HERE AND THERE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 70, 24 March 1931, Page 13

HERE AND THERE

"Going Persian." The influence of the Persian art exhibition is seen everywhe> in London, but it is most noticeable in the window displays in sliops near Burlington House (states a writer to the "Daily Mail-).. The reactions of different shops are amusingly diverse. An exclusive, tiny flower shop is showing Persian "slippers" filled with flowers of Oriental colouring; a chic lingerie shop has "gone Persian" with a display of heavy silk pyjamas, tho coats copying a rich Persian design; while the dignified-looking art sales-gallery near St. James's, which is frequently patronised by the Queen, has contented itself with hanging in one window a lovely Persian wall carpet With a blue and mauve design on a pale green background. Getting Into Touch. A young speaker at a recent meeting mentioned the fact that there are numbers of students at the University College or the Training College who'come to Wellington as strangers, remarking that at times life must be lonely for some who do not make friends readily, or who have little opportunity given them. It was stated in reply by another speaker that there are many homes in Wellington where such students would bo made gladly welcome. If there were any "common meeting ground" or definite method of information given, perhaps through the University, friends of the right; kind could be readily found in a city like Wellington. Then, in the "Church Chronicle," a letter to tho Bishop of Wellington is quoted from the Bey. W. Hardy Johnson, Vicar of All Saints, Dunedin, who asks that clergy, parents, and students will write when anyone is going to study in Dunedin who would like friends to be ready when they take up their residence. It is stated that. already. those who go to Selwyn College, Studholme, and St. Margaret's, aro reach-ed, but those in other colleges or in private boardinghouses are less easy to get into touch with, and the writer wished it to become known that there is this possibility for friendly companionship open. A Fashion Riddle. "As I looked around tho room at a, big dinner party the other night I thought I had never seen so many different styles of haii'dressiug," remarks a London hostess in an overseas pajjor. '' These varied from Lady Diana Gibb 's Eton crop, brushed severly off ono ear and over the other; Lady Cunliffo Owen's fluffy shingle; Miss Peggy Gordon Moore's rows of curls; to Lady Dawson of Perm's hair, which was brushed loosely back from her forehead into a little 'door-knocker' at the nape of her neck. This.surely constitutes a fashion riddle! All the coiffures were perfect in. their own way, and all looked extremely chic." Old Melodies Return. After a reign of nearly fifteen years the popularity of tho foxtrot is waning. The old-style waltz is once more tho rage in tho better-class dance halls throughout England. A "Sunday Chronicle" representative who visited soveral fashionable dance resorts in London lately discovered that jazz music was being ousted by tho melodies of a past age. "Tho Merry Widow" and "The Blue Danube" were each hiiilcQ with delight, and were repeated several times during tho evening. "There is decided call for tho old-time circular waltz theso days," Mr. Santos Casani, ono of London's foremost dance teachers, said. "Dance halls aro so crowded nowadays that a return to popularity of the old waltz would bo a good tiling for tho proprietors of the halls. There is also the question of ilanco music. The foxtrot has had such a long run (.hat there has been difficulty in getting good fresh music, but there is a wealth of musical numbers suited for waltzing waiting to be called upon."

A Sydney Effort. The New Zealanders in Sydney, under tho leadership of Mrs. Maclurean, made a successful effort to raise money in aid of the Earthquake Fund, a dance being given at the Wentworth Hotel, which brought in £130, part being tho result of tho gift of a large box of chocolates (presented by a New Zealand girl from Stillwater) which was raffled for £11 6s 6d. Mrs. S. Hempton was president of the ball committee, Sister M. L. Macdonald being hon. secretary. The New Zealand Women's Association toojc a leading part in the dance, and the members were largely responsible for its success. Farewell Party. A pleasxnt social function was held in the Melrose Hall on Satnrday evening, when Mrs. Cuff (assisted by .Mrs. Simpson) gave a farewell party to her father, Mr. Smith, who is returning to England next Saturday, by the Rangitata. Many guests were present and games, musical and elocutionary items, and dancing were indulged in. A dainty supper was served during which the health of Mr. Smith and Mrs. Cuff was proposed by Mr. S. L. Hall, who spoke in eulogistic terms of both, and expressed the sincere wish of all present for Mr. Smith's safe passage home. As marks of esteem, Mr. Smith was the recipient of a handsome ink stand, and Mrs, Cuff was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. The former expressed his thanks for the many kindnesses that had been extended to him, and for messages of goodwill. He had enjoyed his stay in New Zealand, and would always look back with pleasant memories of the friendships made and associations formed. Mrs. Cuff also suitably responded. Musical items were contributed, and the gathering concluded with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." Countless Brides. There is a carpet in London which must by now be nearly as valuable in its way as many of the treasures of the Persian Exhibition at Burlington House (states an Englishwoman). This strip of ordinary red felting must have a capital value running well into four figures. It is the strip of carpet along which countless brides have walked on their way from their cars in Parliament Square to the door of St. Margaret's, Westminster. It is brought out on an average of several times a week, and for each occasion certain fees have to be paid. A wedding at St. Margaret's, or any of the other fashionable churches in London, is necessarily a very expensive affair, as there are many things to be paid for. As well as the carpet, the bells, the organist, the choir, and tho-bell-ringers must be considered, and there are usually floral decorations. The carpet, though, must earn a steady weekly wage. For Free Ambulance. A concert and dance held recently at Paraparaumu in aid of the Wellington Free Ambulance resulted in a profit of £24 Gs. An excellent programme was provided by the Paraparaumu school children, assisted by the following Wellington artists: Mrs. Whitford, Mr. Hinge, Miss Biggs, Miss Tricker, Mr. Power, Mr. Brockenshire, Mr. Curry, Mr. Philpot, and Mrs. Lee. Mr. L. Howoll, chairman of the committee, announced that the District Nurse (Nurse Ross) would leave shortly for a special training course, and would be absent several months. He wished her good fortuno. Mr. A. Hardham responded on behalf of Nurse Ross. After tho concert, the hall was cleared for dancing. The committee is indebted to Mrs. Clarke (for training the children performers), to Miss Biggs (who organised the Wellington party), and to the Paraparaumu Orchestra (who supplied the dance music); Bridge Party. Mrs. Morton Paterson was hostess last evening at a delightful bridge party at her home in Wadestown. The guests of honour were Miss Lulu Morico and Mr. T. W. Williams. The large drawing-room was decorated with vari-coloured gladioli and zinnias, and in the dining-room, where supper was served, were bowls of huge dahlias. Mrs. Paterson wore a long fitting frock of biscuit-coloured lace with a full flared skirt, and Miss Lulu Morice_ a long frock of Princess Mary blue satin. The guests were Miss Constance Morice, Miss Helen Whyte, Miss Helen Thomson, Mrs. Bernard Wood, Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Tripe, Mrs. Vincent Ward, Major and Mrs. W. T. K. Jennings, Mr. and Mrs. Pat Ward, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Miles, Misses Lulu Dyer, Alice Nathan, _G. Trolove, Penelope Blundell, Monica Malfroy, Waley, Hilda Miles, and Jocelyn Biddifoi-d; and Messrs. Morton Paterson, Dennis and Warwick Blundell, Kunkel, Brian Beid, J. Bristed, J. Stevenson, and B. Whyte. For Eartlictuake Fund. An attractive programme of vocal and instrumental items has been arranged for an entertainment to be held in the Pioneer Clubroom to-morrow evening. The proceeds of this concert will be given to the Earthquake Belief Funds. With the good programme as well as the worthy cause, the attendance should be large. Included in the programme will be songs by Mrs. I. Ginn, Mrs. K. Goodson,.Mrs. J. Ramsey, Mr. Ernest Short, and Mr. S. Duncan. Miss Ava Symonds will play violin solos and will be accompanied on the

piano by My. Gordon Short. Miss | Gladys Watkins will be heard in piano- j forte solos, and Miss Joan Beere will give several descriptive dances. Miss Helen Gardner has arranged several items, and there will be vocal trios and quartets, A Concert Party. Members of. the Borhamporo Baptist Church Choir gave a delightful concert programme recently to the inmates of the Ewart Hospital, the various items being thoroughly enjoyed by . the patients. The choir, under tho leadership of Mr. J. N. Duncan, sang several anthems and glees, and other items were provided by Misses C. Moncrieff, E. Brown, and A. AVharton, Messrs. J. N. Duncan and S. Bade, and Master Keith Andrews. At the close of the entertainment the members of the concert party were the guests of the nurses at ' supper. Junior Ked. Cross. Tho "Grassland Knowledge Conipe- i tition, " which has been interesting so many of the young people who belong to the Junior Red Cross, is coming to an end, and the current number of the "Bed Cross Journal" states that the prize winners will be announced in the May issue. Dr. H. Allan, of the Plant Research Station, Palmerston North, is the judge. It is stated that those who began the competition did so thinking that all who enter, not only the prize , winners, will have something well worth j while iv their equipment, as they will have gained a large amount of practical, useful knowledge in their minds for the future, as well as having had the interest of making the collections. The number contains some attractive "Glimpses of the Old Days," these re-1 forring to the whaling period about the j coast of Now Zealand. A sympathetic j article on "Braille" gives the early history of this great alleviation to .the lives of blind people. Senior and junior news, some poetry and photographs all go to make up a very acceptable number of the magazine. Invitations Issued. Invitations have been issued by the English-speaking Union for the usual afternoon tea party to be held ,at the Dominion Farmers' Institute. Mr. A. L. Hunt will be the speaker, taking for hia subject "Antarctica."