Untitled

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 120, 24 May 1910, Page 9

Women in Print.

LADY ISLINGTON. *. A CHARMING HOSTESS. AN INTERVIEW. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, 25th April. Though for some years the new Governor's wife has been one of the most graceful hostesses in London society, and has entertained Royalty at her residence in Chesterfield Gardens, Mayfair, she has not yet overcome her objection to publicity in tho form of newspaper paragraphs and interviews. A well known and popular figure in society, she has never yielded to the insistent journalistic desire to describe her charming dinners and receptions in the colI umns of the papers, and it was with repeated protests that she submitted to the conditions of her new position and agreed to say a few words for tho readers of the Evening Post. Lady Islington is of medium height, dark, and strikingly handsome. Her father, Mr. Robert Henry D. Dundas, is a direct lineal descendant of the Dundases, one of the oldest families in Scotland, and her mother, who is also living, was the Hon. Catherine Anne Carrington Napier, daughter of the first Lord Napier of Magdala, after whom the capital of Hawkes Bay was named. Lady Poynder (as she was then known) herself was married in 1896, and the one child of tho marriage, a daughter, is now twelve years of age. Laughingly protesting that she did not wish to be "interviewed," Lady Islington admitted that she was looking forward to the change with a good deal of interest. "Of course," she said, "it is quite a new thing for me, and one cannot tell how one will like a new life, but I hear from all accounts that the people in New Zealand • are charming, the country delightful and the climate wonderful. I feel certain the people will be very sympathetic." It was only natural I should ask Lady Islington to express herself on the question of Female Suffrage. She pleaded privilege. "I really should not say anything about it, at any rate in relation to New Zealand. In my public speeches I have always said I am very much opposed to it here in England, because I do not think it would b3 a good thing for us." " My wife has never been an active political woman," remarked Lord Islington. "She has really taken no active part in things of that sort." On the education of girls, too, Lady Islington preferred not to speak. As for hobbies ? "What does it mean exactly ?" she asked. "If it means that one writes books, or paints pictures, or sings in public, then I have no hobbies. But lam very fond of literature and of art and of music. "Please do not say that I am a keen motorist. I use the motor to go to the station and to get about, but not for anything else. With me it is purely a useful form of locomotion. But I like riding and hunting, and I am very fond of an outdoor life —that I am looking forward to very much in New Zealand." Asked if she did anything in the way of philanthropic work, Lady Islington pleaded not guilty, but Lord Islington confessed that she was president of tho Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, in which she took a very active part, and that she had for years assisted him very considerably in the work of the Great Northern Hospital, of which he is chairman. Tho only child of the Governor and Lady Islington, Joan Alice Catherine, a girl of twelve years, is at present being educated under a private governess, and will go out to New Zealand with her mother. There it is hoped she will spend the greater part of her time. In response to the urgent wish expressed by the New Zealand Ministry, Lord Islington will leave England in timo to be present at the opening of Parliament in June. He will join the P. and O. steamer Macedonia at Marseilles on the 13«h May. It will not be the first time that Lady Islington has been abroad. She has had frequent tours in Europe, and she went to India at the time of the great Durbar. But sho confesses to being a deplorable sailor, and looks forward with some trepidation to the Australian Bight. "I should not be able to go out with my husband even if Government House were ready. I have simply millions of things to do both here and in Wiltshire —everything to arrange, the servants to get together, and a host of visits to pay, and, you see, it is practically only three weeks. The notice is very short." Lady Islington is very popular among the tenantry on the estates in Wiltshire. Her best-known portrait is that by Sargent. Another of her and her daughter, by J. J. Shannon, R.A., was exhibited in the Royal Academy a few years ago.

Mrs. Bowen (Napier) is visiting her mother, Mrs. Seed, Abel Smith-street. Miss N. Thompson (Remuera) is the guest of Mrs. Chatfield, Island Bay. Mrs. Findlay is accompanying Dr. Findlay, who is returning to the Bay of Islands to finish Ministerial work, interruoted by the death of the late King. Mrs. Beere and Mr. D. M. Beerc h^ve gone to Auckland for a trip. Mr. and Mrs. A. Young have gone for a visit to Okoroue. Mr. and Mrs. J. Burnett have returned from their visit to Rotorua and Auckland. Mr. Cyril Towsey is returning to New Zealand by the Ruahiue. The Miramar Golf Club is sending ten of its members to try conclusions with the Trentham players to-morrow. The Karori Rifle Club is giving an afternoon tea, for which the members have issued invitations. It is to take place to-day. The handsome trophies won this year by the club will be on view. Miss Eileen Ward has accompanied Sir Joseph on his trip to the West Coast. The bachelors of Manakau are giving a ball to-morrow evening in the Otaki Town Hall. Miss W. Miles has returned Irom her visit io Mrs. Eric Riddiford. A number of friends of the St. John Ambulance Nursing Guild met at Mrs. Rhodes's invitation last evening at Godber's Rooms, to seriously consider ways and means for raising £1000 to establish the fund on a sound basis for all time. This means for two nurses only. Mrs. Rhodes, who has set herself with all her powers to accomplish this object, and has worked hard and given liberally, made an earnest appeal to those present to determine to get this final sum as soon as possible. Bazaars have proved far from being gold mines, and the outlay of time and money is indifferently compensated. li, will be a subject of relief to all that there is no bazaar looming. The very simple and practical plan agreed upon we hope will prove as successful as it deserves. Each lady with a card will be very glad to receive any half-crowna or more that the public will send them. It docs not ceem a great effort for dozens of people, yet this in our big community would soon gather the amount needed. The district nurses are such a boon to ths sick poor that their need appeals to ever right-minded man and woman. "Madame Butterfly" is wonderfully pretty in its mounting. The dresses of Bel Sorel are. all perfect pictures, a.nd she wears them very gracefully, which must need much tact and experience to manage. ' They are closely clinging, and very long in vfroni, which is 1 a difficult combination. The black satin kimono she first comes on. in is a marvel of brilliant Japanese embroidery. The wisteria is exquisite, but the gorgeous butterflies about it would drive any Western needlewoman to distraction —they are such marvels of needle-painting. The crescent of pink may which she wears in her hair is a crowning triumph, and is altogether becoming. A moonlight-blue satin, and a shaded crepe, and a cream crepe were all lovely in succession, but all hard to manage gracefully by reason, of their unwieldly shape. The ttory is very sad, and the music needs ultimate acquaintance u> like it. The duet between Bel Sorel and Rosina Buckman was, however, very charming. It was a very full house everywhere —iipstairs and down. Mrs. Rankine-Brown, who has been in Edinburgh, writes in excellent spirits from Harrowgate, where she is spending j a month. ' 1

do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult to each other?— George Eliot.