Notes for Women

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21600, 22 March 1932, Page 14

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 be signed by the principals, or by some responsible person, as a guarantee of genuineness.

A new hat at least four times a year is a sheer necessity for the majority of women who pretend to study dress at all, for hats have a horrid way of giving a definite date to our entire appearance, remarks a fashion writer from abroad. In other directions the clever woman can camouflage herself and her wardrobe by choosing correct accessories and wearing them in the right environment.

Lady Sidey entertained guests at a, tea party at her residence, “ Corstorphine,’" on Friday afternoon. Wearing a gown of floral crepe de chine patterned in brown and yellow, Lady Sidey received the guests, among whom were Lady Carncross (Eltham), Peter MacLaurin, L. Hobbs, Innes-Walker, Arthur Adam (Lawrence), A. Sidey, P. Priest. O’Callahan, and Burns, Misses Daphne Adam anj Tonkinson.

Over 90 guests were present at a delightful “kitchen” evening held in the Opoho pavilion recently, in honour of Miss Flora Thomson, who is to be an Easter bride. The accommodation of the hall was taxed to the utmost, while those present indulged in games and dancing to enjoyable music supplied by Mr Williams. During the evening both the guest of honour and her fiance expressed their thanks for the gifts received and honour accorded them. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne ” brought a pleasant evening to a clcse.

The christening of the infant daughter of Sir Edward and the Hon. Lady Grigg took place at St. Margaret’s, Westminster, on February 3. Canon Carnegie officiated, and the child was named Annabel Desiree. The godparents were the Hon. R. H. Brand, Mr W. L. Hichens, Princess Ingrid of Sweden, Lady Joan Peake and the Hon. Mrs Reginald Winn. New Zealanders will remember the Hon. Lady Grigg as the Hon. Joan DicksonPoynder, only child of Lord and Lady Islington. Her other child, a son, is now about eight years of age.

The Awamangu Women’s Institute held its annual meeting on March 5. There was a good attendance of members, and, after all the business had been dealt with, a very pleasant social afternoon was spent Mrs J. Cochrane, who has been president of the institute since its inception, was re-elected to that office. Mrs H. Grazier was admitted to membership. An excellent afternoon ton was served by Mesdames Helen and M'Credie, after which the members dispersed, _ having made many plans and good resolutions for the ensuing year.

The Buckingham Palace telephones are now on the automatic system, the opportunity of the absence of the Court having been taken for the change-over. The Palace, as anyone who is familiar with its interior knows, is well equipped with the extremely business-like and democratic aspect of these indispensable instruments againt the background of State splendour, of priceless works of art and treasured heirlooms of Royalty. The instruments are there in all their prosaic severity and not hidden under the decorative covers that appeal to many modern women.

* * w On Saturday night over 60 guests attended a " gift ” evening in the Trades Hall given in honour of Miss Brenda Russell, whose marriage to Mr Albert Seales, of Christchurch, took place last evening. Three friends of the bride acted as hostesses. The hall was very prettily decorated with coloured streamers* and balloons. Just prior to the supper adjournment the happy couple, assisted by their matron of honour (Mrs Len. Bain), open their numerous parcels. A most enjoyable evening, spent in games, dancing, and cards, was brought to a close with th£ singing of “Auld Lang Syne.’'’

The Queen has been making it known to her friends and those around her that she considers it desirable that the dresses of those attending court this year should be ns simple as possible. This view will be reflected, no doubt, when sketches of suggested designs are placed on view presently in the Lord Chamberlain’s office in St. James’s Palace. The general regulations for these dresses are to be precisely the same as those of last year, but it is an open secret that the Queen desires that British materials shall be used wherever possible. All her gowns, and those of other royal ladies attending court, will be productions of the Empire.

The King is anxious that the present call for economy should not react too hardly on certain trades. His Majesty, therefore, is making few modifications in the court plans for the 1932 season, and it is improbable that functions like Ascot will suffer any curtailment. It is in regard to more personal items of expenditure that the King and Queen are endeavouring to economise in order to cope with the £50,000 reduction in the Civil List which they themselves most unselfishly suggested. As an instance the King has asked for a report on possible economies in the upkeep of the extensive Buckingham Palace gardens, and a similar endeavour to keep down expenses is being made at all the royal residences.

A meeting of the_ Tahatika branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held at the residence of Mrs M‘Nab on March 16, at 8 p.m. Mrs M’Nab presided, and there was an attendance of 23 ladies. A competition for “ The Best Darned Sock or Stocking” was won by Mrs Jewell. The next competition which will be held at the meetineg at Mrs M'Nab’s. residence on April 30, at 8 p.m., will be “The Best Child’s Lunch.” A home science box on "How to Bring Out Your Best Points” was read and discussed. A discussion regarding a concert for the benefit of the community chest and branch funds took place, and it was decided that a concert be held on April 15. The hostesses for the evening were Mesdames M’Arthur and Roulston.

The Prince of Wales recently visited the Scilly Isles, which form part of his Duchy of Cornwall (states a correspondent). Scilly is the most serene spot in the British Isles. The winters are mild and the summers entrancing. Flower growing—chiefly daffodils, narcissi, and stocks—is the chief industry. One morning the Prince of Wales paid a 7 o’clock visit to Covent Garden. He said he had been told that that was the hour when the Scilly Isles supplies reached the market, and he had an experimental station of his own in Scilly. Not long before, after a visit to the Scilly Isles, the Prince had put two unemployed Welsh miners and their families on his land in Scilly -to see how they would fare as flower growers. The latest reports are most encouraging. ¥ ¥

The first monthly meeting of the Palmerston Saravati Club, over which_ Mrs Wedge presided, was held on March 17, when an enjoyable programme was presented. The story of the solos in the Peer Gynt Suite was read by Miss Guffie and illustrated by Miss E. Sheat (“The Death of Ase”), Miss D. Whittlestone (“ In the Hall of the Mountain King”). Mrs Wedge (“Carnival Scene and Solvcig’s Song”), Miss Nellie Pichett (“Wedding Day”), and Miss Mabel Stent (“To the Spring”)* were rendered by Miss I. Whittlestone (“A Russian Lament”) and Mrs Crockett (“ By the Waters of Minnetonka”), and a pianoforte solo (“The Rustic of Spring”), by Miss Bennett. A “ Library ” competition brought an enjoyable evening to a close.

Paris is a brown study just now. Not inly is brown the favoured daytime choice, but it is pre-eminently the chosen colour for evening wear. Brown dinner dresses are encountered in all the smart resorts, and materials range from velvet to georgette, net, and chiffon. Floral decorative motifs in rich autumnal shades characterise these creations. Posed gracefully at the waist or on the shoulder, the rich blossoms show up with special effectiveness against the brown background. The triple colour alliance of brown, gold, and crimson is most prevalent, and is enhanced by the red fox fur trimming of the accompanying brown velvet wrap. Bronze shoes arc the correct footwear finish, with pale flesh-coloured stockings that are exactly matched by delicate suede evening gloves.

I The monthly meeting of the Clyde 1 branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Town Hall on March 10, at 8 p.m. This was the opening meeting for_ the year 1932. an,d Mrs W. Annan presided over an attendance of 27 members. After the reading of the creed Mrs Annan welcomed members and visitors and expressed the hope that the branch would have a happy and successful year. Correspondence wr«i then dealt with, and, as the members of the Clyde branch have been asked to take charge of the sale of poppies, canvassers were appointed for Poppy Day, April 22. This concluded the business iprtion of the meeting, and the members tiien spent an enjoyable time in community singing. The hostesses for the evening were Mesdames Harlow, Tattersfield, and Woods. * * The Naseby Horae Science Circle held its fortnightly meeting on Tuesday of last week in St. George’s Hall, there being a good attendance of members. The rollcall, “ Where I Was Born and the Number in My Family,” caused much amusement. The meeting took the form of a “ health ” evening, and proved very interesting. A lecture on “Care of the Teeth” was given by Miss Doig, while a number of physical exercises was ably demonstrated by Miss Lexie Geddes. Later in the evening Misses Lexie _ Geddes. Sheila and Eileen Fox, gave a display of corrective exercises and deportment steps based on Mr Renfrew White’s new system of physical training. The president (Mrs Inder) moved a hearty vote of thanks to all who had contributed towards the success of the evening, and a novel health supper was then served. -i-

After ringing the changes with tortoiseshell, ivory, ebony, and enamel, feminine taste is turning again to silver as the approved dressing-table equipment. So complete in every detail is this latest evidence of the Victorian revival that the equipment even includes a little silver box for aspirins. A silver trinket case, ingeniously divided and subdivided to store various types of jewellery, is another feature. Many women are having old silver tea-table equipment remoulded nearer to the modern heart’s desire. Notable among the clever craftswomcn of to-day is the feminine silversmith, w'ho hopes to have better oportunities to prove her skill now that silver is to be the mode again. Glass-lined silver honey pots proclaim the growing popularity of that delectable Empire product, as do special silver honey spoons of “ unbendable *’ strength. * * * A meeting of the Evans Flat branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the schoolroom on March 11 at 2.30 p.m., when Miss B. Brook presided. A motion was put by Miss Robertson, and seconded by Mrs Hore —“ That this brajjch endeavour to purchase for a period of three months only goods made and produced in the British Empire.” A letter was received from Mr C. Mackenzie, director of the Jubilee Institute of the Blind, gratefully acknowledging receipt of £3 9s 4d, which sum was the proceeds from sale of goods at Evans Flat. Two members volunteered to sell poppies on Poppy Day. ( The meeting took the form of an antique afternoon, and many interesting articles were displayed. A competition, “Jumbled Names,” was won by Miss G. Carson. A dainty afternoon tea, with Mesdames Henderson and M. Fahey as hostesses, concluded the afternoon.

A French literary prize is waiting to be claimed by an Englishwoman who had not heard of her good fortune until she read a message announcing the award. It is the Priz Severine, worth 5000 francs, which is given annually for a women’s book furthering the ideals of international peace and conciliation. How it was won by Miss Helena Smith with her book “Not So Quiet” makes an interesting story. There are no candidates for the prize. Persons interested in the peace movement submit works to the jury. “Not So Quiet” was submitted by M. Jean Piot, chief editor of the Paris daily newspaper L’Oeuvre, who had read the work and been impressed by it. It was considered by the jury to be the best of the works brought to their notice, and they duly awarded the prize, adding a note that they would be glad if the authoress would make her address known to them as they were not in possession of it. It is only now, as the result of the public announcement of the awarding of the prize, that Miss Helen Zenna Smith will be enabled to establish contact with those who honoured her work. The Priz Severine rvas established in part with money left for that purpose by Madame Severine, the famous internationalist, and the jury is composed of men and women all anxious to further the cause of international peace.

A very pleasant evening was spent by the members of the Buffalo Lodges and their friends at Cargill’s Custie to celebrate the joint birthdays of three of their leading members (Messrs W. Higginson, R. Brown, and D. Hankey). Some 60 guests assembled to do honour to the occasion, dancing, music, and games being indulged in, while a bountiful supper was supplied by the management. The health of the guests of honour was proposed by Mr H. W. Winter in a felicitous speech, in which he made eulogistic references to the many services they had rendered to the Order and the high esteem in which they were held by the members. Suitable responses to the toast were made by the recipients, who expressed their appreciation to the large assembly. During the evening a presentation was made to Mrs A. Hutton in appreciation of her many services and kindnesses during the past season at the social gatherings held by the Order at the Castle. A splendid programme of music was rendered by Messrs Carpenter, Isaacs, Bishop, Higgmson, and R. Brown, while a very clever step-dance was rendered by Miss Sinclair, the accompanists for the evening being Miss M. Thomson and Mr Alexander. Among those present were: Mesdames w. Higginson, S. Hopkins, Dale, H. Lawless, W. Henderson, Isaacs, Hawkins, Higginson, Gourley, Carpenter, C. Henderson, A. Hutton, Parker, Bishop. W. Winter, H. Niles, Mooney, F. Hunt, Hartley, and Thomson, Missses Higginson, Winter, D. Mason, Coard, E. Sinclair, M’Naniara, M. Thomson, M. Ayres, M. Hillsdon, N. Copland, B. Dallas, P. Hutton, J. Hutton, M'Mullan, and D. M’Mullan, Messrs Isaacs. Higginson, Carpenter, Parker, H. W. Winter, P. Winter, R. Brown. W. Henderson, R. Hewlett, T. Dale, S, M. Lawson, B. Stewart, Chisholm, A. Jousev, J. Hawkins, H. Gourley, J. Lucas. C. Winter, T. Munro, E. Bartlett, H. Budd, A. Aitchison, H. Niles, H. Stewart, D. MTnnes, J. Alexander, S. Williams, J. Hutton, G. P. Hutton. W. Walker, and H. Hastic.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL

Mrs J. A. Jenkins has returned to Dunedin from a visit to Auckland.

* ‘t « Mr and Mrs David Solomon will spend the Easter vacation at Hanmer.

Miss 'Dorothy Strang, of Invercargill, is a visitor to Dunedin.

Mrs Charles Speight and Miss Winnie Speight left Dunedin on Friday for Lake Wanaka,

Mr and Mrs Lionel Stephens, of Wellington, are the guests of Mrs J. C. Stephens, Clyde street.

Miss Ensor will leave Dunedin to-day for Gisborne, where she will attend the wedding of Miss Phyllis Humphreys.

Miss Calder is visiting Invercargill, where she is the guest of Mrs XL A. Anderson

Misses J. and A. Mill, of Port Chalmers, left Dunedin yesterday cn route for England. ¥ V V

Miss Cara Pinckney, of “ Glenaray,” Southland, is visiting Timaru, where she is the guest of Mrs F. J. Rolleston.

Mrs Norm an Speight is visiting Hawera, where she is the guest of her sister, Mrs Herbert Caselberg.

Miss Margaret Livingston will leave Dunedin to-day for Rangiora, where shewill bo the guesfof Miss Ann Ensor.

Miss Margaret Cameron, of Oamaru, who has been the guest of Mrs T. S. Medlicot, Main South road, Waimate, hag returned to her home.

Mrs Leslie Wilson will leave Dunedin to-day for North Canterbury, where she will be the guest of relatives over the Easter vacation.

Miss N. Brewer, of Gisborne, will arrive in Dunedin to-day and will be the guest of Mrs Douglas Brewer, Merlin street, during her stay here.

Miss Margaret Livingston entertained, guests at a delightful bridge party given at her residence, “Kenwood,” in honour of Miss Peggy Mandeno.

Mr and Mrs W. J. Bardsley, of St. Leonards, who are expected to return to Dunedin to-day from an extended tour abroad, will be the guests of their daughter. Mrs Hugh Speight, Sheen street.

The Hon. Mrs Parshall, the wife of Mr Horace Parshall, and daughter of Lord Bledisloe, gave birth to a son at 5 Allen’s mansions, Kensington, on February 3. The infant is Lord Bledisloe’s first grandchild.

Miss Muriel Hare has returned from a motor tour of New Zealand. While in Auckland, Miss Hare attended the New Zealand Trained Masseurs’ Conference, and the opening ceremonies of the British Medical Association Conference.

Last week Miss Hazel Crane, who has resigned the position of organist of the Waitahuna Presbyterian Church, in view of her approaching marriage, was the recipient, of a dainty bedroom clock in appreciation of her services during the past 18 months.

Lady and her daughter and two song have gone to Taranaki at the invitation of the Maoris, as a great meeting house is being erected near the spot where the ashes of the late Sir Maui Pomare are laid. A part of this building is now ready, and is to be opened.

On Saturday morning, at Tudor Hal!, a delightful tea party, at which Miss Muriel Lane was hostess, was held in honour of Miss Lyall Harrop, a bride-elect. The guests present were Mesdames W. Lane, Gordon Jeffrey, A'. Mitchell, J. B. Blair (Outram), A. Harrop, L. Frude, Shaw Thompson, and Miss Nora Martin.

Mrs J. Thomson was hostess at a delightful tea party given yesterday afternoon at the Broadway Tea Rooms in honour of Miss Lyall Harrop, a brideelect. Among those present were Mesdaraes D. Thomson, A. Harrop, W. Anderson, E. Syrett. L. H, Frude, and R. L. Martin, and Miss Beavington.

An enjoyable tea party was given by Mrs Ivo Carr at her residence, High street, on Friday, in honour of her sister, Mrs Alan Marshall, of Marton. The guests present included Mesdames A. N. Haggitt, Terence Bridgeman, Maurice Myers, Stewart Macphersou, I*. Penberthy, and J. R. Laidlaw. Misses M. Kissling, B. Williams, and M. Reid.

Captain R, Fraser, late marine superintendent, Dunedin, accompanied by his wife and two daughters, left by the Ulimaroa on Friday en route tor England and the Continent. They expect to be away 12 months. Miss Winnie Fraser, the first girl in New Zealand to have a university nursing diploma conferred upon her, hopes to get further experience at Home.

Advice.—Join our Hosiery Club and get your free pair. Buy direct from the mill, where stockings wear longer.—London Town Hosiery Parlour, George street. —Advt.

Where space is limited there the Austin Seven solves an awkward problem. The overall width is only 4ft 2in and it can be housed at very little expense. It can be takfen into and out of places where no other car can go. In such a car it is an added pleasure to travel on country roads and beauty spots which are not easily accessible to large vehicles. Anywhere and everywhere in an Austin Seven!!! See them! Try them!—Austin Motors (Otago), Ltd., 284-286 Princes street. —Advt. # y- #

Miss Rose Dungey, a bride-elect, was the guest of honour at a “kitchen” evening given last week by Miss Isabel Stewart. Miss Dungey was the recipient of many useful gifts. Among those present were Mesdames D. Dryden and F. Stuiroer, Misses M, Coxon, J. Rait, D. Croy P. Croy, N, M‘Kee, M. Taylor, G. Stephenson, R. Bennett, and D. Smith. * * *

At her residence, “ Riverside,” Outram, on Friday Mrs J. B. Blair entertained guests at a pleasant tea party given in honour,of Miss Lyall Harrop, of Maori Hill, who is a bride-elect. Among the guests present were Mesdames A. Harrop, W. Anderson. H. Wilson, E. Syrett, Shaw Thompson. R. L. Martin, _L. Frude, J. MTndoe, M. Shand, G. Milsom, and A. Mitchell, Misses M. Lane and A. Blair.

The young hostesses of Mayfair are choosing brighter uniforms for their servants. Lime yellow morning dresses to match the staircase walls of her country home have been chosen by one well-known hostess, and flowered green and white for her London maids. Another wellknown one of the older school has chosen dove-grey dresses. Their mobcaps and fichus were inspired by the Puritan damsels who sailed in the Mayflower. White monkey-jackets are beinc worn by menservants instead of traditional black.