SOCIAL GOSSIPS

Free Lance, Volume XVII, Issue 920, 1 March 1918, Page 24

SOCIAL GOSSIPS

Dear Chkistabeiij — ELECTORAL excitement is in the air, but by the time the Free Lance is published this week, all will be over and the new member for Wellington North will have been elected. Some part of our daily newspaper i space, which is not given up to war news, is devoted to letters to the editor in which, the Wellington Christians show the world how much they love one another. What wise person said that there is good in all men (presumably lie meant women, too), but we ; know each other only just enough to j misunderstand, one another ? # * * * J Concerning this knowledge of one an- ! other, there is on foot in Australia a movement which has already spread to ! New Zealand, for creating some means i whereby the classes can obtain a better ■ understanding of one another. Miss I Collisson, 8.A., of Sydney University, i who lectures before the New South Wales branch of the Workers' Education Association, has had much interesting information to impart during 'her stay in New Zealand. In Welling- ! ton she has been entertained by the "University people and by members of the Pioneer Club. She has spoken several times in public and has _ met ! many of our thinking women in private ! life. She considers that women who don't think don't count in this life, and -that on women rests the responsibility for healing the wounds of this warweary world, for only; the gifts which are the divine inheritance of women •can be of help in the future which is soon coming. * * # * Miss Collisson's enthusiasm is infectious. She •considers that the Workers' Education Association is creating a national spirit.and doing an enormous amount of good. Apparently, part of its work is the establishment of lee-

ture courses. These lectures are attended by men and women, who meet for instruction and discussion. She hears "the marching of the masses" and believes that democracy will rule the world, and that for this reason, if for no other, it must be an educated democracy. She preaches the doctrine of reconstruction, and believes that many people, who are interested in trades unionism, believe that it, too, must be reconstructed and that all of us must learn the great truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive— or grab. * * a «• She had much to say about marriage, and motherhood and the influence of women in the world and is convinced that men and women working together in harmony exert the greatest force. One .gathers that the Association aims at a better understanding between the industrial people and the more highly educated, and Miss Cqllisson believes that this understanding may come about a certain extent —by friendships which are formed in classes which meet together for instruction. Miss Cpllisson has returned to Sydney. Already there is established here the nucleus of an association similar to that of which she has spoken. Lookers on, who wish the scheme every success, are conscious of the feeling that success depends largely upon the personnel of the lecturing staff. Knowledge is needed as well as zeal and with both are required a wonderful tact and unselfishness and a complete absence of "pose." * * * * The Terraces made a splendid success of the Red Cross effort last Friday., raising by it over £1300. An excellent trade in goods manufactured by the soldiers was done, and the refresh-ment-room upstairs was well patronised. A very great deal of money had been made by the sale of raffle> tickets, including those for the trousseau, which has been on view for some time and which has made the mouth water of many a. bride-to-be. The winning ticket belonged to Mrs. Coqmbes, a wealthy old lady of Palmerston North. * * * * Mrs. Peat and her daughter. Miss Isabel Peat, have left on an extended visit to the Blue Mountains of Australia. Both will be very much missed in St. John Ambulance circles and elsewhere. * # # _* Miss Joan Hi slop leaves for America before very long.

Palestine Day approaches and will occur in the middle of March, when it is hoped that a, good sum of money will be made for the. comfort of our men in Palestine. • # * * Miss McLean, Lady Principal of the Wellington Girls' College, has been granted a year's leave of absence. * * * .. * .. Mrs. C. Tringham was one of the unfortunates 'who lost considerably by the fire in Foster's Hotel, Wauganui. > • - a o ■.; « o. Many Wellington people will be very interested in some news which has come to hand from America, and which concerns a lady, who as Miss Rebie Richardson was well known and very popular in Wellington 15 years , : ago. Even then Miss Richardson had acquired some fame as a teacher'of elocution. Later she went to America, where slie married Mr. Jokp. Gilson How ell', of Berkeley,- California. Like many other American women, Mrs. Howell continued to -practise the profession in which she has made a, name for herself. She is professor of elocution at a university and has also founded the "Berkeley Children's Theatre," where performances are given which, according to the "Christian Science Monitor," "are almost Elizabethan in simplicity and sincerity." The performers are children under 16 years of age and they are so absorbed in their business that there is a complete absence of self-consciousness. The object of the foundation of the theatre was to "provide entertainment for children which would not be crude ot common place and yet would be within the children's grasp." o * * * The children are taught to study the characters which they play. Their work does not mean merely memorising lines and learning inflexions. There is a library in which the children themselves spend hours looking up the different editions and studying the different interpretations of their lines. Scenes from Shakespeare are produced with marvellous results. The productions are independent of drop curtains. Only such parts as are suitable for children are studied. The majesty of Portia and the dignity of Antonia are admirably portrayed by the children who study under Mrs. Howell, but their teacher has found that children's voices are spoilt when they try to bring out tht force, of a part like that of Shylack, and therefore she does not allow them to attempt it, but instead

secures a grown-up. Intonation is most seriously studied and the children learn to appreciate beautiful and heroic words. •*■ * * * They become so engrossed in their work "that they think nothing whatever about the effect they may be having upon the audience. There are no encores. .No ■ names appear on the programme. No.- flowers are allowed to be sent. Semiconsciousness is not encouraged and is most 'quickly corrected if it appears. The theatre itself is built on ■ scientific lines and is a model of what such a place should be. Complete order prevails in the dressing-room, where eaich child has his on her chair, hook, make r up box, mirror, and table. It is pleasant to< know that the founder and manager of this unique and interesting place is or was a Wellington girl.

A propos of the cabled item that Admiral Sir Richard Poore, formerly Commander-in-Chief on the Australian Station, has been fined £30 on six charges of food hoarding, it is said that at the time of the 1913 strike a certain Wellington professional heard there was likely to be a shortage of eream-of-. tartar, a commodity of which he did not know the household use, but which he gathered (at the club) was 1 a necessity. The result is that ' his wife is still using the oream-of-tartar which he then bought and for which special accommodation had to be made. And there was no shortage. * * * * The Soldiers' Club in Sydney-street has been an interest to many women since its* inception early in the war. The committee members and the hostesses have spent many busy hours in the interests of the Club where soldiers in training have always found receation, entertainment, hospitality, and rest. It is more than satisfactory to know that at a recent committee meeting, at which Mrs. Massey, President of the Club, was present, a letter from Colonel Potter was read, expressing his appreciation of the good service done for the soldisrs by the ladies whose interest in the Club never flags, and his gratitude to Mrs. Massey and all who are associated with her. * * * * The dances which last year were a feature of the Club are still held and are well patronised. There are always plenty of partners for the soldier boys. There is always a supply of stationery in the writing-room—books and magazines in the clubroom. Coats may always be left-there in safety. A cup of tea or coffee is always ready for any soldier whc comes along. Weary men can get a shower bath, and men in search of amusement can play on the excellent billiard table. A piano. is there, and there is a gramaphone for those who like to use it. The Club and everything in connection with it are "" free to all soldiers or returned men. * * «• * To friends who live in the most frequently raided parts of London now, invitations are sent from the country, not for the "week-end," but for "the moon." The expression will remain for all time—a reminder of the Kultur of the Hun. * * '* * Only those who' went,down early got into the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Tuesday night when Dr. Agnes Bennett gave an interesting address on the work of the Scottish Women's Hospitals, to a unit of which she has been attached in Serbia, and to which she is

returning after this rest which is necessary for her health. « * * * Lady Russell, wife of General Sir Andrew Russell, and her elder daughter have (been spending a. few days in Christehurch, and are now guests of Sir Francis' Bell in Hobson-street. Mrs. Vivian Riddiford is visiting her mother, Mrs. Thorne George, in Auckland. *•■»*■ • The Misses Butler (Tinakori-road) have been staying a.t The Hermitage, Mount Cook. * * * # To the regret of a very large circle of friends, Mrs. William Rathbone, of Lower Hutt, and formerly of Waipawa, died on Monday afternoon. Mrs. Chesney, wife of Major Chesney. is a daughter, and is at present in England. Mabel. A wedding of more than passing interest took place yesterday afternoon at the Presbyterian .Church, Kent-ter-race, the contracting parties being Miss Lucy Catherine Clater, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Clater of "Spring Bank," Lyall Bay, to Lieut. R. C. Wood of the "Dinkums," now stationed at Wanganui. The bridegroom was attended by Lieut. C. R. Carter as best man and Mr. F. W. Davis as groom. The bride, who was given away by her father, was accompanied by Miss Cederholm as principal bridesmaid and the bride's two little sisters, Misses Constance and Lilian Clater. The dressing and colour scheme were very pretty, being effectively carried out in primrose and white. The bride was dressed in a. very becoming dress of white crepe de chine, trimmed with orange blossom and veil. She carried a shower bouquet of primrose chrysanthemums. The bridesmaid wore an elegant primrose ninon dress with a, bouquet of chrysanthemums, and the bride's sisters wore silk dresses and also carried the same colour of bouquets. The bride's travelling costume was of grey tweed with a velour hat to match. Mrs. Clater wore a charming costume of black silk foisette. * •*- * * Among the guests were Major and Mrs. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. T. Warwick (Wanganui), Mr. and Mrs. Charters (Christchurch), Mr. and Mrs. F. Hunt (Ngahauranga), Mrs. Sellars (Hawera), Mrs. Embling (Rona Bay), Mrs. B. Short (Feilding), Lieut. and Mrs. Knox, Lieut. Richards, and several other military officials. After the ceremony the happy couple drove to the residence of the bride's father, where about seventy guests sat down to the wedding .breakfast. The presents received by bride and bridegroom were both numerous and costlv. Great

pleasure was expressed by all at the presence of the Rev. J. Paterson, who officiated at the ceremony. * « a The wedding of Miss Doris Grant Ball, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. B. D-all, of Kelburn-parade, to Dr. Irwin E. Faris, is fixed to take place in "Wellington on March 7th. * . * * ■* Mrs. Holroyd Beere, Miss Beere, and Miss Joan Beere returned from the soxith this week.

Dear Free Lance, —Some weeks ago we asked, through your columns, that any of your readers with spare chess sets might be good enough to send them, to us for the use of the boys on transports. The response to this appeal has been most generous. In several cases we have received sets which, must have been in use for many years, the parting with which, no doubt, caused the donors a certain amount of regret. However, chess-players have acted most unselfishly in the matter and have given up valuable sets in order that the soldiers on transports might have. them. We thank all those of your readers who have so kindly responded, and assure them that the. games will be put to the use intended.—Yours faithfully, E. O. Bkownbl/I/, General National Secretary, Y.M.C.A., Wellington, N.Z. Miss Estelle Beere announces the recommencement of her dancing classes. She may be interviewed at 76, Hillstreet ('Phone 1919).