HERE AND THERE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 110, 6 November 1933, Page 11

HERE AND THERE

Farmers' Wives Meet. A very interesting talk on the work of the Women's Division of the Farmers'' Union was given by Mrs. Ward (Dominion president) at the recent annual meeting of the Hutt branch of the Women's Division. Mis. MacDiarmid presided over a large attendance of members and visitors, including Mrs. Lundius (Wellingtou president). A prize donated by Miss Collie was won by Mrs. Logan. A daiiity tea was served by Mesdames Linney and Shand. Unusual Autograph Collection. An unusual type of autograph collection is in the possession of Mrs. H. S. Sloman, an Englishwoman who is at present visiting Dunedin .(states tho "Otago Daily Times"). Mrs. Sloman, who is the daughter of Admiral Sir ■ Archibald Douglas, accompanied her father when he served on overseas stations, and in the course of her association with the senior service sbo made the acquaintance of many of its moat distinguished officers. Sho conceived the unusual idea o t f asking such men to write their autographs upon a tablo centre, and each of these signatures was then worked in coloured silks. The result is a particularly interesting collection, which would be the envy of any enthusiast. Included among the names are those of Lord Fisher, Earl Jollicoe, and Lord Charles Beresford, in addition to those of many other of England's most distinguished sailors. There is a touch of pathos about several of the autographs, for they are ( those of men who later were to give their lives in the service of the Empire. Among these may be mentioned that of Admiral Craddock, whose fleet was annihilated in action with a superior German force off the coast of South America in the early stages, of tho war. "Old Colonial Ball." Already many large parties have been formed for tho Mayor's ball which, with its Old Colonial costumes, should be one of the most picturesque balls yet held in Wellington. It is intended to open the ball with a polka-mazurka,' and the dancing teachers of Wellington are co-operating in this feature. A rehearsal of the "mazurka" will be held in Miss Margaret O'Connor's studio, Lower Cuba Street, on Wednesday, at 7.30 p.m., and those desirous of participating in the grand opening are invited to>attend this rehearsal. Patients Entertained. The patients in the Women's Ward] of the Victoria Hospital, were enter-1 tamed recently with an excellent programme of music given by the Commercial Travellers, their last concert for this season. Some bright and popular airs were played by the orchestra and items were given by' Mrs. Amy Woodward, Mrs. Wilfred Andrews, and Mr. Gladding. Miss Joyce Woodward was accompanist throughout the evening. A vote of thanks was given to the party. Henry VIII's Meanness. A visit to the very beautiful Cathedral of St. John at Malta disclosed a curious piece of meanness on the part of He«ry VIII. It appears that each of the chapels which form part of the cathedral are dedicated to different nations, and one, which was specially venerated as containing a casket with a piece of the "True Cross," brought from the Holy Land by the Knights Hospitallers during the wars against the Saracens, was given to the English people. Henry- VIII begrudged the retaining fee for this privilege, and cut it off with small ceremony, with the result that the valued chapel was allocated to Germany. George 111, early iii his reign, restored the fee, and another chapel was given to the British, ono which is valued' as housing the relics of several saints of great, piety and antiquity. The same monarch also gave two beautifully painted pictures of "St. Michael and ( St. George, which hang in the Palace of St. John, j