Women in Print

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 74, 24 September 1927, Page 13

Women in Print

Mrs. Herdman arrived from Auckland ibis morning. . Miss D. Bolton- was a passenger tp Sydney by the UHmaroa yesterday. Major and Mrs. King have returned to Wellington after a visit to Auckland. Mrs. A. 11. Samuel, who is in Wellington, will return .to her new home at Epsom, Auckland, nest week. Mrs. P. O'Neill (Wanganui) is visiting Wellington. Mrs. Charles Forrest left by the TJlimaroa far her home in Sydney. Mrs. A. V. M'Donald has returned from a visit to Auckland, and is staying with her father, Sir Thomas Mackenzie, at the Hotel Cecil. v' Miss Nan Pike, who has been spending a few weeks with her mother, Mrs. J. A. Pike, at Heretaunga, left by the Ulimaroa for Sydney, where she will resume her theatrical work. Mrs. G. Tripe is staying with her sister, Mrs. Thornley Sherratt, "Swarthmoor," Gisborne. The engagement is announced of Mary Theodora, second daughter of Mrs.. P. H. Cox, of Tinakori road, Wellington, and Colin Brereton, only son of Mrs. E. Marshall (recently of Christchurch). Plunket Society Subsidy. The Minister of Health stated in the House of Representatives, last night that provision would be included in the Supplementary Estimates for a grant of £4465 for JPlunket Society work. Staff Dance. The annual staff daneo of C. Smith, Ltd., was held at St. Francis's Hall| Hill street, on Thursday evening last. Although the weather was unfavourable, about 200 people were present, and a most enjoyable evening was spent in dancing. The hall, was decorated with streamers and flowers, and looked extremely well with the shaded lights stiking down on the many colours of the dome-shaped drapings. In the sup-per-room was a largo variety of resh flowers in silver vases, sent to the committee by Miss E. Nees, of Manakau. Tho orchestra was at its beßt, many items being encored. An excellent supper was prepared by Mrs. Oscar Johnstone. Tho dance was a very cheerful and successful function. To Meet Lady Cowan. An opportunity is to be given to members of the Pioneer Club and others who are interested in matters fhat concern the Empire, to meet Lady Cowan at the club on Monday afternoon at half past three, when the guest of honour will speak on the work of the Women's Patriotic League. It •is hoped to hear something from Lady Cowan about British films and other matters in which the women of New Zealand are interested, and a very informative afternoon is expected. Entertainment at Trentnam. On Wednesday evening a party of officers, who are undergoing a refresher course in signal training at Trentham Military Camp,' were the guests at a pleasant evening given by Mrs. K. Anderson, at her residonce at Trentham. The early part of the evening was devoted to musical items, contributed by Major Aldridgo, Lieutenants M'Bride, Feency, and Mr. Meyer. After supper the drawing-room was cleared for dancing, which continued until midnight. Among thoso prosent woro: Misses Hogg and' Scott (Wellington'), Misses W. Wilkinson, J. Howell, B. Johnston, W. Verdon, E. Young, D. ColIctt, H. Scott, W. Jackson, Mesdames Anderson and Howell. Rose Day, 1927. That Armistice Day (11th November) will also be Eose Day for this year was tho decision of tho U.S.A. Eose Day Committeo at a meeting held recently to discuss preliminary arrangements for the 1027 Eoso Day effort. Tho organising work is in the hands of a committeo of ladies, and a further meeting will bo called shortly to allot street stands and. making final arrangements. A cordial invitation is extended to all ladies intorosted in tho appeal to attend the next meeting and,assist in the work of raising funds. Tho proceeds will be dovoted as follows:—50 per cent, to the E.B.A. Benevolent Fund, iiO por cent, to tho W.N.E. (war graves division), 20 por cent, to St. John Ambulance Association. Tho chairman (Colonel G. T. Hall) stressed tho fact that great boneflt is derived from' the association's Benevolent Fund. "Prom small beginnings," he said, this fund had provided means to find accommodation, food, and othor necessities for soino 170 returned soldiers. The committeo is confident that the rcsponso this year, will rival all previous efforts." Unqualified praise was due to tho Women's National Eeservo and the St. John Ambulance Association for their great and unselfish work on behalf of returned men. It cannot bo denied that these bodies are out to fulfil tho promise made to all men who answered the call to arms in the days of peril by assisting those in want and suffering as a result of war experience. It is hoped that all citizens of Wellington will renew their pledge to assist returned men on Armistice Day. An Ancient Spice. Ginger is the oldest spice known. It figured largely on tho tables of tho Romans. They probably brought it to England, for wo hear of gingerbread— the first mention, by tho way, of any spiced bread in the country—long beforo the Nornian Conquest. In tho old leech books of the eleventh arid twelfth centurieiii, ginger is often recommended for medicinal purposes. It was in tho Middle. Ages that thero aroso tho custom of making gingerbread cakes in the.shape of dolls, horses, eta., for tho amusement of children. In tho markets of old times stalls filled with these gingerbread shapes occupied a prominent pla.ee. At the fair of St. Bartholomew, in London, tho chief articles of merchandise were "peppermint drops, twenty a penny; wooden babies; cakes of gilt gingerbread: and also gingerbread horn books, gingerbread women, and gingerbread husbands, of all sizes." The old fashion of gingerbread toys lasted to the last century, and then gradually died out; although in some book 1?' of children's stories of the Victorian, era we may still occasionally happen ujioh /illusions to "a gingerbread horse" or "a little gingerbread man." On the Continent the custom is still retained. Large quantities of gingerbread "babies" were baked and given to the people to celebrate the birth of an heir—afterwards the illfated Richard II.—:to the Black Prince. In those days the cake was prepared with ryomeal made into dough and mixed with sugar, ginger, and honey kneaded together. Later treacle was used in place, of ho)^»* ' To see gingerbread in all the fui uess of its glory wo have to turn to Eussia. Thero it figures at all feasts in connection with births, weddings, and funerals. In fact, it occupies the place of honour at every meal. The committeo of the Junior Beforni and Constitution League has issued invitations for an evening party at tho Wellington Lyceum Club, when, during the evening, a brief address will be given by the Hon. A. D. M'Lood. . The Karori League of Mothers will hold the monthly meeting on Tuesday afternoon in the Methodist Schoolroom. Mrs. Murdock will address the meeting on "Women's Influence"." All mothers and children will be welcome, and afternoon tea will be served. ■

St. Paul's Mothers' Union. Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson was the chief guest at a gathering of the St. Paul's branch of the Mothers' Union in Sydney Street Schoolroom this week. Her Excellency was received by Mrs. Johnson, president, and Mrs. Macdonald (secretary). In welcoming her to , the gathering the vicar made reference to the interest Her Excellency had taken in all movements for the uplifting of the social life of New Zealand. Not least among these were such organisations as the .Mothers' Union and a similar organisation in which she was equally interested, the League of Mothers. He thought there was room for both. Her Excellency said in reply that she was convinced that all great social movements must have a religious basis; both the societies the vicar had mentioned were in tho first place religious. Home life was the greatest national asset. Little Elizabeth Coldstream presented Her Excellency with a posy. Great credit is due to the committee for the ,way in which the hall was decorated, and to ■ Mrs. Alexander, Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. j Woods, and Miss Eileen Bennett for musical items. Among those present were the president and secretaries of other city and suburban branches, Mrs. Sprott, Mrs. J. G. Coates, and many other well-known ladies. The highest credit is due to the work put in by Mrs. Macdonald to make the gathering the success that it was. The membership of this branch' is increasing in a very satisfactory manner, several new members joining during the afternoon, which is a case at most meetings. A feature of the decorations of the hall was a number of beautiful tapu cloths, presented to the secretary by Mrs. C. H. Izard, for church purposes, these being greatly admired. A Kindly Champion. "Girls are far more conscientious than boys," said Canon W. E. Dawson, headmaster of Brighton College, speaking at Chiswick. "England," he j said, "is the only country in the world that knows the proper place for women. In Franco she is a plaything, in Germany a drudge, in America a goddess, and in England a partner/ For the Good of the Babes. The matron and staff of tho babies' homej Khandallah, are having a "pound" afternoon on Saturday, Ist October, at 2.30. Canon JTieldon Taylor will open the proceedings. A band will play at Intervals, and there will bo a splendid programme of music and other attractions. There will be stalls for the sale of cakes, sweets, and produce; also a treasure hunt, bran tubs, ice creams, and a number of other attractions. Insurance Ball. The Insurance Officers' Guild held the final dance for tho year in the Adelphi Cabarot last evening. The orango scheme of the cabaret lights shed a glow over the many beautiful frocks worn, creating a picture of distinction and charm. There was a very large attendance. Excellent music and a dainty supper were all that could be desired, while Miss Inez Connop and partner entertained with exhibition dancing. The committeo responsible for tho arrangements wore: Messrs. F. Shand, A. L. Hollo way, L. Brand, and J. V. Lowry. Among those present wore: Mr. Caughley (president of tho Underwriters' Association of Now Zealand), Mrs. Caughloy, in pea green embossed georgetto; Mr. H. P.kins (vicepresdiont), Mrs. Hopkins, black georgette; Mr. and Mrs. Pownnll, the lntto- in black; Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Clarke, the latter in grey and ceriso chenille; Mr. and Mrs. F. Hurley, tho latter in Who and silver tissue; Mr. and Mrs. J. Mackintosh, tho latter in black velvet and gold; Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Trengool, tho latter in black georgetto; Mr. and Mrs. Huttou, tho latter in embossed georgette; Mr. and Mrs. Townloy, the latter in pink georgette and laco; Misses May Traeey, M. Fabian (of Hawkes Bay), Brady, F. and M. Elliott, Wollings, O'Shea, and Scott. Measis. Boberts, Schacf, Moore, Hand, M. Elliott, E. Flower, G. Bolland, Tracy, Carter, N. Burley, M'Donald, and Mason; Mr. and Mrs. Murdock, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Mason, Mr. and Mrs. Slater, Mr. and Mrs. Broad, Mr. and Mrs. Lowry, and many others. Good News of Wellington .Girl. It will interest New Zealandors to hear that Miss Molly K. Plimmcr (Wollington) has boon awardod tho Girls' Scholarship of the Eoyal Academy of Dramatic Art, which means that she will havo three terms' free tuition ana a doublo remove in th« class (writes "Tho Post's" London representative). Her markß averaged 90 per cent., and tho judges at tho examination wero Kate Cutler, lon Swinley, and Mary Barton. Tho contest was held at halfterm for all first-term students, and tho performance was a scone from: "At Mrs. Beam's," in which Miss Plimmer played Miss Shoe. Added to this per- ' formance, each student had to do a sketch in gesture without "props" or scenery,- to recite a few lines of Shakespeare without action (merely facial expression), to fence, do a. Russian (lance, and there was a voice-produc-tion tost as well. Miss Plimmer also took part in two ond-of-the-term plays, which wero "The Younger Generation" and "Lady Frederick." In tho formor Miss Plimmer was cast for the grandmother, and in act 3 of the latter sho was chosen for tho titlo part Owing to the number of students in the class tho principal characters are taken by a different student in each act.