WOMEN IN PART.

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 12, 13 July 1918, Page 9

WOMEN IN PART.

There have been many cheering signs since war bagan of the fact that there is no decay in the art of fine needlework ; in fact, echoes from the fine art schools in Kensington, London, and in other qentres are to be traced in the dainty work produced by quite a considerable number of girls and women in the Dominion. A great pleasure for those who love fine artistic work, is in store,, when the sets of garments made for tho Countess of Liverpool Fund raffle ure. exhibited, which will be as soon as the new. shop is opened. A special case is being made for 3iich exhibition, and the needlework is a. triumphant beginning. The first set •of lingerie was made by Miss Meadowcroft, and is of pink crepe de chine, with a yoke of fine lace, alternated with stripes of the crepe, finely chain-stitched together by band, with pink silk to matph. Rosettes of ribbon of the same shade decorate tho garments, centred by palest blue forget-me-nots, in silk also. Another set, made by Mrs. Dymock, is extremely dainty, the material being of the finest Indian lawn, with a square yoke back and front of real Valenciennes lace, set round tiny squares of hand-embroidered lawn, and pale blue ribbons. Mrs. A. Crawford and Miss Bennett have worked another charming set, also made of fine lawn, with real lace, and hand embroidery of tiny baskets of flowers set in medallions, and finished with rosettes and threadings of pale bine satin ribbon. The hemming and hemstitching of this set is a feature. Misses Levett and Enid Kebbell have contributed a set of fine white lingerie, trimmed with narrow bands of pale pink washing material, and hemstitching in pink, very exquisitively worked. Mrs. J. Tripe, Mrs. Stott, and Miss Clayton have also made a beautiful set, which will be exhibited with the others. The first prize in the art union is a handsome set of silver-backed brushes and hand-mirrors in a leathgr case. A present recently sent to the committo by Miss Pyeeyes, is a very fine specimen of old Spanish lace, in the form of a- pelerine. This will also bo raffled, and in view of its value should be easily disposed of among lace lovers. Other gifts include an ostrich feather in natural colouring, a largo teacloth in exquisite Richelieu embroidery, six hand-worked towels, a crochot ; iiightdress 'top, and other articles. These are ail very attractive prizes, and^the committee hopes to make sufficient re enable them to send such parcels to the trenches at Christmas as will make the hearts of our brave soldiers rejoice, and help them to realise the kind thoughts that go out to them from tho homeland.

Hostesses at tho Sydney-street Soldiers' Club for the coming week are as follow :— Sunday, Mrs. W.-Nathan; Monday, House Committee; Tuesday,."Busy Bee" Club; Wednesday, Hutt Ladies' Patriotic Guild; Thursday, -Mrs. C. R. Smith and Miss Archibald; Friday, House Committeo; Saturday, St. John's Women's Association. In charge of coats aiid parcels :—Sunday, Mrs. Corn'ißh; Monday, Miss Jankyns ; Tueeday, Miss Wheeler.; Wednesday, MireShand"; Thursday, Mrs. H. Shai-p ; Friday, Mrs. Perkins; Saturday, Miss Van Staveren.

It was stated at the monthly meetings of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and Red Cross Society, hold at the Star Boating Club on Thursday, that the work was making most satisfactory progress, 53 cases having been packed in June, containing over 8000 garments, etc., tho value being' about £736. Mrs. H. H. Seed presided at the meeting, a.nd there was a good attendance of members.

Mr. and Mre. R. Wynyard. and Miss Wynyard, of Devonport, Auckland, are at .present on a visit to. Wellington.

Girls and young women are invited to attend tho eervice in the Y.W.C.A. Club Rooms to-morrow aftornoon at 4.15, when Chaplain F. T. Read will be tho speaker. A social will bo held in tho Y.W.C.A. to-night, when Miss Jennings will be in charge of the programme, and soldiers will be cordially welcomed on the occasion.

A meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children was held on Friday afternoon, Lady Stout presiding. A large number of cases which had been investigated were, reported upon, and others arc being attended to. A vote of thanks was passed to the "Busy Boo" Club for the generous parcel of useful clothing sent to the society. The following subscriptions were acknowledged with thanks:—Kempthorne and Prossor, 10s 6d ; Miss M. tticholls, Dr. Kwart, Mrs. Miles, Messrs. Tripe and Ellis, Mr. T. Ballinger, 10s each; Mr. G. Lambert, Mr. P. Ward, Mrs. C. E. Richardson, 5s each.

The entertainment being organised by Miss Massey in aid of the Navy League fund promises to be of a very unusual and interesting character. A series of tableaux is being arranged by Miss Mary Butler. .Those taking part will include Mesdames S. Harcourt, Christie, Leslie, and Mills; Misses R. Shirtclifie, J. Tully, I. Wilford, G. Millais, M. Wylie, C. Cruickshanks, D. Saunders, and B. Macassey. There will also bo items by My. Vernon Irving, a newcomer to Wellington ■ with a professional reputation, Mr. H. L. Barnes, Mk-s Fuller, the wellknown singer, and a full orchestra under Mr. Johnston. Also a couple of wee pupils from ( Misses Campbell's and Beere's dancing schools. The programme will conclude with the amusing one-act comedy, "The Bathroom Door," those taking part being Miss Massey, Miss E. Butts, Mies Valeric Corliss, Miss M. Butler, Mr, L. Buckeridge, and Mr. W. H. L.. Cooper.

A very satisfactory report of all matters concerning the Returned Soldiers and Sailors' Hostel was given by the hon. secretary at the last meeting of the committee. The removal from Kewtowij to the new residence at 44, The Terrace, Jmd bean accomplished safely and comfortably, for which thinks were due to j Captftin Gentry and his very efficient I Army riervico Corps; also to Sir James Alien for granting them permission to assist. • Thanks were also due to Sir William Fraser for allowing gardeners from the staff to tidy up the flower-beds. Especially pleasing was the manner in which most of the men living at the hostel rendered splendid assistance. Since last meeting the secretary had waited on two different Minsters regarding the necessity for a communal farm to which inebriates and certain other cases may be committed for long or short periods. That good result would accrue from the petition the committee hopefully expected, but at present it could not give any definite information. During the month five prohibition orders were taken out, and thcec are proving effective and giving the men a chance to right themselves. Unfortunately five men had to be refused further'accommodation. The committee required the assistance of several more ladies for the house-to-houeo collection on behalf of the Crippled Soldiers and Sailors' Hostel Fund, and would be glad to get the names of (hose willing to help. To date, about 88,000 bricks have boon paid for, but many move thousands wero needed. '.Uuny encouraging letters accompanied donation's. One lady had written that her husband had be'en cliis6cd C 2. and enclosed a week's salary, offering to give a certain sum every week v/hikt the war lasts, if 200 others, will follow r.uit. Another donation came from » gentlemun classed C 2 also. Messrs.. C. Smith, Ltd.,

wrote saying: "We recognise this will be a very necessary and useful institution, and it gives us much pleasure in contributing our mite towards it." (The "mite" provides 12,000 bricks.)

The hon. secretary was instructed to write to the Hutt "Patriotic Guild expressing gratification at their donation; to Sir James Allen and Sir William Fraser, for their assistance, and to Captain Gentry and the A.S.C. for conveyance of furniture and effects. It was decided that a meeting of presidents of kindred societies be arranged at a later date. Mesdames Hanan and ilussell were added to the committee. A very handsome gift of 39 volumes of clothbound novels had been received from Mr. D. C. Peacock, of Kelburn-parade. As the stock was low the gift was particularly welcome. Subscriptions received to date for the Crippled Soldiers' Hostel Brick Fund include the following :—Hutt Patriotic Guild, Hutt Bowling and Tennis Club, £200; C .Smith, Ltd., £50; James M'Kerrow, £50; Departments of Agriculture, Customs and Marine, £24; J. Myers and Co., £20; M. Mvers, £10; W. Ferguson, £5 ss; Sec, Box 363, £5 ss; Kodak Co., £5; A. Fribug (Maranui), £5; Laery, Burbidge, and Co., £5 ss; D. C. Peacock, £5; F. F. Pope, £5; E. C. Levvey, £5; Miss Phoebe Myers, £5. Total, with smaller amounts, 102,442 bricks.

The Worser Bay Literary and Social Club held its monthly '-'social" last evening at tho Methodist Church, Worser Bay. Mr. G. Warring won the competition. Those responsible for items were Mr. M. Moxham and tho young men of the Bible Class.

The engagement is announced of Miss Doris M'lntyre, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. H. M'lntyre, .Lower Hutt, to Staff-Q.M.S. Lan A. MacKay, son of Mrs. K. J. MacKav. Parnell. Auckland.

The throng of girls and young women who attended Dr. Platte-Miils's lecture on Thursday evening at the Y.W.C.A. was greater'thau ever. When there was no more sitting accommodation, even on tables or benches, and no more legitimate standing room, girls had to boat a rutreat. The Doctor was warmly welcomed at the beginning and cheered at tho end of tho lecture. More questions hnd been sent W for Di\ Platts-Mills's consideration, and these were answered one by one. The last opportunity for asking questions will be afforded next Thursday evening, when the series will end with a resume of this course of instruction oh the health of the individual, the community, and the race. Only girls or young unmarried women who have attended the other lectures are invited to the final lecture.

Forty-four new members were elected by tho Board of Directors at the monthly meeting of tbo. Ypung Women's Christian Association last Thursday, when Mrs. Pearson was in the chair. The question of assisting in the erection of a Y.W.C.A. hut in France, for girls engaged in the Women's Auxiliary Army, which is urgently needed, was discussed, and it was agreed that the Wellington Y.W.C.A. should participate in the scheme. It was reported that 53 visitors had passed through the hostels during the month, and fourteen girls had been received as permanent boarders. Mrs. Hamilton was elected to tho House Committee. The attendance of business girls who use the club rooms in the lunch hour had increased,' 1828 lunches having been served. It was agreed to receive a student from the Y.W.C.A. National Training School for two months' practical training in cafeteria or lunchroom work 1 at the end of July. The Foreign Department showed a fine increase in its collections amongst the girls. Eighty-four pounds had been collected by the Y.W.C.A. visitors from girls in workrooms for the Savings Club to encourage thrift.

The last monthly meeting of tho Old Girls' Association held on Thursday was most successful, and several new members were enrolled. The President reported that a branch, of the association has been formed at Khandallah, and it is proposed that- similar branches be formed in other suburbs to enable all the members to be present at one or other of the meetings. The girls are working for patriotic purposes, and will assist with a donation to the Copper Trail. All Old Girls desiring to contribute to this may send their pennies to the secretary, at Girls' College.

Miss Alice Heath, of Motueka, is on a visit to her sister, Mrs. B. A. Tomlinaon, of Percival-street, Wellington.

Miss Doreon M'Cabe, only remaining child, of Mr. U. S. M'Cabe,' of the firm of Richardson and M'Cabe, of Wellington, died yesterday. Much sympathy will bo felt for the parents of deceased by a large circle of friends.

The monthly meeting of the Women's National Council (Wellington branch) will be held in the Y.W.C.A. rooms on Monday next tit 8 p.m., when an address will be given by Miss Phoebe Myers on "The Iniluenco of Home and Social Education on Child Welfare."

Miss Lorna M. Monckton went to England early in 1915 and took up war work at the hospital at Walton-on-Thames, says a correspondent. There she remained ur.til June, 1917, teing mentioned for her services. She then transferred to the New Zealand Piecord Office a/t Rouen, in France, wliich necessitated her becoming a member of the W.A.A.C. In this service she lias been promoted to be an assistant-admin-istrator, and she is now stationed at Dover, but hopes to get to France shortly.

The shortage of V.A.O.'s becomes, if possible, more acute than ever (says an English correspondent). A new development is indicated in the! creation of s, New Zealand bodj', with Miss 'Helen Mackenzie as commandant—an extension of the original V.A.D. on Imperial lines. It is intended to have New Zealand girls enrolled in it who come to England to work for the sick and wounded. There are, of course, large numbers of New Zealand women who have already done long and arduous V.A.D. service. If any such desire to join the new N.Z.V.A.D., they must obtain discharge certificates from their present commandant. Any , member completing a year's service with a hospital is entitled to the War Service Bar.

End of Season Sale. Great reductions in Blouses and Millinery. Dainty ninon Blouses, black over white, and navy over white, 47s Gd, 12s, 25s Gd, 23s Gd. Crcpe-de-chine, in cream and colours, from 30s. Jap silk Blouses from 12s Gd. All velour and straw Hats greatly reduced. Misses Pago and Souter, 10, Woodward-street.— Advt,

Our spociitl showing of Spring and Summer Mi'Hnory has caused much comment by Indies who appreciate really artistic headwear. Tho English Hampton Straw- Hats, in jade, nigger, green, -terra, and navy are moat suitable for present wear for either afternoon or morning. Smartly-trimmed with ribbon and quill; some with dainty flowers. Miss Abrahams, 236, JLavnb'ton-quay, Wellington.— Advt.