PERSONAL AND SOCIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22832, 17 March 1936, Page 16

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL

Mrs E. A. Kempthorue (Otago) has been on a visit to Auckland.

Mr Alister Stewart was a host at bridge last evening in honour of Miss Tephanie Ross.

Captain and Mrs A. A. E. Pennefather, of Timaru, returned home on Thursday from a visit to Central Otago, Southland, and Dunedin.

Mrs S. Batchelor, who has been staying with her daughter, Mrs Harold Elworthy, “ Craigmore,” has returned to Dunedin.

Miss Mavis Wilson, w'ho has been spend-; ing a holiday with her cousins, Mr and Mrs M'Ewan and family, of Invercargill, has returned home to CJydevale.

i\< * Miss Madeline Vyner, of Wellington, who has been the guest of Mrs J. Pottinger (Invercargill), arrived last evening to spend a few days in Dunedin before returning to the north.

Miss Molly Birch gave a luncheon party on Saturday at her home in Eglinton road in honour of Miss Winifred Cox. The other guests were Mrs Eraser Edmond and Misses Helen Cox, Elizabeth Williams, Joan and Mary Ritchie, and Isobel Reid.

At the invitation of Mrs Paul Lemon a large number of wellwishers of the Dominican nuns spent a pleasant afternoon at the Gardens Tea Kiosk on Wednesday. Songs were contributed by Miss Gallien and thoroughly enjoyed. The proceeds w r ere in aid of the forthcoming garden fete at North-East \ alley. Among those present were the Very Rev. Father Buckley, Mesdnmcs Lemon, Blackwood, Duffy, Airey, Curran, Yallis, Sligo, Pickup, Murney, Ryan, Murrow and I‘retledge, and Misses Pollock, Aiken, Vallis, Gallien, Heany, Brady and Davis. Father Buckley thanked Mrs Lemon on behalf of the nuns.

As his wife (Amy Johnson.) was a business woman before she became a pilot, Mr James Mollison said he felt himself quite at his case when he addressed the girls at farmers’ business girls’ luncheon in Sydney recently, at which he and Miss Helen Twelvetrees, the American film star, were guests of honour (states the Sydney Morning Herald). Mr Mollison said his wife was a very bad typist, so bad that he was surprised she had kept her job, but that she was a good pilot, and a proof of this was that, although he was a nervous man, he could sleep in an aeroplane which Mrs Mollison was piloting. He spoke amusingly about her present venture in air cruising, and said he knew less about it than the newspapers, so was w r aitmg to hear more details in the next editions. When questioned later, Mr Mollison said he expected further news of the scheme from his wife very soon. The idea of running cruises had been suggested to his wife and himself by an attendant in a London cocktail bar, who pointed out that the seven wonders of the world were within 1500 miles of London. Mr and Mrs Mollison thought over this' 1 remark, and decided air cruises would be an excellent way to show rich Americans as much as possible in a short time. Speaking of his own career, Mr Mollison told how, through casual discussion with some pressmen, during which lie agreed that it would be a good idea to fly the Atlantic, the English newspapers published that he would do it. It was too late to turn back, he said, so two months later found him, a frightened young man, ready to take off for America.

& sj« ■ ❖ In search of material for biography of Sir Truby King, her famous father, Miss Mary Truby King is at present a visitor from Australia to New Plymouth, Sir Trilby’s birthplace. It was almost solely due to the efforts of Sir Truby that the Dominion’s reputation for the lowest infant mortality in the world was acquired and that mothercraft is now a worldwide science, but Sir Truby’s interest in the welfare of babies is scarcely more than that of his daughter, who superintends the Truby King Mothercraft Society in Australia from the Sydney centre. She remarked in an interview (says a northern paper) that the society’s objects met with such a wide demand that there was now an acute shortage of trained Karitane nurses, and a well-recommended Karitane nurse would have no difficulty in finding employment in Australia. As yet, Miss King said, infant mortality in Australia was higher than in New Zealand, but steady application to the problem was gradually bringing it lower. She urged the need to improve training in obstetrics of medical students and to raise the standard of training for maternity nurses and midwives. A considerable advance could also be made in the education of young parents in the responsibilities of parenthood. Research work into the unknown causes of maternal and infantile deaths should be richly endowed, she said. Miss King’s interests are not confined solely to mothercraft work. She has a keen interest in literature, and already enjoys considerable reputation as a poet. She is the author of several volumes of verse. Truby King principles have spread throughout the British Empire and tc Palestine. Cromwell House, London, is England’s acknowledgment of its debt to Sir Truby. The Duchess of York is the president of the Mothercraft Training Society in London, and the system there attracts more and more attention and approval every year.

Sir Percy and Lady Sargood have returned to town from a trip to Lake Wanaka.

Miss Coreen Ogston, who is at present in England, will leave for New Zealand by the Ruahine on April 30.

Mrs E. I. Halsted, who has been on a long vacation in Australia, is expected to return to Dunedin to-morrow or Thursday. * * *

Miss Gwen Wilson, who for a number of years was on the staff of the mental hospital, Seacliff, has left for Australia to further her nursing experience.

Mr and Mrs R. G. C. M’Nab gave a bridge party in the Otago Women’s Club last evening in honour of Mr and Mrs IT. C. Ross. The other guests present were Mr and Mrs Gordon Bell, Mr and Mrs A. C. Cameron, Mrs Fergus, Mias Glendinuing, Professor Adams and Mr Gr<Jy - * * . *

At the home of Mr and Mrs F. Blick, Ython street, Invercargill, an enjoyable evening was spent in honour of Miss Mavis Wilson, of Clydevale, who was the guest of Mr and Mrs W. M’Ewan. Those present were Mrs Blick, Misses Dulcie, Esma and Audrey Blick. Mavis Wilson, Mavis Thomas, Elsie Wilson and Ruby and Netta M’Ewan, and Messrs James Thompson, Clifford Walsh, and Colin Peddy.

Miss Helen Twelvctrees, the Hollywood film actress who came out to Australia to make the film “ Thoroughbred," passed through Auckland on her way back to the United States in the Mariposa. She expressed a regret that she could not stay longer in New Zealand. Miss Twelvetrees said that she was taking back to Hollywood with her a sincere, admiration for Australia and Australians, especially for the dwellers in the backblocks. She is confident, toq, that the picture she made in Australia is a good one. When Miss Twelvctrees returns to Hollywood she will take up residence in her new home at Toluca Lake.

Dr Katherine Bemene Davis, Commissioner of Correction in New York City in the administration of the late Mayor John Purroy Mitchell, and a leader in prison reform, died at the age of 75 years, at her home in Pacific Grove, California, on December 10. Once described by John D. Rockefeller, jun., as “ the cleverest woman I ever met,” Dr Davis won such rational recognition for her work in penology and sociology that she was listed among the 10 “ super-women ” of the United States by Carrie Chapman Catt. At the time of her appointment as Commissioner of Correction, Dr Davis was superintendent of the New York State Reformatory for Women at Bedtord Hills, New York. During her tenure of ofhee at the reformatory from 1901 to 1914, she instituted reforms that won her the acclaim of American and _ European sociologists. When she left in 1915 to become a member, and later chairman, of the Parole Commission, she went to work to secure legislation permitting the indeterminate sentence and similar reforms. In 1918 she resigned to become general secretary and a director of the Bureau of Social Hygiene, which was supported byMr Rockefeller. She held that post till her retirement in 1928.

Amid scenes of bright colours, warmth, and gaiety, the South Island air pageant was brought to a fitting conclusion on Saturday evening, when a ball was held in the Town Hall Concert Chamber, under the auspices of the Otago Aero Club. That it was an outstanding success can be judged from the large crowd of happy dancers —a crowd which soon forgot the wintry weather conditions that had marred the pageant in the afternoon, and throughout the evening there reigned a spirit of carefree gaiety. The chief motif of the decorations, which were of a striking character, was the Otago Aero Club’s colours, pale blue and silver, which were well in evidence in the broad bands of the streamers draped from a central point on the ceiling to the sides of the dance door. A wide pennant, with the club’s initials and the year 1936, w r as suspended from the middle, and prominentlv displayed was the monogram of the club in blue and silver wings. Large hanging baskets of native ferns and greenery, together with turn propellers which were hung over the dance hand on the stage, put the finishing touches to the generally pleasing effect. The space immediately below the stage had been transformed into a comfortable lounge, which accommodated the official party. The guests w-ere welcomed on arrival by the president of the Otago Aero Club (Mr I. 11. Penrose) and Mrs Penrose, and during the evening the former presented the trophies which had been won during the pageant. This informal ceremony was a delightful one, each prize winner being greeted with “ For lie’s a Jolly Good Fellow” as he came on to the stage. Supper was served at long tables in an adjoining room, these arrangements being excellent. A dance band of six musicians provided music of a character that contributed in no small measure to the success of the ball. Among those present were: —The Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) and Mrs Cox, Wing-commander T. M. Wilkes. Squadron-leader Findlay and Miss Campbell, Flight-lieutenant Olson and Miss Shepherd, the president of the Otago Aero Club (Mr I. H. Penrose) and Mrs Penrose, the president of the Southland Aero Club (Mr H. J. M’Alister), the vice-president of the Otago Club (Mr W. D. Taylor) aud Mrs Taylor (in black satin with cape), Mr and Mrs W. H.

Shepherd, Mr and Mrs H. L. Paterson, Mr S. P. and Mrs Cameron (eau de nil model gown), Mr A. E. Ansell and Miss Ansell, Mr James Hogg and Mrs Hogg (primrose ninon and brown velvet), Mr and Mrs G. A. Secular, Mr and Mrs W. W. Johnson, Mr and Mrs J. D. Edgar, Mr and Mrs Sagar (the latter in blue lace), Mr and Mrs J. L. Napier, Mr Ivan Miller and Mrs Miller (violet cloqiie. with a silver velvet cape), Mr A. Crighton and Mrs Crighton (green lace), Mr J. F. Nesbit and Mrs Nesbit (powder blue suede marocain), Mr and Mrs Keith Mitchell, Mr and Mrs Hugh Speight, Mr and Mrs E. M. Bishop, Mr D. de Castro and Mrs de Castro (black lace), Mr and Mrs Douglas Dver, Mr and Mrs L. Black, Mr and Mrs W. T. Smellie. Mr and Mrs J. A. Neilson, Mr and Mrs Calvert (black ring velvet, trimmed with sequins), Mr and Mrs S. Thomson, Mr and Mrs R. S. Anderson, Mr and Mrs Halliday; Mesdames W. Ripley,, black satin; A. Bennett, lime green satin; W. D. Lambert, black and silver model gown; H. M'Ewan, flame marocain; Richard Cameron, Continental floral gown; L. Black, rust velvet; F. C. Coxhead, black lace; S. Robinson, black model gown: L. F. M'Cormack, blue matalasec crepe: H. H. Thostrom (Invercargill) and Dowall Poulton (Canterbury); Misses I. Clarke, midnight blue; E. Hillikcr, cyclamen quilted satin; D. Lumsden, black velvet with lame tunic: V. Macmillan, green and gold blistered crepe; I. Crowe, black and silver; M. A. Matheson. black cloquet with white fur coat; A. Newman, black lacquer lace and velvet cape; R. Irving, raspberry marocain; E. Brookfield, green satin; A. Campbell, black velvet; I. Waters, black taffeta; G. Edgar, green cloquet; F. Currie, blue crepe de chine; V. Gain, red, white, and blue floral frock; J. Clarke,, pink net: H. Wood, white cobweb lace; D. M'Stay, beige lace; J. Thompson, floral taffeta; F. Holmes, blue lace and net; E. M'Cusker, black silk velvet and silver lame: D. Goodman, gold satin; D. Hardie. green organdie: H. M'lntosh, lemon organdie; D. M'lntosh. ivory taffeta; R. Millar, blue panne velvet; S. Hall, blue crinkly crepe; V. Coughlan, black lace: S. M’Ncill, black lace; G\ Wright, ice blue

satin; P. Presbury, black velvet and silver lame; A. Moore, black ring velvet; P. Tohiil, white satin; V. North, pink lace and tulle; C. Harvey, pink wmter taffeta; M. Henderson, floral ninonj l. Grant, floral crepe de chine; L. Holmes, floral taffeta; R. Kavanagh, floral taffeta; A. Robinson, brown lace; E. Farquharson. browm velvet; F. Hargreaves, gold satin beaute; R. Woods, black matalasse; D. Bain, floral figure silk crepe; S. Mooney, black and gold; B. Angell, floral moire taffeta; V. Hall, pink organdie; R. Hall, black velvet; N. M’Cormack, gold threaded doveekin; M. Christie, midnight blue crepe; T. Gillespie, check taffeta; Joan Priest, lotus pink with silver lame; Cushla Macassey, black taffeta with gold lame stripes; Betty Blaclft silver tissue; Betty Oram, fawn lace and coatee; Tephanie Ross, black taffeta; D. Russell, lido blue satin; Z. Hudson, shot quilted taffeta; M. Juriss, black velvet and silver lame; 0. Juriss, black frock, gold lame Chinese coat; D. Newbound, parma velvet; C. Aitken, D. M’Farlane, G. Wright, F. M. Myles, Ironside, M. Spurge, M. Cotton, T. Middleton, and J. Dickinson: Flight-lieutenants C. C. Hunter and H. B. Burrell, Flying-officers R. J. Cohen, Gibbons, and Kirkup, Drs A. M'Farlane and M’Nicklc, Messrs Barker, J. R*. Stewart, Hart, I. Cameron, T. H. Wiggs, R. 0. Johnson, G. Harvey, M’Nickle, J. Buckoridge. A. Johnston J. Smith, L. Hudson, H. C. Neale, Buchanan. C. Guthrie, Duffey, Ogilvie, I. G-ilkison, Lewis, I. Adams, H. R. Wigley, Stinson, Robinson, F. Stevens, Blair, A. Bradshaw, Knowles, Wallis, J. Mathieson, H. C. Walker, V. Fahey L. M'Cormack J. M’Cormack. W. M’Kechnie, G. Williams, R. Cleland, S. Drcsver, R. Nesbitt, Adams, R. D. Lucas, Newbound, C. B. Borrowclough, R. Bell, J. G'. Dunstan, J. Jones, T. Martin. R. Hood, P, Matheson, Ellis, J. Brook, W. Callander, A. Crow, Linn, J. E. Winstovley, W. A. Campbell, J. C. Murray, J. Hamilton, J. H. Webber, A. Turner, A. Hudson. C. B. Stuart, Neilson, J. Bunting, M. M’Donald. A. Howie, B. S. Connor. Lightband, L, Corrigall, J. L. Smith, H. Tyrell, S. F. Lambert, K. Cameron, R. Browm, R. S. Cameron, R. Grigor, A. M'Millan, 0. Cooke, J. Long, P. Mercer, J. Williams, Rush-Munro, R. Butterfield, R. L. Smith,

C. Wootton, C. V. Smith, J. D. M'Kechnie, I. Keith, M'Nab, C. D. Kerr, C. Gilchrist, A. R. Craig, Kilpatrick, A. Ashworth, S.' Myles, Mitson, L. M. Wright, Barnes, D. Gillander, W. Cameron, W. M'Skimming, Nyhan, R. Gibbs, G. Cunningham, Reid, J. Bain, and O’Connor.

Miss Barbara Williams, who was a passenger by the Rangitata from England, returned to her home in High street last evening. * * *

Miss Elsie K. Morton, of Auckland, who has been spending a few days with friends in Dunedin, left yesterday for Pembroke, en route to the West Coast, via the Haas! Pass.

Mrs G. Rowan was hostess at a delightful “kitchen” evening given at her residence, Sidey street, on Saturday evening, in honour of Miss Greta Barnett, who is to be a March bride.

Mr and Mrs Stewart MacphersOn gave a large 7 o’clock party last evening at their home, “ Piccadilly,” in honour of Miss Winifred Cox and Mr John Edmond, whose wedding will take place to-morrow afternoon.

The German Club in Dunedin had an enjoyable evening on Friday night in the studio of Miss Dorothy Browning. The president, Mr Oscar Balk, presided over a large attendance, and extended a hearty welcome to all present. The main feature of the evening was the screening of several German films, the titles of which were:— “ Spring in the Bavarian Highland,” ‘‘At the Glassmakers in the Bavarian Forest,” “Harvest Thanksgiving Day in 1933 on the Brickeberg near Hameln,” and “A Race is Growing.” Mr Hans W. Froh attended to the explanations of the films by giving translations. At the conclusion. Mr O. Balk accorded thanks to Mr Sineock and Mr Gillon for their kindness in screening those instructive films, which were enjoyed by everyone. Among those present were:—The president (Mr 0. Balk), Mr and Mrs Arthur MacDonald, Mr and Mrs Hans W. Froh, Mrs Napier, Misses Dorothy Browning, J. R, M'Kinnon, R. M'Kiunon, N. M. Woods, Fache (2), E. Logie, Macintosh, and B. Durward, Messrs 0. O. Kraft, W. R. Brugh, F. Williams, Lawson, Sincock. Gillon, and Northy.

A house once owned by King Edward when Prince of Wales is the home to which Mrs Frank Parkinson, who recently arrived in Sydney with her millionaire husband, and will be returning after a four months’ honeymoon visit to Austratralia, New Zealand, and America, states the Sydney Morning Herald. Most of the furnishings of the house, “Middleton,” at Suuuingdale (Berkshire), have been ehosen and supervised by Mrs Parkinson, who is keenly interested in interior dceoration. The furniture is mainly period stj'lo, as she prefers this to modern furnishings. Situated in a lovely garden and “ right on the golf links,” the house has been altered and remodelled since its occupation by the Prince of Wales more than two years ago. Mr and Mrs Parkinson also have a flat in Grosvenor square, London. Before her marriage at a registry office in London on January 21, she was Mrs Doris Burke, daughter of Sir Walter and Lady Forrest. Alter spending threp weeks in Sydney, where they will stay at the Hotel Australia, Mr and Mrs Parkinson will visit New Zealand for 10 days, and then travel on to San Francisco. They expect to take up residence at “Middleton” early in June. Another English visitor to Sydney is Mrs Victor Thomson, who is on a visit to Australia and New Zealand with her son, Mr Douglas Thomson, before he begins his stduies at Cambridge. Mrs Thomson’s home is a Tudor cottage in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, which she described as “ a long winding little village street, and some houses in the woodlands.” “Village life is terribly interesting,” said the visitor, who explained that the members of the Women’s Institute had a stall in the local market each week.