Social Gossip.

Free Lance, Volume XV, Issue 800, 29 October 1915, Page 14

Social Gossip.

Dear Chris rABEL, — SOME time ago in London a young man entered a restaurant, sat at a table alone, and ordered his lunch. A daintily dressed girl rose from her place at the far end of the room, walked smilingly, towards him, and publicly presented him with a white feather. The young man looked at her half sadly, half 'humorously. Rising, he thanked her, and added, "This is my second presentation to-day. Reverently he drew from his pocket the. Victoria Cross,. which the King had pinned upon his breast that morning m Buckingham Palace.

My dear friend, may I make a suggestion - to you ?.; Think tenderly for that man of your acquaintance, whose duties 'hold him here. Women can he so cruel-, and few men care to produce evidence of their self-sacrifice. We are only weak women, yet we wish we could go. - Do you believe -_it possible that any man with British blood in his veins is without that same ; desire?: There are many who still hold back, _ chiefly, I believe, because the appeal has not yet reached them. Soon they will know that. England expects them, and that there is a place for. them in this sad and glorious page of British history. * * * ■.*■■'"'. Breathes there a man- with soul so dead? No, not in New Zealand, and I am positive that the National Registration will help, many a would-be patriot, who is torn two ways, and who will be. thankful to have the .question settled for him by someone else, and it will help those other patriots who _ move slowly _and think that some day it will be up to them to.join. • * - * * * And all this reminds me that there was a recruiting meeting in the Town Hall on Thursday night. Bands played. The National Reserve turned up in force. Members the Women's National Reserve sat in the seats behind the stage and under the organ. The hall was not full, nor were there present very many possible recruits. And why? Please print this in very small type and don't talk about it out loud. The organisers put any amount of enthusiasm into the organising, but they did not publish in flaring letters that a wounded soldier, a man who commanded the British section of the New Zealanders oh Gallipoli,- and who previously fought in Africa,. Captain Simson, was going to speak. We all heard about Mr. A. R. Atkinson and Mr. Von Haast, who. is one of our very keenest patriots, but whose name would be a better advertisement for a" recruiting meeting if he dropped the Von. * # . * * We have heard of" the Mayor and the Councillors and even of. Dr. Platts- " Mills; but not everyone has heard, of Captain Simson, who has . actually been there and who is doing his best to recuperate sufficiently to go back into the struggle. Mr. Firth and Captain Simson were the real assets of that meeting, and if the town had been well informed that those'two men would speak, young men would have. been there in stronger forces. Miv Firth is a landmark. Many ■ a young soldier now on active service owes to him some of the best that is in him, and young mien love Mr. Firth, and are always ready to hear him and to follow his : example. If he were younger, no doubt he would be out there in the thick of it all. As it is, he trains the mind of youth and gives half of all he -makes. and owns for patriotic funds. * *.■*■' * When Captain Simson spoke, simply and out of his heart, there was deafening applause. If Captain Simson toured the country and took with him other wounded men, and if they each told each meeting that the men in the trenches were calling out for help— well, some of us believe the reinforcements would be filled immediately. And if they could induce some mother, whose sons have died, to get up and say so, and to cry out' to the men who listen, "Don't let my sacrifice be in vain," ,she would get the right answer. .*"*■•*■ * Thursday last was Trafalgar Day and the day of that Recruiting Rally and Red Cross Day. The collectors had a busy time. The occasion was a very special one. The Red Cross people had hoped for a record catch, but the collection was disappointing to them, I believe. Personally, I think it was" a fair collection, considering all things—over

£400—and all collected from the Man in the Street. The man who can afford to give a big cheque to the Red Cross, or even a guinea, generally sends it through the post, as did the Messrs. H. B. and A. B. Williams on this occasion. Each of these Hawke's Bay brothers sent £100, and so brought the collection up to over £600. ■* * * * Cars dashed . about in great style, taking collectors and flowers to the Town Hall, which was the central depot. There, Mrs. Moorhouse, Mrs. Joseph Joseph, and Mrs. L;. Blundell presided over a dry and free canteen, which .groaned under the weight of its generous provisions, yet from which cakes were sent, at the end of the day, to the Victoria Hospital. The collectors were abroad early, but the worm fell to those who worked in the afternoon. However, most of the workers kept going ail day—with the usual result. But what cares a Red Cross member for aching feet and head ? Several of the hotels and restaurants provided free lunches for those in the movement. The Scotch heather at Kelburn Avenue sold like hot cakes. Mrs. Waters, at the Post Office and down near the busy wharves, collected, more than anyone else. The Division nurses were in uniform. Sprays, buttonholes, and golliwogs, as well as bunches, were sold.

The voyage from Egypt to Gallipoli is not taken in what on© would! describe as a pleasure launch. One young man writing,on the transport says, "You could cut the air in chunks—if it is air ,_ which I doubt." He also remarked in "this-letter, to his mother that what surprised him- most was that no one seemed excited. He himself had felt more excited when going to visit "a dentist. He : hoped they would all be the same later on, but he expected that he would be in a blue funk. . Time proved that he did not behave as if he were frightened. He was in the infantry of the gallant oth, and on a certain August day they made a name for themselves that will go down in history. Of that, he did not speak in any letter.

On Saturday at Trentham it was calm. The sky was blue, the lawn was green, the . fields were excellent, and a noble army of khaki-clad men helped to make the first day of the spring meeting an enjoyable success. There was khaki everywhere—in the stand, on the lawn, in the paddock, round the totalisator, and the soldier had a really good timet The official luncheon was a- small one. Her Excellency, the Countess of Liverpool, did not go out on the Saturday, but the Governor was there, and seemed to cast off dull care for' a few hours. There were probably about 5000 civilians and 3000 soldiers at Trentham on the first day. On Labour Day (Monday), there was a large crowd, but fewer soldiers, they, poor chaps, having their noses once more glued to the grindstone. # * # * People were dressed, of course, but there were no gay clothes. Subdued, even, sombre. Avas the tone, and the manner of it was" coat and' skirt. Relief was seen in the hats, many of which were of the picture variety and flowered. It was noticeable that there were far fewer ladies than usual, and no more can the "knut" be seen parading on the lawn between the races with pretty girls. The Knut is now clad in khaki, and is engaged on less pleasant business.

Lovely woman is as lovely as usual (I suppose) dressed in uniform, style, but she is less noticeable. Miss Harcourt wore navy blue with a flowered hat. She, with her father, the president of the. Racing Club, received the Governor. Her sister, Mrs. Gillon,. looked well in black. A most modish suit was worn.by Mrs. Elkington—once' leading lady, I believe, in "Bunty Pulls the Strings." It was a fine navy blue serge cloth, with panels and trimmings ! of black glace. With it was worn a coquettish and becoming hat. Mrs. C. Griffiths, as usual, looked suitably clad and very charming. Mrs. Eric Riddiford wore tobacco brown and a hat trimmed with ospreys. Mrs. Walter Johnston, who has recently returned from Sydney, wore a becoming saxe blue suit with furs. Miss Skerrett, as usual, 'was well dressed, wearing black, with an overdress of net embroidered with blue. With this she wore a becoming coat and hat. Miss Eraser, who was in her party, wore a blue coat and skirt which became her excellently. Miss Hislop, who was with Mrs. Vivian Riddif ord, looked charming in a suit of quaker grey with a.rose-trimmed leghorn hat. Mrs. Harry Lowry, who has long been ill, but who is now oh the high ' road to health and strength, was wrapped in a fur coat all day. Lady Ward and Miss Seddon were present, the latter in navy blue with a black picture nat. Miss Ira Ormond accompanied her grandfather, the Hon. J. D. Ormond. Mrs. and Miss Qrmond, who have been spending a few days in Wellington, did not attend the races. Among thousands of . others, there were seen the faces of very many of the [habitual racegoers, including Mesdames Moorhouse, Bidwill, Hiley, A'Deane, Johnston,. Duncan, Bateson, Richardson, Watkins, Tweed, Blundell, Barhicoat, Reid and Hume. There were also . lots of girls. * * * *.., ' 'On Labour Day it rained—hot rain, the kind that makes you wish you could wear a bathing suit, but in which you must wear a coat. If you curl your hair, it all. comes out, and you sort of steam.- Her Excellency, the Countess of Liverpool, went out. She wore dark blue with a turquoise scarf, a black hat and white ospreys. Lady Kelburn was there, and very, many of the, people who attended on Saturday. Aged garments, generally speaking, were donned. * * * * On .Tuesday night, in . the Concert Chamber of the' Town Hall, the Wellington Male Voice Choir—once calledthe Liedertafel —gave a delightful cdncert —the second of the present season. It is not a very large choir, and when one reads its Roll of Honour, one inar- . vels that it is still able to produce -such very excellent results. Mr. Robert Parker ds its conductor, and has been since the beginning. On Tuesday his daughter, Mrs. E.i C. Caohe- -, maille, played some of the accompaniments. Mr.; Kenny appeared in khaki, and received an ovation. One of the most enjoyable items on the programme was his "New Zealand," rendered ( by Mr. Clarkson, who was accompanied by the composer. The song was encored, and. the singer touched the composer's shoulder suggestively—whereupon Mr. Kenny turned round and smiled. The smile also was encored. That camp is lucky which holds Lieut. D. A. Kenny. * * * * The audience were pleased with the unaccompanied songs rendered by a circle which grows so sadly smaller, month by month. Fortunately there are many veteran voices in it. Dudley Buck's_ cantata, "The Nun of Nidaros," was given and thoroughlv Mr. Farmer took the tenor edlo, Mr. Kenny played the organ, |nd Mrs. Cachemaille the piano accompaniment.

"Great is Jehovah" sounded very fine. It was the opening item. Mrr Herbert Bloy was down for two' violin solos, which he rendered with rare effect. As an encore he gave most exquisitely Moszkowski's "Serenata." He was accompanied, by his wife. * * * * \ There was a good, audience. Many of the ladies knitted, and among them, was Mrs. C. Begg, wife of Colonel Begg, that Wellington, doctor, now invalided in England,, who has done heroic work amo'ng our men. Mrs. Begg is a talented musician, and only a few years ago, shortly before her marriage, she won the gold medal of the Royal Academy of Music. At present two tiny sons occupy most of her time and attention. *■ * * ■ * Some of us would like to propose a motion for the consideration of - the City Council, viz., "In the opinion of many ladies, the chairs >in the Concert Chamber should be. given to the poor for kindling. They are Austrian, and most particularly . uncomfortable for people who are hot six feet'high"-. 1 .■'-It- 'if '! '• * . ; * ' There died of his wounds, at Gibraltar a few days ago, Trooper Niger Maclean, a young engineer who received his training in Isuke's foundry, and who had many friends in Wellington. He was a cousin of the late Major Selwyn Chambers, and his. were the hands which built a simple cross over the grave of the Major, who was laid to rest on a hill which he, with others, had iheld through hours of fierce and terrible strain, .and which now is called Chambers' Crest in memory of his gallant stand. * * ■*• * At the performance of "High Jinks" last Saturday night khaki was much in evidence, and there were very many strangers in the dress circle and stalls, country people down for the races—and other matters. , From start to. finish the play is light, and it provided a pleasant rest and diversion for anxious hearts and harassed nerves. For an hour or two these delightful players made us forget the present and go back a year or so to a time when the world was care free. In the large audience there" were several theatre parties, including one which consisted of Mr. and Mr.s Vivian Riddiford, Miss Thorne George, Mrs. Barnicoat and others. At the theatre in these days, there are often to? be seen nurses arid young probationers seeking pleasant diversion after their strenuous labours. On Saturday night Miss Doughtv was in, the dress circle with a young nurse friend. These two are both training in the

Bowen-street Hospital, the haven of refuge for the tired and sick; and lame. - Mabel. .;, Recent engagements: Mr. A. M. Matheson, of the New Zealand Railways, Takapau, to Miss J. J. Edgecumbe, of Takapau; Miss Rona Hope, of Timaru, to Major Drummond Spencer Smith, London; Mr. Noel C. Harding, New Plymouth, to Miss Gwen Hill, anly daughter of Mrs. K. Hill, New Plymouth.