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Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 138, 8 December 1914, Page 9

WOMEN IN PRINT.

Go often to the hiJI-tops. From there you will see the ntal in the ralley ot your mind.— Oyler.

A very interesting and pleasant party | was given last night by Mrs. Grady to 1 the council and subscribers of the Richmond Free .Kindergartens, when the work of the students was displayed and the certificates presented. Airs. Grady received her guests in the large music room, and in the drawing room the work was set out. The neatness and ingenuity of the articles were much admired, made as they were from the simplest materials — even broken clothes pegs and empty match boxes being utilised, and transformed by deft fingers into very fascinating doll's furniture. There was an entire doll's house which was a most desirable residence— save for size — and which boasted a fitted bathroom and electric light. The students who have acquired such deftness and expertness deserve many compliments, and their future pupils will be fortunate. Mr Tpnnant, director of the Training College, presided, and gave an address on the good work of kindergartens. Mrs. Gill, president of the council, read the report of the examiners, explaining that, though an examination had been established by the Government, the student^ were not ready for it this year. Miss Riley, head mistress, ako gave her report, stating tfiat the study of Froebel, naturo study, singing, and carpentering had been pursued- Shp concluded with a little address on "Courage." Short speeches were made by Miss England and the hostess. Refreshments were served in the dining room, and after some' pretty folk-dances were given by the students. The social gathering held last night in the Palais de Danse by the stallholders and assistants at the recent Dominion bazaar was largely attended, and a,n undoubted success. Dancing, cards, and a concert made the evening pass most enjoyably. The Misses Flora Shaw and O'Leary and Master Shaw did some Highland dances, Mr. Rex recited, and Miss M'Gqe apd Messrs. Smith, Keeny, and Eller gave ransical numbers. During the evening the Rev Father llurley said a few words of thanks to all those who had given their assistance, both in the stalls and entertainments, and announced that the money taken was close on £700. The raffle for a gold nugget was drawn, and the winner was Mr. F. Johnson. The M.C.'s for the evening wore Messrs. T. Doylq, iTohnson, and Seavey, and Mr A. WiJliarns supplied the music for ifop dancers. All mothers of St. Helens babies are invitpd to the. reunion to-morrow afternoon, and jt is hoped many will come. It ought to be a most interesting and unusual little partyMi-, and Mrs. F- R. Marshall (United States), Muss Carrie Moore, and MrsGuthrie (Christchurah) are at the Grand Hotel. Mr. and Mrs.. S- J. Pallet/ (Dunedin), Mrs. and Miss Gibbs (Hawera), and Mrs. and Miss M'Lean (Auckland) are staying afc the Hotel Windsor. Staying at the Empire Hotel are : Mrs. and Miss M'Leau and Nurse Gilmer (Masterton), Mr and Mr 6 Hartree (Gisborne), and Mr and Mrs. Damp-n-ey (Gisborne). Mr- and Mrs. Richard Barker and party, from Gisborne, left for Napier this morning. Mr. and Mi's. Graham Moffat, Mips Moffatt, Miss Ella Young, and Miss Link, of "Bunty Pulls the Strings" Company, are expected to-morrow, an.d will stay at the Empire Hotel. The pupils of Miss Francis's School, in Clifton-terrace, are holding a cakefair and strawberry feast on Friday afternoon, in aid of the Belgian Children's Christmas Fund. The friends of the children are invited to attend. ftlr. Beaumont Smith has engaged Cecil Haines; the gifted little New Zealander, to play Suds in the production of Ethel Turner's "Seven Little Australians," opening in Sydney on Boxing Night. Miss Haines has recently appeared with considerable success at Mr. Lawrence Campbell's recitals. Every day at 5 o'clock a bell rings in the great exhibition-hall of Alexandra Palace, London, whereupon fifteen hundred women, children, and old men, with a scattering of youths, set up a clatter of wooden shoes. This amuse-ment-park is .now the largest camp for Belgian refugees in the 'London district, and makes ideal quarters for the homeless, who are being cared fpr there. Npt many weeks ago the same people were straggling away from their burning villages, some for tlje Dutcji frpntier, to be herded together in Flushing, and others for Brussels, whence they were sent to O3tend, and then to London. Attendants at Alexandra Palace say the refugees for the first day or two seemed stupefied. The break in their peaceful lives by war and travel overwhelmed them. Then they began to fall into the new way of Jiving. They have nothing to do but wander in the great hajls with the sjtatuary, the remains of a Japanese fair, and a bird-house in t}ie wooded park outside, the heights of which command an extensive view of London. These peasants, trained in extremely frugal living, had hitherto managed to do with three meals a day But in the refugee camps they found a, fourth meal at 5 o'clock. Now they clamour for tea, and they may., on their return, fix the tea habit on rural Belgium. There are only about six thousand in tjie camps, and Secretary H. E. Morgan, of the "War Refugees' Committee, says that he has received volunteer (support for 90,000. When a cook was burned to death a little time back, while engaged in the exercise pf her duties, the jury recommended that o,opks should wegr fireproof aprons. An inqident such as this raises the whoje question of a suitable putfit for the woman at work. Thpse compelled to wear a uniform have the advantage over those who are left to follow their own inclination. Cooks in private houses ai-e much .more likely to clothe themselves carelessly than those employed in large organisations. The woman who actually handles the fires or the tins which she takes out of the oven or puts into it should wear a defined uniform. Oyer her dress the properly equipped cook has a full-si2ied apron lof heavy Unen, pften fireproofed, which is buttoned closely loiiiid. allowing no loose corners to escape. Over her bodice there is a bib, which (its exactly, and is well buttoned down behind. A large pocket is added, and in this what is technically known as an oven cloth is carried, b o that it jnay be invariably used. In private liout.es co?ks often do their work with no safeguard at all save flimsy cottpn aprons, such as those worn by housemaids. Heat from a big fire used for roasting will easily set these aflame, or ip the case pf a gas stove a draught caused by opening the oven door will bring the cotton apron into danger. Heavy linen, which is practically fireproof, should be csed for cooking aprons., and oven cJofrhs ought to be of a solid substance that does not catch lire easily, and that singes even when burning instead of bursting into flames. Science bus done so much to render materials &£}s&£-&*&■ Hjer& gegjgg, & hem-

excuse for such accidents iv these days as the one alluded to above. The cook of a generation ago was amply provided fpr in this respect; she used a tightfitting apron of thick woollen stuff that did nob flame even if caught by fire. To-day many materials are rendered fireproof and give ample range of choice. Is there anything to be seen in this hour of tragedy more nobly touching than the spectacle shown by the Woman of Paris' asks Georges Ohnet ;n Le Figaro. There is no personality which has been more travestied, more untruly represented by those who have claimed to have made a study of her. And all the effigies which have been made of her have been false to the point of calumny. In the newspapers, in the novels, on the stage, our writers seem to have made a point of showing her as frivolous, selfish, sensual, extravagant, and untruthful. And, to complete her portrait with one stroke of the brush, a famous author, wishing to synthesise the unfaithful wife who betrays her husband with a lover, and the lover with the first dandy who crosses her path, gives her the name of "La Pansienne ! And this Parisienne, meant to be the type of the French woman— look at her! Her husband, her sons, her brothers, all are armed and are defending their country against the invasion of Germany's virtuous sons. She ia collected — anxious, it is true, but brave. She works for thet soldiers, and performs wonders of ambulance work. As a business woman, left alone in the shop because her husband has joined the colours, she carries on the business as best she can, and brings up the children at the same time. Left destitute of news, ignorant of the march of events, overwhelmed with cares, see how she practises that most difficult of all virtues — patience. She suffers materially, also," for money is scarce, and everything bought of the tradespeople must be paid for cash down. But she.neyer utters a word of complaint. Unlike the gentle German Gretchen, this woman wUI not counsel those who set out for the front to kill and ravage and destroy everything which cannot easily be carried away. She will riot accompany the combatants, to take her choice, lik.e them, pf the best of the booty on the days' of pillage. She will not go and insult tho prisoners, herded together like beasts, nor finish off the wounded in the ambulance vehicles. She is generous and compassionate. She thinks of those who are far away from her, and endeavours to soften the miseries of the enemy in her own vicinity. - She has been told that the approaching winter will be severe, and that warm clothing will be needed for the soldiers. And as in a bygpno age the women pf Brittany threaded their bobbins tp pay the ransom of the good Knight dv Guesclin, sp does she knjt with her nimble fingers the woollen vests which are to comfort our brave soldiers in their cheerless camps. ' Woman of Paris, you who did not tremble under tho brutal menace of the " Tauben," who did n ot flee before the German onslaught, and the massacring artillery, by your simple virtues you have shown the power of a, Saint Genevieve, and you have driven back the blopdthirsty and rapacious hordes of the demon Atilja whoso entry ijito Paris was hourly expected. It is your tranquil valour which has kept the heart in the combatants of the Marne and the Aisne. Sons, brothers, husbands — none wanted to be behind you hi heroism, and because of that they have parried off the victory. Woman of Paris, if ever any misguided writer tries to falsely represent your real character ; if he ' depicts you without your aureole of virtues, smile with disdain, and count upon the gratitude of all those who, knowing what you are, will look up to you and love you in the future as the patron saint of our beloved France ! BRITAIN'S GREATEST PIANOS. Of the many celebrated English inptruments stoqked by the Dresden Piano Co.j Ltd., none enjoys such an enviable position and reputation as the Broadwood Piano. Every model is the result of nearly 200 years' adherence to the highest ideals in piano constructionOther British-built pianos at the Dresden include the renowned Sames and the excellent and reliable Collard. The famous Canadian organs — the Bell and the Imperial — are- also on view in a variety of models. All these superb instruments are offered on very attractive terms. The Dresden Piano Co., Ltd., Wellington. North Island manager, M. J. Brookes. — Advt. Bridal shower bouquets are a feature of every pretty wedding. The choicest of bl wnis and most artistic designing are obtained at Miss Murray's, Vice-Regal Florist, 36, Willis-street- Country orders receive special attention. — Advt. For tne toys in Samoa. Christmas puddings and cakes. Steamer leaves first week in December. Order now from J. Godber and Co., Ltd. (telephone 263). — Advt. Now is the time when all good Britishers must rally to the support of the Empire's trade — the English worker demands the Dominion's help. For Sewing 1 Machines, Knitting Machines, Washers, and other home helps, patronise a British capita.! and handling British goods For such, lines we have a reputation for goodness and value throughout tho Dominion. Our lines are unsurpassed for excellence and economy Call pr write Oscar Hewett and Co., the Houie of Domestic Machinery, 56, Cuba-street.— Adrt. Ladies preparing their wardrobe for the holidays should use the "Ideal Home" dressmaker. "Very^ simple, no difficulty in understanding it. Box containing charts necessary for every, garment from ball dress to pinafote, with illustrated guide book. Pricß 15s 6d, at Veitch and Allan's or The Economic. —Advt. For little lads, nothing neater or nicer than the fancy suits we are selling just now We welcome your inspection. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd.. Manners-street. Advt.

To a meeting of the Council of the Wellington .Chamber of Commerce yesterday aftenjpon Mr. T. BalHnger read a letter .from the Postal Department, which had been addressed to several firms, complaining of the practice of sending large quantities of parcels betweqn 4.30 and 6 p.m., instead of spreading them over the day The Department suggested that if the supply was, not better regulated some of |ia paicels would hays to be left over until the nest day Mr Ballinger moved that the Council write to the Department asking it to increase rather than reduce the facilities. Eventually it was ' decided to first of all make enquiiies of the Department on the subject. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday, Hugh Douglas was sentenced to fourteen d*ys' imprisonment for failing to obey a maintenance order, warraht to be suspended if 7s 6d per week is paid off the arrears (£l4 ss). A similar sentence was imposed upon Sydney Alfred Smith, who was in arrears to the extent of £10 2s 6d, In this case the warrant is to be suspended if 10s per week ! is paid off. Mr. D. G. A, Cooper, I &Mm <w»s-oa-the feeacbj, ' ' J