WOMEN IN PRINT.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 156, 31 December 1923, Page 9

WOMEN IN PRINT.

When waving! a friendly hand to 1923, and beckoning tD 1924 with equal friendliness, women must naturally look forward with hopefulness to" a still larger horizon in Newj Zealand. 'There are'so many ways in which the women-in other countries have "gone ahead" of the womenkind here, and it is to bo hoped that a definite move will be made by New Zealand women to accomplish something worth while in the New Year. In reading news from many lands it seems as though a great deal had been done to help the country women and girls to better, brighter, and more comfortable lives. The establishment of country clubs, where books, papers,-amusements, lectures, and talks on homely" subjects are features, has done a tremendous amount for the women in Australia, America, and Canada. It is only necessary to pay a visit to friends in lonely parts of the country to find out how many women are "reaching out" for more information about subjects of general interest to their sex. They have, many of them, got away from "the dressingroom and the kitchen," as an English iivriter soys, and, while those two rooms must necessarily take a great part of their time (little help'in either being obtainable in these days), still their thoughts soar away to matters requiring more intelligence—a quality little lacking in the majority of the women here. The country clubs provide a change of thought from the daily round, and the work is doubtless better- done after a certain amount of recreation. In travelling about this country one sees so many little isolated homes, and it would seem as if the women in the towns could do so much to help these people if they would organise book and magazine clubs, correspondence, or visiting entertainments, in order to reach those whose circumstances keep them away from the world of interest and movement. The Victoria League in Auckland does a great work in this direction, but there seems to be little effort in other directions. If 1924 saw a definite movement towards the establishment of country clubs, in however small and humble a manner, it. would make the year a "worth \vhils" one. It is to be hoped that women of leisure, of whom there is quite a sprinkling in the country, will think the matter over, and try to do some pioneer work in this direction.

Mr, and Mrs. G. F. Watts, of Marlborough, have returned from a visit to England, and are at present staying at the Royal Oak Hotel. Mrs. Noel Nelson, Dunedin, is staying at Eastbourne for the holidays.

Mrs. Evan Parry has arrived back to London. During the three weeks' stay in Colombo on the return journey from New Zealand, Mrs. Parry was knocked np by the heat, but recovered on th« trip before reaching England.

Mr. and Mrs. Harkness, Wellington, are visiting New Plymouth. Dr. and Mrs. M'Evedy, Wellington. are visiting Mr. and Mrs. Dennehy, Greymouth ;. Mrs. A. F. Roberts and the Masters Roberts were passengers to England by the Ruahine on Saturday. Miss Daisy Ewart has been visiting her sister, Mrs. Gilliugham, at Fairlie. . Miss Paterson, Dunedin, is the guest of her sister. Dr. Ada Paterson, Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. Mazengarb are visiting Taupo. . ' , Mrs. Bothamley, Tinakori road, is Visiting New Plymouth. . " ■ Visitors to Auckland from Wellington include Mrs. ,H. B. Ewen and Mr. and Mrs. Alec Reid. Mrs: Hosking, Wadestown, is. leaving with her son, Mr. Christopher Hosking. for a visit to England. Among the -visitors to Christchurch from Wellington are Mr. and Mrs. Rees, Mr. and Mrs. Ward, Mr. and .Mrs. TJpham, and Miss Kerr. Miss Vera Parsons, Christchurch, is visiting friends in Wellington. Captain and Mrs. Hamilton, Wellington, are visiting Mrs. Hamilton, Orari. The Hon. W. J. Geddis, Mrs., and the Misses Geddis are spending the holiday at Taupo. Mr. and Mrs. G. Davidson, Rawhiti terrace,'Kelburn, are spending the holidays at Hawkes Bay. Mrs. Baume and Mrs. Sidney Nathan, Auckland, are in Wellington for a few days en route for their home. ' Miss Longford, Wellington, is paying a visit to Dunedin. The Rev. Mr. Gillespie, the newlyappointed vicar of Pahiatua, and Mrs. Gillespie, arrived in New Zealand by the, Athenic. ■, ' ». Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Lawson and family arrived from, a visit to England by the Tahiti, this morning. The engagement is announced of Miss Winnie Hussey, elder daughter of Mrs. H. and the late J. Hussey, >of Brooklyn, to Mr. K. L. Usmar, of the literary staff of "The Dominion," eldest son of Mrs. G. W. and the late H. A. Usmar, of Petone.

The wedding was solemnised at Takapuna Methodist Church, Auckland, of Miss Ada May Carlquist, only daughter of Captain and Mrs. Carlquist, and Mr, Stanley George Riggs, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Riggs, Auckland. The bride's charming gown was of ivory marocaiu, trimmed with radium laco and pearls. The veil was fastened with orange blossoms, and the bouquet was a shout *of Christmas lilies. The five bridesmaids were Miss Rina Stewart, in lilac satin with a black picture hat, with a bouquet of yellow lilies; Miss Zeta Jaques-Blackmors (Wellington), old gold satin, black hat, and yellow lily bouquet.* Three little ones followed also, Winnie Myres (train-bearer), Doreen Sheath, and Beryl Winstone, who were in pale blue, pink and mauve crepe de chine, respectively, and carried gold baskets with pink and mauve carnations.' Mr. Edmond Carlquist was the best man. and^ Mr. John Owen groomsman. The bride and bridegroom left for a visit to Rotorua after the wedding reception.

The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Charles- Palmer, of Kilbirnie, was celebrated recently. They were married, in All Saints Church, Emscotte, Warwick. England, ? by the Rev. T. B. Dickens, in December, 1873, and left on the sailing ship Woodlark, arriving in Wellington in March,. 1874. where they have since resided, being old and respected residents of the district. Mrs. Smith, mother of Mrs. Palmer, will celebrate her 89th birthdayj shortly.

Mrs. Bichbeith, who was one of the women representing Australia at the International Congress of Women held at Borne, writes to "Dawn" in reference to a cable message sent regarding the elecfaon of the president at the congress. She says: "That cable described at some length difficulties about the election of a president. As I was present on that occasion, I can testify to the fact that there was not a word of truth in it, for tho election of Sirs. Cor-.ntt-Ashby took place on constitutional hues without any difficulty whatever"

A report has been received from Misa Bioknell, who has represented New Zealand at the Copenhagen Congress^ of Nurses. She suggests that as isW Zealand has the reputation of being in the foremost rank of those countries which regard the public health as of paramount importance, it would be well to have the country represented at conferences and the International Council. Mention is made of the fact that there is a decided trend towards the use of specially-trained public health nurses for the prevention of disease. The matter of the reduction of the time of training was not favourably received, the Americans alone being in favour of intensive training taking less Lime than the three years usually allocated for a wholn course. Miss Bicknell spoke of th» wonderfully fine "and well-equipped hospitals at Copenhagen, which prides itself on having more of this accommodation per head than any other country The institutions are set in beautiful gardens, and Miss Bicknell had no fault to find with them except that they were, in some cases, elaborated unnecessarily, so that valuable time was spent in keeping them in order, as well as a largn staff for no other reason. She alsi> mentions that there seemed to be a quito general prosperity, and she saw no extremes of wealth or poverty.\

An enjoyable evening was spent in th«> Victoria Ward, General Hospital. last Thursday, when a. concert party representing the various Buffalo Lodges in the Wellington district were in attendance and gave a very pleasiDg programme, which was greatly appreciated by inmates and staff. Items were given by Messrs. Brockenshire, Osborne, Roberts, Moody, Nelson, Wilkinson, anil Williams. Mr. Arch. Harding officiated at the piano. It is intended to pay another visit to tho ward at an early date

Interesting mention ,1s made in tho "Women Journalist" of the British Empire Exhibition, the Controller of, Publicity having invited members of the Society of Women Journalists to visit Wembly and be shown over the grounds. It is mentioned that the situation is magnificent, the--views to be obtained arc superb, and the site covers ,216 acres. There is to be a light automatic railway, into which visitors will step, and the train will start of its own accord, slowing down and stopping at each station. This, says- the writer, is an attractive convenience, without which only the strongest and most intrepid could see what there is to be sesn within a given number of hours. The vastnesa of the Exhibition can he judged from the fact that seven thousand people aro engaged night and day upon Us preparation, and the Palace of Engineering, only oiio of the many buildings, is six times as large as Trafalgar square. The architecture of the buildings is a subject .of great consideration, and will be of special beauty. There willx be an enormous stadium 'floored with parquet, which, it is anticipated, will be big enough even for the dancing population of London. From a broad terrace outside this building a fine view can .be obtained of the Exhibition grounds, including a miniature river, which will be illuminated from under the water, giving a wonderful spectacular effect.

Miss- Esther-' L. Anderson, Ph.B., National General Secretary of- the Y.W.C.A. of Australia and' New Zealand, arrived in Wellington by the Manuka to-day, and, accompanied by Miss .Ella Fair, secretary to the New Zealand National Field Committee, proceeded to Chiistchurch to attend a conference of all the . Y.W.C.A.'s of New Zealand, which will be held there from 4th to 12th January. Lady Luke will be the presiding officer of the conference, and Miss Anderson the leader. Matters of policy affecting the Y.W.C.A. will be discussed, and lectures will be given on association technique and methods, Bible study, methods of work among adolescent girls, etc. Special emphasis will be laid upon the discussion of how the Y.W.C.A. can perfect itself as an instrument of service to the community. >

. Sybil Thorndike, England's greatest tragic actress, has been made a doctor

"Of law at Manchester University, and in future will be entitled "Dr. Tnorndike." It^s true that Ellen Terry recently received an honorary degree,' but I think this is 'the first time a working actress has been thus honoured, writes a London correspondent.

Many people dread to go out into the country because they suffer so severely from the attacks of stinging insects. Happily, there are certain substances which mosquitoes and gnats dislike extremely, and when these are used there is generally little risk of being bitten. Ammonia will keep away Vmost insects, but this is very volatile, and has to be frequently renewed. A little oil of lavender has a more lasting effect, and the fragrance, although disliked by flies, is agreeable to^hiunan beings. A'few drops may be scattered on the clothes and on the cushions in the boat or the rug which is spread on the ground when a picnic is in progress. Violet powder to which has been added just a trace of menthol may be used as a 'lusting powder for the arms and inside the sleeves and stockings. The protective action of this powder will last for hours, and keep away even the most vicbus flies. When, in spite of these precautions, a sting'occurs it is well to remember the value of fresh tobacco ash—if this is slightly warm so much the better. It should bo gently rubbed on theVspot after it has been moistened with water. The'alkali iiuthe ash neutralises the acid of the poison inserted by the insect and an.immediate feeling' of relief is usually experienced.

So far the general election has not attected the Christmas shopping as was feared, and the West-end stores are as lull as ever, writes a London correspondent. The popular present of the moment is a Mah Jong set, either in the . domino form, made of bone and bamboo, or in the cheaper card form, which players., who cannot afford the four or five guineas charged for a real Chinese set, prefer. Mali Jong is so popular that the toy and sports shops have installed special demonstration rocfas where,experts teach purchasers of Mah ,Jong sets the latest methods of play. Certainly the game has a fascination, of its own, especially when played with the pretty Chinese pieces, but it i;. too early to be sure if the game has the abiding attraction of whist, bridge, or chess, or whether its vogue will end with the season and then be lost to the Western world, to return at intervals as does halma. or cribbage.