NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Evening Star, Issue 18729, 3 September 1924, Page 3

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

The Conference of the National Coup cil of Women is this year being held m Dunedin, and we are glad to welcome sc many delegates from all parts of the dominion. I’ gave a full list of these ladies names last Saturday, and all but three have been able to copie. The very fad that women are sufficiently keen to come such long distances, that the papers give lengthy reports of addresses, etc., and that tho mayor should welcome dele gates officially, shows how far women have progressed in their insistence on being recognised as citizens equal with men. There is still much spade work to do, but, as Miss Kane pointed out in uei speech on Monday at the civic reception, members of Parliament do listen at leas! with politeness, instead of gibes, on questions of women’s increased power in civic and national life. On Monday Mr Tapley (the mayor) and Mrs Tapley tendered a civic reception at the Council Chambers, and it was pleasing to note the large numbers present. The mayor! speech of welcome showed much broadmindedness, and we, as women, hope that many of his wishes will come true the near future. I noticed that women from all parts of the town had come, and Mrs and Miss Reynolds, Miss Kelsey, bliss Allan, Misses Fraser (2), Mis Rodgerson, Mrs Dickie, Miss M. Ross, Mrs De Beer, Mrs -Fels, Miss Perry, Ensign Coombs, Mrs Taverner, Sister G-ow, Mrs Bui to, and, of course, all the delegates. Mrs Carraalt Jones (the dominion president) made an extremely good speed), amusing and quite clear, as to what should he done to those who block women’s progress. She referred specially to pioneer women, who had made possible the present work, and urged younger women to speak in public on every possible occasion, so that they could carry on the good work begun. Mrs Reynolds and Miss Kelsey were pioneers in Dunedin, and later names mentioned were Mrs Sheppard and Lady Stout. Miss Kane thanked Dunedin fhr its welcome on behalf of the North Island, and Mrs Fraer for Christchurch and the South. A photograph was then taken of the delegates, after which they adjourned to the Tudor Hall for luncheon, and there met many others who were anxious to get in touch with them. Tho tables looked extremely pretty, with decorations of primroses and violets—gold and blue being the conference colors. Well over fifty sat down and thoroughly enjoyed tho excellent faro provided. At 2.30 motors lent by Mesdarnes De Beer, rr.. Boss, S. Ross, A. Barnett, Tapley, and Dr Siedeherg stood at the Tudor Hall entrance, ready to drive the visitors round St. Clair, Tomohawk, and back to the Women’s Club for tea. Here Mrs Carmalt Jones, Mrs Leech, and Mrs Aslin acted as hostesses, and all were properly impressed with our club, of which the delegates have been elected honorary members during their stay here, and wo hope that they will make plenty of use of it. Tuesday and Wednesday were given up to strenuous labors, of which full reports have been given in the papers. I would like to draw attention to Thursday’s programme. In tho afternoon, from 2to 5 o’clock, the annual meeting and election of office-bearers will lake place in the Overseas Club, and in the evening a reception will bo given at the Women’s Club, to which it is hoped that members will turn up in goodly numbers. WEDDING. A wedding of interest took place at St. James’s Church, Wellington South. OfU August 28, when Miss Kathleen Copland, of Dunedin, was married to Dr W. F. Shirer, of Wellington. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. W. Shirer, 0.8. E., father of the bridegroom, assisted by the Rev. J. Kennedy Elliott, 8.A., D.D. The bride, who was given away by Dr F. T. Bowerbank, 0.8. E., wore a charming frock of white satin xnorooaiir, her hand-embroidered veil being held in place by a coronet of orange blossoms. She carried a bouquet of -white violets and hyacinths. Tho bridesmaid, Miss Shirer, wore a smart frock of azure blue taffeta, shot with silver, and a black picture bat. Her bouquet was of pink carnations and maidenhair fern. Dr Leo de Castro was best man, and Mr A. A. Brown officiated at the organ. After the ceremony a reception of relatives and a few personal friends of the bride and bridegroom was held at. the residence of Mr F. Sidey, grandfather of tho bridegroom, Mrs Shirer receiving the guests in a handsome- gown of navy silk morecain and a smart black toque. Tho reception rooms were beautifully decorated in tones of mauve ami scarlet, and a dainty wedding breakfast was enjoyed. Numerous telegrams were received from friends in various parts of the dominion. Dr and Mrs Shirer left by car for the north, the bride wearing a tailored mole costume and white hat. During the afternoon Mr Lionel Inch contrihuftd items, which were much appreciated. Among many gifts was a handsome, presentation from the medical staff at Wellington Hospital.