WOMEN IN PRINT.

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 82, 5 October 1915, Page 9

WOMEN IN PRINT.

New Zealand people have quite resolved that our soldiers at the front j shall have the good old wish "A Happy j Christmas" brought to their minds in a pleasant and practical way. Packing presents, in public and private, is going on in all directions. Much thought is being given to ensure the right kind of gifts being sent — things that will be really useful, and also that can be reyarded as small luxuries to those who' five in trenches far away from any possibility of shopping for themselves. Of the kind good wishes and affectionate respect and admiration with which the packing is done there is little need to speak. If there is anything at all in the theories of "atmosphere" and telepathy, surely the presents cannot fail to bring the right Christmas feeling to the soldiers, though the world for the present is debarred from peace, on earth and good will towards 'men. At the Town Hall basement yesterday long trestles were covered with goods of all descriptions, stationery, fancy goods, sweets, cakes, puddings, groceries, as well as numberless parcels. Some of these were specially addressed to different men, with the addition, ''To be given to another soldier if not present," showing kindly, anxious thought on the part of the donors. Some were simply addressed to "A Soldier," and others to "Lonely Soldiers/ perhaps sent by \ those -who usually mentally revised their i Jack or Tom's character and tastes, in J selecting gifts, but now just do their best in_ sending something which they hope will give pleasure to some dear soldier in the trenches. At St. Peter's Church/Miss Marie Hazel de Ste. Croix, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Slater Moys, of Hataitai, was married to Mr. Wallie Gilbert Short, eldest son of Mr. Ernest Short, of "Paroraagi," Feilding. The bride wore a dress of white embroidered voile, with a handsome veil and orange blossoms. The bridesmaids were Miss Clater, the Misses Evelyn and Thelma Short, and the Misses Delza and Joan Chant. The bridegroom's present to the bride was an aquamarine pendant, and to the thre* elder bridesmaids moonstone necklets: the two younger bridesmaids received gold brooches. The bride's travelling dress was of saxe blue watered silk poplin, and a wide hat, of grey silk crepe and straw, trimmed with blue silk roses. The young couple -received among other presents a canteen of cutlery from .the employees of "Parorangi." Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Short left by motor for their future home ; Waituna, Feilding. " The Trents " had a treat last week, | when Miss Mina Caldow and Miss Wini- J fred Lonsdale, assist*! by several Palmerston musicians, gave a camp concert. Miss Caldow has risen splendidly to the need of the hour, and has^given of her great talent unreservedly to' the men who gather in the various camps for training. The marquee was packed, and outside .were* lines of khaki and dungareed war-, riors, fresh from their big all-night operations — dusty, tired, and heavy with sleep, but all interested in the visions roused by the songs of their, own' choosing. Fourteen in all Miss Caldow sang, and eang them willingly as the men called. They called always for the' song that suited their mood. "Little Grey Home in the West " was the first demand, in a strong north country accent; "Three Fishers," "A Perfect Day," "My- Am Folk," "Where my Caravan is Resting," " Mother o' Mine," and " Inter Nos,", were among the numbers, but Miss Caldow reserved for a fitting finale the song that gripped most, and her singing of "I Hear You Calling Me" went right home. For Miss Lonsdale there was a flattering reception, and she gave seven items, "Naughty Boy," "Plumstones," and "Agatha" Green" were delightful ones among the number. Mr. E. H. Billena, of the Manawatu Standard, made the local arrangements, in conjunction with Mr. Varney, of the local V.M.C.A. Many people have been making vests or shirts of butter muslin for our soldiers, and various ways have been tried to make them antiseptic, with varying success. A correspondent kindly sends the following prescription as being greatly superior to the carbolic disinfectants : — Stockholm tar, one part,- turpentine, two parts ; mix, and add two parts of methylated spirits. This solution can be diluted by adding more methylated spirits — four to one part of the solution. ' A pleasant party was given by Mrs. A. Moran, of Brooklyn, on Saturday afternoon, in aid of a fund to buy cigarettes as Christmas gifts for our soldiers at the Dardanelles. Songs were given by Mesdames Weston, Perry, and Gyles, and the competitions were won by Mesdames Richards, Cooper, Jones, and Brewer. 'Mrs. W. H. Smith made a short speech, thanking the hostess for her many acts of kindness to our soldier boys away in the fighting line. ~A# >a result of the sale of flowers at the entrance to George and Kersley's, Ltd., Mrs. Kersley v has handed the proceeds, £21, to Mr. Varney, the secretary of the V.M.C.A., to be expended on ,behalf of sick and wounded soldiers in convalescent homes and hospitals in Egypt. The money is being forwarded to Mr. J. L. Hay, New Zealand V.M.C.A- field service secretary at Zeitoun, Egypt, who is doing such excellent work on behalf of our men there. Mr. Varney will be pleased to receive further assistance in this direction, as the association in Egypt, represented by twentythree secretaries, is 'rendering great service to the < troops. A " rose day " is being organised for the same fund in a month's time. Mrs. C. H. Brown and Mrs. Kilgour (Greymouth), Miss Dane (Auckland), Mrs. G. Horsley (Christchurch), and Mr. and Mrs. A. Jolly are staying at the Hotel Windsor! Mrs. Ha'nan, wife of the Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister of Education, arrived in Wellington yesterday. Mr. and Mrs. A. Osborne-Gibbes and Miss Gibbes arrived in Wellington yesterday from a visit to Sydney. A sale of work in connection with St. Mary's Church, Karori, is to be held in the Parochial Hall next Wednesday and Thursday, to be opened by Mrs. Coleridge on Wednesday, at 3 p.m., and by the Mayor of Karori, Thursday, at halfpast 7 p.m. There will be the following stalls : Produce, needlework, fancy, flowers, sweets, also afternoon tea and supper. j By the next troopships that are leaving New Zealand there will be sent by j the Military Hospital Guild for the No. 1 New Zealand Stationary Hospital 100 each of. every garment needed by sick and wounded soldiers in hospital, and also 100 each of articles needed for bed equipment, such as. sheets, pillowcases, etc. There •will also be sent by the Countess of Liverpool Committee to the soldiers at the front two cases at least of balaclavas and the same number of cases of mufflers. Next month the committee intends to forward a. large supply of socks, shirt?, jerseys, -etc. T.he_r6pj^^of_tliA-ffieiliuztiQiir.b.ranch -_

of the Countess of Liverpool Fund for the year ending 4th August, 1915, gives a very interesting account of part of the great work which has been done at the Town Hall since war was declared. Socks and balaclavas head the list, followed by pyjamas, shirts, undervests, hold-alls, housewives, ward shirts, nightingales, cholera belts, towels, blankets, rugs, gloves, and mittens — every useful and comfortable garment that soldiers are permitted to wear has been thought of at the Town Hall. Presents were sent away last Christmas to the front and to Samoa, the sailors have not been forgotten, and kind care has been taken of Eeservists' wives and families. The report altogether' shows a record of earnest, methodical work of which all women may be proud. Yesterday the monthly committee meeting of the District Nursing Guild was held at the residence of Mrs. W. H. Sefton Moorhouse. Mrs. Moorhouso presided, and there were also present Mesdames Corrigan and Griffiths, and Misses Mack and Robieson. Apologies were received from " Mesdaine6 Tripe and Pearsou. Nurse Walton's report showed that during the month of September 12 new patients were registered, 26 remaining from the previous month, while 8 were discharged, 1 admitted fo the Hospital, and 2 died. During the month 536 visits were paid by the nurses. Gifts were acknowledged from Mesdames Fanning, Moorhouse, Seaward, and Stace, Mr. Cooper, Gear Company^ Terrace Young Women's Club, and two anonyjious parcels. A subscription of £2 2s was received from Mrs. Balcombe Brown. A letter was read from Mrs. Christie resigning the position of acting-hon. secretary and treasnrer, and Mrs. H. Rolleston was appointed to the post of hon. secretary and treasurer to the guild.