DEMURE, BUT DANGEROUS SPRING'S CHARMING HATS

NZ Truth, Issue 1198, 15 November 1928, Page 19

DEMURE, BUT DANGEROUS SPRING'S CHARMING HATS

Jottings of a Lady About Town Soulful Strains Y"* RATTERS to Leon do Mauny, "who recently introduced Wellington, ovi»r the air and m the concert chamber, to its -first, symphony orchestra, Fifty-five instruments, going at full JU'f.'iin, liiiike up the symphony, and the V. r -el\ingUm Broadcasting Company is i'iM) to be congratulated for the conit showed m .giving up its '■silent uigln";jToi- the purpose- of helpin:; along Jj.de .Mauny' s first night. The whole thing Avas a, success, largely because th'e "conductor — who is a noted and enterprising musician — wasn't afraid, as are so many New" Zeaiandevs; to give ' his brass instruments their head now and again. Madame de Mauny is a pianiste of Tine execution' and delighted with her rendering of one concerto; another very well-received item was the "Finlandia" of Sibelius. The symphony orchestra, before its opening night,' attracted interest and curiosity from music- lovers m. Wellington arid most people will.' by now feel satisfied that it is going to add much color to the musical life of the' city. : # ■ * •#■ Red Cross Reports THE Red Cross societies, both senior and junior, seem to have been, getting m a : large amount of work, to judge by the annual reports which have, recently been laid on their respective tables. , Manifold .are the activities of these bodies, from' the distribution eff health propaganda to the staffing of a firstaid station at the late lamented Winter Show. Everyone seems -. very pleased . with the progress made and convinced that at long last Wellington is getting some ideas on sanitation and hygiene. The Red Cross nurse and her comrades are almost showed under with the work which last winter piled high on their desks. ; i A very valuable factor m the health education of our country's youth is the junior Red Cross organization, which has its own small journal, sends around toys and clothing for sick children, replenishes a "Mother Hubbard's' Cupboard" with goods which the poor may need, and m many other ways teaches our youngsters the fine art of thinking for those weaker than themselves. ■ ■'.•'..'*• '•' *#'■-*' Welcoming Mrs. Wallis MEET Mrs. Wailis, widow of New 1 Zealand's old friend, Bishop Wallis; the lady has recently returned by the "Mataroa" from England, and who hath intent to make, her home m our midst. She is no stranger to Wellington, for just twenty-one years ago she was one of the proud parents of the Women Students' Hostel, where many a Varsity or Training College lass has parked her powder-puff. In 1911, the Wallisses decided to see England first, and" sailed hence bound for the Rainy Isles. Apparently the climate, and all that, harmonized, for they became permanent residents, and it was only, the Bishop's regrettable death which decided' Mrs. Wallis to have another look at New Zealand. She has arrived at a rather opportune moment, for the hostel mothers, big sisters and small daughters intend, drinking, everyone's health at a twenty-first birthday party which is to happen along this, month. Everyone is hoping that;-Mrs. ' Wallis ' will decide to take a further 'active' part m the movement which she inspired. * ■'; «. '■ * Alys, Where Art Thou? MOTICE m our good old passenger *™ lists that Mrs. A. S. Duncan is home again, having seen the matrimonial knot tied m best Boy Scout fashion between daughter; ' Alys and Ralph Tritton, of Lyons Hall, Cnelmsrf ord. .'■.-'.. Most Wellington folk will regret the passing of one of the most interesting of our younger set. Alys, m spite of the fact that she hadn't been ' long I "out" always seemed to^ be- taking : a major part m something, from wearing a bridesmaid's gown to being a large part of the life and laughter of a cabaret party. " < I Naturally, everyone ' who'd ever j heard a kiwi call- or had seen a fern wave, clustered around to her wedding i and remarked on the sweetness of the ] ivory lace gown. In New Zealand, Alys would probably have had half a dozen. girl pals fighting for the bridesmaid post, but being far from the land, she contented herself with a wee Kate Greenaway flower girl, who goes by the pretty name of Rosemary Bevan. The wedding, from all accounts, was a big success, and Mrs. Duncan must feel rather lonesome at returning here with no daughter attached.

Frills Flutter YOUNG man doing deadly work with a saxophone— waitresses m Dutch caps and tight-bodiced, strawberry pink uniforms — rainbow , curtains fluttering at the window, and a multitude of matrons and maids trying their best to look as if they'd been born with lorgnettes firmly clasped m their fists — there you have the setting for the fashion parade Avhich was staged, a while back, ' at the Adelphi Cabaret, Wellington. ' . ,' ' Most of the mannequins were 'finalists m the Miss New Zealand business. Vee Edwards- looked very stately m her war-paint, and Isobel Wilson petite and fetching, m. debutante things. There; were two fair strangers, one of whom specialized m the sort of bob that the Pola Negri person, {late of American : screen fame, favors— black : curl's growing wild almost to shoulder length. ■•'-...; 'Spose it's all right, but most husbands would nip m with the {shears whilst the wearer slept. . .. •

The other had evolved a really| dainty mode; of arranging ..'curls— ha irp swept straight back from .a pretty . forehead, o,n.e ear left , bare, , : and ; the other' 1 hid den ■under a- cluster of curls, which, also twined affectionately round the.ttape of the lady's neck.', . '" • ; ■ '£

Furs/ frocks, handbag's and hats were the main events .of .the day. 'Some of the' wraps 'were-, very cove table,' and m only one case did Bunny appear naked and unashamed— in a little coat with narrow oblong panels of the fur worked up into a very chic design. Black and deep brown were the favorite tints, deep.collars of skunk being much used. Even' with our furs, the. "slimming line" is. to be seen, the fur usually being cut into tiny, narrow panels which,' 'sewn lengthwise, remove the bulky effect of the old-fashioned fur coat., '; ■ '■ :s ■

The wrap-over style is also much seen;" one lovely wrap of white fur had deep collars, cuffs and borders of the same shade, and was lined with shining gold brocade.

Frocks— by the armful! The lady of the-- clustering curls floated- in wearing a pink georgette frock highly decorated with -blue and silver beads, over which nodded a- big black straw hat, very plain, but slashed. 1 into an openwork design at the side. Brims are interesting this season. Most of them are lopsided — very brief over • one eye, and almost all-concealing by the time they get round 'to .-the' other. ,

A very pretty idea is a brim which slopes upward, revealing, the wearer's brows and forehead. This was shown m a little black hat, its crown decor-, ated with a posy of .flat many-colored velvet flowers. , S-.-' „ ■■.'• '

, A very yam pish}* lady— sort who'd look well with a bUjck neglige and longjade cigarette hoi d.e'r— - made a hit m a black georgette, ensemble, m which, the gracefully flared Irock ■ opened into a peaked vest of. jade- green, 'this reaching the w;aist-iine. , i ■■■ .;. • ■■

One. of Tsobel's prettiest scenic effects, was- a white evening 'frock — its peaked bodice one of embossed chenille velvet, and its three-tier skirUflaringinto a' multitude of diaphanous net peaks. . .'■■•.-..■■■'''

This was worn Avith silver shoes and a dewy-innocent 'air. and brought the few males present tumbling from their perches of aloof? disdain like winged pheasants. - .'..■'■

Another black' dress — worn under a coat of Vich brown fur, had the novel bolero effect, and tight sleeves which at wrist length evolved, into gauntlet cuffs. .Flares or. French pleatings seem' to be our .only options to-day, and the moulded hip-line, * which creates a slightly pouched , effect m front and is very "slimming," : is i much favored by tho^e who feel as 'young as they look — and more. - ■

V Glad -rags "'for-' the' sweet young thing aren't wanting-, however. There was an apricot georgette, its tight bodice trimmed with liries'of seed pearls, and the full petalled skirt rejoicing m great ■ chrysanthemums of bronze sequins. tfn another, the short circular yoke of saYmoti georgette Avas attached by gold lacings to a tight bodice of cloud-blue taffetas, the . waistline | being defined with' great flat roses of lame. Another, 'of apricot shot satin, had an interesting effect of bars of lace 'running horizontally, for jts full length, and interspersed witH blue polka clots. The,, neatest handbag was a little brownVohe made m cylindrical shape. Most were 1 , larger, and a pretty black one has an ivoi'y inset. Inez -Connop and her partner, Mr. Cottier, 'shook, nimble heels m an exhibition- dance described with some justice 'as "The • Charleston Skate." Skate was the precise word. ; Inez,' :\yho is small, slim and dark, was quite, an interesting exhibit m the fashion ;way herself. She. wore one of the new waxed hair toques^— black and close-ntting-^-with a- little pleated frock of black, georgette trimmed with cherry- cojoifed velvet, bows.

BROOM AND DUSTERS IN PARLIAMENT

Quite a few good folk thronged along to hear Miss Preston Stanley, pioneer Woman M. P. of the New South Wales House, tell Wellington women what's what m Parliament — and why. Miss Preston Stanley is tall, robust, and pleasant-faced, with fine dark eyes full of humor and 'sparkle.

SHE'D need it all, too, judging by what she; told us of the wiles of

' wicked nien over m New South Wales. She was wearing a jumper suit of beige crepe de chine, finely pleated as to skirt, and matched with a. brown straw toque,' cut with th'e helmet -crown. ' ;

Mrs. Evans, lady president of tire t Wellington'^ W.C.T.U., introduced the i" speaker, and at trie same time men- I tioned a thins: or two that she -wanted badly to know*. For instance— our own ) lady candidates might find the infer- i mat-ion useful— just how does a girl, get into Parliament? And, mcidohcai- v iy, Just why' didn't she stay put,' when, t once elected? . (1 ■ To .both _. these questions, Miss Pres- v ~£6ri~Staniey" "gave answers exceeding v pertinent. She got into Parliament c because, at tile time of her election, c women had a brain wave (temporary, c sad to say) and realized that if they c didn't look after themselves, nobody i else would. There were burning questions under discussion. The infantile mortality of New South Wales was far too high. The .maternal mortality was absolutely appalling— ho fewer than 300 mothers dying annually, m place of the 37 who

would have been considered a normal rate.

It was disclosed that medical students, with only . three weeks' experience of mateivnity cases, .were sent out to be m sole charge of sucn cases, far from any' other "medical men. , A Chair of Veterinary Science was established 'at' the university, wiiiie neither a Chair of Professorship m Midwifery was afforded. Tne' cry went around: "Horses' rights for women." Miss Stanley was m the -forefront of the battle. Two. other matters oC iinpoi'ta'nse were the complete absence of any Mental Detectives' Bill— the State 'having no control over the half-wit, the pervert, or the feeble-minded after these unfortunates had reached the age of eighteen years — and that - ** of the custody of children follow- , « ing upon a Jjk\

divorce m which no . misconduct on Cither side has-been cited as cause.

A case which set all New South Wales aflame was that of Emelie Pqlini, the actress,, described by the judge aa a "woman of unimpeachable moral character"- whose married life went to shipwreck through the conduct oC a, 'husband admitted even by his defending: counsel to be "weak and shiftless." ;' Nevertheless, when the mother claimed tne custody of her little dauy-nteiy she was informed that the State law was different from that of England, whce "the meie wishes of the mother wore taken into consideration." At the same time, an unmarried mother is' kindly given the complete guardianship *• of and responsibility x for her baby, with the exception of the ten

jj^^^C&V/y^ CAY what you like, they're FSE/ ° cheeky— these tiny toques ' NJSIM h which . snuggle close to one's shingle, cut lit j up .to reveal a piquant glimpse of arched eyebrows and ||S $ sparkling eyes. But Milady of the Spring can be dreamy, W fi too— as witness the wistful expression of the young thing IP ,| m the wide-brimmed hat .above. Perhaps she's wondering ||{j k t just what her Lord and Master will have to say about ||j J| the price of the frocks- shown at either side— one of red and ip 3 white crepe de chine, polka -dotted (I suppose our frocks Wi will be having the heebie-jeebies next) , arid the other just , W I; what is needed for the evening party — a slim, classic gown ', P| | of black velvet and gleaming silver tissue. , JK

, shilling's a week maintenance which she may possibiy succeed m extracting from the father.

On the crest of this wave of feminine feeling, Miss Preston Stanley went into. Parliament — there to receive, a square, deal neither from her own party nor from her opponents. "Take it from me," she' says, "no party wants a woman.' It takes" very fine material to stay three or four years m Parliament—and "not come' out worse than you went m."

In "spite of opposition from the dyed-in-the-beard brotherhood of the House, Miss Preston Stanley continued gamely at her job till the downfall of the Lang Government. It was, she says, her 'stand against the retraction of .six' ' 6'clock v closing which really brought against her such a heavy combination that her re-election was impossible. . ' , " There are still dreams ' unrealized and goals unattained — but Miss Preston Stanley «is still young and still intensely confident m the ultimate . sue-' cess of w'omen's political movements.

Her real ideal is neither a womanruled nor a man-ruled world, but both a man and a woman to be returned from- every electorate.' ' :

The Radio Fairies I "THE voice with a smile" has disappeared from New Zealand since j we've been putting pur pennies into the slots of the automatic telephone. But a very good substitute is the cheery voice* which speaks night after might over the wireless to. thousands of round-eyed listeners^sonie of .them children sick m hospital, others lonely, and all glad enough to hear of the I radio fairies and other' wonders which the Radio. Broadcasting . Company '."of New Zealand keeps m stock. Most.;of us are on familiar radio terms with tiiicle Ernest, Auntie Gwen and Cousfn.t'Gieorge, and the" small folk for whom' Children's hour". forms a bright spot inffche day : . must have drawn their own nveritai. pictures of their radio friends^'' ,:';,, .— • ': ■ Uncl.o.' ' Ernest; wears horn-rimmed spectacles suid\ a>> cheery smile, and sspends^lioursf of' his., days hunting out fairy-taj'es and wee\ snatches of fairy poetry^for the benefit of his audience. Aunt Gwen looks hardly old enough to quaiify/'as a fullrgi'own aunt.. She is slim atiil trill and dark^-eyed, and wears the pretty, frocks'^ that children love. Her nanVe,;.iri. ieaj Jite^- is Miss .Gwen Shepheriti, and Uncle 1 Ernest emerges as J\lr:>Weeks, Cousin; George is a' ! secret. .',';■'•, V, : - T ■'.■''■ \.-. -'.- '■' "'•.'■.■■' At first he didn't .want a name at. all, preferring -to ■■remain merely a mysterious^.Vpiee.- But the radio fairies pointed, put 'that 'this was ' hiost>' unsociable, so ; \Gousin; George .he .duly became^ .''■-'* ■.*/'"';/ .. • v';-- •/■■■ • Meet .all tWsefrgpod •_■"* folk! tin ; one of their b^oadca'stii^-Aexpeditions.: VNot alwas's' 'ai*e .Hie'^Vildren's hour, .gales', told f^'pYn th,^': ■studio .m. Feathe'rston Street, i fc S.oihetimos the t small; people of some uVlije ;.oV 'oVphanage. ; ; wbrk>v ; cry hard byfer'"'iV^J?'t!Pffra'i[nme,.'ain.4^tiveVx3 T dib' fairios /Hfit; -&/: . : hear about ..it.. in 'ilieir owu. Avis^^a^i •,;;..^r v /'V-': **'h-.';.-'.--Ay cai^'^i^res' ' Jiip,; .^'jth tlje : ' x 'slei3cler ■poi;tabie' l^l^^h'.&ne'-aTj'd; / a;-^%ta'chjp'e'ni; of aiuits3!aiiiid|s;un'cles .ln r side^and^.v&ry soon ea.git-|^)Ui}:i&/^yoJrjiieH'f Me: 'hftying their tu s■&!&s&&s&ss ;^%^t^^c;hU{iten. for last :''Aveck's expedition.. Very bright-- eyes awaited the command to "Sing yip, boys!": and very lusty lung-S did their duty,- by- old .Bohemian folksongs and negro spiritiuils.

The orphanage i's; a big rough-cast ■building ..set. .on the crest of a -green; hill: 'i'her,e- are old pine trees outside, and' grass slopes on which a .small boy can demise all manner of games. Mr. XuitfMrs. Martin are home mother and father, . and are firm believers m the';" pdliey! of; allowing the young and agile to/"iet off steam." . )'. "■■ . '..'•" '

The pldei" boys do gardening and 'carpentering -work, milk /theiii ; own co}YS*iii\d iive brought' up to a healthy o.utdooiriljfe; ' a. nil , the little ones . help with '•'. th'e> housework/ .The home. baby, who is^ust four and under ■the nas^'e of Jumbo, does nothing whatsoever except look', very charming m a suit of black velvet with little embroidered collars and cuffs, and make violent /love to any lady . who -enters', the house.; '

' He Js getting > his -athletic .trainingwithythe rest* however, and is. a skilled rider of the huge rocking horse 'which stands m tile hall ; added to which, -he can -turn ■ somersaults. An accomplished young man. >

To audience Uncle Ernest, and Aunt Given- were introduced— and were very quickly admitted into the masonic lodge of smailrbby friendship. The programme started off with a rousing song, all .about 'a young lady who sold cabbages and a young man — one could hardly call him. a gentleman —who refused to Spay for his purchases. Then birthday . greetings were handed out .to. some legions of listeners, and we learned of the duties of the radio fairies. \.

Hundreds of parents^ write m to- the Broadcasting Company, informing •them on- impending secrets, and. letting them into the secret pf where various presents are hidden. The consequence is that just> when a small boy or girl is beginning to think that his birthday is all ov«er till the next time, the radio fairies announce the presence of treasure trove m unexpected places.

"Wonders of nature" are a large part of the programme, which is, however, kept from being purely educational .by the shape m which the little stories are^told. The wind, instead, of being wind pure; cold and xmadulterated, becomes "Mr. Southerly Buster." Jack Frost ■ and the Rain Man are popular favorites. Needless to say, as some ardent listeners-in start at the advanced age of two, everything is very simply expressed..

Everybody put a great deal of vim into the final "Good night, boys and girls'' ;' and . we can. imagine .many small folk m .hospitals, snuggling down on their pillows with the comforting feeling that they have /good friends at the other end of the. radio •wires.;/