"Seen in the Shops”

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 10 March 1934, Page 13

"Seen in the Shops”

(By “Bachael.”)

Any one considering the purchase of a carpet should see some new carpets just opened at Syme’s. They have been specially indented and are cpiite different from any others I have seen. They are pile carpets like an Axminster or a Wilton on the top and the back is exactly like a patterned haircord, .so that it is quite possible to reverse them. One I noticed has a beige ground, with a beautiful design almost | covering the centre of the carpet and a wide border. The design suggests an adaptation of an Indian design and is carried out in tones of a soft nut brown, a dull coral and touches of blue, green and black. It is hard to describe, but it is a beautiful carpet. Another is also in fawn shades, but a much warmer tone than the other, and the pattern is a mild- futuristic design of uneven blocks and broken lines of varying tones of fawn, combined with conventional flowers. The colouring in the design runs to a rust or henna, dark brown and again little touches of blue and green. These are both attractive, quite new and will give endless wear * * # # *

As' I walked into Bennett and Sutton's early this week they were unpacking their new season's golf clubs and they do.look very enticing. Whole sets of woods and irons, all to match, of perfect balance, how improved they are compared with the clubs of even a few years ago! The newest idea in golf clubs is the bi-curve shaft, which tapers down from a point at the bottom end of the grip both ways. Its thickest. point is placed well down on the shaft and not at the top end as is usual. This double curving adds balance and power. These shafts give that perfect ‘‘feel,'' they are perfectly balanced and uniform, with great strength and light weight, and they give greater distance! They are drawn from a special alloy steel and are .seamless and they carry an unqualified guarantee against breakage in normal use. A new patent ferrule attaches the head to the shaft of the wooden clubs and the coloured inlays in each wooden club enable easy distinction between the clubs. These clubs are claimed to be the embodiment of the world’s best craftsmanship. »**«■* i

To begin at the bottom of a range of jugs one must mention first of all the utilitarian jug for every-day household use, and Dalgettv’s have a big supply of plain white jugs in every size, wide mouthed and easy to wash. From there we go to the more decorative jugs in the cheaper grades of china. Many of them are white with posies of flowers in pinks and blues, while some are much larger, with futurist patterns in more brilliant colourings. I saw some to-day, smallish jugs, squat, with wide tops, having posies of pink roses, very pretty. Then you find taller .pigs with half a dozen milk tumblers to match and scattered along the shelves are hot milk jugs with covers, suitable as well for hot water or for cocoa jugs. Some of the china coffee pots are also very attractive. Coming to the higher priced jugs, are some beauties designed by Clarice Cliff, so artistic they arc as ornamental as they are useful.

The largest model of an Atwater Kent radio stocked by Davy’s is model SOS. It is a combination of short and long wave, so that it is suitable for all ordinary broadcast programmes from New Zealand and Australian stations and it will also receive European stations. You may sit in- your drawingroom and hear every word of a lecture delivered in London as soon as the people sitting in the hall will hear it. This machine is as near perfect in reproduction as it is possible to be made. However, if the aim of a radio is for the average family, entertainment, musical, elocutionary or in the form of lectures, play reading etc., it is provided for you by. local stations in great aricty and is perfectly reproduced by even the smallest of the new radios.

" *r *'"'*»•* * ~ « The outstanding difference between the coats of last season and those of this, is the enormous fur collars which are a feature of most of the new coats. Mrs Des Forges is just opening up her new season’s coats. Almost all of them 1 have these big collars, many composed | of two whole skrn-s, so set that they' stand well up at the back, fastening i round the throat, if need be, in a most 1 luxurious 'comfort. Nearly all have) tucked and seamed backs, giving per- j feet fit, and many are beltless, so'very becoming for fuller figures. A blackberry' coat, beautifully' lined, has a semi-fitting back and a wonderful collar of black anu grey' fur with two heads. One, perfectly charming, is of a smoky blue .with a collar of blue fox. Another special coat is made of a fancy black coating with a big collar of •brown fur worked in stripes. Jt has no heads, but the collar fastens across in front with a big vandyck of fur running down towards the waist-line. There are several lovely' dark brown coats and other colours in all fittings. *****

EVeryone loves good glass and 1 crystal. For many flowers there is; nothing to equal crystal vases, because 1 while they are very beautiful there is no colour to detract from the blooms themselves. -Gerrand’s always carry a big stock of good glass, and just now while the sale is progressing is an opportunity for buying it at a substantial discount. Vases of all kinds—small, low ones for flowers like pansies, violets and primroses, taller ones lovely for roses and narcissus, up to big rose bowls, heavily cut and very handsome. One beauty stands about nine inches high, is narrow at the base with a wide -spreading top, and is fitted with a crystal centre for holding the flowers so that they will not fall

out. Talking of crystal, I saw a very nice cut glass bowl for fruit or salad, with a jug to. match it for cream or mayonnaise. A very nice plain crystal honey jar is absurdly cheap and then there are many individual little glass dishes which are made with a foot and are so useful for jam or sweets or salted almonds. 1 noticed a very nice pickle jar, too, but these are only very few of the lovely pieces of crystal, all j at sule prices. I *****

As Faster approaches' weddings are in the air and brides-to-be are already buying wedding frocks and bridesmaids frills and furbelows. With this in view George and Doughty have a stand displaying some beautiful fabrics of crepes and satins in white and pale blue and pink, which are always the favourite wedding colours. A white silk with a very fine crepe surface has a very narrow satin line in all . over chevron design. It is not at all expensive, and yet the silk is lovely and 1 would make quite a distinctive frock, especially if made on simple classic lines.. Tliere is also a flat white crepe and a soft white satin with a crepe de chine back, either of which are desirable. A pale pink crepe and a pale pink satin with the ’reverse side crepe de chine ax’© both such a lovely soft pink which is becoming to almost every girl, and a. flat blue crepe is also a very pretty shade. Any of these materials lend themselves to the newest close fitting frocks, made very full round the feet, and there is a soft black ring velvet just the thing for the bride’s mother, all of which are subject to sale discounts. * * * * *

I am told that the craze for knitting is nearly over, but so long ag money is scarce I really don’t believe it. It is possible to dress well on so little if you have one or two nice skirts and make changes with jumpers in different colours, perhaps with berets or scarves to match. Patterns and designs for jumpers are legion, and when people see the lovely colours in the new season’s wools those who knit will be inspired to begin another jumper or cardigan. Ilarrop’s new supply of Paton’s, Aotea and Petone wools make a wonderfully colourful display. Here a brilliant orange or a scarlet, there a dark brown, any number of shades in beige or grey, reds that verge on a wine shade, dark gi-eens or some of the new moss or myrtle greens, saffron yellow and several tones of blue—they are all suggestive of new and original colour combinations. Some of the mixtures are useful for boys’ cardigans or pullovers, and there are many suitable for socks or stockings. It. is marvellous how much can be achieved once your knitting is on the needles ready to be picked up at odd moments. *****

The light woollen afternoon frock is going to be very popular again this season, and among McGruer Bone’s fresh stock are many very charming light-weight tweeds and woollen crepe de chines, especially suitable for frocks either for house wear or under a coat. There’s a special weight' of Donegal tweed, and 1 noticed a midblown chevron tweed with flecks of bright red, yellow and blue, a la Donegal style. Some chicken foot- checks, a small pattern, in brown and white, blue and white and several other colourings are very smart. The new blackberry shade, the loveliest purple I have ever seen, appears in a soft thin woollen material, and would make such a stunning afternoon frock for an older woman. Another new colour is a soft moss green, most attractive. Boucle, hopsaeks, self-coloured chevron striped coatings in heavy weights are suitable for topcoats, and then there is a new range of checks and plaids so very smart for golf skirts or general sports wear. *****

The golf season opens, on March 28, so it behqves every mail to see that his golf kit is all in order. Itobb’s are showing some very nice golf coats, most of which are rainproof and windproof, .so very necessary on our exposed course. Two, one a. tan colour and one grey, are made of fleecy-looking material, very closely woven, being hard wearing and impervious to wind. One I very much liked -is of a grey gaberdine, something like our old raincoats, with collar and cuffs of knitted wool to match. Another is of a waterproofed aeroplane cotton, very tough, and another of aeroplane silk, just the thing for warm, showery days. Several others have the appearance of suede, and are finished with zipps up the front. They all have cripacious pockets and are well cut and finished. Plus fours, of course, are there in all kinds of tweeds, all shades, all sizes, but, best of all, are plus fours made to measure from the high-grade tweeds available. Stockings, in colours to match your outfit, big block checks and other designs, offer great variety of choice. *****

Though stocks seem to -be reducing, quickly' at Purser’s, there are still great bargains available. In upholstered chairs and suites this is very apparent. I There is a great variety of suites up-j bolstered- in Genoa velvet in different j shadings, some made with contrastisg; plain leather arms, which, of course, prolong the life of the chair covering almost indefinitely. (It is alway's the' arms that wear and get soiled first.) One suite that attracted me was a big comfortable couch with two chairs to match covered with a tapestry' in several tones of soft green and rose with, I think, a little blue. One large armchair with a high rounded back, beautifully sprung, also has a tapestry cover in a diamond pattern in shades of greyish green and touches of black. Another single chair is made with a winged back and in both wings there is a small pane of glass fitted behind which shines an electric light, while in the arm is fitted an ash tray. Here you have perfect comport, perfect light for reading and at half the original price.