SASSIETY SPICE

NZ Truth, Issue 571, 27 May 1916, Page 2

SASSIETY SPICE

BY "LADY DOT"

'"Dot" notices with pleasure the recognition by the Hon. Minister for Internal affairs of the Women's National Reserve. This body is now registering women and girls who are competent to undertake the work of: (1) Shorthand typistes; (2) typistes only; (3) ordinary clerks. The final date upon which registration may be made is June 12. The one great stumbling block m this otherwise admirable step, is the suspicion existing m the minds of many deserving, m fact needy, girls applying for ■•work, that those who are closely In touch socially with the executive will have unfair, opportunities of securing billets on which they are not dependent. This was the case m connection with women and girls m the Base Records Department. The greedy rich are out after more every time and allow their daughters to compete with soldier's wives, mothers and daughters, who are' m dire need of the cash. In connection with this branch of the National Reserve "Dot" is informed that several women— trained teachers — are giving up a portion of their time m the training of girls and women for positions m the public service, who are not able to pay the fees now charged by the different commercial collegesand schools. Some one sent m a list of these students and underlined certain names, and gave the fathers' incomes and callings, which prompted "Dot" to make this public protest. She asks that when any girl or woman is registering for employment, that her father's name, address, profession or calling should be entered also, and inquiry be made to determine whether the applicant needs employment, and still more, whether she Is entitled to free tuition m the Reserve Commercial Classes., The names of two or three girls attending these classes at the present time are the same as those of men employed in> good positions m this city who should be ashamed to allow their girls to accept free commercial tuition and so enter into competition with women who are m dire straits owing to the war. • - "Dot" hopes someone, will cut this out and send it to Dr. Daisy Platts Mills, who is m her element m reserve work; and also to Mrs. Porter, who is likely to have her kind heart strings pulled by non-deserving people. It is difficult to say how many deserving women are at present suffering m cruel silence.

Those favored 300 who journeyed out to Vrentham camp by special train and at the invitation of the Hon. James Allen, had a most interesting afternoon's experience. The run out and back was m pleasing: contrast with that miserable trip to Featherston camp on a previous week. The Rimutaka incline and tunnels are emblematic of the maddest bit of engineering m the history of bur railways. They neglected to use an easy gradiant, and one through much more fertile country. However, it Is Trentham camp we are on now and not Peatherston. The- train steamed into the camp siding arid emptied its cargo right m front of the hospital which boasts a little garden and most cheerful outlook. "Dot" noticed there were several gmtrds about, standing stiff and stony, and looking quite the real thing. The Defence Minister had most thoughtfully provided a programme, and all the 300 followed their leader and saw each exhibition carried out m record time. Pontoon bridge building , and rafts provided the first Item, and the way ia which awkward barrels were lashed together and. made into bridge supports In a brace o' shakes was wonderful. The next Item was occupation and relief of trenches, advance and capture of every trench with bombthrowing accompaniment preceded by a gas attack which made women present gasp with horror as they saw the cloud springing from flame, grow, and roll over to the boys m the trenches In a huge volume of spreading vapor. This, of course, was harmless, but I one could easily picture the awfulness of the Hun gaß outrages and our lads suffering untold agonies m their efforts to repel attacks and yet exist at all. "Thirty seconds rifle lire" seemed unendurable for any greater length of time. In fact one could easily imagine that 30 minutes was the actuul [ time and not seconds. No wonder our returned men are suffering so much from shattered nerves and shock! The target practice was a very Interesting Item, and as the little discs disappeared quite quickly one could easily conclude that the men of the 13th '-Reinforcements will given good account of themselves when they meet Germans or Turks. "Dot" is sorely ufraid that she and some of her "chums" enjoyed watching the breaking- In of th« latest recruits. The "awkward squads" were lold off In Kinall drafts of eight and then the fun began. "Eyes right" brought four pairs of eyeH to the "right." three to the "left" and one was too ncured to do anything but pur.c at the Rlrls. When It 'cume lo "form fours" there, weft sundry bumps and collisions and a bunch to unentangle. "Quick march" waa an exhibition of "might over mind;" one boy lifted ills feet high m the air and reminded "Dot" of "string hall" In a hon»e or else (whisper It low), he | had had German gooae step drill. AnI other scarcely raised hla feet from the ground and ho got out of step. All I must have been devoutly thankful when dismissal canto. The wonderful Improvement wrought lti m<?r\ by discipline and trulniiiK wus i clearly dirKTermiblt? vi Trent hum, when* I the newest recruits and those ready for embarkation were all to be neon and. compared. Only ihuu can the ordinary individual learn for himself what Is being done nt the training j'cumpK for our HoUllerK. A rather smart trick wax played by someone m marking afternoon tea uh for 1.30 a.m. and then giving the elite the wink to go In half an hour earlier. Meanwhile the iroopn Mtood or sat m ease waiting for the favored one* to drink their teu without being crowded and then enjoy the march jmat. I The spectacle of 4000 men all miiKveU j and then marching pa hi In nalute to I the K&y wiralns from the Trentham band wax an ltnpo»inß one.. The boys when released ut once rimhed to iheJr huts ami Binru-d taking m their stretchers, bedding and kiln which had been .standing outside all duy In the sun. .Some mothers ventured remarks to th<* effect that bedding should be m tfoorn not later than mi it "Net or there would be dire ennsequenoea. Perhap* they were only nut for lnni>ee.tlon. At i nny rate i«verythin)c appealed u.n it j should be In Trentham camp.

Whilst writing of c!ini|)», "Dot" want* to kuuw if thi< powiTK that lv» an» nwaro tluu ICOO m«.» on iuj nv«'rajfn l!n« up h»ul huy Utcnl nt ih« tunK't-n m l-Vuthrinlon vncH nwnl m profomicn to hiivlnv: It m camp? If ho. wli«t In «li-nc« with tlifir rutkmft? Why | f s n<>\ i.tfiMHT hiuJ ntii it«TVOfI out wjih niv r;.!i«? The titmv mul jjruvy tx milted. hut men liJiV'. 1 to buy It for iubl<« u,h»- «>r i!U ftKui wiUiutn, A vt-ry urnuM AHuntiiy <>< sugur b put In the fun idgo and tcit

—all m one huge cauldron and no other sugar ration is, or aver lias been issued. ' For the married man who lias only retained a shilling per day from his pay, the purchase of salt and pepper and perhaps sugar makes his lot rather hard. "Dot" knows from a political "chum" of hers that inquiries have been made about this, and the reply from the camp authorities was, that so many thousand ounces of pepper and salt were issued daily. They are not and never have been issued : dry to any man m the ranks. The absence ot the sugar ration sends 1 the "sweet tooths" to the canteens for every drain of tea and coffee they use. The question arises, what becomes of the rations which are not issued? c -••■■• Quite a number of women m the middle •'forties" look hale and well, especially so at fifty years of age. "Dot" Telt inquisitive as to the reason of this, which was more particularly noticeable m women who were' connected with quite a number of institutions and various public bodies. The reply of two or three may probably suffice for most of them. "I take time as soon after lunch as possible to lie on my bed at perfect ease, and rea<l until I perhaps fall into tv hnlf doze. 1 never actually sleep and never rest more than half an hour, usually only 20 minutes. By this means my heartand mind (to say nothing of feet and legs) get a much- needed rest." Now this woman has borne several children and had many hard fights with fortune. She walks much and well, but never slowly: she works at high tension for many hours daily and stf 11 finds time for literature and philanthropic work. Women should remember that the twenty minutes daily repose means years of added life just at the period when many a one sinks Into melancholia or the grave. It means the golden years of motherhood when her children are making new nests and filling them up with nestlings which need grandma's care and help. ■ The grown-up family is proud of I mother, because "she wears so "well." I "She is a handsome old lady" and so on. Therefore you silly drudges who "can't possibly spare time," make time and rest each day. * * ♦' ; As jet is once more m vogue, a lovely evening gown may be made out of black ninon or jute net ornamented with jet beads. . A three-gored foundation skirt of silk as a substitute and two deep full [ flounces of net with, an insertion ot ! lace about six inches deep m which the pattern has been outlined with jet. • The blouse is full and plalrivwith j swathe belt and sash and worn with a lace bolaro which has also been worked m jet, and a piece of the same showing as a vest. A very high medici collar is outlined with large jet beads which continue down the front to the waist. The sleeves are placed m a deep cuff of the jet patterned lace. The effect will be good and handsome and provide work for winter evenings.

, On y the pavement promenade "Dot" has noticed a handsome young matron wearing a fawn gabardine suit with soft velours hat to match. She is a treat to look upon and hails from the country, ' A wee shy prospective bride is wearing a mouse-colored velours made with short, close sac sbat, plainly trimmed at neck and wrists with dark fur. A close- fitting hat of same color and material boaat of Just one largo .red (lower m front. A well-known frequenter of the ParHamontary Ladies' Gallery is wearing a grey fawn suit and felt hat to match. An M.P's. wife is wearing a khaklcorded cloth and felt hat with red, white and blue ribbon band, A pretty "miss" hailing from the South Island, wore a royal blue nlnon and pretty plain black velvet hat, A matron Is wearing a violet- flecked cloth suit and felt hat to match. A stylish Auckland lady is wearing a pretty black cloth suit made a-la-niJlJtaJro with braid and buttons and a topper hat with a black coca.de of feathers at the side. Waists are gradually creeping upwards so far as frocks are concerned. The bunchy, no-walat effect is Just the thing; but m suits the contrary is the case, and long lines make a pleasing picture. Tailors are In a seventh heaven of delight over tho graceful threequarter or seven-eight lengths, and dressmakers revel m fluted "basques, startling collars and cuffs and wide revers. The collars to be ulira-faahlon-able must envelop the chin and Just show the mouth. i ♦ ■ • • An amusing story is going tho rounds Juat now concerning a k-nut. his film- j ily and another family of wealthy but ] rather passe girls. He had been away from the Dominion for somo years and It wmj desirable In the eyo« of his j family that he should settle down and make a good match. His mother and j slßlern told him of the wealth, etc.. of ! Mlhh So-und-So and her slaters. "But ] bo very careful never to allude to ages" waa Single's mgn advice. "Uq awfully i sweet to them and pull their leg* as much an you like." Well, they met — all but one of tho maidens, who was abamu from home. The hopeful son and brother rushed Into hl« ulster's drawing-room, and not perceiving n stranger In the window ernbroaure, proceeded thimly: Well, Sis, I pulled their logs connld- j erably and was sweet as pie, but why on earth did you not tell m« that Mlsßt>H ~ — had run to seed? I may get üßt>d lo Jano and her ea«h. but Lord jfivo a chap plenty of time." Hlh horrified sister managed to »tern tho torrent after a while, und HUimmered out an introduction to the wistor of tho "Seedß" he had been ho eloquently tk'.scribin;,'. Now the. families don't upenk und refer to each other a» "vulK»h nobod luh."

"Dol" Htot a hint that tbe Mllltury Service Bill wu« due on Wodnosduy night and «he hastened uloni; to "Purleymlnt" and met erowdH of men nrul women wedged In on the stair* unable to Kitin udmlHßion. YVHh a frlond at court ".Dot" wn« able to get i «hie on a "h«»ui«»r" where even John t'uyne'M nudaciotiM atinck« tuid rcjoindern failed to tnako her forffft the «»- canny senKiuton of slulni; on n «tc«mIjuller with the lid off. The Hill duly mudtf it** uppuurnnee by CJovernor'K mentfUKe And then iliwippisirod to bo printed. The I'.-nKiona lull Uhmj eawc on and Mr. Hlmlmuivh thumlered awuy fur more con.«tUlen»tio» \<> the widow, and still more for the children. Sir J»jM»ph look a i urn and warned the Hou.ne thai It wan juat uk well to provlrlo pt'nstons tltnt wt> arc able to puy ut»d wull until t|»t? wt»r i« iivor to ttt«iU«> In-tter provision for pen»ion».. Mr. lxitt then entered the' ilrlnn line, uui »n»f<!Ht v huDibardnient front John I'ayne, omphatienlly prutet>tcd aK.itn«l two mlllionx » yc<»r IkWuk n«{UH»jder«.»d (•ri drink, and another tw<» rnlUloitw nn hor-iie (uciit(»'. tt> my n«th(n« tUigut pleturt« Mlunvrt. Nelxm'rt Midget Field Him wild hl« pii-i;e :1 1 j » t .John l'nyne ••i>ir»iUil« ( d. '■quit" rl«ht. brother" In «iHi(«lun to th<> ,\j««lhotl)-i» parson -like *stylo of the epettker.