SOME NOTES FOR WOMEN

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 542, 17 October 1908, Page 3

SOME NOTES FOR WOMEN

(Bγ "lalage.")

THE SCOTCH CONCERT. A most enjoyable affair was the Scotch concert, hold iu rlie Empire Hall on Tuesday evening, iu aid of the Technical School. A of people tuck part in ;i splendidly arranged programme, which was under the direction of Mr T. Patersou Hoiidorson. Evpjy item was encored, and the national savour of the wliolf) thing was delightful. Mr J. U. Wliiteheaci made an excellent accompanist throughout the evening. Included iu the audience were liev. I. Jolly, Mrs AHl.ou.sa Ro -erts, Mr and Mrs W. Huthrrfurd, Mr and Mrs F. C. MfCrea, Mr nud Mrs J. P. Leary, Mr mJ Mr- McGill, Mrs Yernou.Mr.-i H. P.laur,Misses Caity, Intu's, Graham, Mr ami the Misses Gleudiuniug, Miss Donaldson (Uamarn), Miss Mona Mackay (Wellington). "THE FLOWER QUEEN." We are promised a very brilliant entertainment on Tuesday and Wednesday next in the All Saints' Church Schoolroom, where the pretty floral cantata, "The Flower Queen," j is to be produced. Mr Drew is to conduct ai;d from what I have hoard of the rehearsals the result should be excellent. The chorus is composed of children who have been diligently coached for some weeks past, and the solos will be taken by local amateurs. The price of admission is ouij Is and (id for children. Miss Efitello Beere, accompanied by her mother, is to leave for England by the Ulimaroa, via Melbourne, ou November sth. There are to be "breaking " up ceremonies in connection with the Palraerston dancing classes, at which Lady Pluuket will be present. PICTURE SHOW. There was another big attendance it the Opera House this week for the Royal Pictures. They are such very »ood pictures that one can go to see them week after week, especially as they never give the same one twice Dxcept "by special request" as in the case of the motor pictures this week. Those wore thrilling enough I for anything. Next time I get out in a car I will be expecting it to cum Dver at every corner. Isn't it absurd that a company like this, or a big theatrical company, has to carry an 3ugine to Palmereton's boasted Opera House so as to get electric light. I im sure that if the Council only isked the Gas Company it would put in electric light for the stage ir--self. The Royal Pictures are to bo liere again next Friday. Last night's Feilding performance had to be postponed till to-night beoanse the railway people "mislaid the engine." LADIES AND THE ELECTION. Ladies are beginning to be very ictive about the coining election, on both sides of politics. We will apparently have a very big woman's rote next month. The fact that Lady Ward is coming up with her husband will loud a special interest for women in the coming trip, and in Monday's meeting. Our Premiers for years past have been ideal family men. Mr Seddon's affection for his family and their worship cf him were well known. Sir Joseph is aever so happy as when with his own children in his own home, where he becomes like one of them, even to ringing comic songs for their entertainment. And from the eldest son bo bright little "Awarua Pat," who is everybody's pet, they all return their father's affection with interost. Lady Ward has been an ideal Premier's wife. She always looks handsome and dresses well and lias a gracious word for every friend. In London she was quite notable among the Premiers' wives assembed at the Conference. Sunday is the "home day" of the Ward family. Then the Premier refuses to do any work, duly observing the Sabbath, and being just the head of the family, instead of the Dominion for the nonce. PERCY PLANTAGENET. A Sydney friend writes a gossipy letter about Percy Plantagenet Bigwood, of whom the cables have been tolling so much. His affairs and those of his new wife, Carrie Moore, and Miss Salvin have been filling the

Sydney papers. Tlie ladies of Sydney appear to have regarded him as a millionaire. P.P. was always picturesque. Last time he was in the "Manawata Times" office his lengthy figure was adorned in a neat grey suit with a big collar and a dream of a tie, his youthful cleanshaven face looking well satisfied witnvhimeolf and the world. Then he wae Secretary of the Miramar Pony Club, having previously been a sporting reporter on the Dominion, and he spoke of taking his pony Balgownie over to Australia. There things have moved rapidly with him. He won the "Wren Thousand"—clearing £3000 it is said, married an actress, met a sweetheart of five years' standing, and bought Lord Northcote's motor car- she says with her money, he says with his—and finally after vowing he'd figlit the breach of promise caee, squared it for £1500 and the car. One funny thing happened about the car. Mr and Mrs Bigwood were waiting to go out to the races in it, and instead camo Miss Salvin's solicitor to say she had taken out an injunction or something dreadful like that on it, and they went in an ordinary cab j instead. But as ho won £500 on

Mooltan it helped towards tlie costs. "A GASLIGHT FESTIVAL." Last night the great extensions to Messrs ColliuEou aud Cunniughamcvs wore ripened with a "gaslight festival," when die whole place was brilliantly illuminated by a new sort of gas light which turned niglu into day, and crowds thronged the long shop which now extends through to King Street. All the latest importations in each department were displayed, and the variety was immense. The millinery shows a great tondeucy towards tho picturesque still. I saw some delightful spring models in millinery that very much took my fancy. A profusion of flowers are evidently to bo emplojed in the spring and summer

creations. Tullo, velvet ribbons,with fruit and foliage will al«o be prominent. Luff! crowned hats arc also to bo I seen here and this particular style I will be more ai'd more seen as the I season advances. One charming I model was expressed in white silk crinoline straw, banked with flowers, another way masse.! with green leaves from which peeped sprays of pretty posies. One. lovely ilower toque had an entire crown of green moss with here and there a moss rosebud. It is a good sign of the times that we are having such frequent recourse to Nature for decorative ideas. In riie dress department different and possibly more potent attractions were displayed. Many of the materials for evening, and summer wear are perfect dreams. A floral ruousseline de soire, a soft silk material with a pattern of small roses, and rosebuds in pink, red, violet and all colors, was particularly noticeable. Then the .silk, and satin striped crystalline iu nil colours, and other soft and billowy creations, which suggest the daintiest of frocks ford ay and eveniug wear.

The Hhort skirts are now in vogue.and one has to be particular about footwear, and indeed the same remark applies to stockings, and one of the best types of hose at this establishment is a neat design of narrow open work stripe. It is of French lisle thread, and can bo had iu black or various shades of tan. It would be difficult to find a more tasteful dosigu or better value as Is per pair is the ridiculously low price marked. Another lion well worth t ho attention of every lady is a particular glove, specially imported by Collinson and Cunnjnghame, which provides a splendid opportunity for daintily-gloved hands at very little cost. These suede and kid gloves may bo had in all the most worn shades, black, white, tan, and pastel shades for Is lid per pair. STRONG WOMEN. Awhile since I read in a scientific journal that every girl should be taught boxing from htir nnrsery days, so that she might bo able to defend herself if need arose against any ruffianly attack. The success of the Danish lady gymnasts in the Stadium competitions in England recently has now given rise to the suggestion there that the system by which they were tiained should bo made compulsory in all girls , schools. If the girls of the future are to be trained up ou these principles they ought to"regard the fight of the suffragists as already won. The battle is to the strong, jud might is right, so that by sheer physical force women of another generation must conquer. But we 3annot have it all ways. If girls ue to be turned into "strong ladies, what is to become of their daintiness, which, witn beauty and grace ind charm, has hitherto been woman's irresistible weapon? BRIDGE AND WRINKLES. If anything is calculated to rendor bridge unpopular and cause the de sline of gambling among women it will bo the ompliatx; declaration that inordinate card playing adds considerably to a woman's age. It extracts the youthfulness from the faces of the young, and makes those uo longer in their first youth appear un3nly drawn, pinched and haggard. No doubt many pursuits which sompel the attention to bo closely Bxed has much the same*effect. Wo take all crazes very seriously in those times, whether they are baneful or beneficial, and bridge has probably no worse effect upon our faces than bicycling or golf. The people who want to keep youthful in appearance should never yield to ciazes. A FINE CARRIAGE. From one of the fashions of the present seaeon in England there is like.'y to be a much desired result. Wearers of the Dhecfcoire gowns are bound, if they do justice to their iresses, and their dressmakers, to stand, so to say, at attention. They must not let their shoulders stoop or their knees bend. Their attitude must be almost that of the soldier, heads up, shoulders back, eyes straight. Thus, and thua only, are "the right lives" given to these gowns. If women become accustomed to carry themsleves after this fashion, they will establish a habit that will make no small difference to their appearance. The finest "carriage" in the world is that of the Italian and Greek peasants, who carry Ditchers of water and baskets of grapes on thoir heads. It is regal, and the grace of it always char jns the visitor. It would be a good thing if some drill of the sort were introduced into our girls' schools—but we would have to shed a lot of hairpins first.