Social Gossip

Free Lance, Volume XVI, Issue 867, 16 February 1917, Page 16

Social Gossip

DeAB GHIUSTABEIi,— '■.QJABIORS and the sea—Shackleton N-' und the survivors of the Antarctic Expedition .have come into port-—-and to-day, from England, there has arrived for yours truly a pair, of black silk " stockings: Both events are tokens of, the power of Britain's Navy; "the event seems' trivial,' itis also touching. No foot of mine shall ever wear them. Instead.they shall he put away in moth-ball and lavender, and some day they shall be for one of a happier generation, who will value them, I hope, and look upon them with pride" and .remember that in the year.l9l7 British sailors sailed the . seas, and the flag of Britain waved de- ■ fiance to the pirates, murderers, and blaspheming fiends who dared imagine they could frighten men of the bulldog, breed. - "\. , ." r -■'•'.':■:..•..•*■' .# •■ '■ •■ ■ • « '■'. . ] : ' *'I have qualified in the famous Bull Ring,'' writes a. dear . friend— from; .France, "and I can -tell you"it is some place;'' Who could grudge these men -their happiness—their - pride in/'the splendid valour-of. their men and in the reputation Svhich" the N:Z. fighting man has made for himself-^r''second to none and;quite likely ahead; of all Others?" Oh! to be a man, free to qualify in the bull ring; not too old nor , yet too young;. to- go ;out to fight, to ; conquer or'.to die—anything better than just waiting for news. Did you ever hear that it is good for dogs to-have fleas??.'' Just to keep them from broodihg'on being dogs??' Presumably on the.' same principles excellent people would have us believe that worries »re good for us. . ; ■"-'..'/[__■ ■''■' » -.* •'■" *■ - ■'"•-. And here is Sir ; Ernest - Shackleton pack again, bronzed, weather-beaten, cheerful, confident, so proud. of the men he has brought back from, the An-, tarctic, so deeply regretful for the men who have died, and ready now to go Home and give a hand where it is most needed. The Mayor and 'the.'Acting-. Minister for Marme~~(Hon. jW. H. Herries) represented the City and the Government at the informal reception which the party:-on board the Auroi'a received almost immediately after the ship, arrived in the stream—before darkness fell. It is said that the Mayor - was perched so perilously on the bulwarks of the tug that, many believed he contemplated a second spectacular dive into the briny. People will never forget his performance at the opening of the tepid baths. " . . * "'". '."* ."° Among the men who went out on the tug was Mr. Leonard Tripp, whose was one large smile of welcome. ,He v and Sir Ernest Shackleton are friends, and on his previous visit the famous explorer stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Tripp at • their . home in Molesworth-street. However, this time Sir Ernest remained with his -men, and the party were accommodated at the Grand Hotel. . "■■.»-- * # ■ - ■»'. That Aurora is the queerest little thing you ever saw—sort of blunt at the back, and so small that you imagine there would be room for no one else after the dogs were got on board.

The policeman's lot is not a happy one, yet many women are anxious to take it on, and last week Mrs. Donaldson, who pretty frequently speaks at local Socialistic meetings, put up a good case for them at a meeting of members of the Housewives' .Union. It was unanimously decided: that "this meet*.ing of women, held under the auspices of the Wellington Housewives' Union, calls upon-the Government to appoint women x>olice," etc. - They are in earnest these women. They believe that -in the appointment of women police -lies the remedy for some evils and the prevention of others. Mrs. Donaldson says there are 9000 women police in Eng- . land, and many in America, and that the chief of polioo in New York holds them in high esteem. Anything which can help the youth- ,: Of "the nation is -worthy of~- consideration. The writer knows '.nothing of statistics and very little of the evils of which Mrs. Donaldson speaks, but she with all people who are in : earnest, and she is inclined to believe, and she hopes, the Attorney-General wiU take the matter once again into his serious consideration. . • ...'-■. .. '* ■ * - ' : * ' ■• ".- "Who ever heard of such a thing?" Welly who ever heard - of- all sorts of . other, things ? Because it did not hap L "pen in.oxir youth is no reason why it shouldn't happen now —and we are not .asked to volunteer for the police force. We may, soon be asked to volunteer for . work on the wharves. The future promises to'be full of interest. Perhaps the workers would, get a shock :a - German cruiser shelled the . town "one of these fine days, perhaps they might.realise then that a war is on and that its effects are farrreaehing. .: and those who take, part in it work -overtime.and do not ask for extra pay. ..'•.-.' Have you any idea about the size of the socks which the Hon. G. W. Russeil . take's?'. If possible we should- like to knit him some in payment -for favours; which we hope may comeV- But 'he seems to have such a large' foot. It would take too long, and yet there are so many women who want to go HcnV-j and he says he will-not give them a/vv passports—not even if they want to '.%»■:" 'and get married in England. I thought he approved of marriage, too - Hovrever, even the disappointed people must see wisdom in the decision of the Government. Carrying women passengers is a great 'responsibility for sailors, and the Hun is such an unspeakable sort of sea monster. He must gnash . bin teeth with rage as he sees how the women of the Empire defy him. ■ * '■»-;;*- * - Heretaunga is not the 'place it used to be in what seems the long ago when we were all young and foolish, and when w«- played golf arid other games which men and maidens play together. The Golf House is full of soldiers': wives. Among others at present there are Mrs. Cuthbertson,, whose husband topped the list.in the recent examination for commissioned officers; and Mrs. Dick Sunderland (nee Miss Nora Williams, of Ha velock North), "and. Mrs. Dargavillw (nee Miss Cotter, of Auckland). The cottages are full. Almost always, in at least one, you can find a branch: of the Williams family, whose members have" loyally answered the Empire's call- Mrs. Carl Williams, of Gisborne, is there now. .» •» •*_■<»■ Because no enterprising person has Had the pluck to build a family hotel near the Camp, soldiers, and . their wives, whose circumstances make it possible for them to do so, have had to rely upon the good nature and public spirit of the lucky people who have built summer residences for themselves round the Golf House. It was an opportunity for these people to fleece the

'ga.'_ Super Quality

military, and. it is good to know thatr. the opportunity, has not been taken, for almost invariably, - when the . tages are-let, :the"''rent" asked "is reasqn-\ able' and moderate. -. X;V ; - .■■'.".■'■•'■■*.." '. .' ;.'*:"'-";--*.\' : -' ■■.-"'"*■: l'"' '.0.- ; : .Mrs. Ivan Logan and Mrs. Charlie Brabant, both■ \ from Napier are living out at Heretaunga. -Mr. Logan and Mr. "Brabant are in cainp. . -'-.— .;."'' - .*..-■ ■* '.'"-'*■' * " .■• . Mrs. Ernest Glendining, of Wairoav is", in-town. " Her brother-in-law, Captain Glendining (previously well known in Wellington,"-'where he was. in practice as a. dentist), has been : in France for many months. Another brother-in-law, Dr. Glendining— at one time physician to the Queen of Spain—is reported, in letters from England to bejir again. He hopes on recovery to go with his wife to Italy., He ..has been doctor in charge at Woburn Abbey .for a very long time, and; has, a good friend in the Duchess of Bedford, whose beautiful home is the hospital. *■' * *' * "Letters from England mention that Miss Griffin (Napier) is married to an officer in the Imperial Army. He is 6ft sin high. Miss Dorothy Griffin is also married, and lives in Melbourne. Mrs. Griffin is Jiving in London.

Dear Sir,

' Her friends will be glad to hear that Miss Gladys Campbell has returned from her holiday, and that her private classes are already beginning. The school classes begin again in a. month's time. "" It is Miss Campbell's custom to visit. England during the vacation; and there study afresh the art of dancing with her famous teacher,. Mrs. Wordsworth. Since the outbreak of war Miss Campbell has not ventured Home, though she has been in constant comwith Mrs. Wordsworth. ,Recently she has received by post valuable advice from her and from members of her staff,, who continue to interest themselves in Miss Camp- . .bell's career. Fresh, music and in- . formation concerning the most modera methods have come, and Miss r Campbell intends to give her pupils the benefit of all. she has It is interesting to know that in spite of the war, the dancing classes have continued to be well attended. Mrs. Wordsworth's pupil teachers continue to hold classes all over Engunder her direction. In many.-■' cases new rooms for the classes have 'had to be obtained because the old rooms ;have been taken for munition • making. :S ■ > ..#.' ~ ■■& # - The writer has been much' interested in a letter she has received recently from an English lady who is interested in education. She says: " We notice that the girls who come here (England) to school do not carry;themselves well as a rule, and we hear- that you Colonial women do not walk remarkably well. We wonder if it is the riding. We" hear you all ride in the very modern" way , —astride. Is this so? Here;in this district- we "rarely see a lady riding . astride. I confess that I do: not think It ; a pretty custom, and I do not think it can be very beneficial to./ the health of growing girls. Possibly in Ney Zealand I should be voted "frumpish" in my ideas, which are, of course, old fashioned. Still, a girl. looks so ~ very charming on. horseback if she is well mounted and tailored." * * * «■ • My. correspondent believes that we all talk with a very curious twang, and that most of us learn to drop it when we get to England. Do we all walk badly? and do we all talk with an accent? Are we so accustomed to that accent that we do not notice it? Perish the thought. Besides, between you and me and the lainp-post, the'worst walker I know lives in another town, and was educated entirely at one of the most famous English schools for girls. I don't blame the school.

The best walker I have ever seen is a Lascar sailor, who passed down Lambton Quay this week with the air of a prince (not one of the German kind). I do not blame the Lascar for this. Since reading these remarks about ourselves I have been sitting up and taking notice, and really—perhaps it is our skirts, perhaps the pavements, probably our heels—-many of .us waddle, some of

us wag, others swing and heaps of us " mince along, and the average human -looks as if it had: corns. Is this the fault of colonial-made boots? On the head of that Lascar eve"n a faddy housekeeper would have risked a -basket of eggs—at: the Wellington price too. "'•'•-•'.* » *;■■•■■ When the good ship '- Port" Adelaide was torpedoed, the Huns made captive her brave commander, Captain Lea. Details of the ocean tragedy have not yet 'arrived, though . friends in Wellington have heard that Mrs. Hugh Hollis and her nurse and children are comfortably housed at Vigo,. and are in the-care of the British Consul. An American journalist would probably suggest that, their " pride " =will prevent them from leaving Vigo just at present. ■■ As they were moving their home to - Australia, it is probable that all their earthly possessions are lying on the floor of. the. Atlantic. oan a . Captain Lea has many friends in Wellington, who are very anxious on his behalf. His delicate wife lives in England. Not everyone realises the strain and anxiety which a sailor's wife must endure .in " wartime—or any other time. Mrs. Arthur Myers and family are returning to Wellington this week. ''■-'•.-■•.■:'» ' • ■-' • » - Work, in-the Town Hall continues. Parcels for Mesopotamia have been packed and securely sewn in unbleached calico this week-—one parcel per man, and each containing a silk shirt and tins of milk and sweets and cigarettes, etc. All the Red Cross work goes on as usual. It is steady, and in the depot great things are accomplished. The Red Cross shop on the Quay continues to work smoothly, and is well run by various guilds and committees. Many people have given up baking their own cakes and they buy regularly from the Red Cross shop. The same people—and others —-send goods and produce to the shop, which, seems to be a success. * ' . •■- « « ■ ■ • In honour of Sir Ernest Shackleton the Navy League is holding a party this Friday in the garden of Mr. Harcourt, the President of the League. A shilling will buy a ticket of admission, and without said ticket no man or woman may enter. The collected shillings go towards the Navy League Comforts Fund. Sir Ernest is being lionised: clubs and citizens are doing it. He is the fashion——and a mighty fine fashion, too, if one may be permitted to say so. Miss Mina Arndt's marriage to Mr. Lionel Manoy of Motueka took place from the residence of Mrs. Phil Nathan, in Hill Street on Wednesday afternoon. It was a very quiet affair, only intimate friends being present. The ceremony was performed in the Synagogue by the Rev. Van Staveren. The honeymoon is being spent in a motor trip to Mt. Egmont. * # * ' ' '*■ The Defence Minister is now Sir James Allen. When happier days arrive, Sir James Allen will make a very gentle knight. Meanwhile he is regarded as The Man of Iron.

, Very quietly, on Wednesday afternoon, at St. Paul's pro-Cathedral, Mul-grave-street, Wellington, Miss Rena Dillon Bell, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs." A. W. Dillon Bell-, of Auckland, was to Corporal Norman -Robert Mackintosh, who is attached to a Specialist Company jn the 23rd or 24th Reinforcements. The bride was given away by her father,' and she looked very charming in a pretty,white wedding dress with orange blossoms. There were no bridesmaids, nor was there a best man, for the friend who was to have acted in that capacity, was detained in camp at the last moment. The bridegroom was in khaki. Chap-lain-Captain W. H. Roberts performed the wedding ceremony, and later the family party were very quietly entertained in Hobson-street at the temporary residence of the bride's uncle, Sir Francis Bell. • - . - Mabel.