Woman’s World

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 289, 6 September 1928, Page 4

Woman’s World

Matters of Interest ; from Fai and Near

PERSONAL ITEMS. Mr. ami Mrs. Vincent Ward (Heretaunga), who are paying a brief visit to Christchurch, returned north yesterday. Mrs. P. J. Ryan, of Wellington, is visiting Hamilton, and is the guest of Mrs. J. Hooper. Mrs. Dwan, of Wellington, returned from Australia by the Uliinaroa to Auckland. Sir Edwin Mitehelsou, M.L.C., and Lady Mitehelsou, returned to Wellington from Auckland on Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. J. Dunlop, of Wellington, have taken up residence in Auckland. Miss Aileen Marsden, of Wellington, who has been spending a holiday in Auckland, has returned south. Mrs. R. 11. Nagle (Wellington) is at present visiting Auckland, and is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Prins. Mrc. E. C. Huie, of Auckland, has gone south on a visit to friends at Hampden. Mr.'and Mrs. V. White have returned to Christchurch. Mr. and Mrs. Sheddon and family have coine from Westport to Wellington, Mr. Sheddon having been appointed to the teaching staff of the Newtown School. Mrs. Shirtcliffe is paying a short visit to Timaru, and is expected to return to Wellington early next week. Miss Crowe, Hobson Street, is staying with Mrs. J. A. Foster, Hataitai. Mr. and Mrs. F. Brown and Miss Holdsworth, of Wellington, are visitors to the West-Coast. Miss Bettyman has returned to Wellington from a holiday in Westport. Miss K L. Braidwood, matron of the Grey River Hospital, who has been seriously ill for two weeks, died on Sunday. The late Miss Kathrine Laura Braidwood was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Braidwood,’ of Greymouth. She was born at Eehuca, Victoria, and was 37 years of age. Deceased had been associated with the Grey River Hospital for over 15 years, having received her training under Matron Kitto, now of Christchurch. The late Miss Braidwood had been matron of the hospital for five years and is the only member of the staff to have reached the position. Her record of a trainee rising to the position of matron in the same hospital is unique so far as Dominion, institutions are concerned. Miss Cable has been elected to represent the Navy League on the House Committee of the Community Club. Mrs. A. Darling resigned owing to her inability to attend the meetings. On Saturday night the residence of Mr. and Mrs. E. Humphries, Lower Hutt, was very bright on the occasion of the twenty-first birthday of Linda, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. Pound. ' The evening passed only too quickly with dancing and bright games. Among those present were: Mr. and Mrs. Pound, Mrs. L. Humphries, Mrs. Potts (Lawrence, Otago), Misses Olive and Gwen Humphries, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, Mjss Elsie Pound, Mr. C. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Southern, Mr. L. Broderick. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzmaurice, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Oxley, junior, Mr. S. Lambourne, Mr. W. Barnard, Miss E. Norrie, and Mr. L. Humphries. * * * VISITING THE CAPITAL. Miss Stolley, Havelock North, is at present visiting Wellington. Miss Alice Swann, of Auckland, acconmanied by Master Douglas Russell, will leave shortly on a visit to Mr. and Mrs. 11. Swann, of Petone. Miss Bnnnie Bruce, of Epsom, Auckland, is visiting Wellington, and is the guest of Colonel and Mrs. Pilkington. » * • SOCIAL EVENING. A most enjoyable evening was spent 'on Monday night at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. John Castle, Colombo Street, Newtown, when Misses Castle gave a kitchen party in honour of Miss D. Littler, of London, whose marriage to Mr. W. E. Crowes, youngest son of the late Rev. John Crewes, of Wellington, takes place this week. The entrance hall and reception rooms were artistically decorated with coloured streamers, balloons, and bowls of beautiful spring flowers. Several amusing competitions helped to pass the time pleasantly, and a musical programme was provided. Songs were sung by Misses Mavis and Mona Castle, and Messrs. A. Clark and W. E. Crewes: Miss ZHlab Castle played a violin solo, accompanied by her brother, and Miss Mollie Wright recited. Mrs. H. Daniels, of Dannevirke. assisted in entertaining the guests and played the accompaniments. A dainty supper was served in the dining-room, and the guest of honour received a large number of useful and attractive gifts. Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. A. Clark. Mr. and Mrs. E. Jorgenson, Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Amos. Mr. and Mrs. J. Crewes, Mrs. ,E- Maslen, Misses Gregory (2), Henderson (2). Neilsen. M. Phillips. I. Bailey, M. and J. Crewes, Z. Riacli, and Messrs. It. Castle and M. King. « # » OBITUARY. The death occurred yesterday of Mrs. Hunt, wife of Mr. L. Hunt, of Grafton Hoad, Roseneath. The deceased was ill only a short time, and her death comes as a great shock to a wide circle of friends. The late Mrs. Hunt was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Fleet, old and highly-respeeted residents of L’etone. She was a' prominent worker for the local Anglican Church and a keen helper in the Plunket Society, being secretary of the Hataitai branch. Iler relatives will have the sympathy of many friends in their bereavement. LONDON’S FASHION PARADE. An Australian Press Association message from Loudon states that Bond .Street has practically dethroned the Rue de la I’aix. London's fashion parade at Olympia to-day revealing the season's fashions was acclaimed the best ever. Beautiful mannequins paraded to the strains of soft music before buyers from ill parts of the world. The display definitely reveals that womanhood is about to drop the recent pose. The frankness of the boyish figure is ended. Not a single straight line, not a single plain skirt was seen. It is no longer necessary to nmlge each other and whisper. “Is that a man or it woman?” London decrees that woman is to become woniali again, with till the old feathers, frills, and fripperies.

ENGAGEMENT. Isobel Maud, fourth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Marshall, Ellesmere Avenue, Miramar, to Robert James, only son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Auld, W«itoa Road, Hataitai. » >» • OVERSEA NOTES. The Bombay Government will shortly bring forward a Bill for the prevention of unequal marriages, like marriages between a man of 4S and a girl below 18 by making them penal offences punishable with imprisonment, and fine. ♦ * * Many mothers attending the Royal College of Saint Katharine Maternity and Child Welfare Centre, Bromley Hall, Poplar, E., were surprised when the Queen arrived and talked to them about their babies. “I have never lost my interest in babies,” the Queen told one of the mothers, "and I am proud at my grandchildren.” While the Queen was talking six-years-old Doreen Wallis ran up to her and placed a bunch of flowers in her bands with the words, “Please comt. and see my twin sisters.” The Queen smiled, took the flowers and allowed the child to lead her to the twins. Two men who did not know of the Queen’s presence called to see their babies, who had been detained in the observation ward. They stood in the garden looking rather embarrassed among the crowd of women, but the Queen at once noticed them. She walked up and soon put them at their ease. *

The event of the year in the Women’s Movement in Western Australia, and indeed in Australia generally, was the coming of Miss Maude Royden (says “Dawn”). Although an English woman, of Lancaster, Miss Royden is a citizen of the world, and her vision includes the whole human family as the household of God. The British Commonwealth League with Miss Chave Collisson, M.A., as its able secretary, are to-be greatly congratulated upon the way in which the whole scheme of Miss Royden’s Australian tour was conceived and carried out. The work was epoch-marking and undoubtedly, to use Miss Chave Collisson’s words, did build spiritual bridges over the vast geographical spaces of the Empire. The hope may be expressed that as this interesting enterprise on the part of the British Commonwealth League was pioneer work, Miss Royden may be the forerunner of other world citizens visiting Australia and New Zealand, to strengthen as Miss Royden strengthS all the values of life: “Goodness, beauty, truth, these three sisters, as the poet expresses it, “who live in t le same house and cannot be separated without tears.” « *

Whether or no it is due to the increased number of women voters, we are very glad to find that the British Ministry of Health Is making a determined attack on the fliflieult question of maternal mw'tality-(snys the Intel national Suffrage NV Wfe )■ , 7“* ‘ opinion has been aroused jn the ity of the situation, for the of mothers in child-birth has renl-ajned in the neighbourhood of the same pressingly high figure for the last -0 vears. In an effort to combat this deplorable state of affairs, the Minister of Health, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, has appointed a committee “To advise upon the application to maternal mortality and morbidity of the medical and surgical knowledge at present available, and to inquire Into the needs and direction of further research work.” Very appropriately, tlie secretary of this committee, we are glad to say, is a woman, Dr. Margaret Hogarth, and the members include Dame Janet Campbell, Senior Medical Officer for maternity and child welfare to the Ministry, and Mrs. Ethel Cassie, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for child welfare at Birmingham. Another departmental committee which has recently been appointed by Mr., Chamberlain will consider the working of the Midwives Acts, and again there are five well qualified women members. • • •

It takes more than talent to create a legend. In our time three actresses have risen to those heights where then name becomes a spell to bind those who have never heard their voice, their beauty a banner for those who never saw their face. Such were Duse, Bernhardt, and Ellen Terry; and now the last of these has gone (says “Time and Tide”). In the first years of her fame it seems to have been her wit which most enchanted people, her young vitality, and her light tread on life which made her the heaven-born heroine of Shakespeare's comedies, a Rosalind or Beatrice. In her maturity the shadows of experience had not dimmed her wit. but they deepened her sense of tragedy and gave power to her loveliness: and when she played her great tragic roles it was her beauty of voice and face and gesture which lived most in Sie memory. But in her old age. the only period in which she was personally known to many of those who mourn her loss to-day, it was neither her yet living wit nor her abiding beauty, but her exquisite courtesy of soul which won for her their homage. She leaves the stage a kindlier profession towards women than she found it: she leaves art richer for her rare interpretations; she leaves a family endowed with something of her genius; and she leaves the legend of a great artist and gracious woman.

Dame Mary Scharlieb, M.D., M.S., one of the consulting surgeons at the Royal Free Hospit 1, has had an honorary LL.D, degree conferred on her by the Edinburgh University. Dame Mary is believed to be the oldest woman on the register. She has l been practising for fifty years, and although S 3 is still keen. It was through her efforts that Queen Victoria started the movement to provide female doctors for India, where, owing to caste, it was impossible for men practitioners attend women. In France, where a law of August, 1927, gave Frenchwomen the right to retain French nationality after marriage with a foreigner, the response seems to have been somewhat disappointing. A retrospective clause of the above-mentioned Act which allows women already married to foreigners the right of reclaiming their French nationality within a year from August 10. 1927. has so far only given rise to 15,000 applications, and many of these are described as emanating from undesirables. A correspondent writing in the “Manchester Guardian” of July 12, suggests that this comparative reluctance on tlie part of married women to i-liiini French nationality ijas its roots in the position which French married women enjoy under existing French law. This -comprises such indignities as inability to acquire a passport or travel alone without the written consent of a husband, and inability to earn money or use a cheque book Thus, under existing conditions. French nationality would hardly appear as a boon for which married women might Jie expected tb strive.

In California there is a campaign at present to break women from the smoking habit by means of the useful Bo' Scout. In that State the boy does his one good deed for tlie day if he remonstrates with any lady that he sees with a cigarette telling her that she coarsens womanhood, and debases motherhood in bis eyes. These must be some of the boys of whom Chesterton has said that “for some obscure reasoii they are not murdered in early youth” (says Constance Clyde). Historians will remember how tlie boy followers of Savanarola enjoyed ston'diig fashionable ladies in Florence, exhortin" them to fling ornaments and false hair into the big fire which that great reformer had handy in the market place. One ci ttc.opines that the Californian small hoys will get nothing for their pains but a good slap. They will not even have the chance of picking up the fags which the ladies throw •iwav. California, by the way. accord ing to Mr. Boswell, M.A., o£ Auckland,

is the one American State which has carried out the sterilisation laws now proposed in our Dominion. In the very many other States which passed them they are a dead letter. Evidently it is the adventurous State of the great Kepublie.

PROVINCIAL NOTES. Mrs. Hodgins has returned to Pahiatua from a visit to her sister, Mrs. Jamieson, at Masterton. Miss N. Taylor, of Te Wharau, has been staying with Misses Saunders at Masterton. Mrs. Bamfleld, of Masterton, has been staying in Wellington. Mrs. G. H. Scholefield, of Wellington, is the guest of Mrs. A. D. Low, of Masterton. Miss Marjorie Cowles, has returned to Masterton from a visit to Wellington. Mrs. W. J. Martin, Miss Martin, Mrs. 11. Blundell, and Mrs. W. B. Martin, who attended the Plunket Conference in Wellington, have returned to Martinborough.

Mrs. IV. Sleeth and family, of Martinborough, are staying in Wellington. Mrs. Strang and family, of Masterton, are staying at Worser Bay. Mrs. F. Cunningham, of Lansdowne, Masterton, is visiting Dunedin.

Mrs. George Wagg, of Masterton, is visiting Wellington. Mrs. Armstrong, who has been staying in Auckland for the winter with her daughter, 4 Mrs. J. B. Henry, has returned to Masterton. Miss Biitement has returned to Masterton from a visit to Hawke’s Bay.

Miss Ivy Carle, of Masterton, is staying in Napier. Mrs. W. Maclean, of Christchurch, is on a visit to friends in the Wairarapa.

Mrs. 11. Chrisp, of Gisborne, and Miss E. Macfarlane, of Napier, who recently returned from a visit to the islands, are staying in Auckland.

Miss K. Crewe, of Wellington, is visiting Mrs. J. 11. Henry, of Palmerston North., Mrs. G. L. Hale and Miss Mildred Hale are Stratford visitors to Palmerston North.

Mrs. 11. B. Free has returned to Palmerston North after a visit to Wellington. Miss Elsie Wilds, of Palmerston North, is visiting Auckland. Miss L. M. Helyer and Miss M. I. Helver, who recently arrived from Loudon, have taken up their residence in Palmerston North. Miss Helyer has been associated with the New, London Experimental Schools ns Instructor in domestic science, and has been offered a similar position in New Zealand. • Miss Kate Duncan, of Hunterville, is visiting Palmerston North.

Mrs. M. Daniell has returned lo Palmerston North after a trip to the islands.

Miss U. J. Hopwood, of Palmerston ■North, is visiting Mount Cook. Mrs. Roy Campion. Fordell, is visiting Hastings.

Mrs. H. D. Robertson, Wanganui, returned on Tuesday from the Plunket conference in Wellington.

Mrs. P. O’Neil is a Wanganui visitor ) Wellington. Mrs. Leon Wilkie, Wanganui, is isiting. at Dannevirke. Mrs. Phil Atkinson, New Plymouth, spent a few days with Mrs. Fenwicke, of Marton, on her way home from Wellington. Miss O’Rorke will be in Wanganui as the guest of Miss Hatrick for the week-end. She will hold training classes for Brown Owls (Guides). Mrs. W. Hutchins, Wanganyi, and her two sons, have returned from a holiday in Wellington. Miss Elsie Simmons (Hamilton) is the guest of her aunt, Mrs. 11. P. Lance, Wanganui. Mrs. C. F. McManaway, Hunterville, has refurne." from Wellington. An interesting lecture on “Scottish Song’’ was given by the Rev. J. Paterson at the Burns gathering in. Wanganui on Tuesday night. Songs were given by Mrs. Sydney Rjinkin and Misses Robertson and Du Faux, recitations by Mr. P. Doull, and Scottish dances by Miss M. Thompson and Master 11. Glasgow (Turakina). The monthly meeting of the Wanganui District Nursing League was held on Tuesday, when the following were present:—Mesdames 11. F. Christie (president), T. Warnock. J. Grant, Hair, Siddells, Bell. Apologies were received from Mesdames Dudding, Roache, J. Burnet, and Miss Taylor. Mesdames J. Grant and Roache were appointed visitors for September. Gifts from Mesdames Anderson and Henderson were acknowledged with thanks. The district nurse was granted absence for a holiday. An enjoyabl.e night was spent on Saturday at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. P. G. Sladden (Marton). • when a surprise party visited them. Among those present were: Misses Pickering (Lower Hutt), Sladden (3), B. Theed, S Miles, J. Rawson. 11. Wilde, B. and G. Willis. K. and N. Simpson. Swamson (8) ( Silverhopc 1 ), B. Gaisford. B. Dormer (Feilding). H. Johnston (Feilding). Pratt (Feilding). Messrs. D. Sladden, B. Openshaw, B. Lambert, Davev. R. Kingdom P. and R. Simpson, N. Nethercliff, H. Kingdon, 11. Simpson W. Strombom, Swainson, Briant, Fullerton-Smith. B. Johnston d’elding), Meyrick (Feilding), and Colville (Feilding).

MADAME MENERE IN PAHIATUA. Pahiatua Ladies should on uo <iccount fail to visit the great display of Russian and Canadian Furs which is at present being held in the Masonic Hall Pahiatua., This is without doubt the greatest display of rare and beautiful furs seen in New Zealand. As usual, the prices being asked are much less than wholesale prices. Hie dis play ends on Saturday next, and is well worth a visit.—Advt.

GIRL GUIDES OF THE EMPIRE. Foxlease, with its beautiful house and grounds, is situated in the New Forest near Lyndhurst, in Hampshire. It was presented to the Guides on the occasion of the marriage of Princess Mary, Viscountcss Lascelles, and is now in the centre for Guide training (says a London writer). The Imperial Camp, held at Foxlease from July 11 to 10, was arranged in order to enable overseas Guides to meet the Chief Guide, Lady Baden-Powell, and fellow Guides, and so join in the work and play of camp life. The weather was perfect, and «is a great feature of Guide training, is nature study, the conditions in the New Forest were ideal for the study of trees and birds, wild flowers, and for camp craft. Nearly 300 Guides attended, the countries represented including Burmah, Ceylon, Rhodesia, Uganda, M estern Canada, British Columbia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Dr. Margaret H. Knight (Provincial Commissioner, G.G.A., Auckland) was at the camp. ’ Princess Mary, Viscountess Lascelles, visited the camp. Arriving at 2 p.m. on July 13, she made a tour of all the camps—each group of campers providing a short entertainment. The day ended with camp fire in the forest, the Princess taking part in the singing. Among other distinguished visitors were the Chief Scout, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, and Sir Montagu Burrows, Commissioner for disabled Scouts. During the week talks on special subjects were led by prominent members of the Guide movement, and delightful recreation was provided for all by the large open air swimming baths and excursions arranged to visit interesting places in the neighbourhood—such as Beaulieu, Lyndhurst, Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Winchester. Ideal weather lasted throughout the week. The overseas visitors all left with the happiest memories of the kindly hospitality of the Guide sisters at Home, and the feeling that the camp had certainly strengthened the bond of Empire throughout the world. The party given by Princess Mary, Viscountess Lascelles, at her London home, Chesterfield House, on July 9. was greatly enjoyed by the overseas Guides. The Princess, who is president of the. movement, received her guests at the head of the stairs, wearing Guide uniform. Later she chatted informallj with each and all of her guests, giving them tea and an opportunity to inspect the beautiful reception rooms of her historic home. With great pride, she pointed out the magnificent Standard presented to her by the Guides of the United Kingdom, in the making l or which all had taken a part. * » * WOMEN IN PORTUGAL. At the present, time a Portuguese woman does not enjoy any civic rights. It. is true, nevertheless, that some political parties have put the women s vote on their programmes, and it is hoped that, at spine early date, at least , those Portuguese women who have had | superior education will get the vote (remarks an exchange). As regards professional life, woman is put on an equal footing with man. There are women teachers, lawyers, and doctors in Portugal. But the heavy hand of the law begins to be felt where marriage is concerned. A wife is obliged to follow her husband wherever he goes, even though, without her consent, he decides to take up his residence abroad. In financial matters it is the husband again who keeps the controlling hand, and the wife cannot make free witli her own money without his. sanction. It is true, however, that when they possess some immovable property, in common, the husband may not sell it without his wife’s approval. By the letter of the law, parents have equal rights over their children, but the wife is given no means to exercise her authority. On the other hand, if children not yet of age decide to marry, and parents cannot agree between' themselves whether or not such a marriage shall be permitted, it is not the father’s judgment that wins the day, but that of the magistrate. Widows in Portugal enjoy far greater freedom than wives; a widow has all the father’s authority over her children, and has ho need to appoint a special man-guardian. In spite of restrictions, Portuguese women are mustering their forces to get their rights and liberties. There exists a National Council of Women in Portugal, and its members are energetically working to improve existing conditions. The winning of the vote may still be a far-off event, but they find comfort in realising that girlstudents ' are increasing in numbers, botli in the high schools and in the universities. When these girls have finished their education, there will bo a new force to reckon witli in Portuguese public life. and. as likely as not. these. enlightened women will be suecessful in breaking down tradition-rais-ed barriers.

The annual sale of work in aid of St. Thomas's Church, Newtown, will this year take the form of a Mascot Fair. There will be a large number of stalls well-stocked with useful articles of all kinds, all works of art. .The produce stall will have requisites of' all kinds for the household and a special feature will be a number of good joints of mutton from a sheep which has been presented by a parishioner. The amusement part is receiving'special attention and is in capable hands. The fair will lie opened by Mrs. Sprott to-day at 3 p.m., and will continue td-night and also tomorrow.