from his pocket, and passed by without taking any notice. “But may it never overtake yez”" shouted the old woman.

Ono instantly recognises the ull doutried practicality of a linen frock which enlists tho aid of all-over lace, and has nothing about it that may not bo tubbed repeatedly without taking one bit of its freshness away—unless it be ihp smart little velvet tie, that needs no tubbing. That tie is, by tho way, a sign of the times, for velvet —in both fabrics and ribbons—is insinuating its supple way into tho nic.de. While linen, just at present, is tho leader m wash fabrics, tho voiles and/ cotton (cirepes. are very close rivals, and many of the very smartest models employ these materials. For extromefy warm days the voile frock is much to be preferred, and when worn over a costurao slip of silk, is . quite dainty enough, for any afternoon r/faiy,

There is a distinct fancy for good notepaper at present, and boxes of daintily-coloured stationery is on view at present at J. It. McKenzie’s. Charming boxes in all sorts of quaint designs, which can be used afterwards, hoid this very fashionable stationery’lbero are sjiecial boxes with fairy tales for the little people. '8- 'S’ 8Overheard at a flower and vegetable show held by the working men’s club: —“How muon, do you want, Bill, for that there marrow you’ve took first prize with?” “You shall have it for a shilling, Tom.” “Too much,” said Tom; “I’ll give you Gd.” “That aint no good,” replied Bill; “J gave 9d. for it myself.” "S’ "S’ ‘B’ The very latest novelty is the long neck chain which, matches the ultralong ear-rings. And some of the newest. ear-rings are ’ong, I can assure you, and, needless to say, they do not suit everyone. Nevertheless, these ornaments are becoming more a.nd more fashionable, and they are not —necessarily—expensive. 'They may be, for example, of imitation jade, combined with chains of seed pearls, or large rings of red coral swung from little chains of cut jet beads, with a coral button to rest on the lobe <rf the ear. 'S’ 'S’ “S’ With a selfish or conceited roan, his character peeps out of him in <wery detail of his daily life, like a dirty shiid in the holes of a tattered jacket. Miss Harrison Principal of the School of Millinery of Courtenay L’lace, is prepared to show jou how to make money- Consult her about eight lessons on millinery for 2s. 6d. [pr lesson, Pay as you go. "S’ “So vour poor little boy,” said the sympathetic lady visitor, “was born after your husband’s death?” “Yes. mam,” replied the widow. “’«e’s wot they calls a preposterous child.’ 'S’ ’B’ Dainty, pretty handkerchiefs in linen anil lawn, lace edged, and embroidered, for ’Ninas gifts, at MrsSmith’s, 88 Willis Street. T No money is better invested than that we are cheated out of. Lt buys us wisdom.

The Chocolate Bowl, Willis Street, opposite Grand Hotel, have many novelties for tho kiddies in chocolate and fancy’swbets. lee cream a speciality.

Lord Frederick tells a story of an old Sussex shepherd who had iiever had a day’s illness in his life- V- hen at last he did take to his bed it was quite obvious that he would never leave it again. 'The vicar of the parish visited him almost daily to read to him. The old man sdways begged the clergyman to read him the hymn, “The roseate hues < f early dawn.” At the tenth request for the reading of this hymn the clergyman asked him what it was in the lines that made such an appeal to him. “Ah, sir,” answered the . old shepherd, “here I lie, and I know full well that I shall never get up again ; but when you reads me that beautiful hymn 1 fancies myself on the downs again at daybreak, and can just see ‘Them rows of ewes at early dawn I’ ” » IT The cloth that will play many parts for the coming year is garbircoid. This is famous English cloth, very closely, woven, auj wpars as no other cloth can. It equally suggests a business suit or a “suit for best.”

We only learn at intervals; we are forgetting all day long. « 8-

Your assurance of comfort is measured by the conveniences in your home. When you make a purchase on which you may have to depend for a lifetime’s service, your thought is “how good” rather than “hov cheap.” This is especially true when the best costs but little more than an inferior product. It is the highest, degree true of complete house wiring. When you plan your home be sure that the wiring is complete in every detail. Plan it for coolring, heating, lighting, and for the numerous small convenient cooking apparatus which you will accumulate as time goes on —those convenient table servants — electric toaster, coffee percolator, or chafing dish. They are beautiful in appearance and of every d a .V usefulness. Also there is the vacuum cleaner, which housewives have learnt to appreciate so enormously. Tho whole appearance of a room depends on its lighting. The beauty of the light over the dining table is very important of the hundred comforts that proper wiring brings to tho home, and there is none of more important service than the National Electical and Engineering Co. Consult them.

An Englishman, a Scotsman, and a Jew, while in India visited a Buddhist temple, and asked the Buddha to confer a. favour on them. The Englishman asked for glory, the Scotsman for money, and the Jew for tho Scotsman’s address.

A golden maxim which is always to lie remembered by. the woman who values delicate quality of her complexion, is the habit of constant, consistent care, and is infinitely better than the greatest efforts which aro only spasmodic and are alternated with neglect. Care should be taken in the selection of dav and night creams. Miss Elder, third floor, .Mandel’s Buildings, Willis Street, _ supplies reliable face creams and lotions,

The Scottish kilt is growing in popularity. A suggestion has been made ihat for every inch taken off the length a tax of five pounds should be imposed.

Useful wedding presents are now the vogue, says a weekly journal. Only last week we heard of a Scotsman who, at a recent wedding, gave the bride away.

If divorce is a disease, it is no longer a fashionable disease, like appendicitis; it is to be made an epidemic, like smallpox.

The average beggar probably earns more than the average working man. The soldiers fight and the kings are heroes.

Statistics show that the umber of female lunatics in asylums is iivicasing. A young wife writes to say that she is not surprised.

Fashion , decrees smartness, beauty, and perfect comfort this season. You want the shoe which gives that perfect foot beauty which results from trim ankles and graceful arches well clad. Lindsay’s, Ltd., Lambton Quay, have most attractive’footwear in all makes, and at all prices. A very useful and smart shoe is in beaver suede, two strap. Louis heel and trimmed with strappings of darker shaded kid. Another shoe I liked very much is in nut brown suede tvitli a broad strap and Wurtenburg heel. We hear constantly that coloured shoes are being worn at Home to match or contrast vvitli frocks. This house have a court shoo in scarlet kid with black Louis Xy. heel, and a brilliant ornament on the front. Quite one of the best designs for wear with smart afternoon gowns is a black patent leather French court shoe witii long toe and beautiful oblong brilliant ornament. A selection of evening’s shoes in gold and silver tissues and brocades also in _ printed satins show the very latest ideas for evening wear and the dansant-. 8- 'S

Liberty is an affair of the soul, not of the body. .a- 8- 8-

“Why will not Scotsmen eat eels?’ asks a contemporary. W« cannot say, but we have always understood that the attitude was reciprocal.

A hot bath is a real tome for tired nerves, and who does not suffer from tired nerves at some time or other? A satisfactory hot water apparatus is a prime factor in promoting household efficiency. On the other hand, an unsatisfactory system involves _ discomfort, delay, and the dislocation in the work of the house from morning till night. The truth of this statement will be evident to any housewife who has experienced the vagaries of the average coal range boiler. A gas heater water supply ensures domestic comfort and convenience, because wafer that is really hot can be drawn off at any hour of the day or night without work, worry or waiting. It is an especial boon in emergencies, such as sudden illness —many mothers know what it is to have a child suddenly taken with convulsions or croup, when only the instant application of hot water will save the child’s life. After sport of anv kind—tennis, cricket, boating, a hot bath takes away any stiffness or chill from being overheated. Consult the ’Wellington Gas Company and inspect their efficient hot water apparatus.

The bridegroom and best man were at the chancel step awaiting the bride. The former became very white, and seemed about to faint. “What’s wrang wi ye. Jock?” asked the best man anxiously, “hae ye lost the ring?” “Na.” was the reply; “but I doot ah’vo lost my enthusiasm.”

Bright sun and salt water are -merciless foes of bathing suits, and one has to bo careful in the choice of'a suit which is becoming, comfortable to wear, and one that will last a reasonable time. Cole’s Cash Drapery, Cuba Street, have just opened a smart selection of suits. In cotton stockinette one can have a two-piece suit, kniokers and jumper, or a Canadian onepiece suit in scarlet and black, scarlet and white, black and orange and black and white. For young people there are one-piece suits in navy trimmed with pale blue, and this suit is in five sizes. In woven wool there are t two-piece suits in navy blue with various bright colours for trimming. Children’s all wool suits arc in a delightful fine cashmere make in all sizes. An excellent selection of bathing caps to go. with these suits is in various shapes, both plain and trimmed.

Ernest Bowen-BbwTands jtotls , a story about a sense of humour which is happy. The play was one of the usual movie type. In the first act the villain binds the heroine before a circular saw; in the second he throws her down a lift shaft; in the third he drugs .her and sets fire to the room in which she lies unconscious; in the fourth he knocks her on the head and places her on the rails to bo mangled by an overdue train; in the fifth he repents and offers her marriage, and when she backs away from him _ in horror he cries: “Darfing, darling, why do you shrink from me?” Yet the audience used to sagely remark: “Serve him right!” They never saw the humour in the villain’s delicious “Why do you shrink from me?”

There is positive magic in the new silk gowns at McKay’s Specialty House, Lambton Quay. Exquisite colourings—mauve, lime, cafe-au-lait, peach, cherry, bottle green, shrimp and yellow. Intriguing little jumpers for afternoon ajid bridge wear are beaded in new designs, and there are also beaded frocks for smart occasions. Among the collection of frocks opening to-day, there are three-piece suits in ratine and sponge cloth, very desirable wear for Wellington.

Owing to a similarity -in the telephone numbers a gentleman was constantly rung up in mistake for a certain livery stable. Eventually this became more annoying than funny, and on one occasion the page from a neighbouring hotel was amazed to hear his order for a carriage received in a wrathful manner. “Who are you?” he asked truculently, and the ready reply came back: “The Archbishop of Canterbury 1” To his intense delight, before ho put the receiver down he heard the boy say: “Coo. there’s a gent nt the other end wot. says ’e’s the Harchbishop of Canterbury—and ’e’s cussing like anything.”

It is not society that must lie changed —it is the human species. And that is & v?_st!y more difficult jthing,,