SOCIAL GOSSIP

Free Lance, Volume XVII, Issue 913, 11 January 1918, Page 14

SOCIAL GOSSIP

Dear Christabel, — • THIS is the week afterwards, and we are all feeling that way—just a little disinclined to begin again, for summer is with us, and. the country calls, and the incessant break of the waves upon the shore sounds more at- <- tractive than does the .hum of the city. Taking : ut> the. burden of life'again is almost, always an effort, but we are assured it is good for us on the principle that it is good for a dog to have some fleas just to prevent him from brooding on being a dog. ■ ... * * * # One of these industrious collectors of statistics in England has been busy, and is now trying to show the world that because of the.sorrow in which it travaiileth,.. and because the „ men and women in working overtime and suffering many privations, great and unexpected geniuses will arise, and works of art will be produced- which will be cherished by the, nations in after.years. Also, because of their privations, and on account of the way in which they are overworked, the women of these sad times will give birth to sons who in their, day will accomplish great deeds. We are assured by the statisticians—and' by others who are considered philosophers—that, had we gone, our way peacefully, with only humdrum worries, fewer men would have been born into the world, and the race would have deteriorated mentally. "Therefore," says the' philosopher, "behold the silver lining which is visible to those who have eyes—and who use them." *» ■** it * Concerning this same silver lining, the old father of several soldiers suggested to. this scribe the ' other day that a wet holiday season is not entirely to be regretted, for fine weather means' crowds in the trains and trams and steamers —and crowds mean accidents. Possibly a few. homes would

have been sadder if the weather had been better for boating and bathing, etc. * * * * News has arrived of the death, in Nellson, of Mrs. Burdekin, wife of Mr. Burdekin, of the Public Trust, a lady well-known and loved by a large circle . of friends here and in Napier, where she once lived, and in the South Island. Her two soldier sons-are away on active service. ■The New Zealand Educational Institute has been sitting in conference in Wellington. . Better conditions and improved educational facilities are aimed at by the delegates who* represent the educationalists of New Zealand. Particular stress was laid on the need for improved buildings, property laid out grounds, modern desks; and up-to-date drinking fountains. In fact, the delegates desire that educational facilities shall be made as perfect as possible, and they appeal to the public •for support in their praiseworthy efforts. It is interesting to note that at the conference alarm was expressed concerning . the spread of church school!sj which those interested in the national schools believe will check the growth of the national system of education. On the other hand, those .who once were insistent upon the need for religious - training in the . church schools were then offered free advice from; all quarters. "If you want religious teaching, you should establish your own school."' Truly the question is a difficult one. : * ■*.■'*.■' * Last Sunday, the first "in the year, was appointed a day of prayer throughout the Empire by the King. Suitable services were held in the city churches. : ■ . ■»«■«•«■ " • The 1918 girl, with literary aspirations, may be interested to hearvadvice which Southey gave to Charlotte Bronte, when she wrote to him for literary criticism and „ advice. "Literature cannot be the business of a. woman's life —and ought not to be; The more' she is engaged, in her proper duties, the less leisure will she have for it, even as an accomplishment and a recreation." - * * * * This should interest the people who believe in compulsory domestic science for girls. ' Soxithey's hair would have stood on end if he had heard what is seriously suggested to-day by quite a number of women —namely, that men

as well as women should qualify in domestic science- before being allowed to marry. - * ■ • . * * * A Hawke's Bay landowner, Mr. G. P. Hunter, bachelor and M.P., brother of Mrs. W. Sefton Moorhbuse, who is one of Wellington's most indefatigable war-workers, has offered' the Government 2535 acres of freehold, land for soldiers' settlements. The value of the land is at least £30,000, and it lies between the Porangahan River and the Wallingford-Porangahau-road — a truly splendid New Year gift to the nation. *•■ » * » A recent number of a well-known English paper contains an interesting paragraph about Lady Augusta Inskip (once Lady Augusta '• Boyle). She is a sister of the present Earl of Glasgow, and has recently become the mother of a little son. She has been twice, married, her first husband being Mr. Charles Orr Ewing. The paper says: "She is a pretty, soft-voiced woman, with-a grave, gracious manner, and she has many friends in London and Scotland and in New Zealand, where she spent some years during her late father's Governorship." * * * * Wellington people remember Lady Augusta., who was extremely popular in her girlhood here, and a verj T real regret was felt that while she was in New Zealand she met with an accident, the effects of which, it was believed, would be felt throughout her life. After it, and until she left New 'Zealand, she walked with a slight limp. The English journal describes a bracelet which was presented to Lady Augusta by her brothers and sisters at .the, tinie of her first marriage. "It took the form of a Maltese Cross set with large single diamonds alternated with gems which represented the names of the givers. A pearl for Patrick (the present Lord Glasgow, whose •charming wife was a much-loved figure in Wellington from" 1914 to Christmas. 1916, when she returned Home), an emerald for Edward, the late Mr. Edward Boyle, an amethyst for Alice (Lady Alice Fergusson), a diamond for Dorothy (Lady Cranbrook), and a jacinth' for the late Mr. James Boyle, who- was killed in action in 1914. Jade was for John, another brother, and an aquamarine denoted Alan, the youngest of the brothers sisters who then formed the home-circle.

Lady Stout, who hag returned from Auckland, gave a small reception at the Pioneer Club on Tuesday afternoon in honour of Mrs. Abbott. The occasion was intended to give members of the Club and various representative people an opportunity to meet the delightful lady who so movingly" pleads the cause of the Scottish Women's Hospitals. Among the guests were Sir Robert Stout and Surgeon General Henderson, Dr. Newman, and several clergymen, Mrs. J. P. Luke; Miss Hester Maclean (matron-in-chief of the Military Hospitals), Miss Holmes, and the girl friends who assisted the hostess. Quite a number of men attended, and General Henderson, speaking from personal knowledge, added his tribute to the magnificent work which is being accomplished by the Scottish women. Mrs. Abbott, who gave a splendid address in the Pioneer Club a few weeks ago, very briefly on Tuesday afternoon spoke of the need for financial assistance, and told those present that she proposed to give the story of the Scottish Women's Hospitals on the following day in-the Concert Chamber. * .# * * Who would live in a city like Wellington? Midsummer is here, and after a vast amount of agitation -a clearing station for milk has been established. Evidently the vendors don't like it, and one wonders whether they are put to exasperate a much-tried public, which is already doing its best to help things along by going for its own meat and bread. The vendors say „they will not deliver on the Sabbath Day nor on public holidays, nor before 1 on week days. They admit £hat the milk widl be 24 hours fresher under the. new system (what age was the milk we drank last week?) but they refuse to take the responsibility of pasteurising it—and for this, many devout persons are murmuring "God be praised." We live in a land which is supposed to; flow with milk and.honey, and yet, because of labour and other troubles, we cannot, get said milk speedily delivered. Better to live in the suburbs where everyone runs round the corner with the family jug, and gets the daily supply. Here we shall have to trudge wearily with the billy —makes the thirsty wish there were no six o'clock closing. There is much to. be said for the unhappy milkmen, -who have often been fined for selling bad milk, watered milk, and" other kinds of midk, and yet who have only sold the stuff for which they themselves have paid good money. Milk going through the clearing station will be guaranteed wholesome. At what hour it will be delivered in the city daily, depends upon the expedition with

which the clearing station officers work —and the good sense of the vendors. ■ * * * * Sister Richardson, who is attached to_the staff of one of the hospital ships, is visiting her sister, Mrs. Guy Powles, at Eastbourne, where the latter is spending the summer holidays with her children. * * # * Mrs. Maurice Denniston and her family, and Miss Forbes, of the Woodford House staff; are staving at Island Bay. * •» •* © Mrs. McOosh Olark has left Wellington, where she has resided for some months while her son was m camp, and has gone to Sherinden. Hawke'sBay, with her daughter, Mrs: Frank Ross, who will later travel up to Auckland with her. An interesting visitor to Wellington is Mrs. Kineton Parkes, who is staying with Lady Stout, and who is a member of the Women's Emergency Corps, London. Mrs. Parkes has much to tell, of the work which women at Home are accomplishing, and she intends to lecture in New Zealland, giving the proceeds to one of the War Funds. * * «■ * All are rejoiced to hear that General Freyburg has the V.C. His has been a wonderful career, and New Zealand is proud of him. * * * # A well-known Napier girl—Svlvia— the youngest daughter of Mrs. " Peter Dinwiddle, was recently married in Sydney to Mr. ElUis Yarnton-Mills, of that city. Mr. F. Russell . (general manager of the Loan and Mercantile) and Mrs. Russell are still in Melbourne. Mrs. Cornfoot (Greatford) has been in town this week. * * # # Mrs. Alio way (Marton) and her niece, Miss Marjorie Marshall, are in Hawke's Bay. Miss Marshall's brother- went, away with the 6th Reinforcements long before he was 20 years, and has served his country ever since—and never been wounded. He was recommended for a commission some time ago and secured it, and is now attached to his (grandfather's old regiment. * . # * * The -names of Miss Violet Bell, youngest daughter of Sir Francis and Lady Bell, and Miss Agnes Pearce, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Pearce, have been cabled out as members of the Order of the British Empire. Both these Wellington girls have been doing war work in England for what seems like many years. It is good to know tha,t many medals of the

Order have been given to women munition workers—and telephone girls who have stuck to their posts during air raids. . * *> iJ © Mrs. Abbot has been granted the necessary permit, and is out on a collecting tour on behalf of the Scottish Women's Hospitals. Hawke's Bay is interested and is prepared to help her. Some of the other districts are getting interested. Canterbury has already been visited. Those who have heard Mrs. Abbott, feel quite sure that she will get aill the money which people can spare, provided that she gets the audiences. A more delightful speaker is rarely heard in Wellington, and her theme is one which should be of interest to every man, woman, and child in our midst. Mabel. Miss Gracie Moncrieff, of Salamancaroad, has left .New Zealand on a holiday visit to Australia. * * * * At Havelock North (Hawke's Bay) on New Year's morning, Private James Cunningham, a soldier on leave, was married at the Presbyterian Church to Miss Hale, a recent arrivail from London. The young couple have come south for their honeymoon. . * * # * Miss Emily E. Wilton, of Pahiatua, was married to Mr. J. McPhee, of Carterton, on Boxing Day. Miss Isabel Wilton and Miss .McPhee were the bridesmaids. The happy pair will start housekeeping in Carterton. * * * * A couple of Hastings weddings which came off at Christmas-tide: Miss Bessie Curtis, 7th daughter of Mrs. E. Curtis, Avenue-road, to Mr. W. H. Coombe. Miss Kathleen Crowley, sth daughter of Mr. Denis Crowley, of Clive, to Sergt. Leonard Jaffray, of Wellington. Large families of handsome daughters are frequent in sunny Hawke's Bay. * * * * A Woodville wedding: Miss Margaret Hutchins, 3rd daughter of Mr. T. Hutchins, to Mr. Reginalld Cooke, who served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The honeymoon is being spent in Christchurch. * * * # A very pretty wedding was solemnised recently at Webb-street Methodist Church, the contracting parties being Mr. George Albert Petherick and Miss Alethea Longbottom, fifth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Longbottom, of Conisborough, Yorkshire. The bridegroom, who has been twice on active service, is the only son of Mr. George Petherick, J.P., and Mrs. Petherick, of this city. The officiating minister was the Rev. G. Knowles-Smith, an intimate friend of the bridegroom's family. . * * * * The bride, who was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr. F. Burgess, was gowned in creme eolienne, trimmed with silk Swiss lace and wore the usual veil and orange blossoms, the former being beautifully embroidered by Miss Essie Petherick (sister of the

bridegroom). The bride's shower bouquet was of white roses and asparagus fern. The bridesmaid, Miss Emmie Petheriek, wore* a creme silk crystalline frock-dress and a creme and pink picture hat and carried a bouquet of pale pink sweet peas and roses. Mr. H. Parke acted as best man and Mr. .'• S. Cooke as groomsman. * * * * * • The bridal party left the church to the strains of the wedding march, played by Mrs. Campbell-Cramp. The guests were entertained by the bridegroom's parents at their residenceafter winch Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Peth- ,> enck left for the north. The bride- . groom 7 s gift to the bride was a handsome pearl brooch, and to the bridesmaid a silver manicure set. * * * # Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Wilson, of Kelburn Parade, returned on Wednesday morning from a three-weeks' -holiday trip iu the South Island. * • « a" -. The engagement; is announced of miss Bella Luke, onlv daughter of Mr J- p - (Mayor of Wellington) and Mrs Luke to Mr. Ellis Charlesworth, eldest son of Mr. J. Charlesworth architect. Mr. EHis Charlesworth engaged m farming in the Hastings district. Mrs. Abbott, who addressed a public meeting in the Town 'Hall on Wednesday night, appealing for funds in sup-, port of the Scottish Women's HosPi^ s , fQ r War Service, is an aceompUished pUatform speaker. Without a single note to refer to she spoke with admirable fluency,. graphic power, and clear, refined enunciation upon the magnificent nursing and medical work which the Scottish women carried on among the typhus-stricken and wounded Serbs. Her eloquent appeal for 1 money for a noble cause was seconded r y 5 16^ ra y° r > Sir Robert Stout, Mr. i ,i • Altkeri ' and Dr. Newman, who shly put in a few words "for that despised race, the English." Mrs. Abbott, who is the wife of an author and journalist, has the picturesque wordpainting power, the warm imagination and the copious language of her Celtic ancestry. She is a daughter of the old Scottish clan of Lament. Mrs. Abbott spoke in terms of high praise of the work done by three New Zealand woment doctors in Serbia, viz., Dr. Mary Blair (Mr. Archie Blair's sister), Dr. Agnes Bennett, and Dr. Jessie Scott. Our eloquent visitor left for Sydney yesterday en route to India, and New Zealand's contribution —which we hope will be substantial—will follow her there.