Notes for Women

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19311, 24 October 1924, Page 10

Notes for Women

PAPER PATTERN SUPPLIES.

No. 2963.-Tb is model will look becoming' made in any material. White trimmed with mi tft smart. Material required, 3J yards 41in. Payer pattern, Is. Pattern*; supplied on application to “ Patterns,” Otago Daily Times office. The price of the pattern must accompany the application. In sonic cases the supplies of pa I tents are sold out almost immediately, and as a consequence fresh stocks have to be ordered. Applicants for patterns whose orders are not fulfilled at onco are asked to note that two or three weeks must elapse before fresh supplies are available.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL.

Mrs and Miss Galloway, who have boon visiting Auckland, arc expected homo Tomorrow. « • * Captain and Mrs Wold) departed yesterday for (hoir home in Wellington. Mrs and Miss Campbell,” who liavo t)oon visiting friends in this city, will return to Christchurch to-day. • • • Miss Margaret’ Mackenzie, of Castle, street, is spending a three months' rest holiday at Victoria House, Geraldine. Mrs Sidney Noill, accompanied by Mrs C. Uatlray and Miss Lyons, of Waimato, motored to Winchester on Wednesday. v * * Miss Hope Fleming, of Palmerston North, is the guest of Mrs Beck, of Musselburgh. « « * The engagement, is announced of ICttie, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs dames O'Connell, of Maeraen Flat, to William, third son of Mr William Moynihan, of Spring terrace, N’gapiina, • • Mrs M'Muster, Mrs Nnnenrrow, Miss Henniston, and Miss Stock have ente.jrtnined their friends at bridge evenings during the ■week. • • • Recent visitors at Victoria Mouse, Geraldine, were Mr and Mrs Salmon, Mr Mirams. and Miss Robinson and Miss Jenkins, of Dunedin,

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

On 'Wednesday evening the Musical Circle of the Otago Women’s Club held its dual meeting, when about BO members were present. During the business portion of the programme. Mrs Wakelicld Holmes was chairwoman, and satisfactory reports wore given on all sides. Hater a competition devised by Miss Ida White caused much interest, and was won by Mrs A. .T. Hall, Mrs F. If. Carr and Miss Theomin contributed songs and a pianoforte solo was played by Miss Helen Watson. The final meeting of the Otago University Women’s Association was held last evening in the Women’s Common liooni. Miss Perry was the speaker of the evening, and gave a most interesting address on “Life in the Newer English Universities.” ,Sne took as her examples the universities of the. six cities—Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, and Bristol — whose combined population, by the way, is nearly three times as large as that of the whole of New Zealand. Giving a brief description of these great towns, Miss Perry discoursed on the ‘•newness” of their new universities, all of which have been in existence since 1000, and showd how different they are from the institutions whose traditions are ages old. She spoke of the position which women held in them, and the progress they are making in all departments. Private liberality and splendid voluntary service is given to their universities by a number of English business men, with the result that the peril of poverty is quite absent. Miss Perry (hen went on to describe briefly the training which students in these universities receive in arts, science, and the teaching profession. Very little, home science is taught there, there being special institutions for this branch of learning, but. in all courses two years are devoted to the teaching of social service. The description of what this training is and in what it results, concluded what had been a most interesting and instructive lecture. Miss "Perry was accorded a vote of thanks. • * * On Wednesday afternoon Mr Sydney Hobe.n gave the second of his series of interpretations of the story and music of grand opera at the homo of Mrs U. E. Theomin. The large and luxurious drawing room was fillocl for the occasion, and, with its beautiful paintings, its articles of rare art, its nairas and flowers and its superb Stoinway grand piano, was a wonderful setting for such a recital. Mr Hcben, as before, played three solos as an opening to tho afternoon’s programme. They were the dramatic Ballade of Wagner, tho Liszt arrangement of “ Hark ! Hark ! Ihe Larkand Liszt’s passionate and beautiful Barcarolle in E Major. The opera then studied was Leoni’s “ LOracola.” The story is a very thrilling one, enneorning the abduction of the tiny son and heir of a wealthy Chinese merchant in Han Francisco’s Chinatown. Tho event; takes place on tho Oriental New Year’s Day during the festivities, and the diro tragedies which follow tho net give enormous scope for dramatic expression. The music is brilliant while being delightfully melodious, and is haunted throughout with a suggestion of tho East. At tho conclusion of his performance Mr Iloben, with his great art of story-telling and his sympathetic and understanding interpretation of the musical selections he played, bad completely captivated his audience, who were most enthusiastic in their praise and appreciation. • » • Victoria House, Geraldine, is well known for tho beauty of its spacious -gardens. The tulips are making a glorious show, to say nothing of tho flowers of every kind that greet one on tho well-mown grass, while tho wisteria which covers the roof of the sun-room and trails round it is exceptionally beautiful. Tho strawberries arc in bloom, promising an early crop, and the regulable garden, including large beds of lettuce, is a treat to see. But what amazes the bosolder mast is a very large tomato house with a harvest of tomatoes which it would be difficult to match anywhere in tho dominion. • • • An Auckland 1 paper announces the engagement of Miss Mina Caldow, the wellknown contralto, formerly of Dunedin, to Mr TL W. Fiddes, barrister, of Auckland, and formerly of Johannesburg, South Africa. • * * Honduras Mahogany takes a lovely rich polish, and no wonder it is becoming increasingly popular for bedroom suites; also in oak or figured pine. Hundreds of designs.—C. and W. Hayward (Ltd.), furnishing exports, 141 George street. —Advt.

WEDDINGS. A wedding which created a great deal of interest in North Canterbury was that ot Miss Colleen Macfarlane, second daughter of Mrs Macfarlane and the late Mr Walter Macfarlono, of Kaiwarra, Culvordon (and grand-daughter of the Into Mr and Mrs Robert Wilson, of Dunedin), to Mr Gerald Mathias, of Fairviow, Thnarti. TTio bride wore a frock of deep cream georgette, with long close-fitting sleeves and flounces of old laco. Her court train of hem-stitched georgette was banded with insertion, and lined with long frills of georgette. Her bridal veil of deep cream embroidered tulle, held by a becoming bandeau, had also been worn by her mother at her wedding. Her posy of softly-tinted yellow azaleas toning effectively with her frock was the finishing touch to a lovely toilette. The bridesmaids were Miss Dorothy Fleming, Miss Joanotta Johnstone, niece of the bridegroom, and two tiny girls, Moya Douglas and Sbona Macfarlane, nieces of the bride. They were dressed alike in frocks of lemon chiffon taffeta with quaint little Puritan caps of laoe. and each carried a posy of shaded ranunculi and crimson leaves. Two little pages, Ilamish and Anthony Rutherford, in cream satin suits, completed a charming bridal group, Mr Mathias was best man, and Mr P. Wcstenra was groomsman. After tire ceremony a reception was held by the bride’s mother, who wore a gown of black charmonse embossed with jot, and ». black halter’s plush picture Iml. with a Paradise plume, and carried a mauve bouquet. On October 8 the North-Easi Valley Presbyterian Church wa s the scene of a very pretty wedding, when Grace Irene Taylor, only daughter of Mrs G. Taylor, of Dunedin, was married to Mr W. B. D. Naylor. I he Rev. Professor Davies performed the ceremony, and Mr R. K. Madie officiated at the organ. The bride entered the church on the arm of her brother, Air C. 11. Taylor, of Middlemarch, and looked particularly charming in a dress of ivory satin morocain and silver luce, with hand-made flowers and pearls as trimmings. She wore orange, blossom, and a veil which was prettily arranged on the head fell in graceful folds to the hern of the dress. She carried a beautiful shower bouquet of roses, sweet peas, and abntiious, with long ’ silver streamers, and wore ‘ a gold expansion watch, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaid, Miss Reid, of Henley, looked charming in a pretty lavender "erepe-dc-ehino dross with soft grey rosettes at the waist, and short georgette sleeves. Her hot, was made to match. She carried a beautiful shower bouquet of lomon roses and lavender sweet peas and lilac, and wore Hie present, of ilia, bridegroom— a Nellie Stewart, bangle. The bride’s present to the bridegroom was a set of silver-niountod Ijoewe pipes. Mr R. Ritchie acted as host, man. After the cereinonv the guests, numbering about 40. some of whom had come a long way to Ixs present, adjourned to the Strand Salon, where they were received by the bride's mother and brother, Mr E. Taylor, of Christchurch, assisted bv Mrs C. 11. Taylor. Mrs G. Taylor wore u silk ratine dress of vle.nx rose and mole, with a Hack hat and marabout, and carried a posy of pansies, while her daughter wore a pretty fawn knitted costume worked in silver, w'ith a hat to match. The usual

toasts were honoured and the telegrams read by the best man. Later. Mr and Mrs Naylor left by motor car for their honeymoon. The bride travelled in a pretty grey dress with Oriental trimming, a grey hat with floral brim, and a fur coat.

A SMALL GARDEN PARTY. Every me enjoys a garden party, and it is much less trouble for the hostess than giving an indoor affair (says “Dinah'’ in Homo Chat). But there are one or two points, however, when giving garden parties which it is just as well to bear in mind. First, if a garden party is to be a success there must not lie any hitch in the programme; and remember, garden party guests want entertaining. After all, they come to talk, and eat, and oe amused. Perhaps it tan he managed to arrange a little orchestra. If there are no games—and there isn’t always room for them m email gardens—arrange a, “Book Tea,” or something of that kind. This gives the guests a chance to get to know people and provides conversation. Sin table prize; should, of course, be given for the successful competitors _ Bo sure to see that there is enough to eat. There is no need to have an elaborate menu. In fact, it is generally considered rather bad taste at small garden parties to provide expensive buifets. Sandwiches, ices, tea, coffee, and lemonade, fruit salads, and dainty pastries are all that are needed. It is a good plan to arrange the refreshment table under a shady tree. &?.c that the tablecloth is a large one, so that stacks of plates, etc-, can bo comfortably concealed underneath This is a great help to the maids and saves incessant running in and out of the house for fresh supplies ot crockery. * Arrange as many small tables as possible round the garden in suitable shady corners. Also remember to have an adequate supply of garden seat®. Deck-chairs and plenty of cushions arc the best. Stiff-backed chairs look so imeonify. Another point—always prepare for the worst. Unfortunately, our climate is very much like a capricious woman. You never know what her mood is going to be._ Therefore, have an indoor programme in case of wet weather. One of the rooms con he turned onf, so that with very little trouble chairs and tables can quickly be brought inside if a shower does happen to fall. A gramophone is a great asset. If the hostess has not got one of her own, she should either borrow or hire one. The gramophone is a good stop-gap. Invitations to a garden party should be issued upon At-home eards. Any out-door amusement must lie written in the lower left-hand corner of the. card. Many hostesses send out cards to guests “and 'friends” if they are anxious to increase. their visiting lists. The address is written on the right-hand corner, and the name of the guest in ink at the top lefthand corner. It is usual to put “U.5.V.P.,” as this enables the hostess to know how many guests to expect. When giving elaborate garden parties it is generally much easier, and, as a rule, more economical in the. long run, to get a good caterer to do the whole affair at so much per head.

Bx Phillida.

THE BEST-DRESSED WOMEN. 1 have just returned from to Now York (says Richard Worth, In the Daily Mail), and the very first thing that struck: mo m London was the dowdy appearance of our women folk compared with those of the American capital. 1 well' realise that 1 lay myself open to criticism—and severe criticism—by this statement, but the fact remains. Where, in London, will you see such a parade of fashion ns you will on Fifth avenue or Broadway? In a hundred yards viu will see more smart; gowns than in a walk through Hyde Park during “Church Parade” on a Sunday morning in the summer. And the point I want to emphasise is this: The wearers of those elegant frocks are not New York’s “Four Hundred J they aro typists, clerks, shop girls, each and everyone dependent on their own efforts for their daily bread. That they aro efficient at their work is guaranteed by the fact that they retain their positions. There is no room in New York for the butterfly type of womanworker. Yet they dress and wear their clothes with an air that is not equalled oven by the Parisionnc, despite her reputation for smartness The New York woman worker does not make the fatal mistake of wearing a certain costume just because it. is fashionable, no matter whether it suits her or not That, 1 think, is one of the main reasons why, as a, whole, they appear so well dressed. They chooso their frocks to suit themselves, not the mode of the moment. Shoes, stockings, hat. gloves- - -each and every port of their attire is correct to the smallest detail. There are no glaring colour schemes to offend the eye, they have real taste, and they make sound use of it. DESIGNS FOR THE MATURE Dresisng fs a fine are in France, and dressing the older woman is one of the problems with which the Paris dressmaker deals so successfully. (liven the fact that straight lines are the rule of to-day’s smartness, the question of designs for the mature woman must bo solved by adding the drapery necessary to create an effect of slenderness, while keeping away from any over-ornateness, and preserving the vertical line as the dominant one in the drapery. Thus the gowns for the mature woman start with the sheath slip. On this sheath the softening, slenderising draperies will be placed. On this, at a rather high hip line, is placed a pleated tunic which encircles tiro figure completely and falls to within two inches of the been of the slip. The tunic is loft open down the front so that tho underslip appears in a long inverted V. The neckline is Vshapecl, and is finished with a collar of white organdi and lace, soft and flattering in its effect. The sleeves reach to just above the elbow, and are finished with organdi and lace cuffs, which show tho elbows and forearms, which are one cf the charms often more pronounced in the mature woman than in her younger daughter. Often no more than a tunic is needed to make the lies of a sown flattering to the older woman, for, be it said to their credit, the French women never grow actually stout. They take care of their figures as tbev do of their hands and their completions. and l the effort thus expended is certainly worth their while. A sheath dress is adapted to the more mature figure by adding two floating panels. These two panels are gathered and attached at the low hip line on each side, and give that little extra embellishment, which adds dignity THE CHILDREN’S SCREEN. Once upon a time the children screen was a feature of every nursery. Not only did it do service- in their own room, but it was decorated by their own hands and in accordance with their own :deas. Visually, it was covered with scraps and funny little pictures—not very beautiful, perhaps, according to our modern taste, but its making allowed the children to express themselves and their personalities. It is an idea worth while reviving for present-day children, instead of buying them a screen already decorated with stereotyped nursery rhyme illustrations. The modern child is hardly likely to revert to the oldfashioned all-over scrap design, but there are many and more excellent things to take the place. Present-day coloured advertising designs are often so beautiful that they age well worth cutting out for screen decoration. Recently I saw a screen of apple green, with decorative borders of luscious fruit that had been cut from the posters and advertisements of the “Eat More Fruit” campaign. Rosy apples, tomatoes, and oranges made a not of colour on the green background * The coloured plates that are presented with most gardening papers may be cut to form floral borders and panels, and also the coloured illustrations from seed and florist’s catalogues. A screen, very simple, yet delightful to tho heart of any little girl, may be decorated from tho cut-out paper dolls, a page of which is usually to be found in all the American home magazines. By using these the design may be changed from time to time by the simple expedient of saving the extra dresses and hats and pasting on the new clothes as tho others become soiled or monotonous. Thus Baby Betty snowballing very soon becomes Baby Betty at the party. Silhouettes can be used to advantage, though these usually appeal to older children who can appreciate form alone, and apart from bright colour. Many toy shops and kindergarten departments are selling largo sheets of black paper stamped on the white reverse side with little country scenes, children, animals, and flowers. When the outline is cut. out, the design is turned over to the black side, and a delightful silhouette is the result. The sheets cost hut a few pence, so the decoration is not an

expensive one.—-A. M., in the Daily Chronicle. WOMEN WHO ARE FOSTER LOVERS.

Some women have a genius for fostering tile love instinct. They know how to give form to the vague aspirations of the inexperienced lover; how to cope with the jealous, exacting lover; how to inspire the tentative, diffident lover; anil even how to amuse and interest the expert lover. And yet very often (hey do not marry. Those of us who do marry owe more to such women than we know. They provide a veritable school of love, and it is in their clever hands that men learn (ho art. Not one of ua really likes an unsophisticated Inver. Someone had to initiate him inlo the suhtleiy _ and the " good form ” and grace of loving. Women who have married inappropriately and unsuccessfully are, among the best foster-lovers in the world, but widows whose marriages were happy are no use at all. They pay to love one of (he two great tributes--remembrance or repetition. The true foster-lover, for all her tenderness and swift, comprehension of men knows her vocation and does not mean to pledge herself. Nor docs she ask for pledge or promise. Hbo requests only fairness in the game and the right to li-o, and love if she will, without capitulation. Often she is misunderstood and, from a, distance, regarded as capricious or neurotic. People who do not understand ask why she does not marry one of (he men whom she contrives to attract. But to know her as a friend is to find her the essence of sincerity and steadiness. Is she happy? Who knows? As happy, perhaps, as nine wives out of 10. Perhaps the smile with which she watches (ho man she has matured walk away from her is a trifle wistful. But such smiles are seen on the lips of mothers when tirw children walk alone for the first time. All love is a giving and a losing, as well as a receiving' And the foster-lover receives blessings ori her head all her life from the men who have walked away.—Margaret Gaston, in the Daily Mail.