WOMEN’S WORLD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 304, 21 November 1928, Page 11

WOMEN’S WORLD.

Mrs Mary Kirk, who died at her residence, Dunedin, the other day was born at Milngavie, Scotland, in 1852. She arrived with her parents at Dunedin in the ship Strathfieldsay in 1858, and, with the exception .of about two years of her married life, when she lived in Wellington, she had resided in Dunedin ever since—a period of over 70 years. The deceased’s husband predeceased her by over 45 years. Sho leaves two sons, Mr J. R. Kirk, of Gisborne (formerly Mayor of both Naseby and Gisborne), and Mr A. E. Kirk, of Waimate.

Miss Una Castle, M.A., of Wellington, returned by the Tainui after two years abroad. Miss Castlo won tho French travelling scholarship of the New Zealand University, and has been pursuing her studies in that language abroad. She went first to France, via England, and after three months in the provinces went to Paris, and studied at tho Sorbonno, spending vacations on trips to different countries. With her sister she visited Spain and Cadiz, being in Spain when tho King and Queen wero there. The bullfights Miss Castle found very impressive.

WEDDING. CLINTON—'WEBB. A very pretty wedding was solmnised in St. Peter’s Church, Terrace End, on Monday evening, November 12t1i., when Barbara, only daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Webb, of Levin, was married to Derriee Clinton, son of Mr and Mrs N. D. Cl' n t° n . Palmerston North. Tho church was artistically decorated for the occasion by friends of the couple, a special feature being a large pink and white wedding bell, under which the ceremony was performed by Rev. C. Abbott. Miss E. Coles presided at the organ. The bride, who entered tho church on tho arm qf her father, made a charming picture in her wedding gown of shell pink georgette, made with a fitting bodice and uneven hem. Her pink and silver veil was daintly arranged with a coronet of orange blossom and silver leaves and her bouquet of pink and lemon roses, intermingled with maidenhair, completed a charming toilette. The bride was attended by Miss White, of Levin, who chose an exquisite lavender georgette frock surmounted by a crino. line hat. She carried a bouquet of pink and lavender cinerarias. Little Reita Kjar, of Palmerston North, made a sweet little flower-girl, her frock being a miniature of the bride’s. Sho wore a pink and silver mesh cap, and carried a basket of rosebuds, which she scattered in tho pathway of the happy couple as they left the church. As a token of good-luck, little Maurice Kjar, presented the bride with a pink and silver horseshoe. Tho duties of best man were carried out by. Mr Harold Kjar. After the ceremony a reception at which £0 guests were present was held in St. Peter s Hall. Later Mr and Mrs Clinton left by. car. fori the north, the bride travelling in a saxo blue jumper suit,-with hat and shoes to tone.

TRIBUTE TO PRIME MINISTER.-

Speaking at a meeting of the Women’s Auxiliary of the New Zealand Political Reform League in Wellington last night, the president, Mrs C. Earle, referred in eulogistic terms to the Prime Minister. A resolution was passed t° bo sent to Mr Coates and tho party leaders: “That the meeting wishes to express its regret at the temporary reverse sufferd by the Refoim Party, and all present pledge themselves to do all in their power to obtain a different verdict from tho electors next time.”

THE MELBOURNE CUP, 1840-1928,

The first Melbourne Cup was run in 1840 though it was not really a cup, because, says a Sydney newspaper, there was no cup offered as a prize. Neither was it a horse race as wo know it to-day for only two horses were in it and it was the best two out of three heats that decided the winner. In 1840 two fiery two-year-olds were matched on tho open turf along the old Saltwater River which was a dirty stream meandering through tho marshes that were Flemington. From this humble sporting contest grew the great Melbourne Cup which draws people from the ends of Australia, from. New Zealand and even overseas. There are three world famous horse races; Great Britain has the Derby, France has the Grand Prix, and Australia its Melbourne Cup. This feydney paper goes further and says there are only four world famed racecourses of surpassing beauty in the world; Ascot, Longchamps, Bombay and Flemington. It is a tribute to the memory of a great organiser that nobody has made any great change in the racecourse designed by the Victoria Racing Club’s first paid secretary, the late Mr R. C. Bagot. After years of struggle and economy under various names and managements, it began to show signs of prosperity and tho committee decided that the funds warranted the appointment of a paid secretary. The committee felt generous, offering £l3O a year for the job. Mr R. C. Bagot applied and tried to get £2OO a year and he would provide an office boy, but after serious consideration the V.R.C. decided on £l5O as their maximum and Mr Bagot took up his duties. The first real Melbourne Cup was run soon after in 1861. The race was won by the Sydney, horse Archer and the prize

(By “GERMAINE.”)

was £2OO. Next year Archer camo back and won it again, a double that has never since been accomplished by any other horse. It may be mentioned in comparison that Mr E. E. D. Clarke’s Trivalve, which last year won tho Cup, brought his owner tho sum of £9908 and a gold cup valued at £2OO. This year the winning horse’s owner will receive approximately £9340.

In 1861 it was the fashion for patrons of thcMelbourno Cup to travel to the racecourse by a littlo steamer that puffed along the Saltwater River and landing its passengers, numbering 50 or 60, on a staging opposite the grandstand. From there they had to make their way through the wild-fowl-in-habited marshes. It wasn’t only a horse race they saw. There wero nigger minstrels, boxing contests, strong men shows, and fat ladies to help to pass the afternoon. Of course, the “best people” did not patronise these side-shows, but they wero there and returned year after year. In those early days tho four-in-hand became popular with the gentry, and later the livery stables proprietors fashioned their hired vehicles on the samo lines. Then private broughams took the road and trains ran; and now there is to be seen at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day, tho finest collection of motor cars that congregates in any part of Australia or New Zealand. As it is with transport, so it is with fashion at Flemington. Men no longer wear tho solemn frock coat, flowing whiskers and funereal top hats. Neither do they don the bell-bottomed trousers, nor the coloured vests of a few years ago. Occasionally ono may see a touch of England in a grey bolltopper of Derby Day, but the more universal dress of the male dement is tho sac suit of dark blue. This year the men loan a little more to colours and tho felt hat is tho popular head piece. And then the women. . Eight years ago there was not an ankle to bo seen. Years before that was the era of a doyen petticoats which had followed the flounce and leg o’ mutton sleeve and the nine-inch waist. “Nowadays,” says the Sydney writer, “all women are girls—unless their calves are unshapely. They wear less in weight, length, and breadth and height. Paradoxically they cost more for what they wear or don’t wear.” But to-day the woman of sense realises that her attire must be such as will bear the crush of a mass of racing enthusiasts. The fashions in jockeys have changed too. Nearly all the riders of the early days sported moustaches. Tom Corrigan, prince of cross-country riders, even rejoiced in a fearsome beard. "When he shaved it off he let his moustache grow so that it streamed behind him with most weird effect. But he was only second best to Sam Crackncll whose beard spread over his chest and each armpit and reached to the second button of his vest. Jockeys sat nearly upright with their weight balanced just behind the horse’s shoulders. Old time jockeys were men of mature age and strong wills who would be scandalised if they could see tho crouch of the present day rider. • At the first Melbourne Cup, Twilight, an outsider, bolted beforo the start and went round the course. The start was on a turn, and just before the field reached the straight there was a smash. Twilight, Medora and Despatch went down and only Twilight rose. He broke loose, careering around the course. Despatch broke her neck. It is many years since such a sensation was provided at a Melbourne Cup meeting.

BEAUTY’S SECRETS. According to the memoirs of her time, that exceedingly tiresome jierson, Queen Caroline, the wife of Gcqrgo IV., would pass her time preparing all manner of creams and lotions. A certain society beauty herself boiled orange flower water from Grasse, night after night in a silver vessel, wherewith to smooth her face beforo getting _ into bed. Another swore by a vanishing cream of her maid’s concoction. Even in these days there are beauties who believe in an old dictum of the Empress Eugenie that to ward off wrinkles there is nothing like white of egg rubbed on the face the last thing at night. Dip a piece of cotton wool in tho white of an egg that has been dropped into a cup, and rub it well over the face and throat. If it draws the skin when it has dried in, so much the better. Leave on for ten minutes, and then wash off with very cold water. Apply a perfect cream before going to bed. Ono of the best creams used by a well known beauty is that made by her friend Dorothy Conyers, the wellknown novelist, who, notwithstanding her outdoor life spent i.n hunting, motoring, shooting, fishing and tennis, preserves her pretty Irish complexion to a wonderful degree. Here is her recipe: Heat 4bzs almond oil, of white wax and ioz. of pure spermaceti in a jar placed in a saucepan of warm ivater, and when heated through, very gradually boat in 2oz. of orange flower water. "When the cream is boiling hot, remove and pour into china pots and stand to cool. RELEASE OF MISS TOBIN. (United Service.) HONG KONG, Nov. 19. Miss Blanche Tobin, the. New Zealand missionary, t has been released by the bandits who captured her.