NOTES FOR WOMEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22714, 29 October 1935, Page 15

NOTES FOR WOMEN

By Phillida.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL The annual meeting of the Music Circle of the Otago Women's Club was held on Friday night, the president (Mrs Richard Hudson) being in the chair. The following office-bearers were elected: — Chairwoman, Mrs- L. Beaumont; vicechairwoman, Miss E. Yorston; secretary, Miss M. Sawers; committee—Mesdames S. C Wilson and Wakefield Holmes, Missea Meda Paine, Ida White, Ngaio Garland, Edith Morrison, and Zita Hart. Following the transaction of business members were entertained with a very enjoyable lecture by Dr V. E. Galway entitled "The Growth of Song." In this h e traced the development < of music through the ages, beginning with ancient Egypt, which had a very highly developed music thousands of years before Christ, with harps, lutes, and flutes, all designed for plaving chords. To illustrate this Mr A. Walmsley sang two old Egyptian songs, "Hymn to the Evening Sun ' and "A Lament." Chinese music was next touched upon—a system of incredible antiquity, for Confucius in 500 B.C. compiled a song book, the earliest in existence. So far aa could be ascertained, the Chinese were the first nation to suggest harmony, and this was illustrated by Mr Walmsley's singing of "Down the Course of Years," Jewish music next canie under notice, with all the wonderful instruments used in the temple services; and also Arab music, with its power of rhythm, and its atmosphere of mystery and romance, to which Italian opera owed its origin. This period was illustrated by "The Angel of the Desert," sung bv Mr Walmsley. The growth of British music was traced from its earliest beginnings in folk songs, through church music to the times of Queen Elizabeth, with madrigals, ballets, and airs, which were the forerunners of the modern song. This period was illustrated by three numbers—- " Come Again." " Sweet Kate, and "There is a Garden in Her Face, all written about the sixteenth century. Through various Dr Galway brought his audience up to modern times and Mr Walmslev sanr three delightful modern songs—" Fill a Glass with Golden Wine." "To Daisies," and "Love Went a-Riding "—which concluded a delightful evening. Miss Yorston, on behalf or the circle, proposed a vote of thanks to Dr Galwav for his lecture, and to Mr Walmsley for illustrating it so admirably. NEW ZEALAND WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING Lady Wilford presided at the fourth annual meeting of the New Zealand Women's Association at New Zealand House (says our London correspondent, writing on October 5). She said that the association had fulfilled its aims by providing opportunities for New Zealand women in London to meet, and commented on the success of the three afternoon parties held during the year at Grosvenor House. The first week in October was fixed as the time for all future annual general meetings. Lady Wilford said that the response to the suggestion for garments to he made by members was not very good, and those which had come in were all being given to the Personal Service League. She hoped that more would be made for next year, and then they could be divided among different charities. Miss V. Russell suggested that if a Fairbridge farm school were begun in New Zealand it might be possible for the society to make itiself responsible for clothing two or three or more children at the school. The suggestion was approved. The next party is to be held during the third week in January. Lady Wilford and Miss Russell -were elected vice-presidents, and Mrs Hal Williams, Mrs C. J. Wray, Mrs J. MacN. Christie, Mrs M. Williams, Mrs L. Levien, Mrs H. T. B. Drew, Mrs Edward Wilson, Mrs E. S. Harston, Miss Stella Murray, and Miss Thurston to the committee. WAR ON STAINS If you find any coffee, fruit, wine, ironmould, or ink stains on your linen, simply glance down this page and you will find out how they can be done away with. Coffee Stains.—A fresh stain can be removed by applying yolk of egg mixed with glycerine. If old, the above treatment will sometimes fail, in which case apply chloride of lime. As soon as the stain disappears, soak in ammonia and water for about three hours. Then iron while still damp on the reverse side. Fruit Stains. —When new, can be removed by pouring boiling water through the stained part. .Old stains should be rubbed on both sides with glycerine, then fold a piece of pearlash up in the article and soak it in very hot water. Should this fail, boil the material together with same pearlash. The article should then be hung in the garden on a sunny day until the stains disappear. Wine Stains. —Hold the stained part of the article in a saucepan of boiling milk, and allow it to eimmmer until the stains have disappeared. Ironmould. —Spots saturate with lemon juice. • , Ink Stains. —Same treatment as tor ironmould. Speaking of ink, take a glance round your rooms and see how much damage it has done. In its proper place ink is very useful, but so often its marks can"be 6een on the floor, tablecloth, and even on the furniture. So look about, and if you see a spot, get busy! Carpets.—Dissolve a teaspoonful of oxalic acid in a teacupful of hot water, dip a piece of rag in the solution and rub hard. If a red stain remains after the ink has gone, scour with a solution of chloride of lime. Next time you spill ink on the carpet, cover the pool with salt. It will absorb the ink, and you will then be able to scoop it up with a spoon. It is advisable to finish by rubbing the spot with half a lemon, followed by a rmse with cold water. Coloured Tablecloths.—Same treatment as for old stains on carpets. White Tablecloths.—See ironmould. Floor Boards.—Rub with a cloth dipped in spirits of salt, but be careful not to get it on your hands. Afterwards, wash with warm, soapy water. When you spill ink on the floor, try spilling some water as well. It sounds messy, but the water will dilute the ink which, if wiped up at once, will leave no stain. • • , .'.v.. Mahogany.—Add four drops of spirits of nitre to a teaspoonful of water and paint the spot with a camel-hair brush. Directly the stain has vanished, rub with a damp cloth. Wallpaper.—Rub gently with an ink eraser. —An exchange.

WOMEN'S DIVISION N.Z. FARMERS' UNION Reports of meetings of' brandies are requested, but they should be furnished promptly, for the publication of reports that are not supplied within a week from the date of the meeting cannot be assured. The members of the Hilleud branch of the Women's Division met in the hall on Wednesday afternoon. The president (Mrs T. Gorden) presided. Mrs Brown gave a demonstration on "The methods of Bookbinding and the Making of Photograph Albums." Mrs Moir and Mrs Gordon were hostesses. Instead of the monthly meeting, the Airedalc-Rosebery branch held a garden party at the home of the Misses Stephens, a number of visitors being present from the Weston and Oamaru brandies. On account of a change in the weather, an adjournment wag made to the hall, where, after the president (Mrs Poison) had extended a welcome to all present, games and other competitions were indulged in. Gifts and prizes had been kindly given by Mesdames Pringle. Willetts, Lory, Polson, Neill, mid Kirkpatrick, and Miss Stephens. The following were the prizewinners:—Cake, Mr G. Plant; biscuits, Mrs W. Harvey; vase, Mrs W. Walker (Oamaru); quoits, Miss M. Stephenson 1, Mrs- Fisher 2; lucky cup, Mrs Fisher; nail-driving, Mrs W. Har-

vey. A much-appreciated afternoon tea was served by the Misses Stephens. Mrs Burdett, on behalf of the Weston branch, thanked the local branch for the enjoyable time they had spent. Votes of thanks were accorded Mr and Mrs and the Misses Stephens for the use of their home, and also Mesdames A. Manson, sen., T. Stephens, E. Roberts, and Miss O'Donnell, for decorations. * * * The second birthday of the Bannockburn branch was celebrated on October 16 at the Bannockburn Hall. After a short concert, which was much appreciated by those present, Mrs J. Ritchie, president of the branch, extended a welcome, to all present, particularly to Mesdames Drake, Elliott, Annan, and members of other divisions. Mrs J. Smith, president of the Cromwell branch, lit the two candles on the cake, which had been made and iced by members of the division. Mrs Drake cut the cake, which was distributed to all present. After supper was served the hall was cleared for dancing, which lasted well into the morning.

THE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE Repoiis of meetings of branches are requested, but they should be furnished promptly, for the publication of reports that are not supplied within a week from the date of the meeting cannot be assured. The Brighton Women's Institute met on Thursday, Mrs Milsom being in the chair. The motto was " Have a heart that never hardens and a touch that never hurts.'' The roll call was "A washing day meal." It was decided to have a Christmas tree for district children in December. Miss Fegans gave a talk on " Teaching Reminiscences. Miss J. M'Call demonstrated on the ma'king of a woollen rug. The competition, "A knitting bag," was won by Mrs E. M'Coll. The Romahapa Institute met on Wednesday, Miss J. Gawn presiding. The motto was "Be loyal." The roll call was "Irish Stories." The competition, "A knitted article," was won by Mrs Cunningham, with Misses A. M'Hugh and R. Spence second equal. Another competition, "A print frock made and worn by yiurself," was won by Miss V. Johnston (first) and Miss A. M'Hugh (second). The prize for the most points gained during the year resulted in Misses R. Spence and V. Johnston being first, with Mrs Evans second. Hostesses were Mrs Cunningham and Mrs Evans. OVER THE HILLS AND PAR AWAY. Although " hiking" as an exercise is rapidly gaining favour everywhere, the pioneers of the " hike" were found in Germany (says an exchange). There the apparently humble beginnings of a single walk ' undertaken in 1899 by a group of .boy students from a Berlin college constituted what i was later to become an international movement. It eventuated in what is known as the Youth Movement in Germany, a movement which has spread its tentacles for good all over the world. That first hike in the last year of last century was a romantic adventure in a way, and quite possibly, their friends thought they were not only mad, but bad as well. Because, why would they want to go off by themselves on their holidays without either teachers or parents, into a small, rather wild little valley without roads, without houses, without even the humblest hostel or beer house? Obviously a streak of the gipsy somewhere, or, greater insult, the act of children at their most childish! However, that first hike was followed by more and regular ones. It became a group movement with a deep spiritual background. Jt was the beginning of the emancipation of youth all over the world. Clothes, of course, played a visibly important part in the movement as the outward symbol. The grandest scenery cannot be expected to be an influence for good when the body is suffering from restrictions inflicted by the clothes of fashion! So for that reason practical washing frocks were devolved for the girls, while the boys wore linen shirts of a plain dark colour, with brief and comfortable shorts. Sandals took the place of shoes, and decoration of any sort was limited to a few functional necessities. It wasn't exactly a uniform, but it was a uniform idea. Nor must the Youth Movement in Germany be understood as a revolutionary sect, for it was nothing of the sort. Its followers did not necessarily break away from existing conventions, but they went back to the earliest form of them. They were an influence for great good in a number of ways. The interest, for example, which these Wandering Birds, as they came to be known, discovered in national songs to sing along the way, country dances to perform around the tire on midsummer night, and folklore to apply to the various parts of the country they passed—all this gave rise to a revival of national instinct. Old songs, partly forgotten, were collected together and published as one of the very first gestures of tlie newly-formed Youth Movement. Thus tliey were saved from utter oblivion, and the little book became, in time, a sort of binding link between all the various groups which sprang up. For the first Hock of wandering birds increased all over the country till, in 1913, the leaders of the young generation met in a romantic old castle, there to discuss their views and formulate their ideals. It was a tragedy that the Great War should have killed off so mauy of the original leaders of the movement, but their spirit for gipsy freedom was too strong to die, and others took their place. Statistics are dull things seen' in the form of figures, but they are useful all the same for determining growth; and recent figures from Germany show very plainly how widely this love of walking is. The youth hostels, provided by a sensible Government, give shelter for the night, and wherewithal to prepare food, all at a very small cost. They are so clean, so simply run, and so numerous throughout the countryside, that even the timid walker can set off in the morning,

being sure of a place to shelter for the night. One more interesting aspect of the Youth Movement in Germany is the organisation of sport. Everything from tennis, golf, and canoe-touriug to gymnastics, is organised on a proper basis. Sport is now recognised as a national training to make the young people tit, and keep them fit. Herr Hitler believed it is not only necessary to make the individual strong and skilful and daring, but to harden him and teach him how to suffer injustice, and it is partly this belief which prompted him to suggest that the 1936 Olympic Games, which will bring athletes of the highest importance from all over the world, should be held in Berlin.