WOMEN IN PRINT.

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 5, 6 July 1921, Page 7

WOMEN IN PRINT.

The following remits were passed at a meeting of the Wellington branch of the Women's National Council:— That as" the prosperity and stability of New Zealand are largely dependent upon the' use and 'extension of education for all young people, this conference is. of opinion that a postponement of such extension will be uneconomical, and, therefore, hopes that the Act for raising the school age to IS years can be enforced next year, and that further extensions to 16 and 18 be made as soon as possible. Anotheor remit adopted dealt with the absence .of the women's note in education throughout New Zealand, even matters in connection "with thel education 'of girls being dealt with autocratically from the Department, Another remit recommended that pensions be given'all widows in cases where financial assistance is necessary. A further remit set forth that Mr. G. Mitaheh, M.P., be congratulated upon his advocacy for payments to be made to mothers in such cases where their husbands' were engaged upon relief work. Matters in connection with a play centre for children were dealt with. It was stated that, the Kindergarten Aseooiattori would assist, and the council proposed to enlist .the help of the School Committees' Association, and that of Mrs. Ferner, of Auckland, a specialist in playgrounds. A further motion was passed congratulating Miss_ Coad upon her election to the Council of Education as representative of the secondary teachers. Mrs Warburton, of Karon, was nominated as honorary member of tjie National Council, Nurse Gifford to represent the Trained Nurses' Association, and Mis. Yates to represent the Order of the Star of the East. ■

Lady Hall-Jones and Miss Hall-Jones fie staying at Axundel, Anckland.

Miss L. Jackson, of W«llij%ton, has been, visiting the Wafearapa.

Miss E. *krrovr, of Pahia-tua, U visiting Miss A. B. Cooke, accompanied by her sistei', Miss G: F. Cooke,' of Highland Park, will leave shortly by . the Makura to attend the Imperial Conference of Teachers' Associationis at Toronto, and to make a short tour of Canada and the States.

The resignation of Mrs. J. Darling as hon. secretary "of the Ladies', AuxilKu'y of the Navy.League (Wellington branch) was received with great regret at a meeting of the auxiliary he-Id yesterdiay affcei--nopii. Mrs, Harding was electedl in 'her ptaoe, and was iisked to forward a.letter to Mrs. .Dai'Sng expressing appreciation of. her sei-vioes. . ...

The high cost of living was emphasised by Miss A. Oossoy, who was speaking on behalf of the employees,- during the hearing of the dressmakers' and millliners' dispute at the sitting of the Auckland! Arbitration Court. Miss Oossey said tho tariff'at one hostel for girls in Auckland was 27s £>d a week for shared rooms, and 35a for single rooms,,exclusive of ironing and washing. At: another hojtel, wliicli jr/as not self-supporting,. tho charge for shared rooms was.22s 6d a. week, and for single rooms 27s 6d. Many of the union's members were living away from home, and had to support themselves.

Dr. Ada. Paterson spoke interestingly on tho origin and progress of medical inspection in schools last evening ab the Hed Cross Hall, her lecture being one of the peace series, organised by the society and the Order of St. John, Eyesight, dental necessities, and general health were .all taken into consideration. Dr. Pa/evson was of opinion that, generally speaking,- New Zealand;..children 1 were very clean, clofliirtg V'aud bodily cieaiilipess being {lie rule/. There were, exceptions, of course, but unpleasant conditions'of the body and hair wore not. prevalent. 1 Some ■■'children' were- overclad, while, as a contrast, some mothers sent children unclothed about the legs, not realising that childrer catch cold in the legs as readily as through' other parts of the body. There was about 10 per cent of malnutrition cases. , The best came from a- fanning or good, "residential area, and the worst fromi back-blocks districts and slum parts of tho cities. The causes of trouble wera poverty, ovenarowding, vice, and inefficiency. Dr. Valintine, in tho cr.urse of a few remarks, said that it would be gathered from Dr. 'Paterson's lecture tliat- the medical inspection of schools had been 'a- thorough success. More medical officers, nurses, and; physical instructors were riecossory tci carry out the school work if it was to be thoroughly satisfactory.

In speaking about . the medical . examination of school children last night' at tho Red Cross Hall,' Dr. Ada Patereou alluded to the regrettable fact that, in the country particularly,. 6om,e of the children were overworked, outside school hours. Later, Mr. T. Forsyth, chairman of the Wellington Education- Board, who presided at the lecture, said that he 'was'hoping for/legislation which would prevent this. If it was necessary, that children should work in order,' to keep the faSnily, the State should devW some means of assis&moe.. He hoped that during the next session of Parliament that some such legislation would be enacted.

The report given by Miss Eiley at the Kindergarten Council meeting, held this. week, stated that the quarterly returns showed very good attendances, and that •the general health- of the ohildren was good. Each of the Jocal committees is now working for ite^owm building fund, and is baring entertainments and jumble sates to raise the necessary money.

The -engagement is announced of Miss Maisie Gray, only daughter of Mr. andi Mrs. J. D. Gray, of Rona-Bay, Wellington, to Mr. Gordon H. Hadfieto, elder son of'the late Mr. Henry Hadfield and Mrs. ■ Hadfield, of Lizulaile., Paraparaunm.

An impressive display of up-tcuJate ■gowna was to "be seen this week at the Admiral's House, Hampstead Heath, the home of th« Hon. Mrs. John Forteecue (says a, London corespondent). Mrs. Fortescue is tile* wife of th© King's librarian. Finding the material rewards of literature were not enough to enable her husband to go on with his. work, Mrs. Fortesoiie opened a dressmaking shop at her Hampstead home, under the U'ade name of "Gin-tea." The plucky effort has met with remarkable success. A leafy loggia, a flagged gar.dien, a-ndi budding, rose trees afford a pretty setting- for Ascot gowns. Mrs. Fortescue invited a lot of fashionable people ■to ranch, and. then introduced them to/ forty young women who were displaying her newest designs. Some of "tile frocks were very original. A swathed tea-gown of .black and gold brocadip was woundi round and round th« girl, who displayed it, and fastened with a single pin ' on. thn shouldar. A dress of black 1 waxed'lace ay.cH 1 white satin was another success, the effect being emphasised by a big toptoiBesl»Il con'tb in the hair, and a red- rose at the waist. A dance dress of jade geovg. ette, with an edging .resembling Benares gold work, and a waistband of handpainted fruit, was also voted » charming novelty. The goMen.-haired girl who wore it recalled .a. figure from Botticelli's "Spring" as she moved among tho pillars of the loggia. Mrs. Forlescue's claims upon the d;ress-buying public are numerous, and hoi 1 success is assured. Not a little of it is due to her happy idea of showing her gowns, in the actual-environ-ment in which they, will bo worn—in ■ rosa-deuked givdons, aod-: the ej«.«ou« rogms of an old-world house.

ArraEffemente are well in hand for the Race Club ball, which will take place in the Town Hall on 14th July. His Excellency the Governor-General and Lady Jellicoe will be present. One has only to recollect the general excellence of previous race balls to -predict the usual brilliant picture. Tickets may be ob-. tamed up to 5 p.m. on Monday next through any member of the committee, whose names appear in our advertising columns.

The second of a series of winter social evenings organised by parishioners of All Saints' Church, Kilbimie, will be, held in the Kilbimie Hall on Friday ©veiling.

The third annual ladies' fencing championship of Australia (organised by the Sydney Ladies' Fencing Club) took place recently (says an exchange) at the Swords Club in 'Elizabeth-stret, and attracted a large attendance. Sixteen items, . including combats with foils, sabres, and bayonets, made up an int»resting programme, the judges being Messrs. 0. J. Peterkin, W. A. Holman, P. B. Jordian, and A. L. Campbell, with Professor--P. Stuart as referee. The ladies' contests were gallantly fought, resulting in the triumph ol'Miss Edith Gillespie over her sisters Margaret and Frances (the latter being the 1920 champion), and Mis? Kathleen Sleek, who was the champion for 1919. The Misses Gillespie wore trim suits of • black velvet, while Miss Meek's costume was a black doth, with a row of lar.g« brass buttons arranged from one shoulder to the foot of the three-quarter coat. A tiny exponent of the graceful art was Miss Mary. M-'ll-rath, who bandied her foil with dexterity and pluck. She looks about six years old, and is evidently on the high road to c future ladies' championship.