WOMEN’S NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 283, 3 November 1925, Page 15

WOMEN’S NOTES

The death occurred at Auckland on Saturday, afternoon, after a long illness, of Mrs Dickson, wife of Mr J. S. Dickson, member for Parnell, who is again standing at the general election. Mrs Wauchop, widow of the late Mr Thomas Wauchop, died on Thursday at the residence of her son in Christchurch. Tho late Mrs Wauchop, who was within a fortnight of 75 years of age, camo to New Zealand from Australia in 1865. , Among tho passengers who arrived in Wellington by the Rotorua on Saturday from England were Dr. 13. G. Thompson, eldest son of Mr J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary of Lands, New Zealand, and Mrs Thompson, and his bride, nee Miss Elsie Katharine Wilkie, youngest daughter of Colonel D. Wilkie, Indian Medical Service (retired), and Mrs Wilkie, Falmouth. Their marriage took place in England on Septemebr 8. . The death occurred at the Palmerston North Hospital on Sunday of Miss Nora Small, daughter of the late Mr John Small, of Kairanga line, and a sister of Mr P. J. Small. The deceased lady, who was born in New Zealand, had lived in the district for the past 32 years. She had been in indifferent health for twelve months, but it was in the latter half of that period that her illness became pronounced. Miss Small was well-known and through her kindly nature had made many friends. A large number of the members of tho Dominion Artists’ Club met at their club-house, Maida Vale, to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs W. Manson, who arc shortly leaving for Australia and New Zealand, writes a London correspondent. Mrs Manson was one of tho original members of tho club, and has done a great deal to hold it together during the first two years of its existence. Some very excellent musical were contributed during the evening, among tho well-known artists being Miss Florence Austral, Miss Kathleen Levi and Mr John Amadio. LODGE DANCE. Tho Oddfellows’ Hall was crowded last night when the usual weekly dance hold under the auspices of the M.U., 1.0.0. F. took the forffi of a “Carnival Night.” Many novelties were introduced for tho entertainment of patrons and everybody had a very happy time. Streamers, balloons, “excuse mo” and the evergreen twilight dances were responsible for much merriment and the lucky spot prizes were won by Mr W. Lundy and Miss G. Hill, who were the recipients of useful presents. Visitors in town for the Show expressed tho opinion that this dance was one of the most up-to-date they had attended and were very favourably impressed by tho beauty of the twilight effects. Following tho serving of a dainty supper, extras were contributed by Mr G. Matthews and Miss D. Penman. Messrs Dilks and Catterick carried out

the duties of M.C.; Mesdames Catterick and Watson chaperoned tho assembly and delightful music was supplied by a professional orchestra. WILLARD CHILDREN’S HOME. The board of management of Willard Home acknowledge with thanks tho following gifts for the month of October: —Mrs Powell, oatmeal; Mr Hutchison, jam; Mrs Bins, milk; Mr A. Butzbach, buns and scones; Messrs Boniface Bros., buns and scones; Girl Citizens’ Club, cakes; Technical School Sports, cakes; St. Andrew’s social, cakes (per Mrs Kensington); Baptist social, cakes and sandwiches; Y.M.C.A. calces; Cuba Street Methodist social, cakes, Manawatu Scottish Soeioty, calces; Manawatu Meat Co., sausages and meat; Mr F. G. Parker, meat; Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame, Ltd., dripping; per Mrs E. Palmer, dripping; Mrs Harris, Mrs Marsh, per Rev. Peat, Mrs Allman, Kelvin Grove School, eggs; “Anonymous,’ £1; Mrs Crosse (Broad street), £5; P.N. Drapers and Clothiers, £ls; “A Friend,” hoys’ toys; Halloween (Orient Lodge), Congregational Church and Manawatu Scottish Society, entertainment.

THE NEW TANGO. RETURN OF A GRACEFUL DANCE Tho talk among tho dancing crowd of London is all of the tango, writes a special correspondent in the Observer. The Prince of Wales has danced the exotic measure in tho Argentine, its native home, and there is an idea that lie will want it included in danco programmes on his return. So a lot of people are acquiring it. This new tango is not the wonderful affair that so many millions of people saw and admired in the “Four Horsemen” film. It is nothing like the rush-twist-and-dip tango that was done at tango teas just before tho war. It really ought to be given another name, for even the beat that swings it along is different from tho true tango beat; and the rhythm is not tho same at all. A quiet sliding measure, of four steps, punctuated by staccato little fooUpauses —but not taps—and carried through without tho suspicion of 'a dip or foot-lift or undulation; that is the new tango. Its music is carried on on an almost monotonously' level note, and the time is just twice as quick as that of the old voluptuous, pause-and-sway-and-corte tango. Both dancers remain erect, poised, faco to face; the style, to all intents and purposes, is the same as tho fox-trot style. A SUBTLE DIFFERENCE. And yet there is a subtle difference, almost impossible for tho Anglo-Saxon fox-trotter, who does not respond like a tuned guitar string to tiie tango rhythms, to detect and carry into effect—a sort of supple sway and glide, a magical and ceaseless rhythm of body, which only a Latin can achieve naturally. The difference between foxtrot and tango is tho difference between the walk and carriage of an Englishwoman and a young Argentine woman. Those who have seen both will understand. But still, this is hot an insuperable obstacle to the tango. The French have not that inimitable sway and rhythm, and yet they have taken to tho tango, and danco it as often as we danco the waltz. In places like the Pavilion d’Armenonville and Claridge’s they have their fox-trot band and their tango band—and they don’t mix the two. The absence of a real tango band, with its concertina, guitar, mandolin and singer is, perhaps, one of tho reasons why the new tango has not caught on here —it has had a four-seasons’ trial now. A fox-trot band cannot play tango music in such a way as to make tho dancing crowd ■ feel that they want to get up and tango; and it is on tho successful creation of that feeling that the success or failure of tho tango in tho coming season depends.. ) FOX-TROT VARIATIONS. Of the several new fox-trot variations, tho most notable is 'a foot wagglo, which can bo either spectacular or barely perceptible, according to taste. Only a very deft-footed dancer can manage it well, and it adds nothing to tho grace of tho fox-trot. It falls into tho category of “standstill steps,” although it can carry tho dancers along sideways. There is also a tendency to introduce the echelon variation —tho man slipping the girl to one side of him as they travel, so that their steps, instead of being foot to foot in front, are done in echelon. This is an amusing and effective trick, done for half a dozen steps or so on a not too crowded floor, but it needs practice to bo carried out smoothly and with pleasure to both dancers. The Charleston, which has created some interest —although more as an exhibition than as a ballroom dance — is the latest fad of American college boys; and in tho States is regarded somewhat as Oxford trousers are regarded in London. It is said to have originated in low-life haunts. It consists of three separate sets of steps, but one fears that for a generation accustomed to 'any easy fox-trot, which is littlo more now than a graceful, gliding walk, this is two too many. THE NEW MUSIC.

The music is more intriguing than the 'dance prospect. It is very bright. In tho last 18 months several new composers have risen to charm the ears and feet of dancing millions with fresh pieces. Vincent Yuraans, who did the music for “No No Nanette,” including the astonishing “Tea for Two,” which has broken all sales records, is one of these. Until they make a big hit, these jazz wizards receive littlo encouragement to produce; and consequently we are bored for long periods by a succession of new pieces which are just like the old ones—and nothing wearies so quickly as a familiar pieco of jazz music. No one can tell what will charm the dancing' millions. “I "Want to be Happy”-was intended to bo the hit of “No No Nanette,” but the public took to a minor piece, “Tea for Two.” It is these new numbers which haunt that givo dancing its enchantment and keep it alive. “TWO GOSSIPRING WOMEN.” NEIGHBOURS AT VARIANCE. MAGISTRATE’S PROMPT ACTION. AUCKLAND, Oct. 31. Cases which ariso out of neighbours’ quarrels and gossip have always been discouraged by Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., who has adopted expeditious methods in disposing of people who scok to air petty grievances through the Court. Yesterday, in tho Police Court, the magistrate was faced with another case, which promised to he marked by an exchange of personalities. Mrs Ethel Mary Dickie, of Learnington road. Mount Eden (Mr Simpson) proceeded against Mrs Margaret White (Mr Dickson) for assault. A counter-petition was entered by Mrs White nrayiug that Mrs Dickie should

be bound over to keep tho peace owing to uso of insulting language. _ Mr Simpson said the parties lived on opposite sides of the road. Alter an excliango of words across the street, Mrs White went into Mrs Dickie’s garden, pummelled her and pulled her hair, making it necessary for plaintiff to seek medical attention. Mrs Dickie, in evidence, said silo was in her garden with her 12-vear-old son. Mrs White called out to the boy, saying, “I hope your mother is not going to bring you up a scandalmonger like herself.’ 1 There were other objectionable remarks of a defamatory nature. Mrs Dickie said slio retaliated by making allegations against Mrs White’s daughter. She repeated tho words used, for the magistrate’s information. The magistrate: You admit making that remark? —Yes, absolutely. Tho Magistrate : Then it is six of the one and half-a-dozen of tho other. I am not paid to listen to that sort of tiling. I am going to dismiss both cases. If I had to listen to them for a couplo of hours I would probably lino you £5 each. It is a case of a coupio of gossiping women, and it is not worth my while listening to such nonsense. If Mrs Dickie has suffered any injury she had better bring a bivil action. This court is not the place for these quarrels You called each other names, the only difference being that one woman apparently pulled the other’s hair. Addressing Mrs Dickie the magistrate said: Stand down, the cases are dismissed.