Hints and Suggestions.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 70

Hints and Suggest ions.

Carpets in rooms which are seldom u=ecl are apt to be attacked by moth?. Walt sprinkled round the edges and well under the carpet before it is put down will generally prevent their ravages. Plenty of light and air should be admitted into the rooms, as moths favour close, dark places. Wet boots and <-liops when taken off will last, much longer if they aie placed on theii sides and allowed to dry, pulling the uppers os flat as prs*ible. By this means the soles are expo-ed to the air and dry better. It is also a- good plan, when one does not possess boot-trees, to fill boots or shoes with soft, ciumpkd paper, s,o that they keep their shape.

To prevent portieres catching undcriieatb. the door when ojjened guiclclyj screw

a smill rinc^ (such ns is used for picture frames) into the centre of the door frame ; to Hi's fasten a blind-cord sufficient to reach to the botiom of the curtain. Put another ling in the rentie or door at top, thread cord tin o ugh. and fasten to bottom of curtain, and as the door is opened to the cuitain rises.

A few drops of oil of lavender in a silver bowl or ornamental dish of some kind, half filled with very hot water, and set in the dining-room just befoie dinner is served, gives a delightful and intangible freshness to the atmosphere of the apirtment. Hostesses often put a small vessel in the parlour and dressing-rooms when arranging the house for a festivity. The suggestion is especially valuable to the hosfess in a small apartment, which sometimes in the bustle of preparation becomes btuffy. To clean planter st3tues, make ordinary cooked starch as if for the laundry, only not quite so stiff. While it is still hot, cover the whole of the cast with it. Set it aside for a day, and then peel oft the starch, when the st.atue will probably be found quite clean. If, however, it is badly soiled, it will probably need a second application of starch.

To peel onions "tvitliout te-ars seems an impossibility to some cooks. They may do so either by holding the onions under water as they peel them, or else by sticking a small pared potato on the point of the knife with which the peeling is done. In. the one case the water, and in the other the potato, protects the eyes by absorbing that which so painfully affects them. An excellent furniture polish is made of equal parts oof methylated spirit, vinegar, and linscsd oil. Apply sparingly with a piece of flannel, and polish with a soft cloth. N.B.— Thrifty housewives should save old. vests and other soft woven and flannel garments for furniture rubbers, as they are excellent for the purpose., and save the wear and tear of proper cloths. To ensure publication in the forthcomvnq issue letters should reach the Witness opce if possible on Saturday night, but on no account later tiian Monday ntqht W Descriptions oj ball*,, &c, must be endorsed by either the Witness corn spondent for the district or by the secretary to the ball committee. The 3IS of amj correspondents who do not comply ivith this rule rcill be sent co the secretary for endorsement prior to appearing. — EMM ELI XE WEDDING AT HILLENB. Dear Emrueline, — More than ordinary and local interest was taken in the very pretty -wedding that was solemnised on March 8 at the residence of the bride's parents at Hillend, Bruce County, when Mr William Willocks and Miss J. Bishop were united in the bonds of holy matrimony, the Rev. P. B. Fraser bein^ the officiating clergyman. The parents of the bride, Mr and Mrs Jas. C. Bishop, are among the oldest and most respected residents in the Hillend district, and their home is noted far and ■wide for its generous hospitality, Mr Vrilliam "Willocks, the bridegroom, has spent his life in the district, and is a son of one of the early settlers of Inch Clutha. The day being perfect, everyone was joyous and happy. The bride looked charming in her lovely wedding gown, her only rivals being the pretty bridesmaids — her sister and cousins. The bridegroom looked as bridegrooms usually do on such occasions : a wedding is essentially the ladies' "'day out." After the ceremony was over, the numerous wedding guests repaired to the banqueting hall — otherwise the barn, transformed by decorations of flowers, ferns, flags, and foliage into a beautiful dining hall — where a repast of the most generous nature was provided. The health of the bride and bridegroom was proposed in happy and humorous terms by the Rev. P. B. Fraser, and suitably acknowledged by the bridegroom. To Mr J. Landels, the best man, and nephew of the bridegroom, was intrusted the response of the toast of "The Bridesmaids," proposed by Mr Mackay. Mr Thomas Mackenzie, M.H.R., proposed "The Bride's Parents," for whom Mr James Allen, M.H.R., responded. .During the evening a ball was held, at which etanemg was kept up till an early hour next morning. Many beautiful and valuable presents were given. — G-ttt?^" V/EDDING AT BIiE^fHBISI. Dear Emmeline,— A very pretty and pleasing marriage took place at the Church of Nativity, Blenheim, on Wednesday, March 1, the contracting parlies being Mr James Clarke, Horse Range, Palraerston South, and Miss Kate Robinson, fourth daughter of Mr and Ivirs J. T. Robinson, Blenheim. Mr Clarke is now stationed at New Plymouth, but for many years he was at Blenheim. The Venerable Archdeacon Grace was the officiating minister, and there ■was a large congregation to witness the ceremony. The bridal party left the church to the strains of Mendelssohn's Wedding March, played by Mr C. M. Wilson, organist df the church. After the marriage ceremony the friends and relatives of the bride and bridegroom were the guests of the bride's parents at their residence, Seymour square, where a most enjoyable afternoon was spent. Several toasts wore honoured, and in speaking to that of the bride and bridegroom, Archdeacon Grace told the company of the many good qualities possessed by the young; couple, and hoped their married life would be one of happiness and prosperity. Mr and Mrs Clarke left about 5 p.m. amid a shower of confetti for Pictoii, en route to New Plymouth. The bride wore a lovely dress of white silk, silk insertion, and accordeonpleated chiffon, hand-worked silk-embroidered veil (the gift of a Wellington lady friend). The veil was also worked with true lover's knots. A court train added considerably to the bermfcy of the dress. The bridesmaids were Miss Maude Kobmson (sifter of the bride), Miss Fin-ness, and Miss Mona Dodsoa (niece of the bride). The two former ladies wcrg whita si'k dresses, with deep Victorian yokes of creim szlk insertion and black picture hats; }liss Dodsou wore a white tucked silk dress with lace and insertion, blue silk sash and a. pretty Victonan bonnet with chiffon end for-get-me-nots. The bridegroom was supported W Mr E. Robinson (be3t man) and jjr F. Robinson ''groomsman), both brothers of the bride. As the bride and bridegroom were leaving the church a little girl, Clarne Xosworf'uy, presented tho bride with a white sUm horsesiioa with orange blossom * and trimmed with riboiis. Tho bridegroom' & j,.ifc to the bride was a lady's dainty golJ wAii_h, and the bridegroom was the recipient of -a handconie silver watoh irora the bride. Tho bndc<!maid=>' gifts from the biidec;roon i«re beautiful gold bangle bracelets for the two elder ladias, a-'id t, sn<;<ot ii-ck-ch^i*' with, greens'oie y>e"clarit for htt!" D^ora ])o'=on. The bride and bridegroom wire the recipients of a very large numbpr of bcau'ifu l pi 'its, including cheques and tdegiams tiom ..'I p.uta oi the coloi'v.

Among the guests, in addition to tin a Blenheim friends, were IVtr and Mrs A. Goodley, of Shag Point, Otac,o; JJv R. M. Isaacs, Mrs „ J. M'Manaway, Mrs W. Clark, of Wellington.! Miss I\ PvickaiU, oi Tdkaka.— G cesx.