Notes for Women

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22065, 22 September 1933, Page 13

Notes for Women

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL The Musselburgh branch of the League of Mothers held its monthly meeting in the Methodist Church hall, Queen’s drive, on Tuesday. There were two speakers for the evening. Mrs M'Gregor, secretary of the Otago branch, spoke on the activities of the larger branches, explaining how to create and maintain an interest in the branch. Then followed an address by Miss Jackson, secretary of the Victoria League, who interested the mothers in the activities of the rest rooms and nursery in the city. A vote of thanks was passed by Mrs Leech and Mrs Linds' * *

The scene in the Town Hall last evening, when Miss Billie Mitchell _ was crowned queen of the carnival, was singularly impressive and colourful. Down the centre of the hall a length of grey and brown carpet led, by way of a flight of steps, up to the stage to meet a carpet of gold, at the back of which was the royal chair. Four grey armchairs with gold cushions waited to receive the ladies-in-waitiug, and before the royal chair was a purple cushion. The background was a charming arrangement of pale green ferns interspersed with spring blossom. A fanfare of trumpets played by men in khaki opened proceedings. Five soldiers in red coats marched up the hall to form a bodyguard on the steps, and the red-coated band of the Otago Regiment began to play a slow march. Then on to the stage came the procession, to be welcomed by the audience with bursts of excited clapping. First came the Master of Ceremonies (Mr Angus Gorrie), in black evening suit, followed by the Bearer of the Bouquet (Miss Rita Cook)—a child in a heel-length frock of pink organdie—and the Bearer of the Colours (Miss Sealy)—a page in a green suit and cape with a white banner in her hands. Ladies-in-waiting followed, each with a head-dress of white ostrich plumes: Mrs R. S. Black in white satin with a white satin train lined with green carried by two small pages, one in green and one in gold; Mrs N. Ross in ro3 r al blue with a white fur capette, her train of blue lined with red being carried by a diminutive soldier and sailor; and Mrs R. Hudson in Burgundy red velvet with her train of white, brocaded in roses, carried by two little girls in long maizecoloured court frocks. Mrs Black carried a posy, Mrs Ross a white ostrich feather fan, and Mrs Hudson a bouquet. The Bearer of the Sword (Miss Nancy Haig), the Bearer of the Orb and Sceptre (Miss Verona Drysdale), and the Bearer of the Crown (Miss Joyce Caldwell) followed—three pages in white with white wigs and scarlet cushions in their hands. Finally, preceded by the Lord Chamberlain (Mr S, H. Osborn) and a guard of two soldiers in blue, came the queen herself, Miss Billie Mitchell, in a gpwn of white satin with waist-length ermine cape and a magnificent train of white satin supported by three children in white satin, two dressed as pages and one as a little girl, and an attendant lady in purple (Miss Mary Jolly). When the Master of Ceremonies and the two blue soldiers went back to bring forward the Bearer of the Scrolls (Miss Jobey)—a page in yellow and apricot with a red cloak —the picture was complete.

WOMEN’S DIVISION N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION The monthly meeting of the Evans Flat branch was held in. the schoolroom on September 14, when Miss Brook presided over a good attendance of members. When the roll was called each member answered by giving a nursery hint. The correspondence for the mouth wag then read and discussed. The hostesses were Mesdames Boss and Hogg. Miss Robertson gave an interesting talk on firstaid, afterwards demonstrating the tying, etc., of bandages. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Miss Robertson for her talk.

The members of the Lauder branch met at “ Clover Hill,” the home of Mrs K. Brown, on September 15. There was a large attendance, and an enjoyable afternoon was spent. Arrangements were made for celebrating the branch's first birthday, and it was decided that the branch should hold a dance. Hostesses for the afternoon were Meed'ames JLeask and A. Brown. An amusing competition was won by Mrs Anderson. A demonstration on “ rose pruning ” given by Mrs T. Moran was greatly appreciated by all. Musical numbers were given by Mesdames Thurlow and M. Hamilton. \ vote of thanks to Mr s Moran and to the hostesses brought the meeting to a close.

The evening of Monday, September 11, saw members of the Glenledi-Akatore branch of the W.D.F.U. assembled at the residence of Miss M’Guigan. Plans were set on foot for a social evening to take the form of a combined dance and card party, the object being to supplement the funds of the branch. The business meeting was followed by an instructive lecture on the subject of "Dressmaking,” delivered by Miss Johnson, of the Home Science Department. The president, Mrs Ilollamby, afterwards voiced the members’ appreciation of the lecturer’s helpful work.

Under the auspices and at the request of the Clydevale branch, Mr J. Garfield Anderson, M.A., M.Sc. (rector of the South Otago High School), delivered a very interesting address in the hall on Saturday evening. There was a good attendance of the public, including members of the Farmers’ Union, members of the Greenfield branch of the Women’s Division and Farmers’ Union, and several visitors from Balclutha. Mrs A. K.ee, president, presided, and briefly introduced the speaker. Proceedings were opened ■with a pianoforte solo by Mrs Alan Thomson. The subject of the lecture was “Education and the Farmer,” and was listened to with rapt attention and appreciative interest throughout. the lecturer explained that the true meaning of education was pot merely the acquiring of a heterogenous collection of facts or of examinational successes, but the development of the mind in order to improve the perceptive faculties, foster its creative ability, and enable it to solve life’s problems in a logical manner; or, briefly, to train the mind to educate itself after school days were over. He stressed the fact that, to be of greatest value, the educational curriculum must be suited to the environment of the student. At the present time, under the prescribed secondary school syllabus, the teachers had to spend too much time preparing and, in many cases, cramming the pupils for examinations at the expense of the cultural side of their education. Modern conditions tended to give people more leisure than ever before, and a fair criterion of a man’s education was indicated by the way in which he spent that leisure. The lecturer considered the study of English to be of first importance for it cultivated the ability to express one’s thoughts easily and correctly, and helped the student to acquire a taste for good literature. If he succeeded in doing that, ordinary, trashy fiction would hold little attraction for him. The next in order of importance was science, which should include the scientific explanations of things he came in daily contact with, such as the cultivation and fertilisation of the soil, electricity, wireless, machinery, and at the same time lead the student to experiment on his own account, and not be content to blindly follow the methods of a past generation. Next to science, the lecturer stated, he would place geography (including physical geography), dealing with the relation and interdependence of one country with another. This would naturally widen the

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student’s views, and his sympathies with the problems of other countries. With regard to vocational training, “money value ” was not of greatest importance, that is the choosing of any special calling, because it promised higher remuneration than others, but rather the development of those faculties which would enable the student to pursue that for which he had the greatest mental aptitude. Therein lay the only chance of making a real success in life. Whatever calling a lad might intend to follow, whether agricultural, commercial, or otherwise, a two years’ secondary course, along the lines indicated, would be of immense value to him; for, in a cultural sense, although few were able to become artists or musicians, 90 per cent, were able to acquire an appreciation for art and good music. The speaker also stressed the fact that farmers’ organisations and women’s divisions had it in their power to demand an educational curriculum in schools and colleges that would embrace these reforms, and do away with the academical bias which, at present, existed to the detriment of the student, and much valuable time would not be wasted. He advocated the formation of young farmers’ clubs in every agricultural district as a means of offering encouraging facilities to young lads to specialise along those lines of agriculture which appealed to them individually. At the close of the lecture _ Mrs Weir, on behalf of the women’s division, moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Anderson for the profit and pleasure the audience had derived from his address. In replying Mr Anderson thanked all for the splendid hearing he had received, an expressed his willingness to assist in any movement for the formation of a young farmers' club in the district. After supper vocal items by Mrs J. G. Anderson and Miss Doreen Craig and a pianoforte selection by Mrs Thomson added further enjoyment to the evening s pror gramme. Mr Macfarlane, president of the Farmers’ Union, moved a vote of thanks to the women’s division for arranging such an enjoyable evening for the benefit of the public. Mr A. Craig, member of the Otago Provincial Council Executive, spoke briefly on matters ot interest to farmers, after which the meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem.

THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Popotunoa Women’s Institute held its September meeting last Saturday, Mrs M'Kenzie presiding. The forthcoming sixmonthly programme was discussed, it being decided to compile the programme at a future meeting when more members would have an opportunity of contributing suggestions. A sixpenny “bring-and-buy” sale was then conducted, and, as some absent members had also sent articles, the amount collected was very creditable.

The monthly meeting of the Benhar Women’s Institute was held on the 13th inst. Mrs Twaddle presided over a fair attendance of members. The roll call was “Gardening Hints.” The demonstration was raffia and cane work. The competition, which was for a novel and inexpensive ornament, was won by Mrs Jack Park, Mrs P. Park and Mrs George Park carrying off the second and third honours respectively.

At the September meeting of the Roxburgh Institute there was a table of spring flowers. A paper on “ Gardening,” by Mr B. Jeffery (read by Mrs Scolon), had many good suggestions, and the writer offered a prize of plants to the Women’s Institute member gaining most points in the local flower show. There were songs by Miss Kee and Miss Henderson. Members decided that next month only, a charge be made for afternoon tea, and that a gift market table be held to help the federation and the Otago rest cottages.

A largely-attended meeting was held in the Kyeburn Hall on September 6, to form a woman’s ‘ institute. Mrs Kirkland (district organiser) accompanied by Mrs Harris (president of the Clinton institute) were present. The visitors brought with them a large number of useful articles, in the exhibition of which a great deal of interest • was taken. The following office-bearers were elected:— President, Mrs F. Hore: vice-president, Mrs Shand; secretary, Mrs Preston. It was decided to hold the monthly meeting on the second Wednesday of the month.

The Mosgiel Institute celebrated its second birthday on August 22 by holding a dance in the Masonic Hall. Mr H. Smith acted as M.C., and under his capable direction the 50 couples present had an enjoyable time. The programme was a varied one, including both modern and old-time dances. During the evening two novelty dances were introduced—a flower dance, which was won by Miss Swallow and Mr C. Swallow, and a carl dance, won by Miss Rattray and Mr E. Finnie. Supper, provided by the institute members, was served by the committee, who had been indefatigable in their efforts to make the evening a success.

The monthly meeting of the Tuapeka Mouth-Greenfield Institute was held on Wednesday afternoon, September 6. Mrs Dayman occupied the chair. Mrs Gordon Fraser read a list of the resolutions passed at the Christchurch conference. The roll call, “ Helpful Hints in Emergencies," was well responded to. A competition for the best shopping bag was won by Mrs Pannett, with Mrs Allen second. An instructive lecture and demonstration on “ First Aid and Home Nursing” was given by Mrs Cooksley, followed by an interesting demonstration on “ Artificial Respiration ” by Miss Moore. A special meeting was held to hear Miss Johnson, of the Home Science Extension Bureau, give an interesting demonstration on “ Millinery .’’Mrs G. Fraser read a report on her visit to Christchurch as delegate. A pair of gloves was presented to Miss Mitchell, who was leaving the district.

HOME SCIENCE TALKS CURING SPRING AILMENTS. Dear Phillida, —You were saying that various people were suffering from spring ailments. Why blame the spring when their own diet had been at fault all winter and this was merely the climax? Ido not wish to appear unsympathetic, but I know for a fact that many people have been omitting fruit from their diet merely because the bottled fruit was finished and they did not have any fresh fruit —dried fruit they wouldn’t use because of some foolish prejudice. To be sure our bodies will work for a time on an unbalanced diet, but as time goes on our resistance is lowered. We simply must have sufficient fruit and green vegetables in the winter time. “Why?” you ask. Well, we all known that healthy blood is neither neutral nor acid, but slightly alkaline in reaction. This slight alkalinity is a result, we might say. of a continual fight in the blood between substances of an acid and an alkaline nature. Now, meats and cereals are acid-produc-ing foods, while fruits and vegetables are alkaline. If, then, our blood is to remain healthy and alkaline in its reaction as it should be, we must see that fruits and vegetables take a big part in our diet. In winter time there is always a tendency for us to eat larger meals —the weather is cold, we work and play energetically, and so our appeite is stimulated and we find ourselves enjoying meals which consist mainly of meat, rich grains, cereals, boiled and steamer puddings. These meals are quite nutritious and we enjoy them, but if we are not careful we will find that our diet has become an unbalanced one. We find that instead of fruit and vegetables occupying an important part, they occupy hardly any part at all. Of course I realise that it is often difficult for the average person to obtain fresh fruit in winter, and sometimes the bottled supply runs out, but you can always use the dried fruits. Even though spring is here now and fresh fruits and vegetables are rapidly appearing.

many of us may stlil find it necessary to use the dried fruits. Perhaps the jam supply is getting low._ Here then, is a receipe for dried apricot jam: Apricots 2lb, water seven pints, sugar 51b. Method: Wasli fruit and soak in water —seven pints—for 48 hours. Boil until clear and soft. Strain to remove skins. Add sugar and boil until of consistency of jam. Test on cold surface. The next is a recipe for a delicious pudding. Peach shortcake: Flour two cups, salt half a teaspoonful, baking powder four tenrspoonfuls, shortening four tablespoonfuls, milk threequarters of a cup. Method; Sift flour, salt and baking powder together. Cut in the shortening and add milk slowly to make a soft dough. Sot in two parts. Roll half dough one quarter inch thick. Place in greased pan and spread with softened butter. Roll other half same thickness and place on top of first. Cook as for scone mixture in hot oven about 15 minutes. W'lien cooked, turn out ou plate. Split the shortcake, cover with a layer of dried peaches (which have been soaked for at least 12 hours and cooked and sweetened to taste). Replace the top layer and spread top with more peaches and whipped cream. When using died fruits always be sure you soak them well before cooking, theu I am sure you will like them. —Yours, _ Janet, Home Science Extension Service, University of Otago, Dunedin.