Notes for Women

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12643, 31 December 1926, Page 10

Notes for Women

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Mrs G. Warrender is a Wellington visitor to Christchurch. . Mrs G. D. Dixon, Wellington, is present in Christchurch. Mr and Mrs D.. Manson, Christchurch, passed through Wellington cm their way north, where Mrs Manson will spend a holiday with her sister, in Auckland, while Mr Manson joins Mr Alf. Court’s deep sea fishing party, which is going 'to Russell, Bay of Islands. Mr and Mrs J. W. Mouat, 'of Wellington, are holidaying in Auckland, and later on go tor Russell, where their son will join them. Mrs Livingstone and Miss ' fethel Livingstone arrived from Christchurch yesterday morning, en route to Gisborne on a visit. Mr and Mrs Marmadulce Bethelt, Christchurch, passed through Wellington on their way home afteg a trip to the North Island. Mrs J. E. D. Spicer, of Rerouera, Auckland, is the guest of Mrs C. W. Adams, Lower Hutt. Mrs R. R. Binning and Misa_ Lea Pownall, of Wellington, - are visiting Auckland. ' Mrs L. Fleck, of Wellington, and her son, Mr H. B. Fleck, are visiting Christchurch. Miss Crockett is a Wellington visitm to Christchurch'. Miss E. Bull has arrived in Wellington from Christchurch. Mr P. Selig and " his daughter, Mrs Oscar Josephson, went smith last night. . Mr and Mrs E. P. Moody are Wellington visitors to Christchurch. Mrs T. Lockerbie is on a visit to Wellington from Winton; her daughter accompanying her. Mr P. McCarthy, of f Dunedin, and his daughter arrived, from the south on Wednesday, and left by the Maheno in the afternoon for Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Mr and Mrs S. J. Prendergast have motored through to Wellington from Auckland, and intend returning via Hawke’s Bay at the end of the week. The annual leaders’" conference of the Young Women’s Methodist Bibleclass movement is once again meeting in Wellington, the gathering being domiciled this year at Scot’s College, Miramar. At the'opening session n Tuesday afternoon thirty representatives from the .district unions, tho travelling secretary (Miss Lorna Hodder), and the Young People’s organiser (Rev. E. P. Blamires), were officially welcomed by the Dominion president, Mrs Harvey Cook.. Mrs Cook remarked upon the fact that as the movement owed its origin to the pioneering efforts of Wellington, members it was fitting that the majority year conference. should be held in that city. Members were reminded that they had come apart to work awhile in planning the best yoad to travel that progress miight be assured during. 1927. Greetings were received from .many friends arid from similar organisations Important business dealing with the movement’s attitude -.sWlth regard ~10. social questions and problems Within its own organisation. Was dismissed during Tuesday ‘afternoon and. evening. These business sessions are to bo continued every day, while valuable study and opportunities for fellowship are provided in the programme “which concludes to-morrow, Saturday. CLOTHES MuTtHE WOMAIf Is the home dressmaker-fever idle? Seldom, I think, if ever. For unless one is rich, there is always something to make, to plan, to renovate. To be slack is to be left behind amongst the dowdy—terrible fate! • -a • ■ » A blue crepe de chine frock I saw lately "looked rather smart because it was adorned—on the skirt only—with large motifs of tarnished gold, edged with the narrowest fur.. The bodice was quite plain, .relying for effect on -the very wide bishop sleeves that went so well with the full skirt. • . * '>■ # Don’t forget that' your fancy can run riot in the matter of sleeves on the sole condition that your choice showsclear decision. Narrow or wide as you choose, but nothing of a compromise at the (moment. 'You may literally sweep the carpet with your indoor sleeves and be quite oorfect. r * - * * ■ * . I mean to have one specially gorgeous frock this summer for a wedding that will take place early in' the New Year. And it will ijook Mostly, but be most inexpensive, whidh ,14 just what every good frock Should aim at achieving./It willV be a simple; fairly figurefitting frock of rose-red shantung, and A will present if with a long coat of dull black silk, on which shall'be embroidered one or two: queer Chinese motifs, the kind one sees bn small Chinese mats, all in rose and black and poudre-blue. With this outfit will go a shady black crinoline hat that boasts a fascinating touch or two of soft roses in its trimming . . . one is to be under the brim, the other—well I shall study eneets for it in my mirror. If blue suits you Better, this scheme would he equally entrancing in blue and black, hut a real Chinese blue, remember!

e.• * * At a recent reception we noticed one of Wellington’s smartest matrons wearing a charming frock of the mistiest pale grey, with a long panel exquisitely embroideredin Parma violet. Its sleeves were long and plain and tight, hut had a frill running all the way up their sides to the shoulders so as to produce a wide effect.

PAMPERING PERCIVAL A young man, in full possession of liis teeth, senses, wits and bank-book, is something like an oasis in the desert these days, which probably explains why every young woman is anxious to sit in the palm, tree’s shade. I do not know why women were ever supposed to possess the guile of the serpent, because if you look round these days, their behaviour will strike vou as being anything -but subtle. They’re as transparent as glass, or as Percival’s grey-matter 1 They are out to Slay—a fell purppse gleams in the eye of every one of them.

' Vulgarly speaking, though they may run 'in the “Flirtation, Stakes,” they’ve been trained for that bigger event, the "Matrimonial Cup,” and if they can’t get placed in that, they’ll know the reason why 1 It’s all perfectly comprehensible. Wlio wants to be a surplus woman? One wouldn’t mind so much if people didn’t keep writing to the papers and saying how contented and useful one can, .make one’s life in spite of it. Who on earth wants a useful life if they Can. have a happy one ? To return to Percival, the pampered.

He is just too young to have fought in the war. He is every young man between twenty-one and twenty-six, who spends half his time thinking out artistic colour-blends for his socks, and the other half permitting himself to be flirted with by flappers. He is that pallid • youth you see every morning from your, office window, who drifts wearily into his father’s, office between ten and one, and languidly licks a stamp. This is his morning’s work, and he usually needs a couple of cocktails to pull him together after the strain. We will'call-him Percival—pampered Percival—because it’s a name I’ve always had' a grudge against, and also because it goes so nicely with “P.” I jike alliteration. “P.P.” for short, if you please.

Percival hasn’t twp words to say worth hearing, but everyone listens to him ... everybody feminine, I mean. He’s well-groome-d and moderately well-mannered, and not only flappers, but sensible- and attractive girls hang round him. When he tells some whiskered chestnut that he believes to be a humorous story, at least three admiring young things sit round with eyes that sparkle with interest, and with charming lips prepared to break into a smile at the right moment.

P.P. not realising that soulful expression and enchanting acquiescence are - due to the fact that he belongs to a fast-disappearing .species, attributes it -to his own personal charm, which is f practically non-existent. And he believes himself a wit, sir :-, silvery laughter greets his every word; and a splendid dancer,, since most girls would rather stagger round the room in his unskilful arms than “sit if out;” and a lovable personality, since his, telephone is kept busy with the cooing voices of .young women wanting' to know how he is and saying how niuch they’ve missed him. . . He is none of these things. He is nothing in the world that counts.

He never will be anything, until hit self-satisfaction and complacency, have had-a few rude shocks. He is prosperous and healthy, because he didn’t, lose half his career and most of his health in the war. But the P.P.’s never marry—of their own accord. Eventually they are “caught.” Some artful' little minx, who for all her schemingness is still too good for-- them, circumvents their- cunning and claps them into a bungalow and spends all the money they earn and more that they don’t, and there they jolly well are, and serve them right. They’ll never be man, but really enterprising young women can contrive to make them look like husbands ... Every ..girl i knows what she wants most, hut does the .pcst-war girl realise that she, in her feverish anxiety, to be called Mrs Something-or-Other as soon as possible, has created; this deplorable- race of Pampered Percivals ? • 'Every time she rings a man np (W-hen he hasn’t kept an appointment he should have kept, every time she persists in . writing to him when he has': ceased to answer her letters, every time she flatters and cajoles and hangs round some artless youth in public ... she is not merely being cheap, but also looking supremely foolish* and sacrificing more than a little self-respect, and she is creating the sort of man she herself despises. Men like to do their own wooing. The men jyho've been through the war- years empty handed haven’t sometimes very nvuch to offer, and what they have they’re often ashamed to lay at the modern girl’s feet. And I can improve on the old proverb. Better a vegetarian meal where manliness and pluck and companionship ave —than a stalled ox and a Pampered.. Percival therewith 1 SEPARATEFRIPDS Should married people have separate friends?—needless to say, of the opposite sex—is a question -that crops up continually. It would#hardlv be too much to say that it is.onb which, sooner or later, concerns the minds of every married couple in the land.. * The husband’s platonic admiration and regard for some interesting and delightful “other woman,” the wife’s harmless friendshipi' and tastes in common with some equally delightful “other man”— should these attachments be encouraged or be made the basis of jealousy and “rows?”

The question seems much easier to answer if it is put in a slightly different'way—not “should” but ’can” married people have separate friends? And to that, the inevitable answer is “No!—they can’t!” They can’t, not because friendship is bound to change into love, but because by doing so they are hound inevitably to hurt the partner of their married life. It may he unreasonable, hut after all it is natural, and one can’t go against nature With impunity, no matter who . one may be. The jealousy which husband and wife have of one another is a purely instinctive thing, and is founded on an-emotion deeply rooted in tradition and superstition . . . tho desire to protect the Rome and the family life! If a. man or woman cannot be a mutual friend—then by all means let them he dropped! Married life is a partnership and everything—even ■ friends —must be sharecj-

WELLINGTON WEDDINGS McDONali>-ross. At St. Clary’s of .the Angels’ Church recently, the Rev. Father McDonnell, S.M., solemnised a particularly interesting evening wedding, when Marguerite Lillian (Greta), second daughter of Mrs Ross, Eastbourne, became the bride of Gordon, youngest son of Mrs McDonald and the late Mr John McDonald, Tapanui. Mr W. Ross, uncle of the bride, gave her away, the bridal frock being an intriguing confection of cream satin overlaid with French ivory lace. Richly embroidered, her long veil formed a graceful train, while a Russian coronet of silver lace, iwas studded with tiny crystals and caught with sprays of Lily of the Valley and orange blossoms. Cream rosebuds, azaleas and fern oomposed the beautiful bouquet she carried. The bride’s two sisters, the Misses Violet and Edna Ross, acted as bridesmaids, wearing pretty frofcks of apricot and blue georgette respectively, and each wearing a silver headdress and carrying a dainty bouquet in harmonising tones. Ivory lace and cream satin were chosen for the frocks of the two wee trainbearers, Lois Woodward and Pamela Masken. Mr Charles Hodge, Eostbourne, was best man, and Mr Victor Moore, Christchurch, groomsman. Molly Denton, a tiny cousin of the bride, presented her with a horseshoe of pink heather and silver leaves as she was leaving the church. A reception was held .later at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Clyde quay, when Mrs Ross received her guests in a handsome beaded black georgette gown, a black hat to which a rose of flame panne velvet gave a pretty touch of colour, and carrying a bouquet of red roses. Amongst those present were Miss Elsie Ross, blue georgette- gown beaded in silver and black hat; Miss Olive Ross, mauve leaded georgette and hat to tone; Misses Kathleen and Patricia Ross, apricot crepe de chine; Mrs Hugh McDonald, black satin. When the bride and bridegroom left afterwards, the former wore a handsome ensemble suit of saxe, blue, a close-fitting bat and a chic fox fur. ' JAMES—POTTINGER. A charming wedding was solemnised recently at Khandallah, between Mary, second daughter of the late Mr and Mrs R. J. Pottinger, of Christchurch, aind Arthur Lancelot, only son of Mr and Mrs Arthur James, of Taihape. It was celebrated by the Rev. Ronald S. Watson, M.A., M.C., at the residence of the bride’s brother, • Mr G. M. Pottinger, “Torwood,” Khandallah, only relatives and intimate friends being present. Iceland poppies in shades of pink and gold contributed very effectively to the decoration of the rooms, and. the wedding group stood beneath a floral hell, suspended ] by pink and white ribbons. Music j appropriate to the occasion was ren- , dered by Miss Clarke. " ( The bride’s charming frock was of , filmy beige georgette and lace, fashioned on simple, becoming lines, and worn with a tulle veil- of the same shaded, lightly caught to -the head with ’ a coronet of orange blossom. Gold shoes and stockings and an artistic bouquet of gold-tinted ras?s and lilies offered a harmonious contrast 1 in colouring. She was givqn away by her brother, Mr G. N. Pottidger. Mrs T. Kincaid, of Taibape attended her as matron of honour,, wearing a frock of ivory .georgette distinctively .beaded in crystal, a cluster of pink roses at one shoulder ton-' ing with those in her wide-brimmed hat of beige straw. Her bouquet was of shaded pink roses and fern. A diminutive flower-girl, Prudence Pottinger, the bride's niece, was also of the group, in a prettily embroidered pink and white organdie frock, and carrying a posy of mauve and pink flowers. The duties of best man were undertaken by Mr Harry Rathbone, of Waipavva. . Miss Phyllis Pottinger, the bride’s sister, as hostess, had chosen a becoming frock of floral georgette worn with a blue crinoline straw hat, while blue and pink sweet peas composed her bouquet. The handsome frock of the > bridegroom’s mother, Mrs James, was of black satin, worn with a mauve scarf, touches of the same colour relieving her black hat. t She carried a bouquet of shaded pink roses. Mr James was also present, and other guests included Mrs F.‘J. G. Wilkinson, of Christchurch, Mr Frank Laurenson, Mr and Mrs Colin Munro, Mrs R. J. Smith (Taumarunui), Mrs Kiernan (Wellington). Before leaving on the wedding trip to Auckland, the bride donned a becoming jumper suit of rose crepe de chine, worn with a squirrel necklet and a close-fitting liat of rose ribbon. Her coat of navy repp was smartly tailored. Wrinkles banished in one week. Coman method —not massage. Call for particulars, or send stamped and addressed envelope: Mrs Hullon. next to Post Office, Courtenav place, Wellington (telephone 22-070). Also at Auckland.—