TOPICS OF THE HOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17955, 3 December 1921, Page 4 (Supplement)

TOPICS OF THE HOUR.

BY, VIVIBN.

Possibly no recent announcement, has given such universal satisfaction all over the Britbh Empire as tho news of Princess Mary's betrothal to Viscount Lascelles, and the suggestion that the women of New Zealand should follow the example of those in England by the presentation of a wedding gift is one which is bound ;o meet with general approval. It is equally certain, however, that there will be a considerable divergence of opinion as to the 'onii which the proposed gift ought to lake, and the very eagerness of the women of N'ew Zealand to offer their best may result in the purchase of something which is merely expensive without being useful or likely to givo genuine pleasure to the lloyai recipient.

It must be remembered that Princess Mary's very popularity will, in all probability, make her liable to be inundated with elaborate and expensive gifts, which may yet have little practical or representative value. Hence, it is to bo hoped that New Zealand women, in making their choee, will be governed, not so much by the idea that the gift must be sufficiently cosily to be worthy of a Royal recipient P? by the feeling that it must be sufficiently practical and representative of the country's industries or peculiar resources to he genuinely pleasing to a loved Tiinress. After all, whatever form the pift may take, it is the regard and affection behind it that will matter most to frincess Mary.

The Christmas spirit is already in the air, and many workers throughout the city are, even at this early stage, actively bestirring themselves on behalf of those for. whom all possibility of a happy Christmas depends chiefly on the kindly interest and goodwill of others. In fact, in one or two quarters, a practical demonstration of the spirit of the season has already been given in the shape of Christmas treats. On Tuesday evening, at the Howe Street school, the members of the Auckland Grammar School Old Girls' Association entertained abdut two hundred of the many Auckland mothers and children whose lot is cast '11 particularly hard and difficult places. Sister Esther was chiefly Instrumental in bringing together thone mow likely to appreciate a little brightness nid amusement, and certainly the gathering vas a very jolly and successful one. Sufper was served at the conclusion of a bright and attractive musical programme, and gifts of cakes and flowers to each of the departing guests seemed much appreciated.

The recent arrival in Sydney of a troop of 50 bovs from the Dr. Barnardo Homes in Britain has not only roused many people in Australia and New Zealand to renewed interest in these splendid institutions, but has also brought home to them a sudden realisation of the enormous growth, the far-reaching extent, of the wonderful work being done. It i s now Kir-years ngo-since: Doctor Barnardo,*then only a young man, first began to devote aTTKuT 'erfergy and Irish enthusiasm to becoming the active friend of the ragged boys and girls of London. Beginning with a few pitiful cases which came under his special notice, he goon aroused the interest of other people in the splendid work of rescuing neglected, deserted, and orphan children from poverty and misery, establishing them in his home, and teaching them how to work and become useful, self-respecting citizens. Before many years had passed the work had grown to such an extent that there were not only several of the Dr. Barnardo Homes in England, but many branches had also been established throughout the United Kingdom and Canada.

In 1905, Dr. Barnardo died,-and Mr. ■William Baker, also an Irishman, and a passionate) lover of children, hecame honorary director \>l the homes and chief warden of the Young Helpers' League. Keenly interested in the work- of sending out carefully selected parties of boys as emigrants to Canada and other places, Mr. Baker at the same time carried on the work of the homes in other directions, with the upmost devotion and enthusiasm besides exercising a potent and stimulating influence on the members of the Young Helpers' League, which worked on behalf of suffering and destitute children. On the death of Mr. Baker, in November, 1920, Rear-Admiral Sir Harry Stileman, a keen enthusiast in the work, and superintendent of the Walls School, the naval branch of Barnardo's Homes, was afpointed director of the homes—a position for which he possesses the necessary qualifications to a striking degree, while his wife, Lady Stileman, is an enthusiastic supporter in all his work.

Since Dr. Barnardo first began his great work, " no fewer than 90,000 children have been rescued from destitution and misery, given health and education in happy surroundings, and ultimately plac d in useful and self-supporting employment." It is a work which belongs to no creed, which is not even merely national, but a labour to be;shared by all Christendom. Already it is reaching out to the ends of the earth, already thousands of the Barnardo children have made their homes in countries far away' from the place of their birth, and are bringing to their adopted i lands many of the fine qualities requisite ' lor good citizenship. At the present time the assistant-director of the Dr. Barnardo Homes, Mr. Percy Boberts, is visiting the various Australian States to explore the prospects in regard to the bringing out of more boys for farm work, and girls for domestic duties. New Zealand, like Australia, has ample scope for emigrants, and many of the children from the Dr. Barnardo Homes might well grow to healthy, happy, and useful manhood and womanhood in this genial land of ours. COOKING A HAM. When boiling ham, add a Bmall teacupful of vinegar and a few cloves to the Water. This will greatly improve the flavour. If the ham be also allowed to cool in [he water in which it was boiled, it will bo deliciously moist and sweet. •An excellent way' to cook a ham is to it into a copper full of boiling water, and boil it hard for half an hour, 'i'V' 1 ! fire from under i ' SEJttL* T", covered m <i uite wid. Perfectly co ok ed l***P in flaVour and andt h iX y £ m \ the ham. Soak 1 . « the boiKoaMSftSS 1 Co - v f r the bott ° m of carrot 35 0 ** SfJ"* [«ge pieces . F6|?0t%.3 fip^' llll herbs liked... and any .barely coyer t he vecehhU -1 to P a ? d , :•. >j«s, ac<^i n g|g»|#ree|r four b^rumWt^ v T, r^y