NOTES FOR WOMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11653, 18 October 1923, Page 9

NOTES FOR WOMEN

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Miss Stella Power, "The Little Melba,” arrived from Sydney yesterday by the Ulimaroa, and is staying at the Midland Hotel. Miss Stella Power, the famous singer,! accompanied by her husband, Mr W. F. O'Rourke, Mr William James, the talented Australian composer-pianist, and Mr B. J. Gravestock, arrived from Sydney yesterday by the Ulimaroa. Members of the Pioneer Club will have the opportunity of meeting Miss Stella Power, familiarly known ns “The Little Melba,” on Friday afternoon, when she will be the guest of the club. All members are invited to attend. News has been received by cable of the marriage, in London, on October 10th, of Mrs Perkins, relict of the laic Lieut.Colonel J. C. C. Perkins, D. 5.0.. and second daughter of Sir Harold Beauchamp, of Wellington, to Mr Cecil Mar- , maduke Pickthall, of-the Foreign Office. Mrs W. E. Allen, of Carterton, is visiting Wellington. Mrs Bree (Opaki\ who has been the guest of her daughter. Mrs Scholefield. hi Mnsterton, for some time past, has left for Wellington. Mrs Percy Cox (Wellington), who -is visiting friends in Christchurch, is at present the guest of Mrs T. F. Gibson (Fendaltonh Mr and Mrs C. T. Newton, of Christ-, church, are visiting Wellington. Mrs Pragnell, of Masterton, is staying at Oriental Bay. Mrs Fordham (Wellington) is staying l with Mrs H. J. Francis, in Masterton. j Advice has been received of the death . of Miss B. Brodie, sister of Bishop Bre- ! die, of Christchurch, which took place at the residence of her mother, in Auckland, on Friday evening. j Mr and Mrs S. Mather are visiting | Christchurch. Mr and Mrs C. Meredith returned yesterday from a visit to Christchurch. Mr and Mrs Clarence. Meredith passed through Wellington on their way to Christchurch from Masterton. There is a distinct feeling for arranging the bridal veil in fourteenth century fashion, passing under the chin as well as over the head, and caught- at each side with silver lilies. When the veil is of lace it is often arranged in two lines, parting under the chin and caught with orange blossom. The newest sleeves are really no sleeves but circles of «*<>lcl braid simulating bracelets continued , all the way up the arm joined b.y a single line. Other sleeves leave a gap at the top; never is a sleeve in a smart frock continued all thr* way. down without some break or excrescence. In nearly every colour scheme just a touch of black in the right way and right black is essential to secure distinction. A jade green cape; black lined, was fastened with a black moire ribbon and jade buckle. A lovely gold tissue Court gown had a black veivet train gold lined and embroidered. Coloured shoes are taking on black heeta, instead of the old way of vice versa.

Mrs D. Anderson, of Hankey street, gave a drawing room meeting on Friday afternoon for the purpose of forming a branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society in that locality. Mrs Florence : Porter addressed those present upon the object and aims of the society. All were most interested, and. it was decided to i form -a branch ’to .be known ‘as the ; j Hankey street Branch. . Mrs Anderson I I was elected president. Mrs Remmington \ i secretary, and Mrs Chote, Mrs Howe, \ Mrs Jongenson, Miss Reeves wore elected | la committee. At the close president! : dispensed afternoon tea, which was much , appreciated by all present. Another j (branch also, at Te Aro, was started. I recently, with Mrs Cullen president and j [Mrs Drury secretary. At the close a. I hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs j Cullen for her hospitality. [ The matron of the W.N.E. Residential' Nursery, Owen street, acknowledges with I many thanks gifts from the following:— > Mrs Beales, Berhampore Branch; Kel- j burn, Northland, and Karori Branches;: Miss Sheppard; Miss -Bennett; Mrs | Morris; Government House; Jvarori Branch; Mrs Woodhead; Miss Peach;! Irvine Bros.; Seatoun Branch, Mrs j Bear; Mrs Taylor; Mrs MeCrea (Low-’ or Hutt); Mrs Barclay; Hawke’s Bay Fisheries; Mr-Preston; Mrs -•Spea.i'; Mrs, G Fitzgerald; Mrs L. O. H. Tripp. Mrs F. Meadowcroft gave an afternoon tea yesterday at her homo in Mount street, to enable Mrs Denton Leach, of j Dunedin, who is at present her guest, ’ to meet some of the Wellington women | who are interested in social work. Mrs Leach is the secretary of the Dunedin branch of the League of Nations Union, and also the Dominion secretary of the National Council of Women; she is also president there of the Women's Citizens' Association. Which she represents on tko local branch of the council, so that her interests are very varied. During the afternoon Mrs Leach gave a brief talk on the League of Nations, mentioning some of its achievements and some. of the work which it is hoped the league can do. She spoke especially to urge that more interest be taken in the union j here, for Wellington, being the seat of j Parliament, was in the position to do a j great deal for tlio league, and to urge I the Government to support the league, v Some interesting discussion followed j Mrs Leacb's address, and many ques- j tions were asked. A delicious afternoon i tea was served in the diningroom by Miss Meadowcroft, the table being decorated with blue everlasting pea. Mrs j Meadowcroft wore a gown of soft grey j georgette with open work embroidery; j Miss Meadowcroft was in powder blue! georgette, with pleated skirt; and Mrs, Leech wore cream lace jumper over a j black satin skirt. A wedding, in which a great deal of interest was taken, there being a large . ciowd present, was solemnised at the. Methodist Church, Eketahuna, last week, when Violet Irene, third daughter of Mr and Mrs G. Farmer, Eketahuna, was married to Ivan Perceval Alexander, eldest son of Mr and Mrs P. Ross, Ekct&huna. The Rev. C. A. Foston, of Pahiatua, was the officiating minister, and Miss Breitmeycr was at the organ. Five maids were in attendance on the bride. Misses Agnes Farmer (chief), Myrtle Phillips (maid of honour), Gladys Farmer (trainbearer). Sylvia Ross and Norma Eastwood (flower girls). Mr Ronald Ross was best man. and Mr George Farmer groomsman. The happy couple left by car for Pahiatua, on route to Te Aroha. where the honeymoon will be spent, their future home being at Hamilton.

Mr and Mrs L. T. Burnard have returned to Gisborne, after a visit to Wellington.

Miss Kate Campion, of Auckland, who went to Paris some years ago to study for the operatic stage on the advice .of Madame Calve, is expected to reach Auckland shortly. Miss Campion studied under Monsieurs Bouky and -Sbriglia, and afterwards joined the Carl Rosa. Opera Company, and lias been their primsdonna for some years.

There was a large attendance at. the Ambassadors’ Cabaret last night, when the new season was oldened with a “Spring” night. The place looked tis name, too, for the staircase was massed with greenery, and hycopodiuin was festooned overhead and round the pillars, while the lights were covered with pink shades. Balloons swung about the pillars and overhead with airy effect, and were also attached to the tables, where, however, they were soon removed when the. guests arrived, and everyone was soon dancing with a balloon in hand. During the evening Miss Oonnop and her pupils gave a picturesque ballet, and dancing continued with enthusiasm till closing time.

Miss Archibald presided ut the monthly committee meeting of the Levin Memorial Home. It was reported that A 4 13s 4d had - been received since the gift tea, making a total of AG3 los 9d. The following persons are thanked for gifts: —Mrs L. Archibald, Mrs Gillespie,. Mrs West, Miss Archibald, Mrs Kaye, Miss McLeod, Miss Brown, Mrs Beales., Anon., Mr Froud, Mrs Wilkinson, and Hawke’s Bay Company (fish weekly). Mrs J\ A. McEldowney wass elected to the committee, in place of Miss Speed, who resigned. . Many well-known faces' were absent from Auckland’s reunion ox early eolo nists at Auckland, but at least one ageCl veteran had the vigour and the spirit to bravo the weather. • This was Mr» Anne Watson, of Victoria street. Last, a bent little lady of 99, who, ere leaving the hall, jnade an engagement with the Mayor to sit with him on the platform at next* year’s gathering. Mr Gunson expressed high appreciation of the honour, and declared 1 his hopeful intention of sending the Mayoral car to convey his centenarian friend to the Town Hall in a year’s time in order to confirm the appointment. Mrs Grace Butler, whoso work is well known in Auckland art exhibitions, had two pictires accepted for the New' Zealand ..court at thi* Empire Exhibition in i London The pictures aro one of the j Brighton Beach. Christchurch, and tlio other of Mount Rolleston, Southern Alps. Mrs A..-Elizabeth Kelly Las had a. por- ! trait of a lady in evening dress accepted, j and Mrs Wallwark a landscape with | sheep, while of the southern men artists I Mr Ronald Mackenzie has a snow scene, |Mr Cecil Kelly an autumn landscape, i and Mr Baxter some watercolours, which 1 will bo shown in Londbn when the Exi hlbiticn opens next year.

Lord Linterton, replying to Mr T. Smith (Pontefract), said that the number of men, women and children employed in-underground work in the. coal mi ups of British India in 1921 was 65,780, 42,000 and 1171 respectively. The returns relate to children under twelve years of age. About 90 per cent, of the above workers wore employed in Northern Inda (Bengal and Bihar and Orissa). Commander Kouworthy asked if they were to understand that we tolerated' the employment of children under 12 in a country under British rule? Lord Winterton replied that from . July

ist, or some date in the summer’bdf- next year, the employment of children -under 13 would be prohibited throughout’ British India.—“ The Vote.”

The marriage took place on October sth at St. Jam.cs/.. Presbyterian Church, WeUingtqh street, Auckland, of. Miss Lillias Forsyth Russell, daughter of Miami Mrs David Russell, of Ponsonby, to Mr Andrew Dollar, son of Captain and Mrs Dollar, of Grangemouth, Scotland. • -Is the bride is a member of St. James’ choir the members • wore j) re-sent and took part in Hie service, and the organist and choirmaster (Mr Walter. Irapeit) rendered appropriate .music. . Miss Aliena Russell, sisrter-.of the bride, ’attended as bridesmaid- 'an<l v .the bride’s little niece, Miss Alice'McLaren, ‘was trainbearer. Tim bride’!? brother,. Mr Frank Russel], attended the bridegroom as best man. Miss Joyce White, second daughter of Mr and Mr? Herbert White, of Onga Onga, was married Jo Mr Henry Monteitti Tiffon, eldest son of Mis and- the lat? Mr Henry Tiffen, of Patangata, at the* Anglican Church at Onga Ongo. The church was beautifully decorated by friends of the bride. The ceremony was performed by Cannon Butterfield. The bride, who entered the church on. the arm of her father, looked charming ia a lovely gown of cream georgette, embossed with silver. Her cream tuile veil was arranged oyer a wreath of orange blossoms, and she carried a shower bouquet of cream flowers. The bridesmaids. Miss Freda Guy and Miss Fianny White, wore early Victorian frocks of silver tissue, with touches of raouve and blue georgette. Mr Norman Branson was best man, and Mr H. Rathbone was groomsman. After the ceremony MV and 'Mfa RcrbciV While held, a reception at their home,' Whonaroff: The bride travelled in a three-piece suit with a small liat to match. Mrs White received the guests wearing a graceful frock of lavender moracain and grey hat trimmed with feathers. Mrs TUIon wonnavy blue and a small navy hat trimmed with flowers.

PLUNKET SOCIETY

The fourth lecture of the series arranged by. the Kliandallah Plunket Society was held on Saturday last in Hie Presbyterian Schoolroom, when a large audience assembled to hear Mr Johannes Andersen. The Mibjoct—“Native Birds and their Songs”—is one on which Mr Andersen is a -recognised authority. Ilia very interesting lecture was listened to with the keenest attention. At fke close a hearty vote of thanks was- moved by the Rev. D. J. Shaw and carried by acclamation. The lecture by Mr Robert Parker, which takes place next week, will' conclude the senes for this year.

SAILORS’ FRIEND SOCIETY

Tuesday’s rtorm did not interfere with the pleasure of Mrs G. W. Dowling’s giKvsf.s at Iho Sailors’ Friend Society on Tuesday, when she provided a programme that met with the popular taste. .Tlio performers were Mndanies G. W. Dowling end Knig, Misses llalliday, Jean Coker, and Messrs G. W. Dowling. Connell. Mrs G. 1L Dowling was at tlio piano. “What’s Your'sr” wns the title of Mr J. Moore’s chat on. temperance;, pledges again followed. The competitions, as usual, afforded much pleasure, the prizes camo from the hostess and went to- the men in port. , -i

S.P.C.A.

Tlio president. Mr F. Meadowcroft, presided over the usual fortnightly meeting cf the committee, which was held on Mondav last. The report submitted by the inspector showed that nine cases of alleged cruelty had been investigated since the previous meeting. None of the cases, however, were of a serious nature, and steps had been taken to ensure the future well being of the animals. Further arrangements in connection with Animals’ Welfare Week were considered, and the matter was reported to be meeting with general approval and support. Subscriptions and donations amounting to <£22 ]3s 6d were acknowledged, and included e£2 2s from Coles Cash Drapery Store. AT l»s each from Mossts W. J. Gaud in and Whitehead and Pears, J3l each from Mrs Anderson and Messrs Murphy Bros.

WOMEN SAILORS

The recent decision of the mercantile marine department ot the Board cf Trade, removing tli„* sex disqualification in connection with their examinations, brings into prominence the interesting subject of women at sea. Whether women will now rush to embrace a calling which has its fair share of risks and hardships remains to be seen. In the past, however, not a few of tlic gentler sex took to the water surreptitiously, and learned their business in the hard school of experience. The prowess of one female naval character (says “C.E.T.” in the “Blue Peter”) is borne testimony to by n monument, in Chelsea Old Church. Anno Chambcrlayne, “throwing off the habiliments of her sex,” adopted those of a man, and gallantly fought in a fireship against the French in the seventeenth centutry. The epitaph reeoids : “ on dune 30tli, I€9o-, on board a fireship, in man’s clothing, a« a second Pallas, cha.stc and foarloss, fought valiantly six hours against the French, under the command of her brother —Snatched, alas! how soon by middcri death unhonoured bv a progeny like hinisolf, worthy to rule the main—Returned from the engagement . . . .she married to John ! Spragg, Bsq.” In recounting the story, the editor of the “Naval Chronicle” for IBM added: “One hardly knows which most to admire the courage, of the lieroir.c or of the gentleman who married her. If she had happened to havebeen a shrew, it would have been a iieronleau task to have tamed her. - ” Quite a nitmbe: of female* sailors lived ito a ripe old age. One such was Eliza- ! hetli Taylor, who,. dying in 1887, was | buried near Warrington. For years 'she affected masculine attire, .and was 'known as “‘Happy - Ned.”* As a sailor i she saw* service during the American j-War of Secession, and aftetwgrds found |employment in the Liverpool docks. At j Exmouth lies "buried -Ann , Ferrain, aniother female naval pensioner. , During Ithe yearsT794-S she served, together with her husband, .on board the Crescent nnd j Orinn, and was present during the fol- • lotviug engagements:—Lorieht, 1795; Cape St. -Vincent, 1797; and the Nile, )798. During the actions she was btationed in the magazine with the gunners, “’preparing flannel cartridge cases.”

THE ONLY CHILD

An only -child is-generally a somewhat • pathetic . little person to outsiders. Not that she or lie is . not perfectly pleased with life —ior there, is every reason to- be so, with a couple of admiring parents ready to administer to every whim. The only child is not consciously pathetic. More often he has an air of complacence which in itself is sufficient advertisement of the fact that-he has no brothers or sisters to “take him down a peg,” Dr. Alice Hutchison, the . well-known authority on children, in an interesting article on this subject, considers that family life is Nature’s training-ground for commercial life, and the value of familv training lies in the recognised facility with which the average child, if wisely handled, accepts nursery codes. For tlie force of public opinion, she continues —the public opinion of the nur-sery-plays its part in childhood just as it docs later, when it determines the moral atmosphere of the world in which the child is called upon to play liis part.

In . the nursery, each child early realises that th* voice of the majority is capable of forcing it either to adopt opportunities for the early assimilation ot lessons in give and take, in accepting chaff without loss of temper, in shaving worldly possessions, in developing resource and initative, ami in quitting babyhood.

Indeed, wo But imperfectly realise th& advantages which accrue to the child who is early parked out of the cradle by a fresh occuoant, whose very demands upon him for love and service dissolve the cove of egoism which would otherwise permeate his whole being and at the .same time force him to adopt a more manly attitude toward life. The deduction to Ire drawn from these observations is that the child who receives an excess of maternal rare, who is not allowed to quit the cradle and to untie his leading-strings, frequently fails to develop the man linos*; and virility which aro the charm of the normal boy. Further, unless extraordinary forolsglit be exercised to avert such a catastrophe, the only child is in danger of developing n profound'y egoistic nnd selfish outlook upon Jife. Ho may, if of an imaginative nature, indulge too freely in phantasy building, which has proved fhe.cur.se of many a man and women. In company, -with brothers and sisters, n rough-and-tumble, game soon sets .his feet solidly upon the earth end fils him* to face the rejditico of life.