HERE AND THERE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 48, 25 August 1930, Page 13

HERE AND THERE

A Pleasant Party. Mr. and Mrs. W. Bowman recently gave a pleasant party at the Majestic Lounge for Miss Bertha Bowman. The hostess was in a handsome dress and coatee of beige georgette, Miss B. Bowman wearing white mariette with a shoulder cape effect, and with a bouquet of daphne and maidenhair fern. Speeches were made at supper time by Mr. Penefield (Wanganui) and Mr. Bowman. The party was a very pleasant and successful one. "Red Cross Journal." An interesting feature of the August number of the "Junior Red Cross Journal" is the announcement of the competitions, which included both writing and drawing, some details of the "Grassland Knowledge Competition" being given aa well. A nicely descriptive article by V. Carncross tells of a trip to Mount Egmont/ and there is a good Nature study as well as senior and junior news, which summary is always of interest. New Zealand "School Journal." The senior number of the "School Journal" has a good special feature in a biography notice of the lato Eight Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, which might well serve as an incentive to many boys, as ho built up a wonderfully successful career by his own talents and industry. "Banking and Thrift" is an article in serious vein, showing how to 4>ave and how to bank, witli some good hints as to the conduct of life in order to secure success. There is also a long article on the- recent football Test matches, with photograph's of the leading men—this seeming a little like overlapping and considering that the daily papers as well as the weeklies had such full details of the matches. Some well-chosen poetry is also included in the number. An exciting story by Zano Grey of an adventure with a lion is the leading feature of the next portion, followed by a good adaptation of the story of the "Jackdaw of Rheims." Good poetry is a feature of this section also. The little ones have presented to them in story and illustration the "Wooden Horse of Troy," with some charming poetry and stories suitable and pleasing for their time of life. A Good Play. The Elite Comedy Company presented "The Unexpected Guest" (by J. A. Shadlock), a three-act musical farce, iv aid of the Wellington City Mission, at the Blue Triangle Hall, Bonlcott street, to a very appreciative audience. The play was full of humorous situations, with good songs and musical numbers. Miss Jennie Sykes was congratulated and given credit for the production of the play. The League of Mothers. Mrs. Gaby, lady superintendent St. John Ambulance, gave an interesting and instructive address on "Homo Nursing" at a recent meeting of the Lower Hutt League of Mothers. Assisted by Mrs. Yatos, sen., Mrs. Gaby demonstrated, with bed and. patient, the changing of sheets, etc., for a sick person, and the many ways in which comfort might be secured for invalids. She then gave helpful advice to mothers in childish ailments, answering the questions asked by various members. The distinguishing of rashes, applying of plasters, and immovable bandages were ably dealt with also. A most hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs. Gaby, who was presented with a basket of primulac and violets. Mrs. Phillips gave a beautiful rendering^ of "Homing," and a number of new members were admitted to the league at an admission service. Afternoon tea. was served, and the meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem. A Successful Party. The Lyceum Club was the scene of a very pleasant and successful bridge party on Saturday evening, organised by the president and committee of the After-Care Society, and in aid of their funds. The pretty reception room was charmingly decorated with flowers by Mrs. Oakley and other ladies, and very complete arrangements were made for the comfort and pleasure of the guests. An excellent home-made supper was served, and those present were unanimous in asking that another party should be arranged soon on similar lines. The question was asked moro than once: "What exactly is the AfterCare Socjety?" some having gathered the idea that it is in connection with the care of mothers after childbirth. The president, stated plainly that this is quite an incorrect notion, as the "after-care" is entirely to do with the children who have been attending the "special classes'* in the Government schools. These young ones are retarded in studies, but often show great taste and ability in handwork. The object of the society is to benefit these children in all possible ways, and lo help the parents also. The prize-win-nm at the party were Miss Slops (first ladies' prizn), Mr. Lloyd (first for the men), and Mrs. Lloyd (consolation prize).

Parental Education.

A point of interest mentioned by Miss Mac Donald in connection with the Nursery Schools in America, in the course of her address at the- kindergarten gathering on Thursday, was "parental education." This, she said, embodied instruction in the proper methods of securing and preserving the health of the children, who were from 18 months to two years of age. The daily attention to health habits . was emphasised, and the co-operation of the mothers gained; the teachers showed that freedom was given to the little ones in their development; the students did not impose their personality on the little ones, but helped them to develop their own, this being impressed on the parents, who were shown how to watch the children simply as spectators in the background of the child's mental and physical activities. The 'real co-operation among teachers was shown by the regular tests which were made on scientific lines with experiments undertaken by the children, with discussions following. Miss MacDonald spoke warmly of the hospitality of the Americans, and of their kindness to visiting teachers. They were very interested in New Zealand, and while most vague about where the Dominion was situated, knew that there was a wonderful system of infant welfare—the fame of the Plunket Society having reached all parts. Miss Mac Donald spoke of the "dry humour" which was very characteristic of the people, and quoted an amusing remark made to her just as she was .going for a drive in a "baby car" —one of those standing by asked, "Are you going to get into it, or wear it?" Long Skirts v. Short. "In spite of the fact that we are all wearing long frocks again, and are, moreover, liking them very much, some women still prefer short skirts, and feel so strongly about them that they held a meeting this week at the Caxtou Hall," says a London writer. "The meeting took the form of a debate on 'Long Skirts v. Short,' and was organised by the Association of Women Clerks and Secretaries, and at the end of the evening all present, with the exception of five men and - one young woman, voted in favour of short skirts for twentieth century wear! The most enthusiastic advocate of short skirts was Miss Ellen Wilkinson, M.P., whose black evening frock trailed on the ground. She explained this inconsistency by saying that she was going on to a Parliamentary dinner; that her only short evening frock was at the cleaner's, and 'If you go into a shop to-day and ask for a short evening dress they'look at you with a horrified, frozen expression, and say, "Oh, madam, but no one ——." I wish we could go on strike.' But, all the same, I am disappointed in Miss Wilkinson, for one would not have thought that anyone so strong-minded would have cared in the least' for the horrified, frozen expressions of shop people, but would have gone on buying short skirts in defiance of fashion, if she was convinced that short skirts were so much more desirable." Women Doctors in England. The tendency to select women as medical school inspectors is very strong in England, says a London correspondent. Two-thirds, of the teachers are now women, and it is considered that two-thirds of the inspectors also will be of that sex. They are also numerous on medical boards for schools. Dame Janet Campbell is chief medical adviser and also a senior medical officer in. the Ministry of Health. It is a curious fact, much commented upon in various places, that it seems easier for a woman to gain an appointment as medical inspector thau an ordinary school inspector. Various excuses are continually made for refusal in the latter ease, but the true reason probably is that the women are "up against' 1 a more narrow-minded brand of officialdom than is the case where the children's medical care is concerned. As regards medical work iv general, women may receive posts of tremendous responsibility, as was the case in London recently, where Dr. Florence Barrie Lambert, under a new system, has been given the superintendence of the work of 13 ambulance stations, also 170 vehicles, 75,000 hospital beds, 100 hospitals, and other institutions, including all the staffs, while the expenditure for which she is responsible comes (it is said) to millions yearly. An Aged R.A. The oldest Associate .of the- Royal Academy is Mrs. Anne Swynnerton, aged Si (states an exchange). Her portrait of Dame Millicent Fawectt, the well-known feminist, was purchased recently for the nation by the Chantrey Bequest. Studio Dance. Miss Gwencthe Walshe was hostess at her studio to a happy gathering o£ pupils and friends, where dancing was indulged iv to delightful orchestral music. During the evening a successful flashlight photograph was taken of the group, and later the party adjourned to the Majestic Lounge, where an enjoyable supper was laid out. Miss Walshe was in a dainty frock of white georgette with diamante trimming. Lyceum Club Meeting. The annual meeting of the Wellington Lyceum Club was held recently, when there was a good attendance of members. The room was charmingly; decorated with flowers, and all pre-; sent were entertained at supper by the' re-elected president, Mrs. J. J. Clark. The annual report showed a steady rise in the number of members, while the numerous activities in the way of musical, dramatic, penwomeu, play-reading, gardening, handwork, and other circles were each separately reported on by their convenors. All showed steady progress and happy co-operation among the members. A few minor alterations to rules were made, and a brief discussion took place on club affairs, the officials and committee being heartily congratulated on the progress made, and on the various accessions to the comforts and privileges of the club. Mrs. J. J. Clark, who had consented to accept a second term of office as president, was thanked for her good presidency, and for some acceptable gifts Ito the club. Appreciation was. also expressed of the work done by 'Mrs. Oakley in her regular ami artistic care of

the flowers throughout the year, and of the efficient way in which Miss Toomath, the retiring secretary, had carried out her duties. Mrs. Smyth, who has been the hon. treasurer of the club for some years, was especially thanked for her services, which have been most valuable, and, with Mrs. Clark, was the recipient of a beautiful boquet of flowers from the members. Mrs. H. Lyon received a cordial welcome, as she is resuming the duties of secretary, which she relinquished some time ago. Officers for the year were elected as follow: President, Mrs. J. J. Clark; vice-presidents, Mesdames J. C. Andersen, F. W. Oakley, and F. B. Bcales; executive, Mesdames A. Coad, L. P. Millar, T. R. Taylor, Hogarth-Gill,' H. Watts, Misses Thornhill, A. Toomath, and A. Gray. Mrs. E. W. Smyth continues as hon. treasurer of the club.