NOTES FOR WOMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12250, 23 September 1925, Page 5

NOTES FOR WOMEN

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL The engagement is announced of Miss A. C. Hamilton, only daughter of Mrs J. K. Hamilton and the late Mr J-. K- Hamilton, to Mr H. Chard, <vf Kent, England. The marriage is to take place in November. Mrs Walker, of Gisborne, is spending a few days in Wellington. Mr and-. Mrs W. Cahill, Wellington, are in Christchurch. Mr and Mrs Arthur Duncan and Miss Alys Duncan are visitors to Christchurch. Mr and Mrs J. Duncan, of Wellington, are in Christchurch. Mrs Shenvpod has gone to Christchurch, where she is the guest of Misa Pender, at Redcliffs. One of Mrs Sherwood’s pictures, “Melons in the Sunlight,” has recently been purchased for the Sydney Art Gallery. Mrs Nevins, who has been staying at Plimmerton with her sister, bliss Fancourt, has returned to the Wairarbpa. Mrs E. Harris and Miss Elizabeth Harris, of Christchurch, who have been absent from New Zealand for some time, are leaving England for New Zealand next week. Misa M. J, Denniston, of Christchurch who has been travelling over * America, England, and the Continent, is at present in Glasgow. She expects to leave for New Zealand again early next year. Mr and Mrs John Ewen' left Auckland on Friday evening on a visit to Wellington. Mr and Mrs Keesing are Wellington visitors to Christchurch. Mme. La Maziere, well known as a journalist, has founded a Soroptimists Club in Paris., This club has a membership of 92 women, each representing a different profession. The vice* presidents are a well-known specialist and one of the best-known barristers of the Palais de Justice. Mme. La Maziere is a Knight of the Legion of Honour, one of the few women of her age who have won that honour. The Wellington Basket Ball Association is closing the season with a banquet at the week-end. > Sweden reports a most important step forward in the passage of the Sex Disqualification Removal Bill, by which' all civil service posts, including consular and dipjpmatic -were thrown open to women. Some questions as to salary and pension age still remain to be adjusted, and the National Council of Women is working on these. Sweden is also the only country where a bill has been passed regulating the economic relations between husband and wife. Following the appointment of Mrs Dale as alternate delegate for Australia, to the League of Nations Assembly. in 1922, Miss Jessie Webb was appointed as alternate delegate in 1923, and Mrs E. F. Allan as alternate delegate for 1924. Women alternate deleEates from other countries to the eague of Nations Assembly include Froken Henni Forchhammer, president of the Danish National Council of Women, who'Ms been a delegate to all four of the assembly meetings; Mrs Coombe Tennant, Great Britain, 1922; Dame Edith Lvt.telton. Great Britain, 1923; Mdlle. Kristine Bonnevie, for Norway, for both years; Mdlle. Helene Vacaresco, for Rumania, both years; Mme. Anna Bugge-Wicksell, for Sweden, both years. There are ajso a t l pre~> sent thirteen women acting, as commissioners or assessors on commissions appointed by the Council'of the League of Nations., Nine nations—Canada, Norway, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan Sweden, and Switzer-land-sent a woman delegate or a woman adviser (or both), to the conference of the International Labour Office at Geneva, in 1923. Members of the Wellington Corp» or the St. John Ambulance met on Saturday afternoon in the Drill Hall, for practice In drill and stretcherwork. Mir Dutton conducted the drill practice, Mr Ward following with stretcher work. Air Richardson, corps superintendent, lltaaked these officers for their help. The beauty a woman can bring into a borne by artistic dress and surroundings should be a part of her contribution to education. Dr. Payson Smith, Commissioner of Education of Massachusetts, said in an interview for the ‘.‘Christian Science Monitor” during the National Education Association Convention at Indianapolis. Placing attractive dress high among the assets of a good teacher. Dr. Smith said: “Many teachers make the mistake of thinking that they need not dress well because their work is in the classroom. They think that any old dress is good enough. This isn’t quite fair to the children. I realise that the matter of cost often enters, that ipany teachers feel they cannot afford to wear the kind of clothes they would like for their school rooms.l don’t profess to know much about the mysteries of feminine attire, but I am told that clever women can accomplish much in the way of becoming dress with scant means. Of course, higher . pay ■to teachers would hejp greatly. A scheme of family, allowances for miners’ wives in South Wales is interesting not merely because of troubles in connection with this occupation, but because the idea comes from the employers, and it is hoped to have it put into force shortly. The scheme guarantees a considerable amount of the profits to labour, out- of which family allowances shall be paid as an inverse ratio to the husband’s ■ wages, that is to say, the wife of a man earning five shillings a day will receive one shilling and threepence, while she whose husband earns five shillings and tenpence will receive eightpence; allowances for the children will be given according to number, fivepence for the first, fourpence for the second and so on, the sum given not going below the rate of twopence per day, .That such a frankly socialistic scheme should be put forward by the once ruling classes shows how far we have travelled since the days of stern individualism. However, family allowance schemes quite as socialistic as this have been practised for a few years now in France, though only in connection with certain sections of the community.

Mrs R. E. Brown, of Wellington, is spending a holiday in Napier.

Mr and Mrs Little, of Wellington, who have been staying in Napier, have left for Gisborne. Mr and Mrs Gbenna, who have been spendiug a holiday in Napier, returned to Wellington last week. Mrs P. Wright (Apley) returned to Hastings last week, after a short visit to Wellington.

Mr and Mrs J. L. Hobbs left for Christchurch at the week-end.

Miss Queenie Nathan, of London, is visiting Auckland.

Mr and Mrs Hoskins have returned to Wellington, after a short stay in Napier. Mrs A. Meldrum, who has been on a visit to Wellington and Dannevirke, has returned home to Hamilton.

Miss Kempthorne, of Wellington, is visiting Auckland with' her sister, Mrs A. Murray, of Tauranga. Miss J. B. M. Paterson, who was in New Zealand a few years ago lecturing and working with Sir Truby King, represented the New Zealand Government at the International Conference of Nurses at Helsingfors recently, a correspondent states. The engagement is announced in an exchange of Marjorie, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs A. E. Manning, River road, Hamilton, to Mr Lance Tompkins, of Hamilton, elder son of Mr and Mrs A. H. Tompkins, of Tuhikarameft.

On Tuesday, September Bth, Miss Gwen Good, only daughter of Dr. and Mrs Good, was married at Christ Church, Whangarei, by the Rev. MacDonald, to Mr Charles Howard Route, of the staff of the Bank of New Zealand, Wanganui. The Misses Raw, of Wellington, are visiting Christchurch.

A pleasing little function took place last week at the residence of Mrs Butts, Gordon street, when Major. assistant commissioner of St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas, presented Miss Clair Butts with her 12 years’ service medal. The presentation was made at her home' owing to her illness and inability to attend a corps meeting. Beside the neatly worded 'little speech of Major Vine, Mrs Barltrop, lady district officer, Mrs Gaby and Mrs Preston, present and past superintendents, respectively, of the division to which Miss Butts is attached, complimented the recipient on her constancy and loyalty to the order, and the high ideals for which she always stood. Mrs R. D. Colson has returned to New Plymouth from Wellington. Miss Eileen Penn has returned to Taranaki from Wellington. Dr. Doris Gordon (Stratford) - has been staying for a few days with her mother, Mrs Alfred Jolly (Wellington), on her return , from a visit to England and the Continent.

Miss Maggie Briggs, the skilful and plucky lady rider, whose fame has gone far beyond New Zealand, leaves Auckland to-morrow, by the Niagara for California. She will catch a steamer at Honolulu for Los Angeles'direct. She is* to make her first horseback public appearance in the United States at the million dollar horse show parade, which is to be held at Los Angeles next January. Miss Briggs hails fropi Manaia, where she received her “schooling” at the hands of het uncles, Messrs James and Alex. Mitchell.

Miss Phyllis Archibald, the ’'English prima-donna, who recently returned from a prolonged tour of Australia and New Zealand, leaves for America on September 19th to appear m a number of “guest” performances with the San Carlo Opera Company in New York. She has also been engaged to appear with the New York Symphony Orchestra as “The Virgin Mary” in two special performances of “The Children of Bethlehem;” by the French composer, Pierne. Included in the recent Honours LUt in England is to be fdund the name of Dame Louisa Innes Lumsden, LL.D. She is not as well known as she deserves to be.’ Dame Louisa Lumsden ’was one of the first students of Girton College, and the first headmistress of St.. Leonard’s School, St. Andrews, where games were first substituted for “crocodiles” for girls. t

The latest recruit to; the ranks of Labour is Lady Clare ’ Annesley, and she has gone so far that she has been adopted as the prospective Labour candidate for West Bristol. Much real work has been accomplished in the last few years by Lady Clare, who for some time was an , earnest worker among those who were assisting the/children of Russia, and has also worked on the Ruhr as a member of the Women’s International League, which endeavoured to allay the bitterness among the womenfolk of that danger zone. Once again the stage and society will be linked by the marriage of Lady Mercy Greville, the younger daughter of the Countess of Warwick, with Basil. Dean, the well-known theatrical producer. Lady Mercy has been an enthusiastic amateur actress Aince the age of 14, and some time ago took the, part of a maid in the play, “The Lilies of the Field,” then running at the Ambassador Theatre. Lady Warwick, whose work as a social reformer has long been known, has given her daughter a house on her Dunmow estate; FOR ROSE DAY Thore was a good gathering et workers at the Town Hall yesterday busily making, roses for Rose Day. Already a few have been hard at work and one lady has some 400, made by herself and friends, and' there will be a good collection ready for the public by November 11th; During the afternoon a committee meeting was held. Lady Luke presided and there weFe a good many present. Miss Griffiths, the secretary, read a letter from Captain Watson, secretary of the War Memorial Fund, stating that the resolution that Rose Day be carried on by the ladies’ committee in aid of the war memorial fund and care of soldiers’ graves was confirmed at a meeting of the fund committee. An organiser was appointed and it was decided to hold bees for rosemaking on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and on Wednesday evenings at the Town Hall, and it is hoped that as many as possible will come and assist. . The members of tlio executive for tbe day consist of Lady Luke (chairman), Mesdames Marshall, Pow, Parton, Murphy, Keddell, King. Dormer, McKenzie, with Miss Griffiths as secretary.

THE MOVIE BALL

ELABOR ATE DECORATIONS.' '"Those who attend the great movie ball to-night will witness one of the most brilliant functions ever held in Wellington. Last year’s movie ball was the big event of the season, and this year promises to eclipse that of last year. The decorations will be particularly striking, no less than 5000 electric lights will he used; and the stage will represent a castle and lawn, with a fountain playing. There are to be a number of movie and trade sets, the best advertising display, best representation of a theatre, and best representation of a motion picture. In addition there will be individual prizes for representations of Betty Bronson, as Peter Pan; of Harold Lloyd, Laura La Plante, Douglas Fairbanks, as Dor Q ; Colleen Moore, as Sally; Tom Mix, and of Alberta Vaughan, in the “Telephone Girl.” There will also bo a specialty act by Jim Gerald and Reg Hawthorn, by the courtesy of Sir Ben jamin Fuller, Mr John Fuller, and Mr W. Burton. His Excellency the Governor-Genera) has promised his patronage, and will be present with a party from Govern ment House, and invitations have been accepted by the Prime Minister, and Sir Truby King - the ball being given in aid of the Karitane Home appeal. There will be two orchestras, so that ■ dancing will be almost continuous untVl 2 a.m. Transport is being provided by late trams to all the suburbs, and everything has been done by the committee to ensure the full enjoyment and comfort of their patrons. Mr E •T. Righton is president, and Mr T. Valois, is secretary of the function. SALE OF WORK AT KIL6IRNIE Lady Luke opened a Sale of Work yesterday afternoon in aid of the Kilbirnie_ Presbyterian Church. It was held in the new schoolroom, which has recently been erected and organised by the Ladies’ Guild. The guild has already raised about £6OO towards the building, and though it is free of debt, there are many little extras i which are still lequired, and the j Ladies’ Guild has made itself respon- j sible for these. i There weie a number of stalls, and I the decorations were prettily carried ] out. Lady Luke, who kindly consent- j ed to ta,ke the-place of the Mayoress j in opening the bazaar, was accompani- i ed by Miss Norwood. They were re- j ceived by. Mr Gellatly, in the absence of the Minister, and by Mrs McWhannel, president of the guild, who were responsible for the sale, which - will 'be continued this afternoon and evening. A WOMAN ENGINEER Miss Margaret Patridge, B.Sc., the pioneer electrical engineer of England, states - that she finds no difficulty in “bossing” men. “I think that many women in business begin by looking for trouble, and of course they find it. I have never had any trouble with the men of my staff.” This is her statement, though she explains that she would as willingly employ women, but it is difficult to get those who are qualified and who possess the necessary training. To Miss Partridge the future is an electrical one. She thinks that every woman ought to be able to do her own small electrical repairs in the home, and quotes the headmistress of a big girls’ school who considers that this should be included in the domestic science course. A Women’s Electrical Society in London is td consider these and kindred matters. Msss Partrdge, by the way, has her own ideas as to women employees in her profession. “In one way they are slower than men, but they are neater and more cartful,. and therefore there are fewer accidents, and less* scrap’ in a factory, though the output is less than when men only aTe employed. What employers lose in speed, however, they gain in reliability.” Women are employed in the sales department to self and explain electric apparatus to the customers and i others have posts as designers or electrical apapratus. At least one firm is on the look out for girl apprentncea in this occupation. DAY NURSERY MEETING Lady Luke presided over a well-at-tended committee ineeting of the Citizens’ Day Nurseries. In her monthly report the matron mentioned that Lady Burnham and Professor Namai were recently two very interested visitors to the nursery. Lady Burnham was impressed with the appearance of the children and the brightness of the surroundings. It was her desire to see while travelling as much of this class of work as possible, her interest in England being very much engaged in similar societies.

Professor Namai, lifter a visit to England, about twenty years ago, was the founder of the first day nurseries in Japan, where thore is a large population of extremely poor people. There are now many such institutions, and all of tsiem have very large daily attendances. They are apparently, run on similar lines to the day nurseries here. Professor Namai played with the children for a while and appeared much at home with them. *The high attendances recorded last month are being maintained. The girls of the Wellington Technical College have recently taken an active and friendly interest in the Day Nursery, which has been much appreciated by the committee. Last month, as they desired, half of their donation was spent on toys which have given the children a great deal of pleasure. The committee gratefully acknowledge the following donation and gifts: —Wellington Technical College girls £2 11s; Lady Lube, cake; Mrs Hislop, jam; Mrs Gray, fresh eggs ; ; Miss Wood, fruit: .Miss Barnicoat, garments; Mrs Kirk and' Mrs Hodge, fruit; H.B. Trawling Co.,- fish; Mr Rod, meat-

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

The annual re-examination of the members of the Wellington Nursing Division, St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas, took place in the Oddfellows* Hall, Clyde quay, Dr. A. Palmer being the examiner.. All those who sat for their re-examination did good work, and passed well. A few members who were unable to be present on account of illness will be examined at a later date. In connection with the division a home nursing class has been completed at Wadeetown, Dr. Palmer lecturnfg, and- holding the examination. Nine members of the class sat and passed, gaining high marks in the following order: In grade “excellent*’ Miss Pockley (equal), Miss Marcia Pockley, Miss Ruth Pemberton and Miss Ruth Bellett, Mrs Hele.y, and Miss Zena Freeman; a pass. Miss Kathleen Clarke, Miss Lorna McKay, and Mrs Collins. A first aid class is just at an end, held in the rooms belonging to St. Mary of the Angels Church. Boulcott street, with 32 on the roll,' also in connection with this division, under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association, and will be followed by a larger class in home nursing; the members mostly, belonging to the “Children of MarJ%” wh oowe much to Miss Mary O’Driscoll for getting the class together. The St. John Ambulance Association are much indebted to her.