SOCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19041, 11 June 1925, Page 13

SOCIAL NEWS.

Mrs. W. Fai-clough is on a short visit to her sister, Mrs. Stephen Allen, MorriusvilJe. Mr. and Mrs. Rudd and Miss May Rudd sailed by tho Mo«raki on a visit to Sydney. Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Twigg, of Devonport, left by the Moeraki for Sydney on an extended trip to South Africa. Mr. Twigg and Mr. J. Holmes, of Frankton Junction, aro going big gamy hunting. Mr. and Mrs. Higginbottom, of Wanganui, accompanied by Mrs. HigginCiottom, aro motoring through tho North Island, and arrived in Auckland via Napier,. Taupo and Rotorua during the week-end. An outstanding figure in civic life in the Uiited States is. Miss Margaret Wilson, eldest daughter of tho late Mr. Woodrow Wilson. She is the chairwoman of tho Tenement House Commission in New York and devoies her life to tho welfare of tho slums. Oloso on her heels follows Sophie .Irene Loel), who lias been instrumental in passing more laws for tho betterment of conditions than any other woman in Ameri-" can civic life. Among these bills are "Tho Child Labour Law," "Puro Milk Regulations," "Moderate Taxi Fares," "Widows' Pension Bills," and "Mothers' Endowment Funds." She is in close ! association with Jane Adclams, of Hull House, Chicago, with Lillian Wald, of the " Nurses' Settlement," New York, and witli Grace King, of tho "Russell Sago Foundation." Wo are threatened with a new dance. It is to be called tho Racket—the tennis and not tho wild oats racket. As the name is derived from the fifth and sixth movement wherein tho dancers sway from side to side as though putting in a hot service, tho perils k of tho ballroom are likely to bo considerably increased, states a writer in Tho Queen. As a matt'er of fact, tho professors of ballroom acrobatics who have devised this new course of physical jerks' aro not likely to make much headway. Although tho new dance is to bo launched in a scpro of dance places by tho professionals, tho dancing public hero is getting just a bit weary of innovations, especially when they make a heavy demand upon physical dexterity. A lunatic of my acquaintance •is endeavouring to invent a cross-word puzzle dance. Tho only fortunato thing about it is that.long before ho can succeed in blending tho puzzle craze with the dance mania ho will havo been put under proper care. : Recently it has been found that fine silk may be rendered impervious to water, but hitherto it has not been practicable to make knitted wbollen garments waterproof. Now, however, knitted fabrics of all kinds can bo treated with a waterproof base, which does not alter the nature of the fabric, states an oxchange. ,It will bo a great advantage to be able to buy a knitted sports coat that defies tho summer shower; but this is as nothing to tho boon of tho waterproof stocking. If manufacturers could really mako a comfortable stocking that would resist tho wet, then they would havo accomplished something vory much . worth while. There appears to be no insurmountable reason why stockings of cotton, silk or wool should not be waterproof. They would be a great protection for the feet in this damp climate of ours, and the wonder is that the waterproof " stocking should have been so long in making ah appearance. It seems to bo within range of practical possibility at last, and given equal foot comfort, should be the most popular stocking made. An interesting account of the arrival in South Africa o£/two Plunket nurses is quoted from a Capetown paper. Nurses Mitchell and Bowron wore sent in response to a request for two nurses of full qualifications, also teaching and administrative talent and experience to start a training centre in South Africa, to be called tho "Lady Buxton Centre." The writer of the notice of their arrival says:— " Those who expect to get any personal * history out of the Plunket nurses who havo been lent by New Zealand to start the Mothercraft Training Centre at tho 'Lady Buxton Homo' will be disappointed, for they aro enthusiasts who are interested in their work and will talk of nothing else. They tell you all about the Truby King method and the wonders it has worked, but they do not see how you v can be interested ■in their own personal concerns. Nevertheless they soon betr&y themselves as two capable and charming women. J . ." Tho writer then gives a good little sketch of the Plunket work, having grasped the main details with considerable talent and force. A mention is made of the hearty welcome given to the nurses, who should find very pleasant support given to the system by peoplo who aro eager and ready to receive it.