NOTES FOR WOMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11252, 3 July 1922, Page 5

NOTES FOR WOMEN

SOCIAL AND' PERSONAL.

Miss Nancy Johnston, of "Orna Wharo," whose marriage to Mr John Rolleston takes place this week, has been staying in Wellington as the guest of Miss Enid Bell, Miss D. Roy, of New Plymouth, leaves Wellington for Sydney by the Manuka July 6th. Miss Bov will be accompanied by her father and brother. Mrs Devore and Miss Blanche Devoro (Auckland) arrived in New Plymouth from Wellington on. Thursday to stay with Mis A. C. It* Collins. Mrs A. Tansley is leaving Woodville for England. Mrs Worboys, senior, of Wellington, has been spending a few days in Pahiatua. Miss Nancy Hume (Wairarapa), who has been staying with Mrs W. Diamond, Christchurch, has gone on to visit relatives in Dunedin and Invercargill. Mrs E. E. Bentley and her children* of Napier, leave for England by the Ruapehu. Misses O. and B. Paykel, of Maunsell road, Parnell, Auckland, are visiting their brother in Wellington. A farewell tea wag given by the presidont and committee of the Auckland Women’s Club for Mrs Sydney Hain, beftxre her Europe. Mrs Qaui has been one of the energetic membere of the club and is beloved by all. Mrs W. H. Parkes presented her with a posy of violets, and expressed the good wishes of the club for an enjoyable trip end a safe return.

The Rev. H. H. Mathias, formerly of Christchurch, has lately gone to Ling-, field, a lovely district in Surrey, to work as the colleague of the vicar of Lingfield. Mrs Mathias, who underwent a serious operation at Christmas time, has made an excellent recovery, and is shortly joining him at Lingfield. Miss Rosina Buckman was the guest at two pleasant social functions which were held on Friday in Dunedin, one being arranged by tne Otago Women’s Club and the other by the The first was held in the morning, and the second in the afternoon. Mrs Hutchison welcomed the visitor on behalf of the Women’s Club, and Mr Tapley on behalf of the Overseas Club.

Mrs V. G. Day, .of Christchurch, ia at present in Wellington, and leaves later for a visit to Auckland. Dr. and Mrs D. N. Isaacs have returned from a visit to Rotorua-. The funeral of Mrs Florence Johnston* relict of the late Mr Joseph Johnston, Ablaton, Taieri, took place on Thursday afternoon, at Park Island cemetery. The late Mrs Johnston resided for 6A years in New Zealand, coming out on the boot with Sir Thomas McKenzie. Mis Johnston was well known at Levin, where she resided for some time.

Mrs Perkin, president of the HatnitaiLyall Bay-Kilbimie branch of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, entertained a large number of workers aud sympathisers at her home at Lyall Bay on Thursday afternoon. Mrs Porter (organising secretary) spoke upon the work of the society, tha growth and needs at the present time, and made a special appeal for the annual effort which will take place this year in. July, when all the collectors will be at work. Every street in Lyall Bay has been allotted and a large number in Hataitai and Kilbirnie. Mrs Kirkpatrick (No. 12, Wellington road), the secretary of the-branch, enrolled a number of new collectors and was kept very busy allotting the work. All were very enthusiastic and valuable suggestions were given by Miss Catherwood, Miss McGowan and others. All expressed great appreciation of the generous hospitality of Mrs Perkin, in supplying a dainty afternoon tea and placing her home at the disposal of the committee. The death of Miss Vera Constance Neazor, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs W. Neazer, of Railway avenue. Lower Hutt, has removed a worthy citizen of the Roman Catholic Church, at the Hutt, and the sad news was received with regret by her many friends. The late Miss Neazor was a well-kncwn and respected resident of the Hutt Borough, and received her scholastic educa tion in the Hutt Catholic School. In her days of good health she has always , responded to any good cause connected with social affaire and was a member of the confraternity of the children of Mary. As a tribute to the deceased young lady her fellow associates paid their respects to her in her parents' residence. Deceased died' on Saturday morning at the age of 20 after an illness of a few months. The funeral takes place this morning, when the cortege will leave her late residence at Railway avenue, Lower Hutt, for the Roman Catholic Church, Hutt, where a Requiem Mass will be said; after which the deceased will be laid at- rest at the Roman Catholic cemetery at Petone.

FRENCH LITERARY CIRCLE

AN ENJOYABLE EVENING. On Thursday evening the lecture hall at the Y.W.0.A., Boulcott street, was crowded by members of the Cercle Litteraire Francaise, Wellington, who had assembled to enjoy the programme arranged by Mme Dechante-Mclntosh. One of the chief features of a very successful evening was a playlet, "Faie Ce Que Dois," of which the characters were taken by Mme. Dechanet-Mclntosh, Professor Boyd-Wilson, and Mr L, Mathieson. The acting: of Mme. Mclntosh is always highly appreciated, and she was ably supported. Two scenes from Theodore de Banville's “Gringoire’’ were presented by Professor Boyd-Wilson, who himself took the part of King Louis. He was well assisted by Miss Maisie Whyto and Mr Ronald Syme. "La Ballade Dee Pendus” (incidental to this comedy) was recited, first in English by Mias Coralie Smythson, and then in French by Mme. Tarbayeff-Benge. Other items included recitations ‘'by Mies Mead; piano solos, Mme. Lawrence; sengs by Mme. Cable, Mioses Drury and Duflou, Mr Loftus, and General Tar. bayeff; and violin ®olo by Miss Coralie Smythson.

A PLAIN TALK TO WOMEN.

Look to your faces and necks, the hand of time rests early, firstly always on the face and neck. A quickly simply applied food, such as La Mercedes, defeats wrinkles, blemishes, blackheads, and pimples. Miss Milsom’e selection, as the highest most creme for the human skin ever known—La Mercedes—-try one jar to teat this statement. Miss Mdlsom, 94, Willis street. 'Phono 814.—-Advt.

BEAUTY CULTURE.

Latest methods as practised in principal cities of the world, taught in class, privately or by correspondence. Call or send stamped addressed envelope for free literature. Principal: FLORENCE HULLHN, CM.D. (Diploma YJ.S.A.). "Rusma" (Reg.) Laboratory, School of Beauty Culture, Ba, Courtenay place. 'Phono 22-070. —Advt. Over 100 portage stamps, two of them for 1000 roubles each, were affixed to a registered letter received by a Lichfield man from a Russian officer at Kraenoe. Belgium has now admitted women to the practice of law. But a married woman must have the permission of her hu*. band. For Children's Hacking Cough. Woods' Great Peppermint Cure.

RED CROSS NURSING SCHOLARSHIP

A letter has been received by the .secretary of the New Zealand branch of the Red Cross from the chief of the public division, League of Red Cross Societies, Geneva, stating that at the meeting of the Geneva council a resolution was passed in favour of a continuance of . the international public health courses, which have proved to be so successful during the past two years, and that a third course will be held in London commencing on October Ist next. A circular with full particulars of the curriculum and all necessary information is being prepared for prospective students. As, however, it is necessary to have some idea of the number who are likely to attend the course, the Red Cross here is qsked if it i 6 able to 6«nd one or more students to London, providing them with a scholarship of approximately <£2so exclusive of travelling expenses. Thirty-one students from 27 different countries have attended the last two courses, and are returning to their own countries to teach and organise publio health nursing work. Students have to possess a nursing diploma and be not less than 23 years of age. In this connection the New Zealand Red Cross Council agreed to grant one scholarship for' the course, and applications are being called in the four centres of the Dominion, and will be dealt with in. the first instance <by the executive committees of the centres, who will send their nominations to the New Zealand executive, who will make the final selection not later than the 19th inst. SisteT Webster, who wae the candidate chosen last year, is on the eve of completing her studies, and reports of her progress are most gratifying. She ie remaining longer than is customary, having been granted an extension of time to enable her to take up a special course of midwifery. Candidates for this Red Cross course are required to give a guarantee that for a period after their return to New Zealand they will continue with the society in the special work for which they have been trained. They will be required to give lectures on physiology, bacteriology, child welfare, hygiene, household science, etc. Demonstrations are included, and the practical course embraces child welfare, school clinics, district nursing, etc. Students are personally conducted to centres of activities such as charity organisation societies, offices, schools, district nursing . associations, settlements, creches, child welfare centres, hospitals, nurses’ hostels, etc. The scholarship given covers expenses and very great privileges, and opportunities are offered to the nurse fortunate enough to be chosen as a representative from New Zealand.

ENGLISH LACE-MAKERS

Apropos of an exhibition of English hand-made lace held by the Arts and Crafts Circle of the Auckland Women’s Club, an interesting letter concerning the revival of this ancient art in England has just been received from Mrs H. Armstrong, who has charge of the Bucks Cottage Workers’ Agency at Olney. “English, pillow lace is all made by the villagers in their own homes,’’ writes Mrs Armstrong. “The origin of lac-e----piaking dates back to the time of Queen Catharine of Aragon, who, according- to tradition, taught*the art to the women at Ampthill, and who, during a spell of dull trade, burnt all her lace, so that new orders had to be given and a general revival of the industry took place. Some time after her death, the Flemish refugees who landed on English shores and brought with them their pillows and bobbins, introduced the beautiful curling waved designs of Tipper Flanders, which still remain the speelal feature of Buckingham lace 9. These people settled in Great Marlow, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire, and the industry grew and flourished* till at the end of the 18th centurv there were 800 lace-makers out of _a population of 1200 in the village of Hapslope alone. “Times alter, however, and through one cause or another lace-making languished again. Men grew less decorative in outward appearance, changes of fashion set in, and machine-made lace began to be popular*. All this, together with foreign competition, brought lace-making to a very low ebb. Fortunately, however, the art .never entirely died out, the travelling lace-buyer keeping up what little demand there was. If any worker sold to a rival buyer, no fresh orders were given to ’her—a method which serv-% ed to keep the lace-makers together and their work to maximum ovality. Thia proved a great help to the Bucks Cottage Workers' Agency, and other associations, which recently set themselves to encourage and revive the lace-making industry , bv finding a larger and more extensive market for the work, and by organising the sales, in a way that should eliminate the excessive profits of the middleman. "As a result, the various associations have succeeded in rescuing a self-support-ing and dainty industry from threatened extinction. There are to-day, scattered among the various rural villages of Bucks, Beds, and North© nts, over a thousand lace-makers, bending over their pillows with bundles of bobbins hanging from innumerable pins. In their spare moments they instruct their children in the twisting and twining of the bobbins and the pulling out and adding of pins, which is the art of lace-making. If the hands are not early formed to the habit of the bobbins, swiftness and consequent high earning power are never acquired. In many a cottage in these (rural districts. where the men's wages are so low, the lace pillow is the principal source of income, abd helps tide over many bad times. It is proof of the excellence of the threads used in making these laces that they outwear the linen many times, the threads being specially manufactured for use on the bobbin. There are three varieties of lace made—torchon, which is usually made of linen thread and specially adapted for Underwear; Maltese, mado of lace-thread, silk, or cotton, which can be put to any use; and point ground, the finest pillow* lace made, and a kind of fine net, which with due care wears for generations, specimens being handed down as heirlooms. The average time for a worker at her pillow is eight houre daily, but an energetic worker will put in ten hours. Pillow lace is one of! the very few handwork industries which does not TUin the eyesight. Even old, old. women may be seen sitting at their cpttage doors, their cunning old fingers busilv forming on the cushion tlio Patterns of their youth. The workers, however. are very keen on following tTxo trend of fashion, and are always evolving new and charming designs."