THE LADIES' CHAIN Facts and Fiction for Femininity

NZ Truth, Issue 849, 25 February 1922, Page 2

THE LADIES' CHAIN Facts and Fiction for Femininity

(BX MARY B. CONTRARY)

Don't these telephone girls bite your ear off when the weather is crook and they have to entertain their boys indoors, within sound of papa. Womanlike, they take any excuse to talk back. "M.8.C." is ai firm believer m maintaining X?ao purity of the English language, and wanting 3445 the other day, asked for it, only to get the rebuke* courteous over the line, "You mean three double-four five." "M.8.C." pointed out that there was no such figure as "double-four" m the bright lexicon of her mathematical youth, and that she wasn't playing dominoes or two-upi but had to be content with the answer over the wire, "Well, that's our rule here." Wlhich put us m a hole. "Truth's" number is 2223. Now if "M.8.C." wishes to ring up and bite the manager for a "bit on account," must she ask for double-two two three or for two double-two three ? Also with 3333, -•- it three double-three three, double-three three three, or double-three double-three ? Prefer the old twice one are two stunt to juggling with jflgurfes like Ole Bill.

Which reminds us that the telephone girls have their side of the case, too, at times. Apropos : One cold mornirvr recently paterfamilias lifted the telephone receiver from the hook and proceeded to address himself to Central just as his little daughter toddled m to the hall, fresh from bed. Pausing in' -his' .call, he . remarked' to little Midge, "Good morning,, my dear. I hope you. have nice warm undies- on." Next day he received a dignified letter from the telephone authorities protesting against the impertinent and familiar manner m which he had addressed the -telephone girls. After all, with a) telephone m your fist you never know who you are talking to.

There is certainly something m the 1 seaside air to rejuvenate one. Since Wellington has rejoiced m a spell of bright sunshine, . the girls (old arid young) have been sporting themselves on the surf-boards at Lyall Bay. The "uplifts" think the bathing suits worn by the surfers are much too abreviated. They do shrink horribly, don't they? Still, what's wrong with bare legs 7 -! m the bath, and the surf is the community bath. Some of the "plump" girls do look as though they have come too far through their costumes. Some very smart rubber hats are worn by the bathers, the shades matching the gowns. The combination of the various colors at the beach is very pleasing to the eye, especially the riiasculine eye.

At Muritai last week a most awful looking congep eel was landed from the fishermen's catch. "', One of the bystanders, saw the horrible gash iri its head and was told that a marlin spike was always used to dispatch these troublesome fish. A further query as to their use, brought forth the information that they are smoked and sold m the fish-shops as "hake." Surely this is an infringement of the law. What are the- authorities going to do about it ?

Whilst, at the Mayoral reception to the massed bands the other day, "M.B.C" took advantage of the occasion to inspect the elaborate Mayoral : chain that hung over R. A. Wright's verandah, aiid noted an omission that is worth l-ecording. In past years it has been the' privilege of the retiring Mayor to add a fresh link to the chain when vacating office; The last to avail himself of this distinctly appropriate * method of planting "footprints on the sands of time" was Mr. ,W. Tt.. Rhodes, the link be.ing presented, by . Mrs. - Rhodes .when-*vthe' Ortslow * . Borough- . Council joined Great"eivJW!ellihgto"nt., Since then there 'has been' a succession of Mayors, but no added links. Probably Messrs. "Vv^ilford, McLaren and jjuke forewent their privilege strictly as a war economy, but Mr. Wright will doubtless do the right thing .and add his little chapter to this historic souvenir, m the ! shape of another jewel to commemorate his term of office.

At a swell wedding which took. place at Timaru lately, the bride — who possessed m those days a foreign name — and' hor attendants figured m the ceremony with uncovered hands. This caused a lot of comment, ai\d all sorts of reasons were put forward as to the cause of it. Some said it was an economy stunt, while others held it was swank. The real reason was that an argument ai-ose as to whether it was correct or not, and the advocates of the former carried the day. For the benefit of budding brides "Mary" would say that the correct form is to haye the hands gloved. But, nevertheless, the Timaru id.ea is an improvement, for it would do away with the confusion that regularly is noticed at the altar when the,*, chief bridesmaid struggles to get the glove off the left hand of the bride.

We are getting on. Every day mere man finds that women are becoming increasingly useful. The Wellington Golf Clvb — that toney circle which has its club house and links at Heretaunga — recently, appointed a lady secretary m the person of Mips Greta Ewan. Members declare that the young lady is a great improvement on past officials, and everything is m smooth -working order. . Golf is played more at Heretaunga m summer than it is m winter, and it is a wonder that this is not, the case with other clubs. There is really no summer m New Zealand, and the good old game should be played all the year round. v

"Mary" was m a grocer's shop last week and noticed that brown eggs were marked dearer than white eggs'. On asking the reason of this the reply was received that the elite will always pay more for brown eggs, which, are preferred to white. Wonder do these foolish ones know how the eggs are made -brown ? This is not always their natural state. The brown is obtained by soaking the eggs overnight m cold tea. This effectually stains them and the color will not come out m the boiling. What does Mrs. Kelt) urn think of this?..,

A wedding of more than ordinary interest took place last week, when Miss Mary Clifford, daughter of . Sir George Clifford, was married m the private 7 chapel .at ■■'••Stonyhurst," her father's station. The bridegroom wa.'s Mr. George Macdonald, who belong*, to a toney family m Christchurch, and, of course, all the ' snobocmcy from'' far, and near were present. The bride, who is a highly accomplished .young lady, and is also a keen sportswoman, was dressed .m most becoming style. '.'She wore a beautiful dress of chantilly lace mounted on satm with swathe sash of yellow satin tied m long ends, falling below the hem oi the skirt. SJie carried a shower bouquet of yellow roses and hothouse flowers, and, wore a lace, veil, the gift Of "the Sisters, of Mount Magdala, by. whom "it had been worked. It was an appreciation of the many kindnesses received from Sir George Clifford, who is jf great benefactor of "the Sisters. The baronet gave away his daughter, ahd her sister, Miss June Clifford, bridesmaid. ' ... ■■.:'■.■'■'-'?*' ■''