Women in Print.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 121, 23 May 1914, Page 7

Women in Print.

We paint our lives in fresco; the soft and fusile plaster of the moment hardens under every stroke of the brush into eternal rock.— Sterling.

The civic reception yesterday in honour of Sir lan Hamilton was interesting, and full of picturesque features — the band of veterans, the presence of seven Ministers of the Crown, and the enthusiastic appreciation of the speeches, especially the references to our defence scheme. Later, in the Council Chamber—though the tempting tea-tables were centred with chrysanthemums — the most effective decorations were Mayoral robes and the uniforms of the officers. The furs and feathers of the women paled their ineffectual fires before the | gold lace, crimson sashes, and general I perfection of delail of the soldiers' cosj tumes. Mrs. Luke (the Mayoress) was j hostess, and the tea was doubly acceptable because of the cold and damp without. Among those present were Mrs. and Miss Luke, Mrs. W. F. MasBey, and Mrs. H. D. Bell. At Papanui, Christchurch, Mr. Alex. Irvine, of Carterton, was married to Miss Vera M. Bright, of Papanui. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr. George Bright, and wore a gown of cream satin charmeuse, with a veil and wreatb of orange blossoms. She carried a bouquet of white flowers, the gift of the bridegroom. The chief bridesmaid \yas Miss A. Peck, the second being Miss M. Germ. They wore white hailstone muslin, and hats' trimmed with tangerine, and carried bouquets of chrysanthemums, and silver purses, gifta of the bridegroom. Mr. and Mrs. J. Lush, who recently removed to their new home at Muritai, tendered to their many friends a housewarming on Saturday evening. The dining-room was tastefully decorated and prepared for dancing, and the large verandah surrounding the house was enclosed and made cosy 'and comfortable. There were about 60 guests present. The. hostess received her guests in a gown of old gold satin, draped with emerald ninon and marabout trimmings. The Misses Renee and Ida Lush wore black velvet and white satin. The first part of the evening ( was devoted to dancing, followed by a, most interesting competition in which Mr. Jeffereys proved the successful competitor, and was presented with a handsomely-bound volume. During the evening a fine programme of musical and elocutionary items was rendered by the Misses Turnbull, Levett, Richardson, Smythe, and others, A meeting of the Society 'for the Protection of Women and Children was held on Friday afternoon, Lady Stout, president, presiding. There were also present Mesdames W. A. Evans, J. Kirkcaldie, D. M'Laren, Miss Denton, and Miss Parlane. A number of cases were discussed and it was decided to render assistance where necessary. The following subscriptions were acknowledged with thanks : — Mrs. J. Kirkcaldie £1 Is, Mr. W. H. Campbell 10s, Mrs. A. H. Miles 10s, Mrs. A. Brandon ss, Mrs. J. W. A. Marchant ss, Miss Stewart ss, Dr. H.u-ty ss, Mr. Hornblow 2s 6d. His Excellency the Governor and the Counte3s of Liverpool have consented to become patrons of the Victoria League of New Zealand, and Mrs. W. F Massey has become a member of the council. Among the new members of the council are also Mrs. Salmond, Mrs. H. Hall, Mrs. F. Ward, Mrs. Tripp, Mrs. J. D. Gray, Mrs. E. F. Hadfield, Mrs. F. Samuel, Mrs. 8. Kirkcaldie, Miss P Myers, the Mayor of Wellington, and Mr. R. Darroch. The council hopes to have a good attendance of members and their friends at the annual meeting next week. A full account of tho work and finances of the league will be given, and one of the Defence officers will give an account of the military training up to date. General Sir lan Hamilton and General Godley have consented to attend the meeting, and it is hoped that Sir lan Hamilton will give an address. A "health talk" to girls and young women will be given by Dr. Hardwick Smith at the Young Women's Christian Association to-night. The lecture will be open free of charge to all young women who care to attend, and will not be exclusively for members. The students of the Y.W.C.A. elocution class did credit to their teacher (Mrs. Percy Woods) on the occasion of the last social evening, when they were the entertainers. Miss Flora Macdonald and Miss Waters were exceptionally food in The Casket scene fiom "The j lerchcint of Venice," which they recited in dialogue. The Young Women's Christian Association has just issued an interesting new syllabus for the winter's session of work and play. There is a new club on the syllabus which has yet to be formed, known as the Trousseau Club. This is to afford an opportunity for engaged girls and others to make their clothes together, with the use of sewing machines, and will be an acquisition to many, who away from their own homes, are not easily able to get the use of machines and the help of other girls in making their own clothes. Other clubs a* vow in full swing for singing, literature, euiibles, and for British girls' gatfcermgs. Added to the programme for Bible and mission study .are a series of educational classes, the new term for which will begin the first week in June. These include elocution, dressmaking, English, spelling, and arithmetic, physical culture, and gymnastics, art, and two courses of first aid lectures. Small fees are charged for all classes except for the physical culture for juniors. These are free for members under sixteen. The special lectures promise to be very fascinating, and another series of health talks is arranged. Mrs. Streefcar, of Auckland, who has been visiting Dunedin, is staying with Captain and Mrs. Attwood. Mrs. C. H. Chapman, of Duncan-ter-race, has returned from Palmerston, | where she was spending a holiday at the pretty homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Gibso ne. Mrs. Arnott Anderson, who has been vieiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Bristow, has returned to Taumarunui. Mrs. Lindo Ferguson, of Dunedin, who has been visiting Wellington, returned South last »ight. At the fortnightly ' meeting of the girls' branch of the Victoria. League, held on Monday evening, Miss Lottie Vickerman will read a paper on Bernard Shaw, which members will supplement with extracts from his works. Mrs. and Miss Horton left by tho Ulimaroa yesterday for Sydney. Lady Campbell, who arrived from Ghristchurch yesterday morning, left by the Willochra for San Francisco last night. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward returned from Hawkes Bay last evening. Archdeacon and Mrs. York, of Greymouth, intend leaving Now Zealand in August f<v a nine month*' visit to Eng* >»9 mi &B Coalm^,,

The third of the Senior Assemblies organised by Mrs. Morton Clarke takes place this evening. Mr. and Mrs. Eric Riddiford and Miss Winnie Miles left yesterday for Sydney. The late Mrs. Townend. of Christchurch, who left a large sum of money for charitable bequests, was noted for her affection for animals and birds. The Glenmark Station was for a long time the resort of rooke, and a-s the. English birds were imported it was not unusual to find that the earliest arrivals soon reached the north side of the Waipara. She had a surprising lot of motherless lambs, which knew her approach at regular times to visit them. She had a fine swan pit. which contained numbers of white swans, and it was her delight to feed them and watch their actions. At the time of the fire of the mansion house on 24th January, 1891, when £30,000 worth of property was in flames, and jewellery, diamonds, plate, treasure, cabinets, and tapestry were being destroyed, the melting lead falling from the roof like water in a rain-storm, Miss Moore (as slip then was) rushed through it to save her pet song birds. In spite of warnings that the lead would injure her, she persevered till they were all in a place of safety at a Wellingtons tree^ but this caugnt fire, and in performing a second rescue her fa«e and hands were badly scorched. After her marriage with Dr. Townend, and taking residence in Christchurch, Mrs. Townend became an active helper in the Society for tha Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.