WOMEN’S WORLD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 106, 1 April 1930, Page 11

WOMEN’S WORLD.

Miss Phyllis Phillips, who returned last week from two years abroad, during which time she specialised in physical training in Liverpool, has been appointed to the health and recreation department of the Y.W.C.A., Auckland. The death has occurred at Kawakaw'a of Mrs Alice Helena Johnson, wife of the late Mr G. W. Johnson, of Otiria, and a well-known pioneer settler of the Bay of Islands district. Born at Eltham, Victoria, Australia, in 1846, Mrs Johnson was the second daughter of Mr and Mrs Richard Faulkiner, and .the granddaughter of Sir Richard Faulkiner, of Ireland.. She came to New Zealand with her husband 69 years ago. An exchange says: —One of those characteristically unostentatious acts of kindness which will always be associated with the names of Sir Charles Fergusson and Lady Alice Fergusson has just come to light in Wellington. One day a lad was sketching on Mount Victoria. He was using pencil and a piece of smooth-surfaced paper. After he had been at work for some time a lady came up and asked if she might look at his sketch, He was slightly embarrassed, but of course agreed. The lady offered a suggestion or two in the kindest possible manner, and stated incidentally that "he was using the wrong kind of paper; he should have a coarser kind. The boy said it was the only sort he could procure. “Will you use some of the sketching paper if I send you some?” questioned the lady. The boy said he would be glad to, and in reply to her inquiry gave her his name and address. That evening lie told his parents what had happened, and they laughed at the incident, not thinking they would hear anything more about it. To their great surprise, a parcel containing paper, some good drawing pencils, and a packet of crayons was delivered at the lad’s address the next morning, without any indication as to the donor’s identity. But with all the curiosity of boyhood inquiries were made, and it was found that Lady Alice Fergusson was the kind-hearted stranger. WET WEATHER WEAR. Very smart weatherproof accessories are to be found in the London shop. For instance, there are waistcoats, bags, gloves and hats, all to match, in the fascinating patterned suede which is the latest achievement. There are suede suits, too, with flared skirts and posies of violets and other flowers to match. A beautiful ensemble entirely of suede had a plain coat, skirt and hat with a patterned jumper, scarf and handbag. 4 4 4 * The elegance of the longer umbrella and the undoubted convenience of the ungainly “chubby” variety are most cleverly combined in one fitted with a collapsible lizard handle. Not only is the umbrella able to fit into a blouse case, but the coloured handle is interchangeable to match your frock. Another innovation is a telescopic affair with a detachable silk cover which can be removed and leaves a walking stick! ■44 4 4 _ In the old days a waterproof hat meant a shapeless mass carried out in mackintosh or waterproof serge. Now you can get really smart felts which will defy the rain. WEARING A DUETTE. Something new in the line of costume jewellery is called a “duette ring” because of its reversible top. This novel ring is so skilfully constructed that by touching a delicate spring the large stone revolves in its sotting and snaps into place, upside down, thus revealing an entirely different surface. In this way one has a jade ring to complete a costume jewellery ensemble in green or a lapis lazuli ring for a blue ensemble. Carnelian, onyx and many of the simulated precious stones are well adapted to this new use, .which calls for a flat, plain surface, rather than ornamental cutting.

The mounting of these unique ringsis generally marcasite-studded sterling silver,' and the double-faced top is shown in. several different combinations of colour, the idea being to have the stone, when reversed, give the appearance of an entirely different ring. These rings are also suitable, for hat ornaments holding a scarf of fabric or pliable straw. The top only is in evidence when so used and this can bo reversed without changing the position of the ring. ELASTIC IN 1930. At a time when elastic in its newest and daintiest forms has become an integral part of feminine apparel, it is difficult to realise that it had a sommon origin with the crude “bottlerubber” of a century ago, flexible only when exposed to heat. Yet -both might never have been heard of but for the late eighteenth-century artists, whose demand for “elastic-gum” for rubbing out pencil marks, led to the first importation of rubber into England.

When 110 years ago Thomas Hancock took out his patent “for an improvement in the application of a cer-

(By “GERMAINE.”)

tain material to various articles of dress and other articles, that the same may be more elastic,” little could he havo dreamed to what an extent his invention would revolutionise every phase of modern civilisation from locomotion and the arts to clothing. Developments in elastic have been extremely rapid since the,. war. Prior to 1914 elastic was silk or cotton, wide or narrow. To-day there is an elastic for every occasion, and cotton has been almost entirely superseded by artificial silk. Pure silk, though less in general demand because of price, retains its supremacy. The old hat elastic has practically disappeared. In its place has arisen the heavy braid or knicker elastic, very much akin in appearance, but made of stouter rubber and covered with a fabric that will withstand boiling. Loom clastic, used mainly in the garter trade, is, in its inch size, the recognised type for the skirt top. One of the latest productions is a narrow garter-sized clastic of special softness and stretching capacity, woven specially to replace pyjama cords. Cord elastics are becoming increasingly popular. In their smallest sizes they are used for bead threading. A thick cord is now made for use in underwear. It is admirably adapted to this, running through the hem easily and immune from the twisting that often occurs when a flat elastic is washed. The garter vogue of the moment is a reversible elastic in two colours, so rucked as to get a good grip of the stocking. Another device to secure the stocking firmly without encouraging it to ladder is a garter woven with loops round the edge to which a suspender may be attached. In wide elastic for corselets and br.assiercs the tendency is toward simpler webs, and more beautiful shades and designs. By degrees frilled edges are giving place to the plain border. Many have been the uses of rubber since the days when the Spaniards first used it, but never before has it been seen in such variety and beauty is that expressed in the 1930 elastics which play an important role in woman’s dress. ALL SAINTS’ HOME. The matron of All Saints’ Children’s Home, Palmerston North, gratefully acknowledges gifts for the month of March, as follow: —Cakes, scones, etc., from Messrs Boniface Bros., Dustins, Ellis, Fairys, Lodge Kilwinning, St. Andrew’s Y.M.B. Class; the manager, Palace Theatre, cakes, _ fruit, etc., Rotarians for picnic given to the children (omitted from last month); Mrs White, rhubarb; Mrs Davies, peas ; Mrs Tomlinson (Rongotea), school books, pencils, etc; fruit, vegetables, etc., from harvest festivals, Waverley and Waitotara parish, per Rev. E. W. Coles, Hunterville and Rata, per Rev. C. R. Kreeft, Ohakune and Feilding, per G. G. Wells, Eltham, Hawera; Mr J. C. Smith (Hawera) 10 doz eggs; Te Awe Awe Scout Troop Stall, beetroot; Mr Eglinton (Kairanga) apples, etc.; Mr Outram, cases of apples and cabbages; Cuba Street Methodist Church, per Mr Winton, vegetables; Mr Barnao, fish; Mrs Englcfield, apples, pears; Mrs Richards (Cunninghams), apples; goods from harvest festival, Oliingaiti; Mrs Donaldson, cabbages and lettuces; Collinson and Cunningliame’s tea room, milk, etc.; Feilding Flower Show, vegetables (exhibits'); Misses Baker, clothing, etc.; Mrs E. Taplin, clothing, girls’ shoes, per Mrs H. Akers; Mrs Ramsdale, governess cart, pony and harness; A friend, handkerchiefs; Mrs (Dr.) Bett, carpets and gumboots; Anonymous, vegetables (Marton); Mr R. Hyndman (Ashhurst), load of firewood; Betty Hampton (Linton) comics; for dentistry, Messrs Williams and McKegg; Dr. Bett for his kind attention to' the children; for hair cutting. Mr Short; for help given with sewing, Mrs Brown, Mrs Brougham, MrsEnglefield, Mrs Howley, Misses Outram, Miss Reid, Mrs Shere, Mrs Smith, Mrs Sharpe; meat, per Mr Grey, Mr Thwaites; Dlanawatu Meat Coy., sausages and dripping; Dir Brown, dripping; Mrs Dlarton, fruit, papers and dripping. CROQUET. The holders of the Bennett Buttons, Mesdames Stevens and Wilson, of Bulls, staved off a challenge from Mesdames Usmar and McFarlane, of Palmerston North, yesterday by 26 points to 13. OBSTETRICAL CHAIR. Per Press Association. STRATFORD, March 31. Dr. Doris Gordon, secretary of the Obstetrical Society, states that the Wellington district quota has reached £6OOO to date. The returns as yet are incomplete and the amount is mado up as under: —Wellington city, £1320; Taranaki, £1390,.: Wanganui, £1250; Wairarapa, £390; Hawke’s Bay (Hastings and Napier only), £840; Manawatu, £BIO. The New Zealand Obstetric Endowment Appeal Fund acknowledges £270 from Napier, £520 from Hastings, £230 from Taihape and £ls from the Pioneer Club (Wellington).