Notes for Women

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22826, 10 March 1936, 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 one at least of the principals, or by some responsible person, as a guarantee of genuineness.

Mrs David Brown and Miss M. Allan are visiting Christchurch.

Miss Katherine Westenra, who was staying with Miss Mary Reeves, is now visiting friends in Christchurch before returning to her home at Dnnsandel.

Mrs Wallace 'Watson and Miss Doris Watson have returned from a month’s holiday spent in motoring to the Glaciers, Nelson, and Picton.

Dr Ernest Graham Guthrie and bis sister, Miss Guthrie, of Chicago, are the guests of Mrs H. J. Guthrie, Anderson’s Bay. # * *

Mr and Mrs J. A. Mathewson and Misa Greenslade will leave on Saturday for Wellington to join the Makura on a trip to England.

On Friday the Beaumont Sub-branch of the Piunket Society held its second annual meeting, which was well attended. After sympathetic reference had been made to the death of the late Kingthe election of officers was proceeded with, the result being: President, Mrs R. Paterson; vicepresident, Mrs Orchiston; secretary anil treasurer, L. G. Brook. Piunket Nurse Graham, of Milton, who attended the meeting by invitation, was thanked for her valuable work in the district since the inauguration of the sub-branch.

Dame Laura Knight, whose appointment as a Royal Academician was recently reported by cable, is the first woman to receive "this distinction since 1769, the date of the foundation of the academy. Among the original academicians were Angelica Kauffmann and Mary Moser. The first woman since then to be elected an associate was Mrs Annie Swynnerton, who died in 1933. The only woman A.R.A. now is Mrs Dod Procter, who was elected in 1934. Dame Laura had been an associate since 1927. She is well known as a painter of scenes in the theatre dressing room, th* ballet, and the circus. Her husband is Mr Harold Knight, the portrait painter, who was elected A.R.A. in 1928.

On Friday afternoon Mrs T. W. Newbold and Miss Erana Newbold entertained a number of fellow-members of the Repertory Society at afternoon tea at the Otago Women’s Club. Present were Mesdames Winkel. R. F. Allan, Gair, R, Hudson, Wakefield Holmes. A. C. Stephens, 0. C. Stephens, Adair, and E. T. Moller and Misses Bessie Thomson and E. Moloney. Yesterday afternoon Mrs Newbold and Miss Erana Newbold were again hostesses at afternoon tea at the Otago Womens Club, the following guests being present; Mesdames Skuse, Somerville. Neale, Crump. Bryce. Lawry, Campbell. Olds. Brebner, and Phillips, and Misses Brebncr and Lois Wynne

Mr and Mrs D. Phillips left on Saturday for Christchurch where they will meet Miss Phillips on her return from Australia by the Wanganella.

Misa Carrie Barnes, of Christchurch, arrived on Friday to spend a holiday in Dunedin, and is the guest of Mrs C. G. Quigley, Falcon street, Koslyn.

The Misses N. and B. Glendining, who recently returned from an extended tour of Great Britain, the Continent, and America, have been the guests of Mrs Keith Ramsay since Friday, and to-day will resume their residence in Melrose.

Miss Greta Rnnnerstrum, who is to be married to Mr John Taylor on this day week, was guest of honour at a morning tea party and n dance on Saturday. The tea party was held in the Tudor Lounge, where the guests were: —Mrs Wilford Aitken. Mrs Colin Nicolson, and Misses hi. King, Edna Jdncs, Ellice Brickell, Molly Campbell, Lexic Macarthur, Moira Macaulay, Kona Nicolson, and Molly Runnerstrum. The dance was given bv Mr and Jlrs Colin Nicolson. those present being: Mr and Mrs Wilford Aitken, -Misses Norah Corson. Edna Jones, Flora and Lc.xie Macarthur, Kona Nicolson, Ellice Brickell, Doreen Barron, Ethel King, Molly Runuorstrum, Joyce Taylor (Wellington), and Moira Macaulay; Messrs C. Galbraith, E. Bond, W. Buxton. E. Garden, R. M’L.uen, R. Grant, J. Harris, R. 'Hynes, B. Thompson, P. Weenink, A. Nicolson, D. Mitchell, and J. Ferrier, and Dr Gordon Williams (British Guiana).

Much friendly interest centred round a wedding celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church, Broadway, Palmerston North, last week, when Miss Hilda Ethel Nicholson, of Palmerston North, second daughter of the late Mrs W. Foster, of Dunedin, was married to Mr Eric William Bleasel, formerly of Palmerston North, youngest son of the late Mr and Mi's W- H. Bleasel, of Wanganui. The church had been charmingly decorated by the bridegroom's sister, Mrs Ferguson, with pink asters and hydrangeas, an'd the ceremony was performed by the Rev. Monsignor MacManus. Miss Spelman playing the wedding music. The bride, who was escorted by Mr Harry Dooley, of Feilding, wore an attractive frock of beige angeltkin lace with a fish-tail train to which fell long sash ends of pink panne velvet, the corsage having a cowl neckline and long sleeves. She wore a picture hat of pink panne velvet trimmed with ostrich feather and carried a sheaf of gladioli and carnations in russet pink tones. Miss Joyce Clayton, of Dunedin, niece of the bride, was tire bridesmaid, and she wore a dainty frock of pink taffeta made with frilled cane effect, and sash of pink panne velvet. Her hair baud was of real flowers iu tones of pink and blue and she carried a Victorian posy of salmon pink and blue flowers. Two little flower girls were also in attendance. Patricia Huett, of Wel-

lington, and Josie Palmer, of Palmerston North, their frocks being replicas of the bridesmaid’s. . They alsq wore bandeaux of flowers and carried blue and pink floral balls. Mr Cliff Turner, of Palmerston North, supported the bridegroom as best man. During the signing of the register Miss Freda Doherty gave a rendering of “Ave Maria.” The reception following was held at the Majestic Hotel, where the lounge had been artistically decorated Jiy Miss Ailsa Turner with gladioli and dahlias in deep pink shades with a background of palms on tall stands. The tables, from which a buffet breakfast was served, were ornamented with carnations in a deep pink shade intermingled with maidenhair fern. The guests were received by Mrs B. Clayton, of Dunedin, sister o£ the bride, who wore a Russian suit of brown mattelasse, trimmed with mole and Hoggings and a brown velour hat, her posy being in autumn tones with gold tissue ribbons. Mrs A. Ferguson, of Palmerston North, sister of the bridegroom, also assisted, her costume being of black mattelasse with revers of black lacquer satin and scarlet buttons with which she wore a black velour hat, and carried a posy of scarlet zinnias. The bride and bridegroom were given a rousing send-off when they left later by the Auckland express, the bride travelling in a brown tailored costume, with a brown velour Breton sailor hat and fox furs. After their wedding trip Mr and Mrs Bleasel will make their new home in Australia. The happy couple were the recipients of numerous presents, included among them being a handsome crystal bowl from St. Patrick’s Football Club, of which the bridegroom was the first president.

Mr and Mrs J. Black gave a dinner party at their home, Kew, last evening, as a farewell to Miss Barbara Stevenson, who is leaving for Sydney at the end of the month to join the Balranald en route to England. The other guests were:—Mr and Mrs B. Ellis, Mr and Mrs W. Stevenson, Mr and Mrs Kodgerson. Mr and Mrs Milne, Mrs Fish, Mrs Lees, and Misses Mason, Couston, Scott, O’Keefe, Neill, and Sybil Stevenson. After dinner, an evening of bridge was enjoyed. On Saturday afternoon Mrs W. Stevenson was a hostess in Miss Barbara Stevenson’s honour, the other guests being Mesdames J. Black, A. MUne, B. Ellis, S. N. Brown, I. Stevenson, F. Hensen, A. J. Gilhnan, A. Lavender, F. Fish, K. Lees, E. H. Runner-strum, Sydney Smith, S. Angell, H. P. Kidson, S. APCracken, C. Penman, and J. Lemon, and Misses O’Keefe, Neil, Kirkland, J. Jones, M. Scott, F. Couston. J. Irvine, E. Brown. D. Arundel, Sybil Stevenson, and V. Blair Mason,

Recent guests at Jackson’s Hotel were: Mrs and Miss Fraser and Alr« Todd, Invercargill; Mr and Mrs Somerville and child. Mrs Newstub and Mr Alanderson, Christchurch; Mr and Mrs M'Farlane, Queenstown; Messrs Phelong (2), Oamaru; Mr Jarman, Mr Lee. and Mr Gasgoyne, Christchurch; Mr and Mrs Miller, Clyde; Mr Emus. Auckland: Mr and Mrs Adams, Gore; Mrs Scott and child. Roxburgh; Miss Attack and Mr Attack, New Plymouth: Mr Washer, Timaru: Mr and Mrs Pennington and Mr Pennington, jun., Wellington; Mr Sweet and Mr Preen, Timaru; Mr Bateman, Christchurch: Mrs Stewart and blaster Stewart. Centre Bush: Mrs Young, Miss Young, and Miss Smith. Bluff: Mr Foster, Hinds; Mrs Oawford and Alis« Crawford. Tapanui; and Mr and Mrs Perrie, Mis s Pcrrie, and Air MMennott. Oamaru

The St. Clair branch of the League of Mothers held its opening meeting in the Presbyterian Hall, Albert _ street. As this was the first meeting since the death of King George, suitable , reference was made by Mrs Booth (president), and members stood in silence for a few moments, after which all joined in singing a verse of the National Anthem. A letter from the Huntly branch of the Scottish Mothers’ Union was read, and views of this town afterwards handed round. Miss APDougall, the speaker for the afternoon, had chosen her programme in accordance with her subject. “The Child in Literature.” She commented on the great change that had taken place during the last 80 or 90 years in regard to the mental attitude of the English-speaking race fl towards children. Traversing the times -When child labour was so universally and shamelessly cxnloited. Miss M'Dougall read two verses of Mrs Browning’s poem “ The Cry of the Children.” which startled Great Britain into a realisation of its responsibilities. It was surprisng how comparatively rare was the mention of children in literature until one came to Wordsworth, through whom the child in literature was given a definite place. At this juncture Mrs G. \V. Johnstone gave an understanding rendering of the well-known poem “We Are Seven.” Miss M'Dougall quoted a sequence of writers who had created child characters, including the whimsical characters inspired by James Barrie. An extract from his hook, “The Little White Bird,” was then read by Mrs T. Stuckey. Songs of child life of more modern times by A. A. Milne were sung by Mrs Robson (“ The Market Square ”) and Miss May Brook (“Vespers”). Miss M'Dougall read extracts from (he letters and diaries of Pet Marjorie, who had been described by literary critics as “ the youngest immortal in the world of letters,” and Airs Doig read that touching poem. “Little Hands,’ by Laurence Binyon. The treatment of the whole theme varied from grave to gay. and listeners were carried from the earliest mention of children in literature down to the work of the New Zealand writer Katherine Alausfield. Airs H. J. Davis, in thanking Alisa APDougall, said that the members’ reception of the programme had shown in no uncertain manner their delight at the rare treat presented to them.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL

Mrs )R. A. Douglas has returned to Invercargill from a visit to Dunedin.

Miss M. Rowley, of Wellesley, Invercargill, has returned south from a visit to Dunedin.

Miss Ivy Williams is spending a holiday in Timaru and is staying at Te Kainga, Wai-iti road. »

Mrs David Solomon, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs G. R. N. Jones, of Timaru, has returned to her home at Mornington. * « *

Miss Betty Black was the guest of Mrs B. C. Basstian, of Invercargill, for the aero ball and returned north by aeroplane on Friday.

Miss Betty Macassey, who was the guest of Mrs C. C. W. Haselden, of Timaru, is now staying with Miss Lorna Mann, of Christchurch.

The Mioses Hutchison, of Park street, will leave for the_ north next week en route for South Africa, where they will make an extended stay.

Miss I. Mitchel, who has been the guest of Mrs H. S. Mitchel, of Invercargill, is now the guest of Mrs P. Callender at the Rocks, Riverton. » * * The Misses Drawbridge, of Wellington, who spent the week-end as the guests of Mr» M'Naught, Sunshine, have left for Pembroke on the first stages of a tour of the Lakes district. *' » # Miss V. V. C, Todd, matron of Talbot Hospital, Timaru, passed through Dunedin during the week-end en route for a holiday to be spent in and around Invercargill. * * *

The engagement is announced between Dorothy Chisholm, only daughter of Mr and Mi* W. A. Mackay, of Roslyn, and Donald Spencer, elder son of Mr and Mrs A. C. MTnnes, of Wai-iti road, Timaru.

Miss Winifred Cox. whose marriage to Mr John Edmond will , take place next week, has been entertained by Mrs W. F. Edmond, Mrs James Monro, and Mr Erlton Wilson during the past few days.

The engagement is announced between Jessie Coghill, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs W. Coghill Peacock, of Dalgarven,” Rawhiti terrace, Kelburn, Wellington, and Robert Forsyth, only eon of Mr and the late Mrs Peter Barr, of Montpelier. ♦ ♦ •

Mr and Mrs D. T. Larnach, of the Bank of New Zealand, Waimate, South Canterbury, announce the engagement of their second daughter, Lilah Isabel, and Clifford Dennison Medlicott, of Waverlev. Taranaki, younger son of Mr and Mrs S. Medlicott, of “ BroadfieldsHook, Waimate.

A marriagp has been arranged, and will take place in June, between John Fortescue Platts-Mills, son of J. F. Mills and Pr Platts-Mills, of Wellington, and Janet Katherine, second daughter of the late A. T. Crawford and Mrs Cree, of Thom Cottage, Berkhamsted.

Mrs T. W. Newbold and Miss Erana Newbold will leave to-morrow for a long vacation in the North Island and Australia. Prior to departing for Australia. Miss Erana Nweoold will return temporarily from the north to take part in a film to he made at Timaru and Mount Cook. # # ♦

It will he learnt with satisfaction that Professor Shelley will come down from Christchurch for the Easter School of Drama. Miss Elizabeth Loe, straight from her special course of training for dramatic work in London, will make her first appearance in New Zealand at that school, and Miss Barbara Williams, who is returning to the Dominion by the Rangitata, after having made a special studv of music and movement in London, will also ho on the staff. Professor Adams lias consented to give a lantern lecture on "Ancient Greek Drama.”

At a committee meeting of the British Drama League local branch, held on Saturday morning, final decisions were made as to the classes for rehearsals of plays under the direction of Professor Shelley and Miss Loe at the Easter School of Drama. On the first night at the welcome meeting every intending active member will be asked either to read or to perform a very short passage to give either Professor Shelley or Miss Loe an indication of their capabilities, so that they may be there and then cast for' one of the plays to be put into immediate rehearsal. On the final night of the school —Easter Monday—the plays that have been rehearsed will be produced.

The Port Chalmers League of Mothers held its opening meeting last week, when, in the absence of the president, Mrs Cleghorn, the vice-president, Mrs .Fletcher, was in the chair. As this was the first meeting since the death of King George, suitable reference *was made by Mrs Fletcher, who also spoke of several of the league’s own members who had been bereaved since the last meeting. Members stood in silence for a few moments. The speaker for the meeting, the provincial president (Mrs Reid), gave an interesting account of work done at conference. The membership of the Mothers’ League in New Zealand was now 7000. On behalf of the members Mrs Scolly moved a vote of thanks to the speaker. Mrs Cunningham was elected third representative on the Provincial Council. Miss Strhaire M'Pherson rendered two solos.

The National Council of Women held its first monthly meeting of the year on Wednesday evening in the Otago Women’s Club rooms. After devotions the president. Mrs Benson, expressed the sorrow of the council at the passing of his Majesty King George V, who during his reign had known much of unrest, war and depression, but throughout it all had toiled for the betterment of his people and had given a loving friendship to all humanity. The council Stood in silence as a mark of their respect. There was a good attendance of members. A welcome was extended to Mrs M'Skimmiug and Mrs D. G. M'Millan, who came as visitors, and also to Mrs Rapke. J.P.. of Melbourne, who occupied a magisterial position in its suburb of St. Kilda, 'Victoria, and is much interested in child welfare problems. Mrs Rapke had much of interest to tell the council concerning the working of the Children’s Courts in tlie various Australian States, and also something about the operation of women police in Victoria. Queensland is still working to get a Children’s Court: New South Wales has no women on its Children’s Court staff: West Australia has lost the three women it had on its staff and also its psychological clinic, but hard work is being done to retrieve the position. Victoria has a force of eight women police; these officers have passed the same various tests as the men and have the rank of constable, but do not wear uniforms. They are doing excellent work, especially in patrolling beaches and caring for neglected children. A scheme for raising the status of the domestic worker has been set on foot in Melbourne by a number of headmistresses. A fine property has been bought and a fourvear course of training mapped out. Girls from secondary schools are being attracted to it. It began with four resident pupils, and now there are 16, in addition to some day scholars. After the routine business Mrs Benson outlined the programme for the September, 1930, session of the I.C.W. at Dubrovnik, in Jugoslavia. This programme deals with a wide range of subjects, some of which are abolition of slavery and of child labour, promotion of journalism for women, fostering of education. physical development and suffrage rights for women, a high and equal moral standard for young people, and widening the scope of national health and unemployment insurance schemes.