Notes for Women

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19248, 12 August 1924, Page 5

Notes for Women

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Items of social interest and topics relating to the home are invited. Communications must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer. Notices of engagements must bo signed by one at least of the principals, or by sorno responsible person, as a guarantee of genuineness..

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL.. Miss Eulalie Roberts has returned from a visit to Mount Cook. Miss Leslie Laidlaw left for Christchurch yesterday, to bo present during the Grand National Week. • • • Miss Marjorie Gibbs, who has been visiting friends in Auckland, has returned to Dunedin. « * • Mrs Livingston, of York place, is visiting Mrs Hamilton Emslie at Geraldine. Miss M. Statham left yesterday morning for Christchurch for Grand National Week. » • • Mrs G. Webster loft yesterday for Christchurch, where she will spend Grand National Week. • • • Mrs J. M. Gallaway, who has been in Prospect House Hospital for some time, is reported to be recovering favourably. Mrs J. McCracken, who has been spending a holiday with Mrs E. M. Pyle, of Hawkden, returned to town on Saturday. Mrs W. T. Hazlett, of Invercargill, proceeded on Saturday to Christchurch after staying for a few days with Miss Edmond at "Mount Lodge.” * • • Mrs G. Ritchie left yesterday for Wellington, where she will meet her sister, and later proceed to Christchurch for the Grand National Week. • • • Mrs W. Lawson, who has been the guest of Mrs W. Thompson, of St. Kilda, has returned to her homo in Christchurch. • • • Mrs S. Batchelor had a luncheon party for Mrs Maitland yesterday, those present being Lady W T illiams, Mesdames Maitland, Bridgeman, Haggitt, and Laidlaw. * * • On Friday evening last Miss Whitson entertained a few friends at bridge at her residence in George street. The guests present included Mr and Mrs Hill, Mr and Mrs Thomson. Mrs Lawson, Mrs Oakden, Mrs J. Taylor, and Miss Angus. « * * Mrs W. Laidlaw, of Pitt street, had a bridge party' on Friday afternoon last, in honour of Lady Ferguson. Those present were Lady Ferguson, Me Marne a Fenwick, Dodgshun, Maclean, Oldham, M'Master, Sargood, Riley, and Fitchett, Misses Rattray and Sise. On Saturday, at the Tudor Hall, Mrs T. Nisbct, of “Archerfieid,” gave her quarterly party for the girls whoso birthdays had taken place during the term. On this occasion, however, she included all the staff and the ‘‘day girls” who had been hostesses to the “house girls,” so that the party was a very large one, 85 in all. The time was devoted to dancing, and passed very happily. “ * * * On Saturday the Tudor Hall Cabaret repeated its Turkish evening, and the enthusiastic crowd present wore loud in their praise of the general effect. There were some very pretty frocks worn, which, seen in the quaint setting of the Eastern scenery, looked perhaps more charming than ever. These “special” evenings arc always a delight for thoso who are fond of new and original ideas. • • • Sir Lindo and Lady Ferguson gave a dance at “Wychwood” on Saturday evening for the fourth and fifth year medical students of the Otago University. There were about 110 guests present. Mr Reid and Mr Stowe helped Lady Ferguson with the preparations, and the who!® dance was a. great success. At the end the students executed a haka to express their appreciation, • « « Last Saturday Mrs CL A. Bishop gave a delightful party' at her residence, Corunna street, St, Kilda, in honour of Mr Ernest. Drake, who is about to be married. Fortyfive guests were present. Tito hostess wore a. charming frock of pale Hue. charmeuso satin daintily trimmed with silver and crystal beads. Musical items were given by Mr Ernest Drake, who also sang two duets with the hostess. Other items were given by Mesdames Bishop, Palmer, and Simpkins, Misses Lungley and Dunning, and Messrs Bishop and A. IValmsley. Recitations were contributed by Mr and Mrs Allan Young. A delicious supper was served in the breakfast, room, (ho tables being tastefully arranged with spring flowers.

On .'vil ll ronv evening Mis R. T. Champ!alonp. of Elder street, gave a delightful girls’ parly in honour of her daughter Denise’s birthday. The decorative scheme was done in pink camellias and si reamers giving the necessar - note. Games and eomjietitions wore played, and the time passed very happily for the children present. T! ipso included Misses Yvonne Champtaloup, Eileen and Nora. Orawshaw, Ruth Phillips. Mary Ritchie. Motlie Birch. Kathleen O’Neill, Leslie Braseh, Joan Thompson, L'uslda Maeassey, Jean Tliley. Lela Davidson, Joan Ncvill, Peggy Brewer. Elizabeth Williams, Mollie Boyd, and Ngaire Yipan

The members of the Fourth Standard at Areherficld Girls’ School recently organised a bazaar on their own initiative. Their enthusiasm was unbounded, and so well did they work that half an hour after the bazaar started they had sold everything and raised £9. This sum, which was later raised to £lO 10s, was used to purchase a very good gramophone, os a gift for the Nisliet Home. On a cerfai nday later the matron of the homo entertained the children who had worked so loyally and well, and expressed, on behalf of the staff and inmates, her appreciation of the gift. Nothing could have been more acceptable. In thanking the little donors, the Matron said that it was kindness of this sort that made for much of the happiness in the lives of children to-day.

The. students resident at St. Margaret’s College held their annual dance in the Allan Hall on Friday evening. As usual, the decorative scheme was unusual, this time the hall being festooned with streamers of hrou/e and orange until it was transformed into a veritable bower of beauty. The supper table, which had been decorated by Miss N. Callender, was carried out in a pink scheme, and looked most becoming. In addition, there were numerous little “sitting out” places, well hidden by screens and greenery from the public eye. There was a very large attendance, there being present most of the University professors and their wives, in addition to the residents at the college ami their partners. A pretty diversion took place at sappier time, when six masked plcrrots, members of the, committee, danced and distributed coloured balloons among the delighted guests. • « • The Early Settlers’ Hall presented a charming scone on Friday evening last, when the Victoria League nold a Cinderella dance. The decorations were very becoming, being silken balloons and Chinese lanterns, with a cascade of streamers falling from an elevated circle n the ceiling. Above the door was a shield bearing the crest of the Victoria League. The attendance was very good, and everybody was sorry when 12 o’clock ordered the dancing to cease. Among those present were Mr an Mrs A. J. Clirystall, Mr and Mrs Greenfield. Mr and Mrs Gilchrist, Mr and Mrs E. Hazlett, Mr and Mrs ],. Mills, Mr and Mrs J. E. Macasspy, Mr ami Mrs J. Sim, Mr and Mrs A. N. Hagfilt, Mr and Mrs Dodgshun. Mr and Mrs E. A. Cngan, Mr and Mrs R. G. f-'isc, Mr and Mrs J. Macky, Mr and Mrs A. Stephens, Mr anti Mrs Throp. Major and Mrs Bell. Mrs T. G. Secular, Mrs C. Reid, Dr Frances Macalister. Misses Austen. Allan, Armour (21, Barr. Blomfield. Copland, Gonll, Edmond, Finch, Gnllaway. Gibbs, Galbraith, Gibbons. ITaggilt, Hartmann (2), Johnston, Laidlaw, Maunsell. Malheson, G. Minims, M‘Narrow. Macaudrcw. M'Queen. Preston, 15. Reid, I). Ramsay, Park. Stock, Smith. Spudding. Stntliam, Wallacc-Wntson, and WiKon, Messrs Whitson, Wright, Whitcombe, Whiteside, Thomson. Taylor. Todd, Tanley. Taylor. Talbot, Sturlevant, Sinclair, Sleigh, Reid. Russell. Robinson, Mur. doch. Maunsell. Linsconinc, Jones, Hill, Edmond i2l, Costello, Colson, Cramond, Cantrell, Campbell,. .Andrews, and Allan.

On July 18, at, flic Coronation Hall at Diii'ibank," the spinsters and bachelors held their first combined ball. A large and enthusiastic committee, wording under the

direction of Miss G. Farquharson, had undo excellent decollations, consisting of vergreens and streamers which were -creatly admired bv all. 'ine grand march was led off by Mr Campbell, and Miss (1. /arquharson who were followed by nearly 50 couples. Tho committee, secretary, and master of ceremonies (Mr S. Parnell) are to be congratulated on tho success of their efforts. The supper room presented a ■harming appearance with its decorations of evergreens. Among those present were : Mrs MTntosh, black m.-rv silk; Mrs FarquhaHson, navy blue silk : Mrs Doom, irown moroeain; Mrs Campbell, brown velvet; Mrs E. Glover, sky blue silk; Mrs Walker, black and white jersey silk; Mrs Love, t>ink ninon with biscuit lace overdress; "Mrs Kelly, pink crspe de chine; Mrs Stanley, grey and shot silk; Mrs Roberts, grev gaberdine, with blue silk trimmings; Mrs Denmead, green and white dress; Mrs T. Glover, putty velvet, Mrs Murray, blue silk; Mrs Pascoe, black silk; Mrs A. Parkhill, black and white crepe do chine; Mrs Simon, black silk; Mrs Rouxelle, grev and white dress; Mrs Chapman, brown dress; Mrs G. Brown, white crepe de chine; Miss Farquharson, green silk suede with cream berthe : Miss Campbell, saxe blue crepe de onine, with silver trimmings; Misses M'lntosh (2), powder blue velvet with jazz trimmings, geranium gaberdene; Miss Brander, pale, blue silk morooain; Miss M'Lennan, flame chiffon velvet; Miss Mawhinney, old gold velvet; Miss Murrny, amber velvet; Miss Fitzgerald, green sequinned frock; Miss Stevenson, rale pink silk; Miss Brown, geranium gaberdine; Miss Weir, old rose chiffon velvet; Miss Williams, cream fugi silk; Miss Parkhill. green and gold lace dress; Miss Thomas, white silk; Miss Simpson, green moroeain : Miss Douglas, green silk; Miss Fraser, blue and horal silk ; Miss O'Connell, black velvet; Miss Pascoe, pink orgaiidi muslin ; Miss Herd, brown with bead trimmings; Miss Sanderson. shot taffetta ; and the Misses M'Leod (2), blue crepe de chine, green crepe do chine. OTAGO HOME ECONOMICS ASSOCIATION. IS AX EIGHT-HOUR DAY POSSIBLE FOR HOUSEWIVES? Tin's i« the problem that is dealt with in a most illuminating manner by Professor li. Andrews, of Columbia University, in his recent book "Economics of the Household." Not only is it possible, but is it desirable? In the first example it is not clear whether cooking is included. But it would bo very interesting if some Otago housekeepers would analyse the time they find necessary to perform their household! tasks. The following is a condensed statement of some aspects of tho matter as contained in Professor Andrew's book. A record has been made of the time required for housework in a family of three adults, living in a seven-roomed house, which shows the annual total of 2646 hours of work, or a dailyaverage, counting seven days to the week, of seven and a-'quarter hours. The work as scheduled include items as follows: Work dono once or twice a year 53 hours, or 2 per cent, of the total; work done onco a month 75 hours a year or nearly 3 per cent. ; work done once a week, 450 hours a year or 7.7 per cent.; work dono each day, 2068 hours a year, or 77 per cent, of the total. Another household time record shows by the schedule of household, nursery, and personal duties, how the care of young children complicates the working housewife's task. With a family of two children and three adults the house-mother's personal household (asks took five hours a day, her nursery duties five hours a day, and her personal time allowance (for meals, resting, and dressing) three hours per day. .Summarising tho work done by herself and the 21 hours a week done by paid service, there was an average of 15J- hours of work a day, divided as follows: Regular daily tasks. 10J hours a day ; extra weekly tasks, 35 hours a week; or an average of five hours a day. The daily tasks divide into: Housework 32 hours, cooking 2 hours, children 5 hours, total 10J hours. Tho weekly work includes washinfg 9 hours, cleaning 12. hours, extra cooking lj hours, miscellaneous afternoon work 82 hours, outside work 4 hours, total 35 hours, or an average of 5 hours per day. A comparative study of the lime required for washing dishes, either three times a day, after each meal, or onco a day, found that the former look an average of 52 minutes per day, and the latter 41 2 minutes per dny, a saving of 20 per cent. Housework presents an important problem of organisation. It is a task whoso elements are simple, but yet it is a most complex undertaking because of its shifting complexity and its facts are now combined in one way, now in another. Its constantly changing elements can l>o ruled only through organisation—i.e., by evaluating and subordinating tasks, by making schedules of work, of lists of tasks and materials, by assigning duties to individuals, and measuring results in terms of standards. Simpler housekeeping standards would bo tho fust step in many homes, where overelaborate table service*, household furnishings which make for extra work, wardrobe standards which involve* needless tasks in the laundry, and similar over-refined ways of living have created unnecessary burdens. It is a nice question how far to refine and complicate- our standards of living. Certainly there can bo no justification for that part of a 13-hour work day -which bases itself on tho frills of existence. «. The systematic co-operation of all members of the household in the tasks of the homo if put into effect, would give some needed relief. This co-operation will show itself, first, by such adjustments of habit as avoidance of the creating of unnecessary tasks; for example, tho throwing down of newspapers and magazines after use, instead of returning them ' to their place. Tho single item of hanging up one's wardrobe or of arranging one's laundry parcel, and later returning fresh linen to its place is a responsibility that may be take over by the man of the house, thus affording a small time saving that nevertheless has real significance since tasks added at the margin of a long day are like tho proverbial inch .on tho end of one's nose. The transfer of certain housework to outside industry may be the remedial measure needed. Laundry work, bread and cake baking, sowing may often be handled in this way. The housewife who is overburdenod needs to study her situation as to the relative importance of the different tasks upon which she is engaged. How shall the housewife choose between different possible gainful employments wiibin the household? Shall she bake bread and cake or do sewing or do laundering? Or if she 'can eliminate one, which shall she eliminate? The choice is likely to bo made on the grounds of preference, to get rid of the most disagreeable task first, and that may bo sound economic policy, but it would bo possible to make a comparison of the relative costs involved and follow the lino of greater financial advantage. Tho elements of housework have different relative values—somo, such as the control of personal life, and the nurture of the child are essential to family survival—a family without them would not be a family some, such as laundry work, are non-essential to the home, and may be removed from the household without influencing its fundamental character. 'The cost of a home product includes materials of all kinds used in its manufacture—including for dress, thread, trimmings, materials on hand as well as fabrics bought particularly for the garment to be made; or, in the case of cookery, obviously fuel used must be counted in as well as food material. Costs that enter into home life products, and that are commonly overlooked, include—(l) the rental value of the space used in the particular operation, the heating, lighting, and cleaning of the area, the cost of equipment used measured by 6 per cent, interest charged on its value, and the depreciation, repair, and unkeep of tho particular machine or utensil or tool. Finally, the labour cost corce= in. easily computed if it is hired, but a very fur'five item if contributed bv the housewife herself. Practically, af'er 'reviewing all other costs in home production, the housewife is the best judge as to which operation can most wisely undertake, measured in terms of hpr own preferences, her experience of fatigue, her estimate of the educational significance of the operation to the child in the homo, and her comparison of the home product versus the market product of this particular type as best nieelin" the needs of her family. The housewife's eoiripensafion as worker is of the same kind as that of all workersit is the living that she enioys. and this living she has herself wholly or in part created by her own services. Tho wages of her labour aro not in the form of money

income as in the pay envelope of her husband for his outside employment. Is he receives ‘ real wages”—that is, her food, clothing, shelter, and cultural satisfactions of all kinds. Her husband’s money wages must first be transmuted by family expenditure into food, clothing, shelter, etc., before ho receives his real wages—and when h'c docs, tho remarkable fact is to be noted that ho takes his share of the family living as his real pay for labour in outside industry, and she takes her share of the family living a,s her real pay for labour in household industry, and his pay and her pay are ordinarily identical. Profcsor Andrews says that the possible reduction of the usual housework suggests certain pertinent inquiries, tho chief of which is; Will it bring about an undigested leisure for women, good neither for them, their families, nor the community? I wonder what Otago housewives think? SOME ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF DRESS. The actual illustrations given by Miss M’Gill in her second lecture on “Dress and Clothing” were particularly helpful to her hearers. One of the local firms had lent various garments selected by the lecturer as suitable to her purpose, and these showed very conclusively that, attractiveness need not be in any degree sacrificed to suitability, even when the latter was the chief consideration. Tho specimen tweed costume, with a choice of hats to go with it, the jumper, and the accessories all had been very carefully selected, and were not beyond a moderate income. Different styles of coat-frocks with suitable boot wear, were demonstrated, the special points leading to the choice of these garments being brought out. Several practical hints were added as to the preservation of the wardrobe, and the audience especial! y appreciated the general remarks on the apportionment of the dress income. It was very clear that economy and attractiveness could be attained only by careful budgetting. It was a matter that was new to practically all the audience, who had not before sot themselves to think out the proportions of income that should be given to the different divisions of the wardrobe. It was interesting too to see how the problem of passing over gradually to other colour combinations could be met by planning with sufficient thought. A three-year basis was suggested as the most successful. Coats, costumes. and furs could be bought in succeeding years. A well-selected garment of good and suitable material could easily be freshened or remodelled, if proper stock-taking of one’s wardrobe were practised. Dividing one’s wardrobe into five groups the apportionment might be: —Suits, dresses, coats, 43 per cent.; hats, shoes, gloves. 24 per cent.; blouse, jumpers, skirts ,8 per cent.; underwear, 20 per cent.; accessories, 5 per cent. JOTTINGS. “What’s in a name?” writes Lady Kitty, in the Adelaide Observer, and continues thus; “One of the symptoms of our return to form and our subscription to elegant appearances seems to me tho fact that when a girl has a lovely name nowadays she is ' called by it instead of by some frightful diminutive, or senseless, ‘nickname.’ How could one ‘make an effect’ if one answered to the name of Tots, or Marg, or Baba, or Sibbie? I noticed the other day what a ‘savour’ the list of Lord and Lady Lytton’s guests at Government House, Calcutta, this winter gained from the lovely names of the girls. Their own daughter has tho exquisite name of Hermione, then there were Daphne and Calypso, the daughters of the Hon. Cecil Bingham, Lady Phyllis Windsor Clive. Miss Lettice Lafone, and Miss Barbara Lutyens. All of these lovely names might have been taken straight from a book of seventeenth century songs.”

London's shop windows .chow knitted wear —everywhere! Often very heavily embroidered, or edged with real fur. . . A model of a very smart house coat, cut in ordinary coat shape out of a large woollen shawl, and lined with crepe-de-chine. With the fringe left on, and with embroidery in colourad wool, for trimming:. Sports coals with long ' scarf" collars with one fringed edge, sometimes having one end much longer than the other. Quills for hat trimming, made of leather—painted and cut; of lace wired to shape and l)ound with gold or colour; and of ostrich, as well as natural quill, feather. . . . A delightful mode! in navy "Liserie" straw, of Bond street inspiration, is trimmed only by two blue lace quills bound with red cire ribbon and crossed over its upturned front; the "feather" ends being gracefully bent, down' over the curs. The tips are painted red. (One can buy quill tips .separately, of course, at any good store.) . . . Fuchsia colourings, and effects of red with (or over) blue, in millinery. A beautiful wine red is new also, for gowVi» particularly. . . . Suede leather hand-hags, envelope shape, embroidered all over with tinsel thread. . . . Tiny scarlet, leather card cases, with monogram in black jet. MAKING YOUR BED PRETTY. Ihe days of plain white bedspreads have departed with the brass and iron bedstead:! of Victorian bedrooms. Now our smart painted or "period" bedsteads are things of beauty by day and luxury by night. In the modem bedroom the bedstead is as decorative and prominent, a piece of furniture as it was in Stuart times, and in the day time is transformed into a divan-like and very sumptuous affair covered in brocade and embroideries and heaped with cushions of satin and tissue. Sometimes a long bolster, finished at either end with a handsome tassel, may effectively replace the cushions, but in any case all suggestion of be-laced and hemstitched sheets and pillow cases is absent, concealed beneath day-time coverings. It is quite a gor.d nlan, however, to make use of the real pillows, etc., by having a large cushion-cover or two matching the spread into which they may be slipped for the day and piled artistically on the bed. A curtain gives dignify and impressiveness to a. handsome bedstead, especially if it be in the so-called "Jacobean" or Empire style. This may take the simple form of a straight curtain of brocade or embroidered material falling behind the head of the bed and hanging from a rail placed under the ceiling cornice or picture-rail. A little more difficult to arrange is a hoop curtain rod, from which the hangings are draped in graceful folds and looped back to the sideposts at the bedstead head. TT>e circular rail may be hidden from view by a coronet-like ornamentation. When the curtains are of heavy material, this looks best mado of painted or rdlded wood, but with net or lace a bandeau composed of the fashionablo padded silk fruits looks effective and light. A reproduction of the old four-poster, modified to suit modern requirements, is easily carried out with practically any wooden bedstead, and always looks particularly appropriate and pretty in a chintz or cretonne bedroom. All that is required arc four wooden posts supporting the framework of the "tester," and since a valance should conceal this framework, and hanging at each of the four corners should completely hide the posts, they may be perfectly plain, not even varnished or painted. Clamped on to the bedstead legs, which are behind another valance, this simple arrangement alters the character of the whole bed. When hangings are used the bedspread should always bo in keeping, if not of the same material. There are some ugly bedsteads which defy all efforts to make them attractive, and the best plan is to cover up the framework altogether by making square-shaped cases of cretonne, linen, or brocade, piped with cord or braid, to fit completely over the head and foot. With a spread to match, the bed takes quite a different character ,\n attractive bedstead adds considerably to" the cheerfulness of a room just as one that is merelv serviceable may give it a comfortless look.—P. H. E., in the Daily Chronicle. YOUR GLOVE BOX. When vou buv kid gloves always have them a little larger than your hands This is specially important in the case of cheap gloves which are very liable to .split. \ tin-h't glove never looks well, and wears badly. Washable gloves shoud be at least a size too large, since- there is shrinkage in washing. Inspect the buttons on a new pair of gloves; you will generally find that they neod an extra stitch or so to make them firm. It is an annoying habit with new gloves for a button to pull* off the first lime you attempt to fasten them. Shake a little talcum powder into your kid and suede gloves before putting them

on, work each finger on gently, and then, finely slip the thumb in. Be careful to got the seams of tho thumb straight tho first time you wear a glove, or they will always slip on- twisted. IVhep. removing gloves, draw them slowly over the banks of the hands, and so insideout. Pull each finger out straight and press them flat before putting away. Keep your gloves in a roomy box with a sweet-scented sachet, not crumpled up in the dressing-table drawer. A glovestretcher and a glove buttonhook should bo found in every glove box and used with new, clean, and washed gloves when they are fresh put on. Chamois nfid washable doeskin gloves should be cleansed in warm soapsuds, the dirt being gently worked out. Don’t rinse them in frash water, they are bettor squeezed free of the lather and laid out to dry at once. Work them on to the hands while they are still slightly damp; they will stretch that, way so much easier and dry soft and pliable. Don’t wear white gloves which have been cleaned out in the rain; the cleaning process causes every spot of wet to show up like a dark mark, and to dry like that. Kid and suede gloves worn on hands clammy with heat are quickly ruined. Tho neatest method of mending a tom glove is to place a little patch of similar kid, suede, or doeskin, etc., from an old glove, under the hole and sew the edges down on to it, having trimmed them carefully.