TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 69

TABLE TALK.

Monday evening. Last Tuesday Brigadier-general Robin and Surgeon-general Henderson were in Dunedin on a visit for a few days, and whilst here General Henderson inspected the Medical and Dental School, Fever Hospital, Public Hospital, and the .and where the Infectious Diseases Hospital is to be established shortly. General Henderson, who has recently arrived from England, was .quite of the opinion that the school and hospitals were most up to date in every way. On Friday General Robin and General Henderson left for the north, and were to be in Christchurch for a day on their way back to We.lington. Last week Mr Collett was entertained at a small social gathering prior to his departure for Christchurch, where he takes up his duties shortly. A delightful musical programme was much enjoyed. Mr Hunter Macandrew and Mr Roberts, both of whom are leaving Dunedin shortly for the north, were also present. Tea, coffee, and cakes were done full justice to. On Saturday afternoon Mrs Colquhoun had a sale of work at her residence, High street, for Dr Barnardo’s Home. All kinds of pretty and dainty articles were sold, and the whole house seemed to be turned into a bazaar. in one room all kinds of most beautiful flowers were sold, whilst in another there was a display of needlework, and in the large dining room tea, coffee, and cakes. A most successful afternoon resulted bo h financially and onjoyably, the takings being well over £IOO for the day. This was extremely good, as the same day stalls were in the streets, where all kinds of things were being sold in order to raise more money for the fund for the leather waistcoats, which are to be sent to our soldiers at the front. Mrs Henry Williams and Mrs Birch left last week for Waikouaiti, where they intend spending a few weeks. Sir Henry and Lady Miller were in Dunedin for a few days last week, and returned to Oamnru on Friday. Mrs Charles Rattray and Miss Una Rattray left for the north on Friday, where they catch the Makura, which sails from Auckland on the sth. Mrs and Miss Rattray intend spending about two years in England before returning to New Zealand. Mrs Walter Mac-Farlane (Amuri) is staying with her mother, Mrs Robert Wilson. George street. The Misses Cogan, who have been spend-' ing the last few weeks in Dunedin, have returned to Christchurch. Mr Downio Stewart, M.P., who has been in camp for some time at Trentham, has returned to Dunedin for his leave of absence, and his many friends will be glad to welcome him back here for a- short stay before ho finally leaves _ for Egypt. Mr Stewart will be much missed by all while he Is away, not only for his business capacities, but by his relatives and numerous friends, of which he lias so many in Otago. Miss Downie Stewart, who has been staying in Wellington for several weeks past, has returned to Dunedin

Mr P. C. Neill, accompanied by his daughter, Mrs H. S. Fenwick, left for the north on Friday.

Miss E. Haggitt has gone to stay with her sister, Mrs Rattray, in Christchurch.

Mrs Armitage (Temuka) is at present staying with her sister, Miss Downie Stewart, Heriot row. Miss Ruby Neill, "who has been absent from Dunedin for some years, returned last Wednesday, and is at present staying at Onslow House. The engagement is anounced of Miss Dora N. Lees to Mr Frank M. Reid. Mr Reid, who leaves shortly with the Seventh Reinforcements, has been down on leave, and left again for Trentham on Saturday morning. INVERCARGILL, October 2. ( A charming representtiaon of Kingsley's “ Water Babies ” was given by children in the theatre on Monday night. The dances and frocks were exquisite, and designed by Miss Madeline Vyner, who has been training the children for months past. Miss Vyner did two very dainty solo dances —the shepherd’s dance and the dance of the “Ocean Messager.” Little Joy Hughes, aged five, scored quite a triumph in Cupid’s dance. Miss P. M'Queen gave the dance of the cherry blossom, and there were several very pretty ballets—notably, the dance of the “ Water Babies ” and the opal ballet. The theatre was quite full, so Miss Vyner was able to give a large sum to the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. Among those present were Mrs and Miss Ewart, Mr and Mrs Galbraith, Mr and Mrs Ott, Mrs J. E. Watson, Mrs Morrah, Mrs J. T. Watson, Mr and Mrs Roberts, Mr and Mrs Brook-Smith, Mrs Potting, Mrs W. Jones, Mrs Abbey Jones, etc. Mrs G. Moffett gave a small morning tea on Saturday at the Sports Committee Rooms, Clyde street. Mrs de Castro has returned from Nelson. Mrs F. Handyside has returned from Wellington, where she has been staying for some weeks. Mr and Mrs Hugh Tennent and Mr Harold Tennent (South Africa) are the guests of Mr and Mrs R, C. Tennent, Gladstone. Mrs Cruickshank has returned from the north. Mrs Bicknell and Mrs Brodrick have returned from a short visit to Christchurch. OAMARU, October 3. The Opera House was crowded on Wednesday evening, when a vaudeville entertainment was given, the proceeds being devoted to buying Christmas presents for the soldiers at the front. The weather was very fine on Thursday for the Kurow 3 aces, and a great many people went up from town by the excursion train and also by motor. Mrs Mackrell has returned from Christchurch. Mrs Buckley, who has been at Redcastle for some weeks, returned to Timaru last Tuesday. Miss Russell has returned from the North • Island. Miss Mitchell (Otekaike) is the guest of Mrs M’Kellar. Mr and Mrs W. O. M’Kellar wore in town during the week. Mr and Mrs J. A. Sutton have returned from a trip to the North Island. Mrs M’Culloch gave an afternoon for girls on Wednesday in honour of her sister. A competition was won by Miss Marjorie Whitton. TIMARU, October 3. Mrs Mostyn-Jones (Te Kuiti) is the guest of her mother, Mrs Studholme, LeCren’s terrace. Mrs and Miss Gillingham (Faixlie) are the guests of Mrs G. Buchanan, Selwyn street. Mrs W. Harte (Balclutha), who has been staying with her father, Mr C. S. Fraser, returns home on Monday. Mrs Goodman (Fairlie) is at Sefton House. Mrs A. Dixon (Woodbury) stayed several days with Mrs Priest during the past week. Corporal Simmers (Eighth Reinforcements) and Mr R. Simmers (Signalling Corps) are at present on leave, and staying with their parents, Mr and Mrs G. S. Simmers. Sergeant Joyce is down on final leave. Many members of the Seventh and Eighth Reinforcements are still enjoying final leave. Mrs Buchanan (Wai-iti road) has gone to Christchurch to stay with Mrs G. Raymond. Mrs G. Webster has returned from Christchurch. The Misses Edge (2) leave for England very shortly, and intend to take up nursing. Mrs C. Bowker has returned from a visit to the country. Mrs Watkins and her children are back from a long stay in Auckland. Mrs W. Shaw is staying in Wellington with her sister, Mrs J. Brown. Mrs Powell (Christchurch) has been the guest of Miss Dennehy, North street. Her lovely voice charmed the large audience at the concert in the Wesley Hall last Wednesday. CHRISTCHURCH, October 2. The Theatre Royal has been crowded during the week, when “ The Man Who Stayed at Home ” was staged by the Williamson Company. Amongst the audience were Mr and Mrs G. Rhodes, Mrs Palmer, Airs Stead, Airs G. Stead. Air and Airs L. Clark, Air and Airs Vernon, Airs Alontgomery, Mrs Deans, Air and Airs Afister Deans, Air and Airs Godby, Airs Beals, Air and Airs Cordnor, Mr and Airs B. Wood, Airs Campbell, Aliss Anderson, and Aliss Ella Helmore.

A large musical “At home ” was given by Mrs Bernard Wood on Friday in aid of the Red Cross Fund. Musical items were given by Mrs Burns, Mr and Mrs B. Wood, Mrs Smith. The Misses Ward played the violin and ’cello. Amongst the guests were Mrs W. Wood. Mrs P. Wood, Mrs Stead, Mrs Palmer, Mrs and Miss Bean, Mrs Elworthy, Mi's B. Bane, Mrs Deans, Mrs Syra.es, Miami Miss Strachey, Mrs Thomas, Mrs Wilkin. Mrs Lough nan, Mrs Nedwill, Mrs Cordnor, and the Misses Reeves, Humphreys, Burns, and Fisher.

The Red Cross Saturday arranged by the Christchurch Golf Club attracted many visitors, and the match lies and Hood v. Clements and Butters was watched with much interest, the former winning. The putting competitions were won by Miss Oracroft Wilson and Mr A. Humphreys, and Mr B. Wood won the driving. The putting for returned soldiers was won by Trooper Whittaker, who putted with one hand. Amongst the onlookers were Mr and Mrs A. Rhodes, Miss Rhodes, 'Mrs Boyle, Mrs Wigram. Mr and Mrs B. Wood, Mr and Mrs Andreae, Mr Humphreys and the Misses Humphreys, Mr and Mrs Donald, Mr and Mrs Symons, Miss Symons, Mr and Mrs Comberford, and the Misses Cowlishaw, Prins, Wilson, Anderson, and Wilkin. The engagement is announced of Miss Gladys Knight, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs H. Knight, Racecourse Hill, to Sergeant Woodhouse, only eon of the late Mr and Mrs Woodhouse, and grnndS-s*.- of the late Mr and Mrs F. Cracroft Wilson,

Cashmere, Christchurch. Sergeant Woodhouse has been invalided home

The engagement is also announced of Miss Keroline (Bonny) Wright, youngest darVfhter of Major and Mrs Wright, Tinraru, to Mr J. Templar, of Geraldine. Mr and Mrs W. Bond and family (Otago), who have spent the winter in Christchurch, left for their home on Sunday by motor. Mrs Selby Palmer and daughters, who have been visiting Mrs Wells, left for Hawke’s Bay on Thursday. Mr and Mrs Alister Deans have been visiting Mrs Deans, Bicoarton.

WELLINGTON, October 1. Lody Stout’s “At home ” on Thursday for Miss Spinney was one of the biggest of recent functions. A lovely day outside, with beautiful decorations of flowers within, and a large circle of admiring friends appreciative and gracious made a combination which Miss Spinney will remember for the rest of her life agreeably. On their side the audience will never forget the effect of the magical recitations. Th lady, an artist to her"finger tips, takes a Greek play—Gilbert Murray’s striking translation in poetry, vividly reminiscent of the original—and gives the whole characters—chorus, songs, and dances—in a voice of music, with motion graceful, appropriate, dignified, with a sympathetic delivery lending itself to every character and every emotion. Rapt attentioa anct delightful memory—that is the double impression of this great performance, and

the poetry of the greatest of the Greeks haunts yon ever after. Such is tne euocu of Miss ” Spinney’s treatment. Those ot us ■who have seen Mrs Scott-Siddons eay they prefer Miss Spinney. But then, you see, the one did only Shakespeare, whereas t.ie other never leaves the ancient drama ot the Greeks. Comparison is quite impossible. Anyhow, without comparisons, winch, being unnecessary, are always odious, the cliaim of Miss Spinney’s presentments is very great. Lady Stout received in violet velvet and Maltese lace; Miss Spinney was m dark blue crepe de clime with touches oi led and a white hat; .Miss Logan, Lady Stout s niece, wore a frock of white tussore silk with green belt. The latter lady, with Miss Laura Salmond and Miss Field, did the honours of the tea during the afternoon. LadyWard was among the guests, and wore navy blue satin; Mrs Massey, also, in a fawn gaberdine; Mrs lierdman, in navy serge with dark fur; Miss Fraser, in grpy striped with black bat; Mrs Hosking, in mole crepe de chine; Mrs C. Johnston, Mrs Rankin Brown, Mrs A. R. Atkinson, Mrs MacGregor, Mrs Watson, and many more, filling the rooms to almost suffocation. A very successful afternoon indeed, long to be remembered 1 Letters from India report the arrival of Mrs (Dr) Collins and her daughter, and the marriage of the latter to Captain Milsom, of the Indian army, who is on his way to the front. Such weddings are here frequent, the boys at Trentham camp being much to the front as Benedicts.

The presentation of the second hospital ship is engaging the whole of the vast energies employed upon the last one. Vv ith the exception of a peevish growl here and there, and in the Legislative Council, there is not a dissentient voice. In presence of that response weeping wide over the country, with everybody doing his and her little bit, what use is it to talk about the iniquity of non-givers and the duties of Parliament? The second hospital ship will be equipped just as well as the first, and as quickly. That seems to settle all knotty and thorny questions of taxation and ill-directed benevolence and the rest of the stock-in-trade of the man who strives to look like a cheerful giver by giving nothing. Also have we great protest in little places against the Bill permitting lotteries in certain oases, patriotic and good. But the fact cannot be concealed that the lotteries are bringing in lots of coin w-’thout a ha’porth of damage to the character of any participator in the fun. For it is fun, and that is the whole secret of the thing. Sane people and people of broad minds understand the saying that “ the Lord lovath a cheerful giver.” But these people wTm’t -have any giving that is not lugubrious. But the lotteries will go on right merrily after the Bill is law. Therefore you have the right result—Vox Lei, Vox Populi. The five thousand leather coats for the troops are nearly all ready, and very comfortble workmanlike things do they look. Soft leather without, softer wool, very short, within, they are the very embodiment of comfort and neatness. The chief merit is that wind cannot blow through, and that in the face of the Thracian winter is a thingto be considered. To see the ladies in the Concert Chamber working at the outfit is a liberal education.

AUCKLAND, September 29. Dominion Day passed with little- notice, and—with the exception of the closing of &11 the Government offices, banks, law, and insurance offices, added to the display of bunting everywhere—there was nothing to mark the holiday. Moat of the shops remained open as usual. Very little else is being talked about at present but the forthcoming Queen Carnival. Everyone realises there is plenty of hard work in connection with it before them; but the conviction is -strong that it will be an unqualified success. Mrs W. H. Parkes has been chosen to represent the commercial houses; Mrs J. H. Gunson, Mayoress of Auckland, the Labour and Friendly Societies; Mrs A. •S. Bankart, the licensed victuallers; Mrs Wallingford (wife of, the famous shot, Captain J. A. Wallingford), the soldiers; Mrs W. J. Napier, Queen of the ;rth; Miss Victoria Bridges ha>s been named by the civil servants; Mrs Edward Russell for the professions; Mrs Bertram Dawson, the allied retailers, and Miss Gwen Gorrie represents sports. There is also to be a Red Cross Queen. Miss Crawford (Riverside road, Gisborne) and Miss M. Rees (also of Gisborne) are on a visit to Auckland, and are staying at Cargen. Archdeacon and Mrs Willis (Cambridge) are staying with their daughter, Mrs J. B. Lusk, Epsom. Mrs R. George, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs A. Devore, Parnell, has returned to New Plymouth. Miss M Cargill, who for several years past has been living with her niece, Mrs F. H R. Ntville, .Mountain road, Mount E-den, is at present visiting friends in Dunedin and Wellington. The bazaar held by the Girls’ Realm Guild last week took place in the Town Hall, and the sum realised by the sale of the different goods was .£7OO. The bazaar was opened by the Mayoress (Mrs J. H. Gunson), who was presented with a lovely bouquet in the national colours—.red, white, and blue. The Mayoress and the official guests were received by the president (Miss W. Snelling), the vice-president (Miss Heather Bows), the secretary and treasurer (Misis I. Clayton), the assistant secretary (Miss V. Walsh), and the committee (the Misses J. Marriner, D. Friend, R. Rhodes, E. Neill, M. Wright, S. Johnstone, and R. M'Cabe). Amongst the speakers were Colonel Hume and Mr C. J. Tunks. Those present included Lady Lockhart, Mr Beddoe (Canadian Commissioner), Colonel and Mrs Hume, Miss Coates (Wellington), Mr Henrv Brett! Mias Horton, Mrs George Bloomfield, Mrs Whitney, Mrs Milsom, Miss Heywood. Mrs Hope Lewis, Mrs M'Cosh Clark, Miss Richmond, Mrs Edward Dargaville, Miss Butler Mrs Dudley, and Mrs Marriner. etc. Miss Coates (Wellington), who has been for the pa-st two months the guest of her nieco, Mrs E. H. B. Milsom, Waterloo quadrant, returned home last week. Mrs Mayfield (Tauranga) is on a visit to Auckland. Mrs Withers (England) is the guest of Mrs Maguire. Air and Mrs E. A. P-avitt, of British North Borneo, are amongst other guests at present at Cargen.