PERSONAL AND SOCIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21386, 14 July 1931, Page 13

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL.

By Phillida. Following a very interesting exhibition of arts and crafts given by Miss Stops, voluntary organiser for women’s instiutes, a meeting was held in the Athenaeum, Palmerston, on June 25, for the purpose of forming a women’s institute. A strong committee, with Mrs Korner as president, was elected, and it was decided that meetings would be held on the second Thursday of each month. The first monthly meeting was held in the Athenaeum at 2.30 p.m. on July 9, with an attendance of 32 members. After the singing of the institute song, the president spoke a few words of welcome, and the business of the meeting was then proceeded with. The roll call took the form of “ Demonstrations Desired ” for the ensuing year, while a competition for sugar bag articles produced some very useful and decorative work. _ Mrs Korner kindly presented a small gift to Mrs A. Wright whose cushion was judged to be the best exhibit. Afternoon tea having been partaken of, the singing of the National Anthem brought the meeting to a close.

The Spaniards are an unaccountable race, disliking in their haughtiness anything that may seem a reproach upon themselves (states a London writer). Much of Don Alfonso’s unpopularity was due to a strange form of jealousy. His countrymen did not approve of his high reputation abroad. They resented that he should possess qualities such as sportsmanship, which are alien to the Spanish mind, we are told. The Infanta Isabel was perhaps the only member of the royal family who could have been described as popular. It was always a mystery how this little old lady in the white kid gloves came to catch the effeotion of the Madrilenos. They felt that she was one of themselves. For in her the high aloofness of the Bourbon-Haps-burg tradition was softened by a cheerful love of Spanish popular life. Alone of the royal family the Infanta really enjoyed the bull fights. She knew the names of the espadaa, and in momenta of great excitement she would wave her little arms in the air and cry with the best of them “ Ole! ”

Thousands of pounds worth of jewellery was included in the 500 wedding presents received by Lord Stavordale and Miss Helen Ward, the Earl of Dudley’s niece, who were married at St. Martin-in-the-Fields (states the Daily Mail). The jewels were so valuable that they were not laid out with the other gifts on view in Lady Wolverton’s house in St, James’s place, S.W., which had been lent for the reception, but were represented by cards. The bridegroom gave the bride a flexible diamond bracelet, pearl and diamond earrings. and a four-row string of pearls; the Earl of Ilchester, the bridegroom’s father, gave her a tiara and diamond and ruby brooch; and Lady Ilchester a pearl and diamond drop necklace, among other gifts. Mary Countess of Ilchester’s gifts included a pearl and diamond brooch, pearl and diamond bracelet, and a heavy silver tea equipage. Lord and Lady Dudley sent a diamond wrist watch, and the Duke and Duchess of Westminster an aquamarine and diamond brooch. Princess Mary and the Earl of Harewood sent a black and gold lacquer table with a note attached in Princess Mary’s handwriting: “We are sending you this wedding present with every good wish for your happiness.—Yours sincerely, Mary.”

Mrs Alan Orbell, “ The River." of Waikouaiti, and Mies Brenda Bell, of Shag Valley, have for some weeks past been busily engaged in organising a fortnight’s skating and ski-ing party on a large scale, to take place at Naseby. For this purpose the old hospital has been secured to house the many guests, a_ large number of whom will leave for Naseby to-morrow. They will include Mr and Mrs John Hunt (Wanaka), Mr and Mrs Spencer Rowley (Shanghai), Mr and Mrs F. D. Bell (Shag Valley), and Mr and Mrs J. C. Nichols (Kuriheka), Mrs Alan Orbell (Waikouaiti), Misses June Batchelor, Nome Fenwick, Dorothy Roberts, Joan Ritchie, Adine ActonAdams, Adeline Throp, Helen Fenwick, Mary Ritchie, Cara Pinckney (Glenaray), N. Trolove (Marlborough), Catherine Johnstone (Otaio), Cecil Elworthy (Timaru), Nonie Pinckney (Glanaray), Nancy Deans (Chrietchurch), Sylvia Orbell (Timaru), Mary Rolleston (Timaru), Rosa Tripp (Timaru), Orbell (2) (Waikouaiti), Erin Moffett (Invercargill), and Watson (Invercargill), Dr Butler (Onmaru), Messrs J. and F. Edmond, A. Sise, M. Sidey, J. Reid, A. Wilson, C. Batchelor (Wanaka), Neil Moffett (Invercargill), Guy Hargreaves (Wanaka), G. Burdon (Wanaka), and T. Elworthy (Timaru).

The centenary of the death of the “ Incomparable Siddons,” the famous actress, occurred on June 8 of this year (states the Daily Mail). In Hereford, the home of her family, a chronicle play was performed at the Kemble Theatre. Dame Madge Kendal made two speeches, and Lady Keeble (Miss Lillah M'Carthy) took a part. Three great-grandchildren of the famous actress, Miss D. SiddonsDowne, Miss M. Siddons-Downe, and Mr Rupert Siddons, performed, and Miss Joan Buckmaster (Gladys Cooper's daughter) took the chief part. The Mayor of Hereford appealed to all who possessed relics of Mrs Siddons to lend them for an exhibition that was being held. The play dealt with six phases in the life of the great tragedienne. The first scene was her marriage. Then were seen her desperate struggles to live, acting in touring companies; her sudden rise to fame at Bath; and her triumph at Drury Lane, where, under Garrick, she was for 30 years the unrivalled tragedy queen of the British stage. Finally she was seen as an old woman, sitting in her house in Upper Baker London, reading Shakespeare to a circle of admiring friends. In one scene Miss Buckmaster wore a copy of the dress made famous by Gainsborough in his picture in ‘■.he National Gallery. '

A course of practical training in homecraft for a group of 12 selected unemployed girls, which will extend over a period of four months, has been definitely decided upon and will begin after Capping Week. This movement was first mooted by Miss Mackenzie during her tenure of office as a co-opted member of the the Education Committee of the Chamber of Commerce for the special study of vocational guidance, and of which Mr James Taylor was president. The movement was introduced by Miss Mackenzie both to the Home Economies Council and to the Dunedin branch of the National Council of Women. The problem which was set to a series of committees under the auspices of the National Council of Women was how to arrange for such a course without funds. For the plan of the course now evolved the greatest possible credit is due to that indefatigable expert in homecraft matters, Professor A. G. Strong, dean of the Home Science Faculty of the University of Otago. In her philanthropic undertakings Professor Strong is ably supported by her very capable staff, including such outstanding and helpful members as Miss Bowbyes. Miss Reid, Miss Crowe, and Miss M'Millan, who deserve the gratitude of the community for their splendid work. Thanks arc also due to Miss King, M.A., principal of the Otago Girls’ High School, and to the High School Board of Governors for generous co-operation, to Miss Finlayson, secretary of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union; to Miss Annie Stevenson, M.Sc., to Mrs Aelin, president of the National Council of Women; to Miss M. R. Sherriff, ex-sec-retary of the National Council of Women: and to Miss Mackenzie, the proposer and promoter. These ladies all anticipate an excellent result from the experiment, and if it proves as successful ns they anticipate, are ready to help in further developments. At the end of the term of four months, those girls who satisfy the examiners in the practical test in homecraft which will be set for them, showing that they can perform their duties skilfully, intelligently, and thoroughly in the way they have been taught, will be awarded a household aid’s certificate. In this connection also a new bureau, arranged for under the combined auspices of Miss Finlayson and of a very capable committee, composed of Professor Strong, Mrs Keith Cameron and others, will be responsible for their placement, for attention to their subsequent welfare and will also endeavour to give every satisfaction to employers. Further particulars will be given from time to time.

Once more an English custom which lias crossed the Channel is being energetically criticised in Paris (says a, London writer). This time it is not British words, or British clothes, or “5 o’clock tea ” that is objected to as being “ unFrench,” but the normal ceremonial at a fashionable marriage. A writer in the organ of the National Alliance for Increasing the French Population makes an attack on bridesmaids. The writer objects principally to the dresses and the hats of these charming ”pung people on such an occasion, comparing them with those of “ actresses in a play_ or the dancers of a corps de ballet.” The presence of bridesmaids, he holds, helps to destroy the family ideal which was formerly the chief feature of all “ grande marriages” in France. In the old days the bride was followed by the bridegroom’s mother on the bridegroom s arm, and behind them came the bride s mother, escorted by her future son-in-law s father. Immediately behind these were the grandparents, accompanied by their grandchildren. It was essentially a family affair, and it demonstrated the unity and importance of the family. Nowadays, the bride is escorted by her father and followed by the bridesmaids. Often they are not members of the family. It is suggested that “ one day people will engage these standardised girls, whose wholesale production has been so highly perfected in England, at the theatrical agencies.” # ’ The annual ball of the bachelors of Hampden was a very successful function, and was attended by over 100 couples. Inc Public Hall was very prettily decorate! for the occasion with coloured streamers and evergreens. The floor was in excellent order for dancing, and the grand march was led by Mr P. Gowland and Miss Joyce Aithheson. Music was supplied by Rae s orchestra, and the duties of M.C. s were carried out by Messrs W. A. Murcott, P. Gowland. and C. Green. A delightful supper was served, and dancing was continued until a late hour. Among those present were:—Mesdames A. M Kerrow. black lace; R. MTverrow, blue suede crepe: B. Duncan, black satin; G. Garter, blue taffeta; W. Ford,' blue floral velvet; J. Hetherington. navy blue georgette and lace; A. Lang, flame satin; Misses MFamilton, pale pink georgette; J. M Williams, pink and blue taffeta; P. Moods, blue brocade and net; Joyce Aitcheson, lemon taffeta; M'Crachen, lemon satin; Nicholson, pale green satin; V. Gormick, pink crepe de chine! I. M Williams, eau de-nil georgette; M. Douglas, pink taffeta; C. Familton, floral taffeta; M. Johnson, flame satin georgette; W. Hunt, salmon satin; P. Hunt, blue satin; M. Walker, floral taffetta; Little, navy blue lace; G. Green, black frock; Hutton,-green taffeta; Wilson (Herbert), floral taffeta; H Aitcheson, pink taffeta; M. Austin, lavender crepe de, chine; Z. Hutton, blue taffeta: H. Booth, blue and silver lace; Edmondston, salmon georgette; Anderson, green crepe de chine; Carter, pink georgette and lace; Malthus, blue taffeta; M. Kemp, blue satin; Dalraer (Oamaru). lemon georgette and lace; Emslie (limaru), blue satin and lace.