NOTES FOR WOMEN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7848, 10 July 1911, Page 11

NOTES FOR WOMEN.

THIS PASSING SHOW Some little Talk awhile of Me and Thee There was —and Uicn no more of Thee and Me. —Omar Khayyam. The “King’s College for Women,” University of London, is working on, lines with which, as a community, wei have recently shown ourselves vitally in sympathy. The scheme of the King’s College for Women is, in brief, to give special courses for training women in tlio study of the science of the household, and thus provide teachers who, through the medium of the schools, will spread such knowledge. Tho pressing need for such a college, with its training staff, hostel and equipment of laboratories, etc., has sprung from tho same crying need as launched our own modest but far-reaching Society for tho Promotion of tho Health of Women and Children—namely: “A desire to mitigate tho present gigantic yearly waste in infant life and tho loss to the nation by preventable disease due to ignorance.” The personal interest which Queen Mary is| taking in tho realisation of the com-' pieted scheme has led to tho hope that sufficient funds may be forthcoming to inaugurate it in this her Coronation year. Generous and wealthy donors! are coming forward, and £50,000 was subscribed privately during April and May. For our own share in what is 1 becoming a world-wide scheme for thoi preservation of infant life let mo remind my readers that the ball to be given on tho 1-1 tli inst. in aid of the funds of tho S.P.H. W.C. is an immediate appeal to thou - sympathy.- *** * • '

With the approach of the session the politician is ordering his life om the lines of Dr Watts’s commendable “Little Busy Bee.” After tho session comes that grave and crucial crisis the election, and henoo tho activity which is driving each little busy boo to “ improve tho shining hour.’’ A kindly desire to instruct and interest the feminine portion of potential electors has led to now developments. I notice that in addition to the usual political menu light and nourishing dishes of politics “a la bonne femme” are being served out to appreciative women audiences. A most enterprising departure. * * * • •

The social pessimist is very like thq farmer. He holds one straightforward! and honest conviction that whatever 1 is is wrong. But don’t mistake mo,i my sympathies are with the farmer, out and out- His parched and sunburnt pastures in summer; his roads knee-deep in mud in winter; the bush land which frowns leafy defiance to his orops and herds; the desolate treeless waste where no flickering leaf shadow dances on the arid plain—it’s all wrong, of course, whatever is Is wrong. Then all the more credit to brother farmer when ho has righted it! So with the social pessimist. For a long time these croakers of both sexes have gone about mouthing miserable liturgies over the decay of marriage as a popular institution. If this is indeed tho case, tho amount of legislative attention which some of tho United States are bestowing on the subject* seems rather a waste of time. Senator Beall has recently presented to thei Senate of Illinois an exceedingly comprehensive measure, framed in the hw teresta of enthusiastic domesticity. Ha proposes “ a priori ” that every bachelor over thirty-five years of ago who cannot urge sufficient cause for his celi-( bacy shall pay a yearly tax of £2., Secondly, such fines shall be devoted, to the amiable purpose of " recom-( pensing ” the parents of largo fami-t lies. He even proposes to reward each mother for her efforts in tho interest of the State at tho rate of £2O for each child born after two years of marriage. Another domestic enthu-' siast in Massachusetts fixes the penalty of bachelorhood a little more leniently, making it only ono pound. These annual fines, ho proceeds, should then bo used “to support those ladies who have been unable to fulfil their true I destiny—marriage—through the indifference of tho aforesaid bachelors.”

Nor is this all. The State of Indiana has recently been trying its hand at experimental marriage laws. Clearly, Indiana is being swept by a wave of eugenic reformation which would satisfy oven that enthusiast, Dr Izard. “ A law has recently been passed by tho State of Indiana which requires all male applicants for a marriage license to present a certificate of good' health and fitness signed ,by a physician,” says the “ Westminster Gazette.” Other papers suggest that it would be well such a -regulation should bo made applicable to women also, anct the same law adopted in other countries. This is sotting one’s face to the survival of the fittest in a truly practical spirit! • » • • •

From the English papers one realises anew tho extreme beauty of this 1911 summer as a flower season as well as a social season. Beautiful as the Temple flower show always is, this year was a record for brilliancy of exhibits as well as guests. One very noticeable

EDITED BY "ZEALAN D I A.”

feature was the variety and profusion of the Gambler roc-ex, Dorothy Perkins, Lady Gay, Minnehaha, and all the lovely varieties which have sprung from tho Crimson Rambler, which was first in tho field. Next to tho roses, tho perpetual carnations were much in evidence. There is a great vogue for those beautiful flowers at Home Just now, not lessened, wo may be IS’.ire. by Queen Mary’s choice of them las tho Coronation flower. Tho King land Queen spent quite a long time—for them—at tho Temple flower show, and an attentive world may be thrilled (to hear that “ tho King noticed the 'peculiarly fine elovo scent of a carnation,” etc., otc., “and the Queen Ihuriod her face in a beautiful bunch of .-mile Fumal sweet-peas.” This re(rninds m-e of an occasion during tho Visit of their Majesties to the Dominion wheai Duko and Duchess of !York. 1 heard a lady raving over tho jgraco, charm, and distinction of the (Duchess. “ And so beautifully natural, (too,” sho concluded. “ Ono of tho (candlo shades near her took fire, anti. Wo you know, she simply blew it out Just as you or I might have done. Wasn’t it sweet 1”

What an ago of humanitarianism we livo in 1 Half tho world—especially (the feminine half—is yearning and ■struggling to Protect, Promote, Aid, or Associate tho other half to do sometiling they should be doing for themselves. But when the general sentiment of yeamiug and leaning crystallises itself into such an expression as '“The Ideal Coi-respondenoo Club,” there are potent, elements for mischief. “ M.A.P.” draws attention to this dub, which lias recently boon formed in London under the auspices of a Mr land Mrs Clancey J. Gillett. Its object is “to bridge tho gulf” which .exists between lonely people of all (classes and givo them an opportunity jof becoming acquainted. Tho working basis of tho ideal appears to bo adorably simple. For tho modest sum of 5s per year members are provided with a little book containing self-sketched ■descriptions of a number of persons ‘who also yearn for companionship and ►also have paid five shillings. Their (sox is noted by-the letters A (man), ,B (woman), and a number takes the iplaco of tho personal name, which is withheld. Here is an example: “ A 33, Bootle.—Young man, Welsh, dark, single, Nonconformist, seafarer, ideals to fulfil laws of one’s being, interested in history, philosophy, literature and art, religious and social questions, racred architecture, desires correspondence on these subjects. Knows English and Welsh.” The desire of the young, dark sea(farer to “ fulfil laws of one’s being,” •while no doubt perfectly natural, is ■somewhat ambiguous. Which laws? There are so many. Then tho next, icatholio to tho point of indiscriminatemess, must surely be an under-study to the ardent bigamist whose career of correspondence with forty-two ladies ■has just been cut short:

“ A 47, S. of England..—Gentleman,. .English, dark, tall, unconventional, interested in nearly everything, wisheSi Ito correspondwith congenial B’s, any [subject. Will all B’s please write?' Knows French. Exchange photos, novels, magazines/' Further comment is unnecessary. —ZEALANDIA. SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Miss McKenzie, sister of tho Hon. R. McKenzie, has returned to Wellington from a visit to the South. , Mrs Maurice Donniston has gone on in visit to Palmerston North. Mrs Trapp left on Saturday for Pic-

ton, where she will stay with Mrs Beauchamp. Miss Hindmarsh (Napier) is staying with Mrs O. Cooper at Masterton. Mr and Airs Edwards (Blenheim), who arrived on Saturday, are staying at the Windsor. Airs Simpson (Adelaide) is staying with Dr and Airs Shand. Tho Rev. W. G. AVilliarns and Airs Williams arc visiting Wellington. Airs Austin (Foxton) is staying at tho AVindsor. Air and Airs Goss, who have been on a short visit to Wellington, return to New Plymouth to-day. Miss Grcensill (Picton) is on a visit to Alasterton. Airs Cowx, who has been spending a week in AA r eUington, is returning to Waipawa to-day. Air and Airs Lcvien have gono on a visit to Nelson. ’ Alisa AVarburtou (Palmerston North) ! is staying with Airs H. Rawson. ’ Alisa Crosse (Napier) is staying with 1 Mrs Alaokersey at Masterton. > Airs Kobbell (Ohau) is on a visit to AA 7 ellingtou. Air and Airs Ritchie are spending a holiday in AVangantii. Air and Mrs Goodwin (Napier) are ‘ staying at the Royal Oak. Airs Thorno George (Auckland), who arrived on Saturday by tho Main ' Trunk train, is staying with Alisa Coates. Alias Yallance (Masterton), who has been staying with-Airs Charles AA’addy, in Blenheim, returned to Wellington on Saturday. Airs Rawson (Temuka), who has been staying with Airs H. Rawson, is leaving to-day for Hawera, where sho will stay with her daughter. The members of the Hutt Bridge Club met at Airs Allport’s on Friday afternoon. ’ Tho highest score, 1914, was made by Alias Allport. Alisa McLean, lady inspector of the hospitals, left on Saturday for tho South. Mrs Christopher (AVairora) is staying with Airs C. Johnston at Karori. Air and Airs Cade are returning to Wanganui to-day. Miss Charity Bishop, of Peilding, who lias passed all her examinations in nursing, returned to New Zealand by the Sydney boat last Wednesday. Alias Bishop was welcomed home last Friday by her many friends and relatives at their residence, “Sylvana.” The success of the little entortain/ment in aid. of the Richmond kindergartens, which was. hold at the Pioneer .Club on Saturday night, was complete (and delightful. So much interest was [taken in the production of Airs Corliss’s sparkling little comedietta that there was scarcely room for tho audience. Everything ran with the smoothness of clockwork, and tho various characters wore maintained with both spirit and brilliance. Following “Tho (Lunch that Failed ” —which concluded with rounds of applause—was a capi,tal littlo sketch entitled “ Shattered Nerves,” which provoked much merriment. Aliss Rictimond, in a very excellent speech, expressed her pleasure [in realising how great the interest (taken in tho kindergartens evidently •rwaa. Tho entertainment given last Saturday evening By tho AVellington College ’Old Girls’ Association at the Girls’ iCollego was in every way successful and enjoyable, and tho energetic secre-

tarr, Miss A. Holm, must be congratulated upon her efforts to ensure the sucoess, and that the fund lias benefited by some pounds. The entertainment was field in the central hall, and the stage was effectively decorated for the occasion. A large number of old girls were present; also Miss McLean, Miss "Ward, and miss Newman. A most excellent musical programme was gone through, songs being sung -by Miss E. Longton, Mr 11. P. Bray, Miss G. 8011, Mrs Konned.v, Mr Douglas Bray, Mr Nelson, and Mr Gibson. Recitations were 'given by Miss Mary Flux and Miss , Raploy. a musical monologue by Mr Rankin, pianoforte solo by Miss Kathleen Anderson, and pianoforte and violin duet by the Messrs Bow ley. A large number of home-made sweets were sold during the interval. A NAPIER LETTER July G. An “at homo” was given recently at the Kia Ora tea rooms by Mrs M. 11. Miller, of Napier, for Mrs Duncan Miller, of Invercargill, who is in Napier on her wedding trip. Among the guests wore Mesdaracs Bethune, McCarthy, Bradley, Moore, St. Paul, Tylee, Misses Miller (3), Neville, Rutherford. Hunter (2), Hill, McCarthy. Mrs Bogg and the Misses Begg, of Dunedin, have arrived in Napier, where they will spend the winter months. Mr and Mrs TV. J. Douglas and Mr and Mrs M. J. Johnson arc leaving on Saturday for a holiday to the South Sea Islands. The engagement is announced of Miss Violet Roulston,, of Napier, to Mr Allen McLean, of “Duart,” Havelock North. A very old Hawko’s Bay identity in the person of Mr James Greenaway has passed away at the Napier Hospital at the ago of ninety-three years, i’he deceased arrived in Napier in the early days, and lived hero for some years, afterwards going to TVoodviilo, where he lived for twenty-live years. Thelate Mr Greenaway leaves a family of four daughters and two'sons, and many grandchildren. The family consist of Mr Richard Greenaway, of Te Pohue; Mr TV. F. Greenaway, of the United States; Mrs J. A. Campbell, of Napier; Mrs T. A. TV. Nicholson, of TVaipawa; Mrs K. J. McLennan, of Pahiatua; and Mrs C. Campbell, of Perth, TVcst Australia. The engagement is announced of Mr Frank TV ebb, son of Mr Herbert TVobb, of Messrs Webb and Allen, solicitors, Dunedin, to Miss Maud Millar, daughter of Mrs M. R. Miller, of Napier. The engagement is also announced of !Mr G. H. Graham, solicitor, of TVavorley (recently of TVaipukurau), to Miss Edith Dickie, of TVaverlcy. Two recent engagements of interest in Hawko’s Bay are as follow;—Miss Blomfield, niece of the late Dr Blomfield, of Dunedin, to Mr E. TV. Sturm, of the Hastings post and telegraph office; Miss Emily Ward, third daughter of Mr It. Ward, of Patangata, to Mr TV. Morris, of Mastorton. The wedding was celebrated at St. Paul’s Church, Napier, of Mr R. J. Fleming (Ponui, Mohaka) and Miss Louie Renouf (late of the nursing staff at the Napier Hospital). Tho Rev. J. A. Asher officiated. The bride wore her travelling dress of navy blue cloth with paisley silk facing and emerald green hat. Mr and Mrs Fleming left subsequently by motor car to spend their honeymoon on tho West Coast and in Wairarapa.