HERE AND THERE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 77, 1 April 1931, Page 17

HERE AND THERE

An Excellent Idea. Much interest, is always taken in the annual competition for the railway station gardens, for which the prizes are presented by the Garden Circle of the Otago Women's Club, says the "Otago Witness." This year Balclutha carried off first prizc^ with AHantou and Fuirlio (equal) second, and Mosgiel third. Of suvall gardens, Sawyers' Bn.y was first, with Waitahuna second. Of first year gardens, Waimate was first, with Stirling second. On Friday the presentation of the cup took place, Lady Ferguson, Mrs. C. Shiel, Misses Martin, and Ethel Johnstone travelling down for the occasion. The Mayor of Balcluthtf (Mr. White) welcomed the visitors. Lady Ferguson, in presenting the cup, spoke of the value of the competition, and congratulated Balclutha upon winning it a. second time. Miss Martin ■ spoke of the various gardens and the two new divisions, namely; small gardens and first-year gardens, for which prizes had been given. ■ Mr. Benzoni also added a few words of thanks to the members of the Garden Circle for inaugurating and judging the competition. ■'. . An Appeal from Women. An appeal- has been made -by women that all -/women, young and old, who are out of employment should register themselves before Easter, and that, at the same time, all women who have even a few hours' work in the house, mending clothing or any odd jobs in the daily economy of life to offer, should also notify the Unemployment Begistration Office at Te Aro Post Office. Those doing social service in tho city are well aware of the lack of employment among'women, and of tho numbers who are badly needing work. Scanty food, cold rooms, poor equipment in strength or garments for the approaching -winter soason. seem to be terribly common, and it is' urged that the women can help themselves by registering—there is no stigma or disgrace in doing so. It is merely a matter of business, like any other transaction, while substantial help could be given by women, to other women : who aro in a very "parlous case," and suffering more than most people would readily believe. Part- at Heretaunga. Miss Penelope Blundell was hostess ■yesterday afternoon at'a most enjoyablo tennis party at Heretaunga, iv "j onour of Miss Lulu Mo rice. Miss Helen Whyte also gave a. luncheon party at the golf house in her honour. Tho five tennis courts at the club were used, and tea was sorved in tho golf house. The tables were artistically decorated with bowls of zinnias and other flowers in golden brown shades. About thirty guests were present, in-! eluding Miss Constance Mbrice, Miss Helen Thomson,- Mrs, C. Howden, Mrs, A. P. Wardj Mrs. M. Patcrson, Mrs. V. Ward, Miss: L. Dyer,: Miss H. Marchbanks, Miss J. Zohrab, Miss C. Young, Miss A. Nelson, and Miss J. Ludbrook (Gisborne). Old Students' Dance. A record number of young people' were present at a most successful danco! held recently in the Hataitai School by the Old Students' Association, Drapings of red, white, and bluo were the main, features of the decorations, while Chinese lanterns and balloons added finishing touches. Mrs. H. E. Searle (patron) acted as chaperone. A number of novelty dances were held, including a Monte Carlo and a' spot dance. After supper, novel hats and, squeakers were given out, all adding to ( the gaiety of'the evening. Excellent music was provided by the orchestra. A Weil-Earned Holiday. Many friends and fellow-workers will loam' with'pleasure that Mrs. Florence Porter and her-,sister, Miss Sheppard, are leaving by the Tainui for a holiday visit to England, where a brother is waiting to receive them. Both ladies are wonderful workers. To Mrs. Porter much,credit is due for her patient and continuous organisation in connection with the Women's National Beserve, the Residential Nursery being the outstanding work of the Wellington section, well supported by suburban and' country branches. Miss Sheppard has done secretarial work in connection with the institution, and the results of the work done are outstandingly good. Mrs. Porter has had associated with her a number of prominent people who are known for their good services _ to humanity, altogether- with the happiest results. Mrs. Porter has also done fine service for the Bible Society, and is well known in tlio country districts for her "pleasant, successful moetings in connection with the spreading of the "Good Book." Many friends will extend good wishes to Mrs. Porter and Miss ■ Sheppard for a very happy and prosperous holiday. A warm welcome is sure to await them on their return. Cocktails by "Tube." ; ; Competition in Berlin's amusement industry is so keen that proprietors of "dine and dance" halls are racking .their brains to retain the clientele of their habitues, besides attracting new thrill-seekers. Instead of picking up the table telephone 'receiver to ask "fraulein" for the next dance, one now may send his request in writing via a pneumatic tube (states an, exchange). The tube 3 are big enough to permit the sending of a cocktail, and a fragrant rose also maybe included. The introduction of this innovation in dance halls drew another novelty in its wake, a censor. He watches over the traffic from table to table via tube.'. Specially the written matter attracts his interest and sometimes he makes free use of his blue pencil. King's Taste in Linen. j The King revealed his taste in shirts when, with the Queen, he visited the Science Museum, South Kensington, a few weeks ago, to. see an exhibition organised by the Linen Industry Research Association (states a correspondent);. After'examining a number of exhibits the King said: '' I prefer Irish linen, and overy shirt I have comes- from Belfast. I am very particular about that." Th'js; King and Queen were interested in two' table napkins which, had been sent to different laundries. One was almost equal to new; the other was torn nearly to shreds. "Laundries do use up linen," said tho King, adding jocularly: "I have head it said that that is good for trade. But I myself have some linen of the time of George IV., which is as good as new to-day because it has been properly looked after." On examining some hand-painted tablecloths, the Queen saitl: "Personally I much prefer white tablecloths." The King remarked that that was his preference, to.o. • Returned Presents. What happens to the hundreds of wedding presents, valued at many! thousands of pounds, given to couples who afterwards break off their engage-! ment? asks a London writer. Tho manager of a West End shop which was asked to take back several hundred pounds' worth of presents last year, owing to tho exceptional number of broken engagements, stated recently:—• "Li some cases tho money is refunded, but the usual practice is to -havo tho amount placed .to. one's account. It' is usually transferred-to the dress department.- Women nevor, in any eircum* stances, pass on the present to another bride-to-be, because they believe to do so will bring bad luck to the recipient. Sometimes the donor is so fascinated by;

her ..gift that she is quite pleased .when: it is returned, and keeps it for herj own use." . ; Subscription Parties. ' ! A new :form, of party is now being given which may prove the feature of the: coming little season (says the "Da.ily^ Mail"). Ten or twelve pcoplo who know each other well and haye more' or,loss the same circle of friends .club; together. Onu lends a house, < and tho others each subscribe £5 .or £10,ac-, cording to the size of the, party..They! then leave all the arrangements., to tie best organiser, who arranges the party,; orders the food and drink, and-hires the band. The owner of the house acts as host when necessary, -which- is not very often, and no ojio is made to feel, that So-juid-So has brought more or So>r and-Sb less', as was often the case at a "bottle" party, to which each guesfc contributed his or her share of the refreshments. This sort.of entertaining is proving a tremendous success* A circle of about 150 people can in this way provide a series of' excellent parties. . . Weighty Necklaces. i "Necklaces, which already, weigh as much as the dresses they are -worn with, will probably be heavier ..still; after the Paris dress shows," states a; writer to the "Daily Mail".. "Yesterday I went with a friend to test the weight of these monster necklaces at a large, establishment in Kensington. One we chose was the newest design inj moulded glass, forming single./beads each about the size of a large pigeon's: egg. It was about l'liii long . and, weighed.just over 7oz. On the--.oppo-site, side of the scale we placed a blue' crepe suede, evening .gown of average size and fashionable, length and found it to be a fraction, lighter than the necklace. Then we weighed a necklace for wear with sports suits. It was1 made in small square panels of polished stefil with a large panel hanging pen-dant-wise. This weighed 90z,. one ounce heavier than an average woollen sports jumper. -.Wo..were informed at the store that huge ' solid pearl beads, carved glass, and wooden beads' with twisted glass beads alternating will.form the coming necklace fashions." .'..''"".' A subscriber asks for a simple method for pickling eschalots.. .