"WOOL INTO FASHION"

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 39, 14 August 1940, Page 14

"WOOL INTO FASHION"

VICEREGAL INTEREST

MANNEQUIN PARADE AIDS PATRIOTIC FUNDS

When Mrs. Ina Allan stood on the small stage in the D.I.C. tearoom yesterday afternoon to describe the gowns worn by mannequins in the fashion parade sponsored by the New Zealand Wool Council and the D.I.C, the guests who crowded every available portion'of the large room noticed that her blue-tinted hair arid blue lacquered nails exactly toned with the wool fiowerspray on her black hostess frock. %he commentator's chic epitomised the entire parade. Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Galway were among the many who watched the pageant of fashion which was arranged not only to show the unlimited scope of woollen materials, but to assist the National Patriotic Fund.

Lord and Lady Galway, the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, and other members of the official party were welcomed by Mr. H. M. Christie, chairman of the New Zealand Wool Council. By their attendance, he said, their Excellencies showed their deep interest in New Zealand and her people and paid a tribute to their maintenance of Royalty's high tradition of service. IMPORTANT INDUSTRY.

The move for the increased production of woollen gpods was of national importance, Lord Galway said. Wool was the basis of New Zealand's staple industry and even in this age of science there were no adequate substitutes for it. In Italy, he believed, they were supposed to be wearing suits of condensed milk and in Germany curious substitutes for wool had been made, but in no country had such ersatz products been of any great use. The Dominion, fortunately, did not have to descend to such artifices since there was such an abundance of the real product. Lord Galway stressed the vital importance of New Zealand's woollen exports after-the war when the world must be co-ordinately stabilised. "I believe," he said, "that the sky is bright for the future of the wool industry and I would like to congratulate the Wool Council and the D.I.C. on their enterprise in presenting this display." ■ The Mayor, as provincial president of the Patriotic Council, thanked the Wool Council and the D.I.C. as well as those who attended the parade. The coffers of the patriotic funds had been considerably depleted by many demands, he said. In addition to its other activities the Wellington committee had to provide 3000 plum puddings for the forces overseas and the cost of these would be readily realised by those present.

NEW ZEALAND MADE. The mannequins paraded from an attractively-decorated stage across a raised walk covered in parma violet and attractively draped with soft wool material. Many of the garments they wore had been made in New Zealand and these were applauded by the gathering as being of a standard equal to the models from famous overseas fashion houses. The professional mannequins were supplemented by well-known Wellington girls and the hostesses were also local girls. The parade opened with sports wear, and negligees, cocktail and afternoon frocks, evening gowns and wraps as well as a beautiful bridal tableau, were featured.

In those cases when sprays were worn these, like the garments in the parade, were of wool, as was the posy in exotic colourings which Mrs. Allan presented to Lady Galway on her arrival. The "wool into fashion" nature of the parade was emphasised by the woolly toy lambs on the official table, which was gay with lovely spring flowers and red and blue ribbon streamers. With their Excellencies was Captain Lord Dormer, and Mr. R. H. Thompson, manager of the D.I.C, and Mrs. Thompson, and Mr. and Mrs. Christie were also in the official party.

The hostesses for the parade, which will be presented at the D.I.C. each afternoon until Friday, August 16, are Misses Bobbie Hope Gibbons, Barbara Jackson, Patricia Greenfield-Brown, and Tiora Meadows, and Mrs. P. Boot, and the mannequins are Misses Paddy Hope Gibbons, June Allison, Biddy Coltman, June Halligan, Margaret Bryant, Jean Hinton, Paddy Jacomb, and Joy Allan.

Soup can be flavoured with grated cheese, but care must be taken that it does not curdle. The same rule applies to cream and the yolks of eggs. To avoid this, do not stir the cream, cheese, or eggs into the hot soup, but put them into the tureen and pour the hot —not boiling—soup gradually on to it —or cook in a double saucepan.

Symphony Orchestra Concert,

Her Excellency Viscountess Galway, with her daughters, the Hons. Isabel, Mary, and Celia Monckton, attended the first concert of the 1940 season given by the Wellington Symphony Orchestra in the Town Hall last night. Lady Galway wore a slimiy-cut gown of pebble crepe in the lovely shade, spring lilac, under an Indian lamb three-quarter-length coat. Miss Simpson was in the viceregal party. Mrs. : Knox Gilmer, president, welcomed her Excellency in the foyer. With her in' the official party were Mrs. W. Young and Miss Jean Gilmer. A very {representative audience heard the pro- | gramme which was presented from a [stage decked with red rhododendrons | and contrasting palms. For Soldiers from Melrose. A pleasant evening was held recentlly in the Melrose Tearooms when residents of the district gathered together to offer good wishes to the local lads

attached to the Third Echelon of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. Mr. E. Bull, the master of ceremonies, in presenting each soldier with a small gift, assured them of the gathering's pride in them and of its confidence that they would uphold the great reputation that those New Zealanders who had gone overseas in 1914-18 had won for the Dominion. Community singing included all the popular choruses and was a feature of the evening. The guests of honour were Sergeants F. Lloyd and T. Oliphant, Corporal Ridge, Driver A. King, and Private H. Bain, 5. Nicholl, Dalgleish, Fairlie, Scoggins, and Tuppenny. Various toasts were proposed during the evening, that of the soldiers being proposed by Mr. Eves, an ex-soldier, and responded to by Corporal Ridge. The success of the evening was due to the work of the energetic committee and to the musicians who gave their services voluntarily.

Private Bridge Party for League,

Misses Constance and Here Beckway were hostesses at a progressive bridge party held recently in aid of the Victoria League's funds. The party was held at Miss Clater's home, Queen's Drive, Lyall Bay. The drawing-room was charmingly decorated with bowls of golden narcissi. A buffet supper was served. Among those present were Dr. and Mrs. W. S. Charters, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Lamb, Mr. and Mrs. Jordan, Mesdames L. Coutts and J. Edgar, Misses Hilda Edmundsen, Dorothy .. and Muriel Appleby, Evelyn McElrea, Nell Jordan, Josephine Bailey, Dorothy McLeod, Lilian Smith, Edith Raddick, and Pearl Thomson, and Messrs. A. L. Smith, R. B. Scott, R. Hastwell, and F. Hunn. Call to Prayer. Women are reminded of the prayer meeting at St. John's Church tomorrow afternoon at 2.30, when prayers for men of the Navy, Army, and Air Force will be offered. Women's Work in England. Miss Nelle Scanlan was the guest speaker at the recent meeting of the Pioneer Club centre of Women's Institutes, and prefaced her talk with a word-picture of Frog-hole Lane, in rural England, down which, some years ago, she visited a women's institute for the first time. The speaker told of the wonderful part the women of England were playing in the winning of the war. Three million women had signed on for "the duration" in the Army, Navy, and Air Services, she said, and all entered on a strictly military footing. Women were doing clerical, transport, and communication work, as well as munition work. Army cooking, and sewing the fabrics used for balloons and plane-wing covers. A number of women acted as pilots, flying planes from factory to airfield. All women answered, "Yes, mam," "No, mam," to superior officers, and the Queen ■was the commander-in-chief of the Women's Auxiliary Forces, Violin solos were given by Mrs. Tuckwell, Mrs. Allen playing the accompaniments, and songs were given by Miss Jean Lorraine, with Mrs. Ken Fowles as accompanist. Mrs. W. J. Ross presided. Women Writers and Artists. Last night the New Zealand Women Writers' and Artists' Society celebrated its eighth birthday at a party at the Lyceum Club. Miss Nelle Scanlan, the New Zealand president, received the guests, assisted by the secretary, Miss L. Phillips. Madame Bligh welcomed Miss Scanlan and the guests, and Miss Scanlan, who replied, told amusing anecdotes of her experiences overseas. She was presented with a shoulder spray of scarlet camellias and maidenhair fern by Miss Phillips. Pianoforte solos were played by Miss Dorothy Downing, and songs composed by Madame Bligh were sung by Miss Joyce Jellicoe. A marching song, composed by Joye and Elizabeth Taylor, was sung by Miss Patsy Morgan and Mr. Reginald Morgan, the latter also singing a song composed by Mrs. Morgan. A literary competition arranged by Mrs. J. B. Lacquarrie was enjoyed. At supper, which was provided by Madame Bligh (convener) and executive members, a birthday cake, presented by Miss N. E. Donovan and Miss Sheila Stonehurst, was cut by Miss Scanlan.

Belmont Soldiers Entertained,

Sponsored by the Belmont soldiers' entertainment committee a social and dance was given recently in honour of Belmont soldiers. A wallet, a tiki, and a testament were presented by Mr. H Smith on behalf of the Belmont residents with their good wishes, to each of the following soldiers:— Sergeant Verity, Corporal Hawke Privates Cosgrove, McAulay, and Mooney, and also to Mrs. Gillxgan on. behalf of her husband, who is serving overseas with the New .Zealand forces. There was a very large attendance and dancing to the.music of a piano accordion band was enjoyed. Items were also given by. Misses Ina Nelson, Elva McMurray, Molly McKay, and Pauline Brown (songs). Miss Brown also took part in an instrumental and vocal duet with Private White. Elocutionary items were given by Miss Clarice Brown and Mr. W. Jones, and mouth-organ solos by Mr. Hall. Mrs. H. Smith and Mr. Jones conducted

a community sing. Mr. W. Payne was the master of ceremonies. Piano Group's New Leader. | An interesting programme of music by composers of the romantic period was presented recently by members of the piano group of the British Music Society. It was the first meeting con- j ducted by Miss Clere, the group's new leader. Miss Valeric Corliss introduced j Miss Clere and asked all members of the group to give her their wholehearted support and enthusiasm. Items j from the works of Beethoven, Schu-! Mann, Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, and Cesar Franck were contributed by Misses D. Downing, D. Ball, P. Baxter, M. Dixon, H. Smith, R. Elsmore, and Mr. E. Thompson. Informal talk followed, and supper was served by the committee. Social Afternoon Benefits Mission. The Wesley branch of the Methodist Women's Missionary Auxiliary held its annual effort to provide Christmas gifts J to be sent to the Solomon Islands, at Mrs. Lee Martin's home in Molesworth Street. Mrs. Martin and her daughter, with the president, Mrs. E. O. Blamires,

received the guests in the lounge, which was beautifully decorated with tall pots of cinerarias in full bloom. The following programme was given: Songs, Mrs. R. S. Allright, Mrs. Walter Dearlove, and Miss Olga Burton; recitations, Mrs. Isobel Halligan; violin solos, Miss Olga Burton. Mrs. R. Caigou was the accompanist. Posies of flowers, made by Mrs. Gardiner, were presented to those who gave items. Afternoon tea was served in the lounge and dining-room. Mrs. Blamires expressed pleasure at the presence of so many members and friends, and assured them that the proceeds of the afternoon would greatly assist in sending Christmas gifts to the sisters and missionaries in the Solomon Islands for distribution among the natives. Thanks were expressed to Mrs. and Miss-Lee Martin for their practical sympathy in mission work by lending their residence. Mrs. Lee Martin suitably replied.