Palmerston Doings.

Free Lance, Volume XV, Issue 799, 22 October 1915, Page 20

Palmerston Doings.

Dear Christabel, — AT the Cuba-street Methodist Church last Wednesday, Miss' Grace Grove, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Grove, was married to Mr. Sidney. A. Ogilvie, of Hamilton. The fcride, who was given away by her father, wore a beautiful gown of ivory charmeuse, with bridal veil and handmade Spanish lace; and carried a bouquet of roses and" fresias. The chief bridesmaid was Miss Ina Gill, of Wellington, who wore grey voile trimmed with amethyst and hat to match. The other two bridesmaids were Misses E'.la Winton and Joyce Stubbs, who wore - frocks of white voile. Mr. J. S. Green, of Wellington, was best man. The church was beautifully decorated by the'.friends of the bride. The honeymoon was spent in Wellington, the bride's travelling dress being navy blue velvet with hat to match. -;-;'.* * * * Mrs. L. Nicholls, of Palmerston, wife -of Lieutenant Nicholls, who left here with the Main Eorce, has received a cable from London asking her to proceed- Home immediately, as her husband is in, the London General Hospital. •■ with ■.enteric . fever. Mrs. Nicholls is leaving by the Arawa on the 26th inst. The big demand for men and more men- has gathered in our best, but there are still some who won't" go. until they are pushed in. The talk of abandoning the ;Peninsula~~after all.it has cost in mopey and blood seems so terrible, but better far to do so now than waste more men iii an unfruitful and hazardous expedition, if success lies along another road. The Old Reaper has garnered, a rich harvest'this year, but even if .abandoned unconquered, Gallipoli will be a' hallowed spot, for there, resting in'many an unmarked grave, lie the best and noblest of New Zealand's sons'. * * * * On the grass of the cliff, at the edge of the steep, "'God nlanted a garden, a Garden of .__'. Sleep. 'Neath the blue of the sky and the ~'..._ green of the corn, It is there that the regal red poppies . are born. .. .*#*.* And on the steep cliff face of Gallipoli, with its patches of scarlet poppies, the first great battle was fought on the day of that memorable landing, and,, when it was over, the patches of scarlet were not all poppies; the heart's blood of many a gallant New Zealander had dyed' red this foreign soil. And here, in nameless graves, or buried deep in ,the' blue waters -that wash its coastline, lie the brave sons of brave mothers, and the men we are proud to call our own. ..' # * * * .Men enlist for various reasons. Some "because of the primitive desire for battle inherent in our fighting race —men descended from a long line, of warriors. Some go to avenge a fallen brother, or take the place of a friend now dead. Others because they cannot stay at home and.see the other fellow go. The desire to do his bit for his country animates many, and many go, not knowing why, they just feel they must. *#- * * On Tuesday about 150 more men left here for Wellington. The shops closed for an hour, and the usual formula set" down • for such occasions was followed — speeches, band, flowers, refreshments, and final farewells. A number of men from outlying districts, who arrived by train, were warmly welcomed and included, in the farewell programme. * * * * . Williamson's Opera Company played here last week to a crowded house. The usual theatre-goers were there, and in these days- of economy they wore the same clothes, so I won't bore you with descriptions. This week, _ Christabel, you will be enjoying "High Jinks," and the merry companions it' makes out of the dourest folk. It is a pity such an essence does not exist in very deed, that in moments when blue devils creep and crawl and the world seems a dungeon without a glimmer of hope, we might, with one whiff of this magic perfume, dispel the gloom and transform this weary, war-worn old earth into a summer haven of joy and peace. Mrs. Harry Palmer has just received a letter from Major Guy Powles, in which he states that her husband, the late Lieutenant Harry Palmer, was the best machine gun officer they had. He also, stated that #he was mentioned in . despatches and given the rank of captain the day he was taken to the hospital ship, where he succumbed to an attack of pneumonia. * * # * Mr. Melville Andrews leaves by the Arawa at trie end of the month to join the Imperial Aviation Corps in England.

On Saturday last All Saints.' Children's Home celebrated its ninth birthday. The weather was ideal, and there was a large attendance at the celebration. There are now 25 children accommodated there, and it is really run more as a Home than a public institution. When the children reach the age of 14, they are sent out to work, and already several boys are earning their living on farms in this district. There has been a considerable falling-off in the subscriptions, owing, no doubt, to the many urgent calls that must be met in connection wotb? the war, and a strong appeal was made on Saturday, as money is sadly needed to keep the institution going. * * * * . The recruiting officer has many strange experiences, and receives some quaint epistles. The following is a neat sample from ah up-country recruit: — "Please enrol me as an early recruit, and I will be on the mark as soon as possible. My pedigree is: 26 years old, single, railway man. Can make the necessary "weights" and fly the medico as soon as I show my figurehead. Have had 4J years of military training. Yours for Turkish Delight and Bulgarian Rock." * * * * Mr. Maurice Cohen got a nice littlepat on the back the other evening. It was on the occasion of Mr. Tom Pollard's last rehearsal of "Poul Jones'j" and the society had made him a small presentation in recognition of his good work among them. Mr. Pollard, in replying, after prophesying a very successful run.for the opera, said that Mr. Cohen was the best amateur operatic conductor in New Zealand. (I beg your pardon, was that Wanganui speaking?) - *. * * * The desire to be helpful and do something useful has set many of our idle girls a-thinking, and many occupied in other business pursuits are .. turning their eyes in the direction of the print frock and collar and cuffs. In short, the desire to become a nurse is agitating many a, maiden, and applications for probationary positions in hospitals are pouring in.

At the last meeting of our .Hospital Board, Mrs. Zillah Gill, the first and but recently elected lady member of the Council, raised-the question of appointing probationers. " In this hospital, both the past and present matron favour non-resident girls for probationers. Mrs. Gill raised quite a storm in a tea-cup over the matter, and stated that outside girls got preference, while our own girls, not being admitted here, found it quite the reverse when applying to other hospitals, as these institutions preferred local girls, thus making it very hard for Palmerston girls to get positions. * * * * What are the rights and wrongs of the case I. do not profess to know, but the authorities have no doubt a reason for their action. However, Mrs. Gill is threatening to call a' public meeting with a view to ventilating the subject, and the peaceable sessions of the Board seem likely to be at an end since Eve has entered the garden. * * -3r * Among the recruits who left on Tuesday were Mrs. Eric Watson, eldest son of Mr. F. E. Watson, Palmerston's veteran school master, who still presides over the . Campbell-street school. Mr. Watson was for many years associated with Mr. J. M. -Johnson in racing club matters, and was also secretary to the Trotting Club. * * * * Another Palmerston boy to go forward was Mr. Joseph Neilsen, youngest son of Mrs. Neilsen, of Cuba-street, and s:ster of Mrs. Murdoch, who, with; her harp, is so well known in musical circles in Wellington. * ' * * * Mr. W. J. Day, who has left the Borough employ to join the forces, was presented with a wristlet watch by the Mayor on behalf of his fellow employees. Mr. Day had served for' several years with the artillery in India, and he left for camp with' the other members of the artillery on Tuesday morning. * * . * . * Mr. A. E. Ekstedt, a prominent golfer, was entertained at the Empire Hotel on Saturday evening by the members of the Golf Club, and' presented with a set of binoculars, prior to his departure for Trentham. * * * * It is really quite absurd that milk ■should be 4d <a quart with summer within a stone's throw. The season has been a good one, alternate rain and

sunshine* has provided abundance of feed for stock, and the erer-grumbling '-*-' farmer; for once has really no reason for complaint. And .yet. the price of milk is up. And even at 4d a quart it is' not all it might be. Inspector Wilson, of Wanganui, accompanied by Mrs. "Wilson, are at present staying in Palmerstoh. " Your friend, " . AwAPUNI.