Women's Realm

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12869, 23 May 1936, Page 10

Women's Realm

By “ Marte ”

STAINING THE. FLOORS

ADVICE FOR THE NOVICE

Friends who are expert at staining floor hoards will tell you that it is a wastes of money to buy' one- of t-lio many, ready-made, quick-drying' floor sta.inr/ that arc now on. the market. They will describe instead one of the good old methods, of buying twopence worth of certain chemicals, dissolving the package in, boiling water, and going; over the floor afterwards with a. coat or two or varnish. The instructions sound easy enough to fololw if hey arc given quickly and confidently. But a.s a- beginner in the art (states a; writer on the subject), I have found it cheaper in the long run to buy a. tin of the r'cady;made variety than to learn stickily and wearily from experience of making up my owm ingredients. Stains ran now be bought which give a glossy 'finish in 'addition to staining, so that the labour of varnishing or waxing can he saved. POINTS TO REMEMBER In the process of staining there are a, number of small commonsense points which are seldom, mentioned to beginners, and which 1 have learned by the clumsy method pf trial and error. If these are observed bv other novices they will be happily saved from some of the trying situations in which ! found myself when I. was dealing with innumerable old floor boards which had never been stained before. 1

It is essential that, the floors which

arc to be stained should lie well scrubhed beforehand with hot water

and soda. This -should be done the previous' day so that the boards have time to. become thoroughly dry. While this is being! done any loose nails should hid, removed and, paint marks scraped ofF. It is worth while taking trouble over removing any splashes oil paint, as they tend to show through even the darkest stain. A penny is an efficient instrument for scraping paint otf.

AIDS TO STATIsT XG While' yon iiro buying stain and a brush got a pair of rubber gloves. They arc invaluable while you are staining- floors,, and they will have many uses afterwards. In addition t:> the gloves, stain ami brush, take with you into the room in which you are working .a, soft kneeling pad, old newspaper, and a damn piece of old flannel. The uses of the kneeling pad are obvious. Tile newspaper is to act as a, stand for the, put of stain. Drips from the tin will otherwise sink into the floorboard on which, it is stand;ng and; if these dry in before they are noticed Hie dark rings will give a patchy appearance even after they have been stained, over. The damp flannel is handy for removing spots of stain which are inadvertently flicked' on tot the skirting hoard. 11 the woodwork is painted in a light colour this flannel is particularly useful.

Before beginning in stnin the floor two pohits should bo remembered. Windows should he well, opened before starting as, fresh air helps to dry the stain quickly. It is awkward to remember this instruction after the floor has been finished, as it then becomes a, problem lo reach the* window unless: only a narrow surround •has been stained. The second point is that, you have, to make an exit by the. door as a rule. It, is usually best, therefore, to start at* one; side of'the door and wmk round the room leaking until last a central portion as a, kind, of gangway down which you can move backwards to the door. It is a mistake to put si an on. too lavishly, especially if the floor hoards are old and tend to mop up the liquid ms- soon as the: brush is; applied. By drawing th'? brush lightly and quickly, over the; surface of the hoards a more even finish is obtained and less stnini is used.

"GOLFY” WOOLLIES

Now that tlie golf season has returned, enthusiasts will once more have “golfy” woollier- of various kinds to look after. Hand-knitted gloves; and socks need frequent washing, and, unfortunately, they are inclined to shrink and lose their shape. To avoid this it is a good plan to lay the gloves of socks when new on a .yh'ect- of fairly -stiff cardboard. Trace round tire feet and finger si with- a. pencil, 'then renlov?' the! articles and cut out the co-ardboa-rd by following the pencil mattes.

A cardboard' “shape” the exact is'ize of the gloves or socks will result, • which may be- slipped into the respective articles when they are still wet. The -shapes' may be used again an cl a gain, fin d tli e ar tic les wi ll;ii ever shrink whtn washed. The shapes may bb joined together with. a. tape and hung oviE-r tlie line while the -socks and' gloves* d-rv, tlnv-i avoiding ilic rise- of pegs. ’• •

NOTES . NEWS and HINTS

COURAGEOUS WOMAN

AWARDED STANHOPE MEDAL Courage in the face of almost certain. death has won Miss Evelyn. Irons, a.i London woman, the Royal tl.uma.no Sdoiety’s Stanhope Gold Medal. This, award has been presented to Her because'she is judged to lifiive performed the bravest deed of 1935.

She isi the first, woman ever to receive the. Stanhope Gold Medal, and lilies first to receive a gold medal of 'the society since Grace Darling in 1838.

This is how she won so high an honour. Mrs. McSweeney, a good swimmer, was caught in a cross-cur-rent, while bathing in a. rough sea at Trcsa.ith Beach, Cardigan Bay, Wales. ’ Despite her efforts'she was swept out toward the open sea and soon got; into difficulties. Miss Irons, who was swimming about 50 yards away, heard her cries and swam' over and .supported while calling for assistance. A. strong swimmer tried to. get through Iho breakers and failed. A small boat was. launched and capsized. Attempts to launch .a larger boat failed. The beach was crowded, but no one could do anything effectual. Mrs. McSweeney became unconscious, hut Miss Irons continued to support her, atlhough. the waves were breaking over them continuously.

“At this stage,.’’ states an. official report of the rescue, “there was small prospect of why rescue; Miss Irons, who could then probably have saved herself, decided to stay by her friend r/id save her or perish in the attempt. After abc-iii an hour * he. r cine nt changed and swept the two ladies nearer inshore. A strong swimmer put on a line; and succeeded in swimming out to them, others on the beach holding on to line and forming a human chain close to the b eakers, and all were, hauled ashore. Mrs. McSwechay was unconscious and was with dnffieulty brought round; Miss Irons was very exhausted.

ABE YOU TOOi THIN? GOOD CTTEEH. THE FIRST RULE! To be neither too fat- nor too thin —that i-s the goal we should all strive to attaiin, for both overweight and underweight are dangerous from! the health point of view. It one- wishes' to stock up on fat. it is essential, of course, to eat foods which tend to produce fatty tissue. Food.! such as- rich milk and cream, busier. eggs, cream soups, vegetables sierved with cream sauce, potatoes, peas, beans-, lentils, olives, nuts, sugar, chocolate, ice cream. > fru’.ts such .as bananas. figs,. dates; raisins, fat. meat a cereals and salads. Xext to food the most important, maatter for those wishing to gain weight is sleep—lets of it—at le.p-st nine hours cut of the 24. A moderate amount of gentle exercise, preferably in the open air. is necessary to keep in good condition, but avoid violent exercise. Deep-breathing exercise's will belli to expand the chest. Last, but hot least, do your best not to worry or he continually hurrying about. Good cheer and contentment are the best aids to. appetite and good digestion.

A SEWING-BOOAT HINT TTTE DIFFICULT BIAS CTT

When moans come from the sowingroom one knows at once what is wrong. Someone; has bought a pattern and it! “isn’t going right.” The fact is'That the hew bias dress-mak-ing iw entirely different' from that of the straight up and down 1 frock days. Those, who make even nightdresses or princess petticoats embark gladly on the. intricacies off a pattern, -only to find that their seams destroy any advantage they may have gained of tin, since puckering and irregularities are hard to avoid by the unskilled. Tho-s© who dressmake on bias lines need, either, to practice to some extent with the- machine in producing the' right- amount, of tension for smoothness or they can make thy- garment by liniicl—-this also- heeding a certain, amount, of practice. The pull of the stuff ciit on the bins must he ignored,;and this ;s really what constitutes the difficulty. Tacking becomes- far more important than ever. ;uid so does pressing. Thei simplest -seams should be tacked when there is a question of material on the cross, a lid pressing should always bb done consecutively liero iff never tefqre.

EDUCATION OF GIRLS

A LADY PRINCIPAL’S VIEWS

“My 'opinion is that the syllabus for examinations in the secondary schools in New ‘Zealand is wider than the corresponding' examination syllabus in New South Wales,” said Miss Nancy Jobson, M.A., in the course of an interview at Invercargil. “For instance, in English certain books are sot for the examinations in New South Wales, and one will meet girls who have never read Hamlet because that • play was not on the list. Examination systems narrow the scope and development of a girl’s outlook and knowledge of many things of great educational value. Moreover, to a very great extent the education provided for hoys and girls :is on the same lines so that they sit for the same subjects in examinations and often follow the same vocations. Surely it is* time that women... having now achieved to the full the aim of -equality of educational privileges and opportunities with men, should work out a fuller, wider, more cultural system which will develop v the talent and ability of girls and. women to the greater benefit of tbo nation.” : ;

Mists. Jobson, who is now headmistress of Hope wood House finishing .school ait Darling point. -Sydney, in a former principal of the Southland Girls’ High School, whieji position she ■relinquished, in 1018. It will be recalled that Miss jobson was firstheadmistress of Queen Margaret College in Wellington, and until three years ago., when she established I-lopcwood House; Sydney’s only finishing school, she was head of the Presbyterian Ladies’ - College at Pymble, near! Sydney. “Hopewood House is the working out o'J many ideals which I first voiced in. an address given at an Educational Conference in Wellington many years ago,'’ Miss Jobson said. “I felt that general education for girls was so lacking in the cultural side and in the development of the special aptitudes and talents. I wanted to bring within reach some of the opportunities, for culture for which in the paist it has hen necessary for parents to semi their daughters abroad. In this-way they will be able to use their leisure wisely and furnish their minds so that they will ho cultured,, interesting women, hostesses and home-makers. When they travel they will have a better aippreeiatici\ the things they see. They will have been taught to think, and: rec with seeing eyes. A trip abroad will not mean merely deck games, marvellous shops and having n ‘wonderful’ time.” Miss Jobson believes that surroundings are important, and she has been fortunate in the choice of Hopewood House, the .beautiful home of the late. Mr. Lebbeus Hordern. The rooms are attractively furnished in harmonising colours as in a comfortable. well-appointed home, and the school-room clement lias not been introduced.

“The girls are given lectures on contemporary events in the world of politics, discovery, art, musie and archneology,” Miss -Jobson continued, “and such talks, given by interesting and informed people, ensure the back-ground-of definite knowledge necessary for an interested and intelligent appreciation of the treasures of the old world.”

The, curriculum includes art and music, and; their appreciation, the study of literature, varied forms, of ants and crafts, domestic science and mo there: aft, dancing, fencing, and even a course in motor mechanism to enable g:rl drivers to effect minor repairs. In addition to the study of languages; some insight is given into the nature and clraracteritics of the people, a cultural' aim which should he of great benefit to intending travellers. Diction and dramatic art arc not overlooked,, and every girl in turn acts as hostess, thus gaining the experience which should give that ease and sracidusness of manner so essential to this particular sphere of womaiily activities. Pageants, musioaies and plays'/are presented by the girls, and oration contests, in which each girl assumes the role of some well-known character and composer and delivers a speech which never was, but might well have been, given by the originala-s distinct from the customary oration competitions consisting of speeches, by well-known •orators, committed to memory, and recited. ( ;'!

Another ideal Miss Job son hopes to sea in practice one day is the compulsory training of women in domestic work and mothcrcrnft. conducted on lines similar to those governing the compulsory military training of young; men.

HOW DO YOU WALK?

Tlie Paris shoe designer. Andre Perugia. has brought something of a hornet’s nest about his ears since- he made known his readings of feminine character bv the-foot.

Years of study, says M. Perugia, have taught him that women with a firm, even, walk have sex appeal, that women are timid, that women who lack: rhythm in tlieir walk are nervous, and that pigeon-toed women are stupid arid dull. It is the last of’these findings tii'nt*' lias 1 -been hotly contested by public and Press', with examples' cited everywhere of pi-geon-toed women, who were and are brilliant intellectuals. '

'Eminent'foot Specialists have been asked'for tlieir views. soirie ! declaring that, there is nothing in the theory, and that, there is little or no connection between deep and character, such things as pigeon'toes and bunions- being purely physical defects. All the sameyAndife has directed the Parisian masculine glance grduridwards, whence it is asCeridirig soiYiefvli'at anxiously.