WOMEN IN PRINT.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 141, 16 June 1924, Page 9

WOMEN IN PRINT.

Mxe. Alister Beel, wife of Commander 'Beal, has left Auckland for Sydney. Mrs. Russell Lewis has returned to Sydney after a visit to New Zealand.

The Misses A. and G. Wilson, of Stratford, have left for a visit to Australia and England.

Mr. and Mrs. L. Andrews, of Welling ton, are visiting Christchurch.

Miss Brewster returns to New Plymouth from Wellington to-day.

Mrs. A. Alexander, of New Plymouth, is visiting Wellington.

A highly successful "at home" was held recently in the Maranui Church Hall, when a baby show was part of the attraction. About eighty mothers aud babeg attended, and the tack of Sister Reade, from St. Helens Hospital, in judging them was .one of great difficulty, for there were so many aspirnts to the honours given, and such deserving ones, that decision was a real task. The prizes were awarded as follow, after much consideration:—Hazel Lukin (girl under six months) ; James \Vright (boy under six months); Dorothy Guest (girl over six months); Terence Rea (boy over six months); June and Pattic Fitzgerald (twins). Mrs. Porter presided, and a song was gjiven by Mrs. Frew, the competition being won by Mrs. Fathers. Afternoon tea was served by the committee, and a most pleasant afternoon was spent by all present.

Much pleasure ie anticipated from the Sunshine Ball, to be hehl at the Town Hall in aid of the Free Kindergarten funds, for every arrangement is being made to give the young ones a most delightful time. An inducement to clever mothers to turn ou'f pretty frock's is the fact that prizes will be given for the most original dress, cheapest, and for tbe best paper dress; boys and girls will both lie taken into consideration is giving the prrzes. A prize will also be given for the best dancer, either boy or girl. The Free Kindergartens are real "sunshine schools" for little children, who otherwise would be a great- deal in the shadow of life, owing to busy parents and small means. Therefore, it is hoped that there will be a greati crowd at the party, which will bring an access of sunshine "to those who are trying to make a little money go a long if it is a tremendous success.

Hostesses for the week at the Community Club, Buckle street, will be as follow:—This evening, -Mrs.- Alex. Macintyre; Tuesday; Mrs. Dormer; Wednesday, Mrs. F. James; Thursday, Mrs. C. 11. Chapman; Friday, Mrs. E. C. Adams; Saturday, closed on account of benefit ball; Monday, Mrs. E. G. Pilcher.

The engagement is announced of Nora, younger daughter of Mr" and Mrs. A. G. Fernandez, 126, Tinakori road, Wellington, to Mr. Robert Harding, Raukawa, Hastings.

Nurso Fanning reported at a meeting of tho. Hutt branch of the Plunket Society that several mothers from the Hutt district, acting under her advice, had entered the Mothercraft Home in Wellington, and derived much, benefit from their stay, there. Mrs. J. M'Caw, honorary treasurer,'acknowledged with thanks subscriptions totalling £4 36. After the business of the meeting was concluded the committee entertained Mrs. Hansford Johnston, the retiring treasurer (who did not seek re-election) at afternoon tea, which was daintily set out by Mrs. E.W. Hunt and Mrs. H. Hardcastle. Mrs. G. A. Chapman was hostess, and after referring to the untiring services rendered to the branch by Mrs. Hansford Johnston, made her.a presentation as a mark of the committee's appreciation and esteem.

Mention is made by "The Post's" London correspondent of a successful concert given by Miss Kathleen Cruickshank, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Cruickshaik,. of Masterton and Wellington, which took place at the Aeolian Hall, New Bond street. She has been studying with Mr. Frederick King and M. Mischa Leon, and though her voice s not a particularly powerful one, it is mentioned as being very sweet and attractive, and Miss Cruickshank is possessed of that elusive quality entitled "charm." The programme selected was one of dainty charm, and it was evident that Miss Cruickshank was perfectly at ease with all tho items which composed it. There were some beautiful Old English songs, seldom heard, to start with—"My Lovely Celin," "Come Again" (John Dowland, arranged by Keel, from "First Book of Ayres, 1597.), "Love is a Bauble" (from Robert Jones s Second Book of Songs and Airs, 1601). "A Lover's Garland" (translated from the' Greek), Stanford's "Windy Nights" (R. L. Stevenson), and "The City Child" (Tennyson) were a delightful group, the singer giving a splendid interpretation of each of the two last-named. The resonance and freshness of her voice were noticed in the French group, "Plaisir d'Amour," "Jeunes Fillettes," and "Maman dites-moi," and tho l^Jtle "Spinning Song from the Basquis" ("Iruten Hari Nuzu") was a dainty morsel, delicately sung. The second part of the programme was taken up with a number of pleasing German songs, and with a group of Negro Spirituelles. Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Wolf, were all represented. Of the Negro spirituelles Miss Cruickshank is specially fond, and she has studied them carefully, with the result that she imparts the joyful atmosphere which one feels really belongs to the plantation singers. In response to insistent demands she sang twice "Nobody knows de trouble I've seen," and everyone wanted again. "I Got a Robe," but this was supplemented by Laurence Brown's "Steal Away." At the piano was Mr. Harold Craxton, who is always a tower of strength to a vocalist, and who is the foremost of London's accompanists.

The death occurred at Granton-on-Spey, Elginshire, towards the end of April, of Mrs. Margaret Stewart, who, for two years had, with her daughter, Miss Margaret Stewart, been living with her son, Professor Stewart, of Canterbury College, at Garden road, Fendalton, Christchurch. Mrs. and Miss Stewart returned to Great Britain in March of last year, and lived with the former's sisters, the Misses Mackintosh, at Granton-on-Spey. A notice which occurred in "The Strathspey Herald" at the time of Mrs. .Stewart's death will be of interest to the many friends who ■were privileged to know her during her stay in Christchurch. Mrs. Stewart, who was the widow of a former Minister of Premnay (Scotland), had many attached friends in that parish. A gentle, lovable personality, her ministry among the people was no less devoted than that of her husband. Mrs. Stewart was sorely bereaved in the war, having lost three of her-sons. One, serving in the Koyal Engineers, iliud from gas poisoning; one. in the mercantile marine, wus drowned in a torpedoed ship ; and another died at sea from influenza. Her surviving son. Colonel Hugh Stewart, D.5.0., fought with distinction in Gallipoli and Franco in command of a battalion of Xew Zenlandevs. He is a part author of thp official history of the Xew Zealand Division, one of the best, military records puhlifhrd after tho war. Mr Stewart is Trofessoi' ni GlasEks at Canterbury College.

A particularly entertaining evening has been arranged to take place at the Wellington Girls' College to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, when Mrs. John Hannah will present three amusing little plays, "The Rest Cure," "Me and My Diary/" and ■ "Rosalind." Mrs. Hannah's talent in producing plays is so well known that there is no need to stress it. An added interest is the fact that most of those taking part were former pupils of the school. It is hoped that parents and friends, and members of the 0.G.A., as well as the general public will be present and add to the fund, which is a popular one —the games fund—which has to be provided by the college itself. So many pupils have excelled •in various games and sports that it is hoped that every help and encouragement will be given to the girls of the present.

Tasmania has recently appointed a number of women to.be justices of the peace. These include Mrs. Frances M. Edwards, of Hobart, a keen worker in local health affairs; Mrs. Ida Tynan and Mrs. E. L. Smith, of Launceston; and Mrs. Eliza Bnrnell, of Burnic, who was prominent in country Labour circles for

_ An enjoyable concert was given in St. Anne's Hixll on Saturday evening to aid the candidacy of No. 1 queen, Miss Mauyra Canley. Those who contributed items included: Pupils Marist Bros.' School, Miss .lean Watson. Mrs. O'Shea, Miss Gladys Smyt-hc, Mr. Vernon Oswin, Miss Harris, Mr. Fouhy, pupils Convent schools, Miss -Agnes M'Davitt, Mr. Bert Phillips.. Miss Annie Flan, Mr. Stan Philpotts. Misses Noble-Campbell. Mr. Darroch; accompanist-. Miss Henderson.

The engagement 'is announced of Miss Dora Louisa Carter., only daugh-. tor of Mr. aud Mrs. G. Carter, of Porirua, to Mr. Cecil Champion Mexted, fourth son o£ Mr. and Mrs. S. Mexted, Tawa Flat.- . ■ ■

The same difficulties appear to face j the organisations of women in Australia j which make things so difficult for women in New Zealand, the leading and most j important one being want ot funds. A j special, and very large gathering of women mombers of the various branches of the National Council met to discuss finance, because the quinquennial meeting of the International Council, which has been postponed for a year owing to tile lack of funds to meet expenses, is to' bo held at Washington next year, and the finance part of it must bo arranged as soon as possible. It is usual for each affiliated council throughout the world to pay so much each year to the international centre, but since the war those nations which were defeated, and aJI the smaller nations, have found it as much as they can do to get money for food, let alone pay council fees. This difficulty has been quite genuine; and each council in these countries has sent messages stating how much the International Council of Women means to them, and what a serious loss it would be. if any activities had to be suspended for any reason. It was, therefore, decided that the more, fortunate countries should b« asked to take up the question of raising sufficient money for present requirements. The Victorian Council has asked for £3000, but it will not send all that amount to the centre-, as it needs money for its own purposes, as it has been seriously hampered in the work, o-wing to insufficient funds. The same difficulty is lelt in arranging -the inter-State Conferences. It was pointed out that some of the most suitable women were prevented from attending conferences, as they could not personally meet the necessary expenses, and it would be in the interests of all concerned if a fund were opened for the purpose of providing money for these. . It was felt that the direct appeal was the most suitable and dignified manner of raising the money.

Mention is made in a Southern paper of a very successful effort to start a company of Girl Guides at Leeston, Canterbury.-' Lady Khodes took the chair and introduced the Hon. Mrs. Tahu Rhodes, Commissioner of the Canterbury branch of the association. In an inspiring little address Mrs. Rhodes explained how much Girl Guides could learn that would make them useful citizens, and add much to their- own happiness at the same time. The assistance of a Guide Officer waa promised for the purposes of instruction. Many questions were asked, and it was unanimously decided to form a branch, all present enrolling, with good prospects of more in the near future.

In giving a "luncheon talk" to members of the Auckland (Women's) Lyceum Club, ■ Mr. Clutha Mackenzie said that the attitude of the public toward the blind was very, rapidly changing, and people are now realising that because a person has lost his sight he is not necessarily deaf, mentally deficient, or otherwise disabled. He may be mentally very alert and extremely capable, and as sight is very much a matter of the mind, it can easily be understood that tEe advantages of training are innumerable. A great point in training is to start the pupils at an early age. So often parents wait until children are 10 or 12 years old before sending them for training. With those who have, at a mature age, lost their sight the great .consideration is whether they shall carry on their own occupation or be trained for another. With the risht spirit it is surprising how successfully difficulties can be surmounted in: either of these cases. The institution in Auckland has been, established 35 years, and its inception is largely due to Mr. J. Abbott. At the present time there is a number of students from the school earning their own living, many of them in various professions. A'very powerful means of helping the blind is by giving them euroloyment. Masseuses, piano-tuners, and typists are all seeking work, and there are numerous other avenues of employment which the blind have entered to give marketable service. Their basket-work and mats are always procurable.

The wages of women employed in bakehouses were discussed in the Arbitration Court at -Christchurch last week. The Court had adjourned this section of the Christchurch Bakers and Pastrycooks' disnute, in order that the parties might confer, a-nd see- whether they could come to an agreement. It was announced that the attempt had failed. Mr. It. A. Brookes, for the union, suggested that the C-"-irt should adopt a scale of wages similar to that, awarded to female kitchen hands id restaurants. These workers, he. said, had very similar duties, as many restaurants made their own small cakes and pastry. Mr. W. Cecil Prime, for the emnlovers. would not agree to this proposal, but submitted an independent scale of wases. The Court sail! that it would consider the whole matter.