WOMAN’S WORLD

Evening Star, Issue 18785, 8 November 1924, Page 18

WOMAN’S WORLD

[By DIANA.]

Reports of social functions will be welcomed for this column. “ Diana " will alsd answer all reasonable questions relating to the homo, cookery, domestic science, and any topic of Interest to her sex. But each letter or report must bear the writer’s name and address as a guarantee of genuineness, and questions that do not permit of a public reply cannot be answered. Questions should be concisely put, and the writer’s nom de plume clearly written.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. “C.F.C.”—I sent the insects on to the Museum, and have received their reply. They are grubs of the leather beetle, which is very destructive to furs, Slides, feathers, etc." and it also bores into wood and bacon and dried meats. If you would collect a number of them, especially the kind that has a tuft on its tail, place them in a small bottle of spirits of wine or of 2 per cent, watery solution of formaline, the curator of the University Museum would bo glad to receive them. As to the way to get rid 1 of them from your house and furs, i would suggest that you communicate with the biological section of the Department of Agriculture, Wellington. “Inquirer.”—To re-cover a billiard [able is too dillicult for any but, a professional pensod. Yon would probably find Unit in the end you would spoil expensive billiard baize. “Minor.'’—l think you will find that most mirrors exaggerate, specially lines and pores of tho skin. Hut they should' not apparently increase one’s size, unless (hev are hung out of the straight. Tho quality of glass makes much dillevenco to ihe efficacy of the mirror. Your best plan Is to consult any well-known furniture firm. SOCIAL AND PERSONAL. Mr and Mrs Hannan Reeves have 'gone to Christchurch for a week or two. Mrs C. T. studd is staying with Mrs W. Brown, of Clyde street. Dr Storms and Miss Wilson, of the Home Science College, have gone to the Milford Track. Miss I). Napier has gone hack to Wainiate. Mrs and AlNs ITa/lett. who have been spending a little time here, have gone to Christchurch. Messrs Loo and Jan Cherniavsky and (heir manager, Mr Casling, ary at Onslow House. Miss M'Leilan, of Palmerston North, is slaying with Miss Mathcson. .Miss Edmond has gone to Christchurch, The engagement is announced of Miss Joyce Belhnne (late, of Dunedin) and Mr Cecil Quanc, of Christchurch. Miss Power, of Mornington, gave a pleasant little tea, party on Wednesday. Miss Holland recited, to the great pleasure of tho guests, who included Mesdames Jamieson (from Auckland), Barclay, P. Martin, .Stock, Lo Crcn, Bnm.sden, and Miss Hamsden. At the Savoy, on Wednesday, a number of friends (about twenty-five) who had been guests at Miss Emerson’s wedding, met to have a. final chat before .separating for their different homos. Though it is with much regret that we arc bidding farewell to Mrs Cannalt Jones, yet in saying “an revoir ” ihero is always tho probability of a reunion—in this case wo hope at a not-too-dislant date. Most of the numerous societies with which lilrs Cavnialt Jones has identified herself have given official “ good-byes,” hut with the best will in the world, and tho most strenuous efforts, it is impossible to see everyone. And so will those who have not bad a personal last word with her pleas© take the will for the deed, and feel that Airs Cannalt Jones regrets not seeing them, and hopes to meet them either in the Old Country, or here on her return.

On Wednesday night, at the Si. Clair Church Hall, Miss” Beadle (who is in charge of the kindergarten department of iho Presbyterian Sunday .School), and her nine assistants, were the guests of honor at a social given by the mothers and friends of tho children who attend the school. Airs Miller was chairwoman, and Miss Dick made a little speech of approedition of Miss Beadle’s fine work. Airs Wilson then presented Miss Beadle, from them all, with a handsome leather suitcase and two books on kindergarten work, and Mrs Chrisp presented each of tho assistants with an appropriate little gift'. Miss Beadle replied on behalf of herself and staff, thanking the ladies for their kindness and generosity. _ A programme was arranged, during which Airs .1 hompson gave a musical monologue, Mrs Williamson sang, Airs Wilson recited, _ and Miss Campbell was in charge of tho piano. Altogether a very happy evening was spent.

Tho Arks and Crafts Circle of tho Women’s Club gave a most successful “Guv Fawkes” party on November 5, when about 100 members came, many in fantastic dress and mask. The prize for the best dress went to Mre Horvey, who cam© as a negress in a rico field. An amusing scene was the ono where the committee came as conspirators, with toll black hats and feathers, and wearing capes, and each carrying an old-fashioned torch. Lights were turned down, and then came the well-known song whore Guy is to ho put on a lamp-post and ‘ (here let him lie.” In the picture competition Airs Eastgate was the most successful. Music was supplied by Miss Hayward (songs), Mrs Sargood, who accompanied the conspirators, the orchestra, consisting of Airs Mason (piano), Misses. Hanham and AT George (violin), and Miss M'Gcorgo (’cello). Miss Smith’s gramophone supplied supper music. This happy gathering was a fine beginning for Airs W. A. Moore’s chairmanship.

The Women Citizens’ Association held an important meeting on when the new president and ollieers were elected. For 1924-25 Miss M. I. Fraser (telephone 3,411) will be president; Mesdanies Leech, Downing and Bundle, vice-presidents; lion, treasurer, Miss Ethel Jackson; hon. secretary, Mrs Mayer (telephone 9,327); committee —Mesdanies Mathewson, Meg(ret, Hayward, Watson,-A. Fels, Christie, Alexander, and Duff, and ISliss Perry. The association is fortunate in its new president, who is well known all over New Zealand. Miss Fraser was the first principal of Wanganui Girls’ College, and from there she went on to be the first principal of “lona,” Havelock North, the. most^ successful school of its kind in the North Island. And always Miss Fraser has shown herself a good organiser, with a clear business head, tactful, a.nd sympathetic. Nob long ago Miss Fraser spent a considerable time in England and other countries, and so will be ablo to use her experiences for the benefit of this association. I believe she is, among other things, an authority on the housing question. The report for last year showed that much work had been done, but it is hoped that the average attendance will be considerably increased naxt year. Mr Sydney Hoben’s last opera recital in Dunedin took place at Mrs Rattray's on Wednesday, and we all felt sorry that the scries was so short. The opera chosen this time was ‘ Taimhauscr,’ one of Wagner’s most popular-—indeed, in Chicago night after night the enormous Operahouse, holding 10,000 people, is filled. Mr Hoben has been singularly fortunate in meeting many members of the Wagner family when ho was at Bayreuth, the little town of world-wido fame through the friendship of King Ludwig and Wagner, which made it possible for the poet-com-poser to give his epoch-making masterpieces. ‘Tannhauser’ belongs to Wagner’s second period, and well illustrates the great master's theory that opera is first

drama a,nd secondly music. In this particular ono there are thirty-five “motifs,” a small number compared with soma of the later works. The story turns on the struggle of good and evil, personified in the hero, Tannhauser, who manages to free himself from tha charms and snares of Venuaberg, but who nearly succumbs again, till the saintly Elizabeth redeems him by her prayers, and the opera ends with tho dcatii of the repentant Tatinlianscr at her coffin as the funeral procession passes. The music of this work is very well known, and I need only mention such selections ns ‘ Tho Pilgrims’ Chorus,’ the wonderful inarch at tho Hall of Minstrels, and 1 0, Star of Eve,’ to recall many more popular melodics.

A wedding of unusual local interest was celebrated on Tuesday evening at the Moray Place Congregational Church, when the Rev. W. Saunders officiated. The contracting parties were Miss Peggy Emerson, daughter of Mr Ralph Emerson, and Mr Donald Reid, son of Mrs Charles Reid. The church was beautifully decorated with white lilac and pink and white rhododendrons, and was crowded with friends of the popular young couple. Tho bride, who was given a.way by her undo (Mr ,1. Peake, of Christchurch), wore a lovely gown of cream corded taffeta silk - , with silver ornaments, and a tulle veil long enough lo form a train fastened with orange blossom; and her bouquet consisted of lilies of the valley. The two bridesmaids were her sister (.Miss 0. Emerson) and her cousin (Miss M. Burt), both looking charming in pale blue satin frocks with capes of blue georgette, and currying posies.of forget-me-nots and anemones. Me R. Stowe was lasi man ami Mr R. Reynolds groomsman. The, bride’s, mother looked well in French grey nmroeain and lace, with a small black hat with white osprey, and carrying purple pansies: Mrs Reid wore powder blue georgette and a large black hat with ostrich feathers, and carried red roses; Mrs Anderson was also in .a beautiful shade of blue georgette, with a black hat, and had a, bouquet of [link roses; Miss Reid wore pink mauvo shot taffcla and a black tagel hat-: while Miss 15. Reid had on pink georgette and a black picture hat. After tho ceremony a reception was hold at Mr and Mrs S. T. Anderson’s homo in London street, to which many came, including Lady Williams, Mr .and Mrs Milne, Mr and .Mrs S. Peake, Mr and Mrs Lake, Mr and Mrs Clap[K>rton, Mr and Mrs Moss, Mr and Mrs Miles, Me and Mrs Saunders, Mrsda.mes Fergus, Allan, I). Reid, Bint, Hawkins, Misses Williams, Reid (2), Peake, N. Reid. Hazlett (Invercargill), Napier (2. from W,-innate), Milne, (2). Fleming, and Johnston, Dr Sinclair, Messrs Price, Edmond, Tapley (2), Coni I, Evans, Irvine, Crease (Wellington), Holland, and Solomon (3). The bride’s travelling costume consisted of cinnamon brown gaberdine, with a nigger brown satin underdress, with a small cinnamon and gold hat. A motor then took Mr and (Mrs 1). Reid, to spend their honeymoon in the north. On Wednesday Mr and Mrs Adam, of Otokhi, near Wailmla., celebrated their diamond wedding, one of them being 88 years old and the other 89. One of the bridesmaids, Mrs Fleming, was able to be present, and sbo and the bride were both presented with bouquets, while other suitable gifts were given to the venerable pair. About thirty relatives and friends gathered together and spent a few pleasant hours. The Aorangi Musical Club held its monthly meeting on Monday evening at (ho residence of Miss Shaw, Digit street. The composers were Chopin for the pianists and Landon Ronald for the vocalists, and a, very interesting paper on tho life of Chopin was read by Mrs Snmlstrum. Songs were given by Misses Morrison, M’Dongall, E. Young, Justice, Rawlinson, MTlihbrm, and Sconlar, violin solos by Mrs Smidstnim and Miss Shaw, piano solos bv Misses M. Young, Frazer, and A. White. ODDS AND ENDS. When polishing furniture, add a little vinegar to tho polish. It will give great brilliancy to tho surface. When a, dark serge suit or dross becomes shinv, sponge it with hot vinegar and press it in the usual way. If you have a burnt saucepan, fill it with salt water and leave it for a few hours. The burnt patches will then come away quite easily. Brown paper moistened in vinegar will polish your tins until they shine like silver. To relieve ,i very severe headache, apply small pads of cotton wool, soaked in not water, behind the cars. A pinch of salt in a. glass of water taken at llto first symptoms of headache often prevents its continuing. To make a candle fit the candlestick, dip tho end of it in hot wafer. It will then bo soft enough to be moulded to the necessary size. j Before attempting any cleaning, unpick and remove tho lining and any trimmings. Wash the lining in a warm, soapy lather, and the trimming, 100, if it is a. plain ribbon, RECIPES. BAKED BANANA STEAK. Two pounds top side steal; (1 Ain thick), (Free large bananas, six slices of bacon, three (ablespoonfnls water, two teaspoonfnls sugar, popper and salt, parsley. Wipe and trim the steak, and divide it through the centre. Leave one end uncut, and lay it open like a book, and season with pepper and salt. Cut the bananas lengthwise inlo rather'thick slices, and place them on one-half of the steak. Sprinkle with the sugar, add the water; then lay the oilier half of steak over tho bananacovered portion. Place strips of bacon over the top, and fasten the two portions together with skewers. Put into a linking dish and bake in a hot oven for forty minutes. If liked underdone, cook only for thirty minutes. Serve on a hot dish and garnish with parsley. OYSTER SCRAMBLE. Melt two or three tablespoonfuls of butter and break six eggs into it. Now add one teaspoonfnl of salt, cayenne pepper, four tablespoonfnls of cream, and four of thick tomato sauce. Break the egg yolks and stir lightly until blended; bring to boiling point, and stir occasionally. The eggs must be partly set and thickened lie fore you can add the drained oysters, which yon ought to cool; until their edges begin to curl. Serve on hot toast. GREEN PEA SOUP. Melt about ono ounce of butter or fresh margarine in a saucepan, and add half peck of fresh croon peas, unshelled and well bruised. Add a. sprig of mint, and a seasoning of salt and popper. Shako the pan frequently over the gas, until all the butter lias boon taken np. Now add three pints of cold water, and three young green onions. Boil very slowly until soft enough to pass through a sieve. Return to tho pan with a teaspoonful of sugar, and stir until boiling freely. Servo with small dice of fried bread.

TEA-TABLE TALK. LKO SPEAKS. It was my good fortune to find Mr Leo Clierniavsky with half an hour or so at ids disposal for a little chat. and, of course, I diil riot neglect such a fine opportunity for sounding his views, which, whether wo agree with them or not, must ho interesting as coming from a man who has made a world-wide reputation. “Do you think heredity acconnls for the musical talent of all of you?” I asked. “ Certainly, np to a certain point. My father’s family as far hack as wo know have been musicians, though none of them made any special mark: but my mother’s family comes of a commercial stock, with little or no music. All my brothers and sisters arc professional musicians, and doing well, too.” “How do you explain so much gift and success!” “First and foremost I would put environment and the roiTert atmosphere. When my youngest sister was born she heard violins, ’cellos, and pianos all round her, so that by trio time she was five yca.rs old she naturally played. It is this lack of arlislic environment that makes it difficult for people in a young country like New Zealand to develop their gifts in music, painting, and kindred arts. They are not in constant touch with the best, and so they cannot know to what heights they must strain.” “Did you all show your special bent to music at an early age?” “Well, it's not really a matter of age so much as temperamental development. Many children havo tho spark of genius, hut few attain greatness. We all had to lie driven to practise, and hated it very often. Tho love of drudgery is no indication of talent in a certain direction. A person may practise ton hours a day and ibid it all wasted, and' another may in half an hour, when the right mood ;? there, pul in so much concentration and intensity that valuable work result?.. You may give a, child 100 lessons and almost despair of him, and then suddenly once ho will show Die divine spark, and though ho may sink, back you may bo siiro that lie is worth driving and forcing.” “Those were charming little compositions of yours and your brothers. Have yon done much in the way of musical composition ?”

“Those little things wo do not think much of. Tho fact is that playing and composing are two separate branches, and a musician must early make up his mind lo follow one or the other. If I wanted to become a composer 1 would liavo to give at least two years’ hard study before I could attempt any serious work on my own. Ami then after all that and the sacrifice of my special instrument. I might find that I have only mediocre talent that everything lias been wasted. It is very rarely that a young composer is also a, good performer; tho ono tends to kill the other.”

And then, bring naturally interested in music ad a career for women. I asked him about it, and received the unexpected answer: “Speaking as a- man of the world, with a good 1 deal of experience, I think really that in tho large majority of cases all special training is wasted on women. When a man meets a- woman he wants to marry she ads as an incentive to better work, she uplifts him ; bid on her tho result is quite different. She gives up her work and finds her interest in other matters, and very rarely does she do anything great after "marriage. A professional life entails many sacrifices, and, indeed, I think that any man or woman who lives for tho public is better unmarried, as then his or her mind is concentrated on work, whereas the ties of a family necessarily come between the performer and his public,” And I notice that he has lived up to this theory; but ono wonders how long he will escape the snare of matrimony.

USES FOR TISSUE PAPER. Never throw away clean tissue paper, for there are so many uses in the home to which it may be put. Soft kid shoes ami those of patent leather on which white cream is used for cleaning should be polished with tissue paper. The cream should also be applied with tissue paper. The paper not only gives a good polish without scratching, but ft may Tic thrown away after once using, an excellent thing where light or colored Idd is concerned, for the merest trace of dust or dirt on the polisher will spoil the shoes. In the kitchen tissue paper is good for draining ■ fried fish nr tor skimming off the fat from the top of gravy or soup. When cooking is finished many splashes and grease spots may he removed from the top of kitchener and gas stove by nibbing with tissue paper. People who wear eyeglasses should always clean the lenses with tissue paper. It wipes them free of grease, will not scratch the highly-polished surface, and one is less likely to break the lens than if it were cleaned with a stronger substance. Mirrors, windows, and table glass take on brilliant polish when given a final rub with tissue paper. Cutlery and silver when stored for a short period should be wrapped in tissue paper. Tissue paper tightly packed will prove a good substitute for trees'if pushed into shoes,

IS COQUETRY A FAULT? | RESULT OF A FRENCH PLEBISCITE. A French publication has been holding a plebiscite among its men and womea" readers concerning what faults tho men prefer in women ami what faults the women prefer in men. The conclusions of the women readers we have not yet seen (says the ‘ Morning Post ’), but one definite conclusion has already been reached regarding the male plebiscite, and: that is that the most pardonable failing in women is coquetry. The French are a bravo race, and we doubt if in this ago Englishmen, whatever they might privately think, would dare to put such an opinion on paper. In this wonderful age of all tho emancipations wo should have thought that coquetry would bo the last thing that even the French would have admired in women. For how desperately serious the world has become on the subject of women! They sit in Parliaments, they even occupy posts in Governments, they play hookey, they administer businesses, they are the champions of equality, they abjure the “ erring note” which that admirer of fragrance in mortality, Herrick, has enshrined in his delicate verse; they liavo views and 1 advertise them on all sorts of curious subjects; indeed, they are the most formidable creatures in Nature. And hero are tho French crying; “If you will have faults, pray let them bo those of tho coquette.” Indeed, perhaps this masculine plebiscite is not only an admission, but a cry of despair. It is an appeal to the Frenchwomen to return to those enchanting graces and arts which axe enshrined in French literature, ami which may bo becoming ra.ro, even in France. It would be a great pity if coquetry were to disappear. For coquetry is not only an art, hut an instrument of success, and by its charm is guaranteed to subdue. But not too much coquetry, please, we can hear some victims cry. And that is true, for when the coquette goes too far* then her victim cither escapes or dies of a broken heart. But, then, the coquette seldom goes too far, for she invariably knows her business. WOMEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE. FIFTY YEARS’ PROGRESS. With the Governorship of Texas, the largest State in the American Union, tilled, as it is destined to bo, by a woman —for Mrs Miriam A. Ferguson’s nomination implies her election—there remains scarcely any public position, in ono part of the world or another, that women have not conquered (says tho .London ‘Observer ’). From tho point of view of our own country, there is the question ot their admission to tho Christian ministry still to ho threshed out with the Established Church, but in America, where there is no State church, more than forty sects have ordained women. Tho 'advance, of women in public service may, on the whole, however, he. said to have* been more marked in this country than in any other. It is a_ record of just over half a century, for it was at the first election after the passing of the Education Act in 1870 that three women—one in Manchester (Miss Lydia Becker), and two in London (.Miss Garrett, afterwards Mrs Garrett Anderson, M.D., and Miss Emily Davies)—became members of lho hoard. In .1873 the first woman Poor Law inspector was appointed, and in 1875 the, first, woman guardian. Fourteen years later Lady Sandhurst and Miss Jane Cohden were, elected (o the London County Council, but it took another nineteen years to pass a measure making it legal for women to serve, for there was a petition lodged against the return of Lady Handhuvst solely on the ground that she was a woman, and it was decided at that time that women were not eligible. To tho first district and Parish councils that were formed in the nineties there were ninety women elected in various parts of the country. To-day, approximately, there axe some seventy women on county councils. 300 on borough councils, 500 on urban and rural district councils, and 2,500 on boards of guardians. ‘ as women’s membership jn Parliament lias brought with it position in the Government, so their membership of the borough councils has included service in the mayoralty, and there arc, and have been, several women mayors. Long aftci the medical profession, that of tho law opened it doors to women. recent years, too, women have been given responsibility on jury service, and thousands have been made J.P.s.

I Though women have not yet been elected members of the Council of the League of Nations, there are several women delegates to the Assembly of the League. Perhaps the most interesting and i' 6l ™™' able of recent appointments is that of airs Wootton on the Commission to inquire Into the National Debt, for. though she has taken a very brilliant degree m economics at Cambridge, she is not old enough, and will not be for some years, to have, a vole. JUDICIOUS SEPARATION? “And how is Daisy?’’ asked a correspondent ot her mother the other day. “ Oh, very well/’ she replied, “ but you know that we have parted?” “No, 1 am sorry to hear that.” “ Oh, was the reply, “ there’s no need to bo sorry. Wo are very good friends. But Daisy prefers to live on her own. In the old days our daughters never left us until they married. Now they leave us to set up house, in a flat or iu rooms, according to their means. It isn’t, as far as I can understand (says a ‘ Morning Post! writer), due to incompatibility of temperament. It is simply that the gulf between _ the modern, girl and the average mother is so wide* that it cannot be bridged. Many of my friends are going through the same experiences with their daughters, Ihey remain good friends, but they prefer to rive apart.” A strange world, my mothers! EASTERN CONFECTIONS. So numerous are the varieties of sweets which are eaten in this country that one well-known firm alone manufactures over 1.000 different kinds. In modern times 400.000 tons of sweets are eaten in England in one year, and the most hardened man will to-day make as great a baby of himself over a tin of sweets as will his smallest child (observes the ‘ Daily Telegraph ’). People who have visited the Wembley pavilions displaying Eastern products must have been struck by tho divergence in taste which prevails among different races. A favorite Arabian sweet is almond and honey cake, while fhe little baskets of “ jaguary,” made from the sugar cane, arc eaten by Indian children with a heartiness corresponding to our partiality for chocolate bars. In all probability wq should intensely dislike these Oriental confections. Nevertheless, sweet-makers in this country have travellers in tho East who derive new ideas from these recipes, some of which have been in use among Eastern women for centuries. Once adapted to tho English palate, it is almost impossible to recognise their origin, and the most famous example of an Oriental .sweet treated in this way is creme do merit lie. For many years sweet-makers had tried to create a national favorite out of Turkish delight, a sweet entirely now and strange to tho English palate. Their success was by no means as great as had been Imped for. Then tho idea was conceived of giving it a new name and a popular flavoring, and creme do menthc was evolved. Tin’s sweet is in such demand that a leading firm has a special factory where nothing clso but creme do menthc is made. TRAVEL OF FUTURE. “ Travelling in tho future will ho done more and more under ground, and not by overhead railways in the American stylo, because the overhead stage will he required for air transport landing grounds,” declared Professor Low, tho scientist and authority on traffic problems, who visited Wembley Exhibition in order to examine tho Neverstop Railway, which has been regarded in .soma quarters as :i possible solution of the London traffic problem. The professo - pointed out the absurdity of having to land in an aeroplane at Croydon, and then journey to the city, when it ought to be possible to alight on the roof of a London shop. He described tho Neverstop Railway as a wonderful invention, which should prove of immense value, but lie considered it bad certain disadvantages in respect of long distances and high speed. It would probably prove of tremendous value in the transport of goods, but ho did not think it would replace existing railways.—‘Morning Posh’