WOMEN IN PRINT.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 56, 4 September 1923, Page 9

WOMEN IN PRINT.

The matrons of St. Mary's Homes Karori, gave an "at home" for friends and subscribers on Monday afternoon. Her Excellency Viscountess Jallicoe, witii a party from Government House,' was present. Visitors from near and far assembled, and expressed great pleasure at the pleasant surroundings and at the bright appearance of the children. Delicious tea, cakes, and sandwiches were served by the elder girls, all the dainties being made in the home. , Mrs. Ginn conducted three so.ngs, sung by the girls, who reflected much credit on her teaching, their voices blending well with clear intonation. Mrs. Sprott welcomed Her Excellency, who is patroness of St Mary's Guild, and explained various details of the work. A new venture has been started by the guild. The late Miss Godfrey's. house_ has been bought; it is capable of housing 40 girls. This extension has only been made possible by the -great generosity of a Karori parishioner, who paid down £300, on the purchase and guarantees £700 before the year is over. A sum of nearly £2000 will have to b~e paid off by the guild, with interest, in the next five years. The guild has also to furnish the 'new, home Lists of things wanted were placed on the walls,.and many of the visitors were able to promise to supply som e need. Forty new beds are needed, each costing seven .guineas, that is, complete, bedding, linen, pillows, blankets, etc. It was mentioned that the names of donors would be placed over each bed. Her Excellency made a short speech of' thanks, and. expressed pleasure at all she saw. She was particularly interested in the beautiful needlework, and gave some orders.

All.Navy League-members; 'especially those of the younger branches, will be much interested in one of TJirkcaldie and Stains's windows on Lambton quay, from Friday 7th- September till 11th September. Kirkcaldie "and Stains are kindly arranging an exhibit of the work .done by the Navy League" for the ten thousand sailors' orphans, who, are in dire need of help. There are many pretty, as well as useful garments, and "the exhibit should- prove most attractive as showing, the live interest taken here by the Navy League for those in distress in other parts of the world. Mrs. Norman James and Miss Kummer, of.Masterton, are visiting Wellington. Mrs. Hugh Beetham has taken up her residence in Masterton. Miss -Maude Bodmin is leaving on Friday for Sydney, on her return to Egypt. , , The Wellington branch of the League of Nations is giving an "at home" at the Pioneer Club nest Monday evening.A great work is done in Auckland in the distributing of books and magazines. The Mayoress has a War Memorial Library Committee, and the report of the secretary showed that 2000 bound books," 4000 magazines', 256 scrap books, and 271 children's books l>ad been distributed through the year. • A feature had been the special request department, and it was stated that the works of Dickens and Macaulay had caused so great a demand that the committee would be glad of as many; more as possible. The Victoria League, the Navy League, and the St. John. Ambnlance Association members we're ■ all both collectors and distributors with the best .results. The iassociations of old girls.of various schools, diocesan girls,. Civic/League, and-others had done assisting work, with -the splendid result that not only Auckland institutions were supplied, but the seamen, light-house keepers,' and Nieue Islanders had had regular benefactions. The work ss a most admirable one.

Mention is made in the "Woman Journalist" of the retirement of Sir John Le Sage after sixty years' service, the greater part of which has been ir. tho capacity of managing editor of the London "Daily Telegraph."' Sir John has attained the great age of 86, and is an example of the fact that if a man keeps in touch with.his world thoroughly well his interest and judgment keep fine and "green," so that it is of infinite help to others. It is stated that Sir' John will be a great loss to the .world of working ■women, as his sympathy and kindliness have been of the'greatest assistance. Mr. W. T. M&Bsey, 0.8. E., whose name is Well-known to New Zealanders as a war correspondent, has been appointed news editor.

Hutt Valley growers and tjieit friends foregathered in large numbers on Wednesday night last in the Taita Hall, on the occasion of their first annual social and dance. The hall wag tastefully dooorated'with greenery and streamers. The floor was in excellent order.. Dance music "was supplied by a good orchestra. During the evening musical items were rendered by Mrs. Davey, Mrs. Potter, Miss Knight, and Miss Potter, and recitations given by Master David Horlor. Much credit is due to Mesßrs. Barry, Stedman, M. Peseini, Evans, Ferretti, Howletij Pack, Haywood, and Cooper, the committee who had charge of affairs for a most enjoyable evening.

r The engagement is announced of Mr. Frank Best, of Te Horo, and Miss Helen Harris, of Maharahara (Hawkes Bay). Two hundred years have passed since a woman was burned at the . stake for witchcraft within the British Islss. The facts are related in the "Scottish Historical 'Iteview." The woman was a- halforazy old woman from the parish of Loth in Sutherlandshire, Scotland. The poople of the neighbourhood had been stirred especially'by the vivid reports that were spread about her powers as a witch. Tho case against her was not instigated by the bewitched person, who happened to be the half-paralysed daughter of the , witch herself, but, as it is • supposed, by the minister of Eastwood), the Rev. Robert Wodiw. This superstitious gentleman believed ho had beon stricken with illness through this witches sorcery. Pigs and poultry had been affected also. The affliction of, the daughter was adduced as proof positive she had been transmuted into a beaet of burden and so came to have her paralysed hand and feet. The old woman was duly accused before the deputy-sheriff, Captain David Robs. She herself had no idea what all the proceedings were about. Seeing the "bonnie fire," as she called it, aided as it was by a tar barrel, she gladly warmed her hands at what was to prove her own funeral pyre. So a fewi minutes later, as the report says, the old woman was duly "wirreit at a stake and brint to assis" in the town of Bornoch, June, 1722. But Scotland was now awakening from its archaic nightmares, and all such mock-lepal murders of witches were afterwards altogether inhibited.

The children of the Warea School, Taranaki, says the,"New Zealand" School Journal," have been fortunate enough to secure, alive, in New Zealand, a moth-whose natural home is Australia. So far as is known, this is the first time -the moth has been found in this, country, and it is difficult to say how it has come here, for, of course, it could not fly across the extent of sea that separates the two countries. The scientific name is the Antheraea eucalypti, and it is one/of. the silkworm-moths that live on the leaves of the eucalyptus.

A great feature, at the Community Club at Buckle streetj is the weekly class for teaching dancing, which was begun by Miss Ethelwyn Kirk, and is being carried on by Miss Innes: Last evening there were about a hundred boys happily engaged in practising steps, or in dancing together, preparatory for the time when they are sufficiently advanced to have girl partners at the monthly dance. The effort is a very fine one, and many boys have thoroughly enjoyed -the chance of learning one of the best of the social arts.

At the monthly meeting of the Workers' Help Mission, a very hearty vote of thanks was passed to the board of the Macarthy Trust for the generous donation of £100. The division is always in need of funds, and its fine helpers are more than fully, engaged. Arrangements were completed for the street sale of spring flowers to be held shortly. Many of the owners of beautiful gardens at Heretaunga have promised tl\eir early blooms. Wellington people will be able to combine pleasure and profit in a fine cause. ■ . , ■'

As a result of the visit of Mr. Clutha Mackenzie, a collection and carnival "in aid of the Pearson Memorial Fund for the Blind was organised at Wanganui. The total sum raised was £650. A correspondent recently, asked for a recipe for water-proofing material. This ■following method has been recommended. Dissolve one half pound of alum in four gallons of boiling rain water. In a sep-, arate vessel dissolve one half a pound of sugar of lead in gallons of water. Let the solution stand until clear, then pour the alum liquid into a clean vessel, add the sugar of lead solution; and let it stand a few hours. Pour off the clear liquid, thoroughly work the fabric into it, then squeeze out, stretch, and dry. Great care should be exercised in using -the sugar of lead, as it is deadly poison. Any . kind of- waterproofing needs to Be repeated occasionally, when the material is constantly exposed to the weather! ■..■■,.

After several preliminary. essays (writes a London corespondent), a determined effort is now being made to reintroduce the crinoline fashion. At first thought, in view of:modern conditions, with women so deeply engaged in sport and business , and so profoundly pledged to the new era, .such an attempt may seem doomed'to failure. But Mr. Harry Furniss, in his recently-published book on "Some Victorian Women," naively gives the reason why tho crinoline fashion may after all be welcomed. Itdepends how far snobbishness is an essential feature, in -modern society; beoausß, Mr. Furniss points ont, whatever its disadvantages, in crinoline days, "a lady looked and moved with dignity as a lady shpuld . . . but the commoner .women did riot, thus showing the different class of wearers very distinctly !" If there is to be any real vogue for the crinoline to-day it will be because, since bo many women could not possibly wear it, those who can, and do, will at all evfints have some distinctive cachet.

The ball given by the staff of the D.I.C. is always one which is anticipated .with much pleasure, and there are many who will be 1 interested to heat that it will take-.place at St..'.. Francis*. Hall to-morrow night-x. Tramway^ and.,...other arrangements are announced "by advertisement. '

..... "Time and Tide" chrpnicles the fact' that Mrs. Leonora Cohen, well-known in.the feminist and Labour worlds, an organiser 'of the National: Union of Workers, is the first woman to hold the office of pi-esident of the Leeds Trades Council. "A very excellent woman to have the pleasure of chronicling," adds tho writer.

British •manufacturers are unable to keep pace with the unprecedented demand for racquets which has followed the rise of lawn tennis to the status of an international pastime (states an exchange). For some time one noted firm has displaced on its premises this notice: "Owing to the immense number of lawn tennis racquets already booked for delivery to our trading customers, no further racquet orders can be accepted for this home trade for at least two months. Shipping orders, .however, caji be received, but must necessarily te subject to considerable delay. It is impossible to supply any racquets from stock:" "It is wrong to speak of a boom," said the manager to a correspondent, "it is simply a crescendo of trade. Orders are pouring in from every foregin land, and several unknown." It is imposible to turn out the work any quicker because the supplies of best gut and the number of highly-skilled workmen are limited.