WOMEN IN PRINT.

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 41, 17 August 1916, Page 9

WOMEN IN PRINT.

A letter from a soldier in France, dated 29th June, says that time was short and work plentiful. "We. have just come from a spell in the trenches and found that Fritz knows how to fling the iron rations about. We came out of it all right, however. . . .

While we are out here listing (?) we have to go into the trenches every day or night! and help keep them in order. A chap almost forgets lie is a. soldier at all. except that he has to carry a rifle and ammunition about with him when he goes to work. He lives in a house., although he hasn't a. feather bed to sleep on, goes oft/to work in the morning and comes home at night, or vice versa. Of course, he jnay be reminded now and then that there is a war on wlien Fritz lands a shell on the road just when he is passing. How different the chaps who were on GaUipoli must find it, the conditions were so totally different. When- off duty we can wander about the streets of the town, where hundreds of shops arc open and doing a good trade. It is a peculiar state of affairs. . . . The V.M.C.A. has just opened a room here, and it is splendidly run. There are plenty of tables for writing, all kinds of books and magazines, while every second night or so they arrange for a really good concert. Last Saturday they had Alexander Watson, the great reeitar, to give us a real treat- He is as good as ev«r, though I little thought when I heard him in Dunedin that I should one day listen to him "somewhere in France." Then their Sunday services are so lively, and we' can have a good sing-song. 'Besides all ithis, the V.M.C.A. chaplains run a picture show every evening, and some very good pictures they put on, too. It is all right, I can tell you, to be abie to come right put of the trenches and see a good picture show and hear good music." This young soldier and another, also writing to'ibhe same friend, mention that they got their letters, parcels, and papers regularly once a fortnight.

A very quiet and effective work has been carried on for a considerable time by members of the Wellington Branch of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society among the sailors in port on Sundays. They were entertained in a room near the wharf, and found friends ready to talk with them and assist them' if necessary. This work has now spread considerably, and the society has completed arrangements to open a. branch of its work in Wellington. A small suite of rooms has been obtained over Messrs. ■Munt and Cottrell's premises,' and they have been plainly but nicely fitted up. These rooms will be opened on Saturday afternoon, when tea will be provided by the Ladies' Gtfikl of the society.

At the V.M.C.A. Triangle Depot, Mrs. Ham will be in charge on Friday, and Mrs. Piper and Mrs. Wright on Saturday. Last week the depot had a record successful side, and the. promoters could dispose of a considerable number more home-made cakes if they were provided. The hostesses at the Sydney-street Soldiers' Club for nest week will be: Sunday, Mis. Joseph Joseph; Monday, Spinsters' Club;, Tuesday, Mrs. D. Stewart; Wednesday, Johnsonville Ladies' National Reserve; Thursday, Mrs. C. Johnson, Mrs. Dayies, and Mrs. Greensbields; Frida,y, Miss Kennedy ; Saturday, Mrs. C. Earle. In charge of coats and parcels: Sunday, Mrs. Soninierville ; Monday, Miss Jenkyns ; Tuesday, Mrs. A. Atkinson; Wednesday, Mrs. G. Fulton; Thursday, Mrs. Radclifl'o; Friday, Mrs. W. Flanagan; Saturday, Mr. R. Darroch. The Women's Branch of the Labour Bureau in July dealt with 157 applications from employers a.hd 71 from workers.

Mrs. C. M. Begg and her two little sons will leave by the nest direct steamer for England, to join LieutenantColonel' Begg, N.Z.M.C, who is there n.t present, having been on active service since the beginning of the war.

At a. meeting of the Wellington Nursing Division, St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas, held in St. John's Schoolroom, Colonel Esson delivered an interesting lecture on " Hospital and Ambulance Work in Egypt, Lemnos, Gallipoli, and Malta." The speaker, who went away with the Headquarters' Staff, gave a resume of his voyage, to Egypt t^herej later on, he took over charge of the base), and described the different gra-des of hospitals, from, the dressing station (the nearest 'to the fir-ing-line), stationary hospital, clearing station, hospital ship, (especially the good ship Maiheno), and, finally, the general hospital, where, if possible, our brave lads are brought back to life and strength, to once more return to the firing-line or to the country of their birth, and for which they nave given so much. Colonel Emoii. gave many instances of ithe bravery of the ambulance men, many deeds done, unnoticed and unrewarded, but which proved the saving of many lives; the keen, clever work of the medical staffs, many of England's cleverest specialists giving their time; also the unwearied attention given by the nurses. He spoke of the great assistance given by the Voluntary Aid Detachments, men! and women, both St. John Ambulance trained and others, who had left their -comfortable homes to work very hard and bravely for the Empire, as much as had the soldiers. Enough could not be said for their work in England, Egypt, and indeed everywhere where assistance was needed for our men, both wounded and before they were wounded. He had himself experienced their kindness, and could not thank tham sufficiently. The colonel spoke of the great satisfaction and pleasure given to our men by the receiving of the smallest parcel (especially the Christmas puddings) from their own land, from someone to whom they could write and feel they were taking iiu interest in them. It was much better than sending money,, as the men could always get what they wanted in hospital by signing for it, and the money was deducted from their pay. Colonel Esson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr. Balcombe Brown. Mrs. Luke also spoke of the good work done by the women of New Zealand, and added thai puddingmaking begins on Tuesday next, and Is contributions are urgently needed. A goodly sum was subscribed in the room. .Mrs. Moorhouse was in the chair, and Mr. Moorhouse, Mr. Seed, and Mrs. F.ssoii were present; also members Of clie Wellington South and North Nursing Divisions, some of the Wellington Division (men's) and members of the t.ady Liverpool Fund Committee.

Mrs. Julia Mitchell, who died lately .11 Auckland, was one of the few remainn.f; pioneers conversant with the Maori War. She married her late husband, .laptain John Mitchell, who was attachd to the 58th Regiment, in 1847, and cok up her residence here in the same ,-wir. Arfcar the war Captain Mitchell 'tis appointed in charge of the Govern■lont Armoury and Stores Department, ■.nd was one of the first drill instructors •■ Auckland

The Women's Home League, in connection with the Salvation Army, Vivianstreet, at which Miss Una Carter is giving her cooking demonstration this afternoon is doing good work for our soldiers abroad and in hospital here. At present members are devoting their energies to knilting socks and other comforts- of which large quantities have already been disposed of. During each meeting either a' suitable reading or an address, calculated to be useful to things pertaining to the woman's home life, is given while the knitting is in progress. The one great object of the league is to increase the knowledge of its members in matters pertaining to the home, and to open channels of usefulness whereby women can attend to the needy around them. On this occasion all that Miss Garter cooks will be devoted to the soldiers in hospital.

The Concert Chamber was well filled last evening, when Miss George and her elocutionary pupils gave an entertainment inlaid of the Bomftu Catholic Knitting Club funds. Miss George gave an excellent recitation "The Telegram," ajid received a posy of freesias, and as an encore she gave a short musical monologue. A very interesting item was a small play by Elizabeth Robins, "Naturalised," in which the position of an English, wife with a German husband was shown. Both parts were well represented by Miss Aitcheson and Mr J. l Jerry, while Miss N. Lea was good as the maid. Other items were given by Master Dudley Cole, Miss Rita Perry, Mrs. S. George, Miss B. Mac Duff, Miss Olive Beadnall, Miss Alice Campbell, while Miss Agnes Segrief and Mrs. Hopkins assisted with much-appreciated songs. The accompanists were Madame Dempster and Misses G. Brown and Waikins. At the interval Mr. J. Duggan thanked those who had attended and all helpers, on behalf of the committee of the guild.

Great success attended the efforts of the sixth standard girls of' the Willisstreet School who organised a concert which took place in the schoolroom yesterday afternoon in aid of the Eed Cross Fund. They made all their own arrangements, and the room was packed with schoolmates and friends. Mr. M'Kenzie, chairman of the -committee, also Mr. J. G. \V. Aitken, chairman of the Education Board, attended the "entertainment. Songs, choruses, recitations, and dances were all given with good effect and much enjoyed. There was also a display of physical exercises, wand drill, and ball-swinging. The girls are to be congratulated on their good organising and success altogether.

A very good entertainment was given last evening by members of the Charley's Aunt Club at their fortnightly "social" in the club' rooms. Mr Byron Brown was in the chair, and items were given by the club's orchestra, Misses Eileen Maguiiv, Daphne Dry-den, Rita Howe, Organ, L. Segrief, Messrs. J. Carr, C. Hickmott, W' Kearney, and a comedietta by Misses Griffiths and Kutner. Mr. Frank Thomas was the accompanist.

Colour blindness is a sure bar to any man wishing to enter the railway service, but, according So the latest" issue of the New Zealand Railway Officers' Advocate, it is a remarkable" fact that women are never colour-blind. Colourblindness is a, characteristic which is inherited and passed from one generation to another. If all the children of a colour-blind father are girls the trait remains dormant, but has been found ■to reappear in one of every four male children of the next, generation. It is, therefore,^ a sex link characteristic.

There was a very good attendance at the meeting of the Women's Airia-Cei--man League ait their rooms last evening. It_ was decided to hold a meeting in Wellington South next week, when Miss Holmes will preside, and member? are asked to look out for advertisements of this meetin-g. A resolution was passed asking the Government to enquire into the matter of the large expenditure on some of the German, prisoners in New Zealand, especially in view of the statements lateiy made by Major KynjrtonFyfe, N.Z.M.C., ac to the' treatment of our prisoners in Germany.

The Mayoress (Mrs. J. P Luke) acknowledges the following contributions to her Shilling Christmas Pudding Fund for the men in the trenches: —From the Wellington Meat Export Company 2500 puddings tinned ready for sending"; Mrs. W. H. S. Moorhouse, £5 ; Mrs. W. Ferguson, £1; K. Young, 2s; P. 0., N.S., 2s 6d; Mrs. H/ Brittain, £1 ; Dudley Tripe,, £1 Is; Mrs. J. W. Robinson, 10s; Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Luke, £2 2s; Mrs. Tregear, 10s; Mrs. Joseph Joseph, £1 ; Mrs. Fuller, 2s; Mr. and Mrs. Redward. ss; M. J. Climie, ss; E. Miles, £1 ; Miss Hancock, 5s Mrs. (Col.) Campbell, 10s; "Pudding," Is; Mrs. W. Murphy, 10s; John Hutcheson, £1 ; Mrs. Sladden, £1;' Mrs. Jelffoff, Is; L.L.V., £2; Widow's Mite, 3s; E.L., 2s 6d; Mrs. C. R. Smith, 10s; Anonymous^ 10s; 8., 2s; E., 2s 6d; Miss j., Is; Miss M'Gregor, Is; E.W., Is; E.G., Is ; Miss Kennedy, 2s ; . Miss Craig, Is ; Miss Sutherland, Is; Mrs. Norsewood, 10s; Mrs. and Miss Mills, ss; Mrs. Russell, 10s; Miss Thornton, 2s; Miss Robiesou, ss; Mr. Moorhouse, £25; Miss Woodman, 2s; Miss Rawson, Is; Mrs. Baker, Is; Anonymous, 10s; A. Friend,' ss; Mrs. Pike (Blenheim), 2s; Mrs. Hope Lewis, £1; Mrs. Houlder, 3s 6d ; Mrs. Louis Blundell, £3 3s.