TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3293, 25 April 1917, Page 55

TABLE TALK.

Monday Evening. A very enjoyable little tea. party was given in the Octagon Tea Rooms on Tuesday afternoon by Mrs Prevost (Adelaide). The tea table was very daintily decorated with pale blue and pink larkspur. On the centre of the table was a bowl of roseß and autumn leaves, which had a very artistic effect. During the afternoon songs were given by Mrs Selth (Adelaide) and Miss Daing, whilst Mrs Wells played. Those present were Mesdames Graham, Wells (Adelaide), Parker, Cantrell, Pinch, Hooper, Callaway, Crawford, Selth (Adelaide), M'Beth,. and Misses .Laing, Neill, etc.

Saturday evening's performance _ of " Cinderella," which was given at the King's Theatre, proved a tremendous success, and great praise is due to Miss Helen Gard'ner, who arranged the whole fairy opera in a most creditable manner. The children sang and spoke their lines excellently, and all the costumes and scenery effects were most tastefully carried out. Long before 8 o'clock crowds had been turned away from the door, and in fact the booking has been so good that two nights more and a. matinee had to be- arranged for.

On Saturday afternoon a most interesting function took place at Knox College, when the new drive Was opened by the Rev: Mr Cameron, Mrs John Ro3s cutting the ribbon at tho entrance. Speeches were made by the Rev. A. Cameron, Mr John Ross, Dr Inglis, the Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark), and Professor Hewitson. A number of the students of the college gave a kind of carnival burlesque, all dressed up in fancy costumes. After the speeches were finished Knox College was thrown open to all tho guests, and afternoon tea was handed round in the hall.

The produce and flower stalls held by the Women's Patriotic Association on Saturday proved a great success, over £2OO being taken in the street.

On Saturday evening Mrs John Cook gave a small bridge- party at her residence, Union street. Bridge was played in the drawing room, and a dainty supper much en'joyed in the dining room, the tables looking very pretty with high silver vases filled with white cosmos and silver candlesticks and shades. Mrs Cook received her guests in ihe drawing room, those present being Mesdames D'e Castro, H. S. Fenwick, Allan Orbell (Waikouaiti), Frank Fitchett, ButterWorth, Black, R. Sise, Misses K. tJlricli, Allen, F. Rattray, I. Rattray, J. Hislop. Lady M'Lean, who has been staying with her daughter, Mrs Wilford, "Wellington, has returned to Dunedin. ' Mrs Allan Orbell (Waikouaiti) and her family axe staying at Hiawatha, St. Clair. Miss Rattray and Miss Kate Rattray left last Friday to stay with Mrs Cowie Nichols, North Otago. Mrs Charles Rcid, who has been paying her parents, Mr and Mrs Gr. Sise, Queen street, a visit, returned to Christchurch on Saturday. - Miss Marion Scott has gone to stay With her brother, Dr Scott, for a short while. Mr and Mrs Robert Turnbull, who spent a few days in Central Otago last week, have returned to Dunedin. Mr and Mrs Shennau motored through to some of their stations in Central Otago at the beginning of last week. Mr and Mrs E. Bullock (Mount Burke Station) were in Dunedin for a few days last week Dr and Mirs Lindo Ferguson spent the week-end at Waikouaiti. On Thursday evening of last Week a farewell was given by tho medical staff at the Savoy Lounge for Dr Marshall Macdonald and Dr Moore, who expect to leave New Zealand shortly. Mrs A. Burns, who has been visiting friends in Nelson for a few weeks, has returned to Dunedin. Mrs Mowbray (Auckland) is at present the guest of Miss Cargill (Anderson's Bay), who gave a small tea for her during last week. The engagement is announced of Miss Eileen Roberts, only daughter of Mrs Fitzclarenco Austey Roberts. St. Clair, to Mr Alexander - Lionel Caselberg, D.C.M. (late New Zealand Engineers), eldest son of Mr Lionel Caselberg, Masterton. Miss K. .Park left by the Monowai last veek for Gisbome oh a vjsit to her brother, Rifleman J. D'. Park, now on final leave. INVERCARGILL, April 23. Mrs R. J. Gilmour gave a very enjoyable afternoon tea at her residence, Gladstone, in honour of her guest, Mrs Kerr, en Tuesday. Another afternoon tea in honour of Mrs Kerr was given by Mi's D. J. Gilmour on Friday at Lewis's Tea Booms. A very jolly young people's dnnce was given by Mrs Cochrane in Ashley's Hall on Wednesday evening. t On Thursday Mrs Bush entertained a few friends at afternoon tea.

Mr and Mrs Craig have- returned here after a short visit to Queenstovm. Mr* and Mrs Allison have returned from Christchurch.

Miss Keddell, who has been down on a short visit to Mrs Keddell, has returned to Christchurch. Mrs Tennent, accompanied by her rister, Miss Bcrr (Nelson), has returned from a visit to Queenstowv

Mr and Mrs G. Black, who spent a- few days with Mrs Hay, have returned to Dunedki. Mr and Mrs Wateon have returned from Dipton. Dr Ewart, who was down for a few days, has returned to Trentham, accompanied by Mrs Ewart. Canon and Mrs Swinburn (Bluff) are staying at Trentham with Mrs Coleman. Sirs Kerr (Timaru) is the guest of Mrs R. J. Gilruour Miss Ellis has returned from Christchurch. OAMAR.TJ, April 23. The North Otago Golf Club opened its season on Thursday. The weather was most favourable, and the links in good condition. A mixed foursome was played, resulting in a tie between Mrs de Lambert and Mr Irvine and Miss J. Banks and Mrs Woodward. After the match was over the ceremony of unveiling a 801 l of Honour board took "place in the clubhouse. Mr and Mrs Rankine have returned from a trip to the North Island. Mr and Mrs B. B. Macdonald, who have been spending a fortnight in Dundein, returned last week. Mr and Mrs Hjorring are back from Qucenstown. Mrs Burgess (Auckland) is visiting her sister, Mrs Harvey. Mrs and tho Misses Fenwick (Maraeweka) have returned from ChristohuTch,. Mr B'anks, who was visiting his sisters', the Misses Banks, has returned to Fairlie. TIMABTJ, April 24. Sergeant and Mrs Stephens, who have been ihe guests of Mrs Bowker (The Pines), have returned to Trentham. Mr and Mrs D.. Nimmo Scott are visiting friends in Blenheim. . Mrs Bogers has returned from a visit of some weeks to Christchurch. The Rev. and Miss Rogers, who have been for a fortnight to Balmoral, returned home at the beginning of the week, Mrs George Buchanan has returned from North Canterbury. Mr and Miss Cuningham (Rangiora) are at-the Grosvenor for the races. Mr and Mrs H. Chapman (Rotheram) are staying at the Grosvenor. Mrs W. Bassett has gone north for a short holiday Mrs E. J. LeCren returned from Christchurch last Monday. Mrs Hullah (Geraldine) has returned from the North Island. Miss W. Cowan is the guest of Miss Irvine (Highfield) for tho- week-end. Mrs Purvis (Priest's Corner) has returned horn a visit to Mataura and Dunedin. Bishop Julius ifl the guest of Mrs Arthur Elworthy, Momc Station. Private Newcome is down on leave from Trentham. He returns on Monday, Mrs Harold Oddie is staying with friends in the North Island.

Mr Smithson has taken Mr Cartwright's farm at Salisbury. Mr Cartwright is taking Mr Srnithson's house at Highfield.

CHRISTCHURCH, April 24

The Victoria League held its annual meeting in the Art Gallery on Thursday, when there was a largo attendance of members and friends. The chairman, Dr Leslie, outlined the year's work, which was most patriotic, the members having worked very hard for the various war funds. Present were the president (Mrs Elworthy), secretary. (Mrs Carey Hill), vice-president (Mrs Julius), the Mayor and Mrs Holland, and Mesdames Bond, Chilton, W. Wood, Syrces, Morton, Deans, Hanmer Wanklyn, Cracroft Wilson, Thacker, Cowlishaw, Clark, L. Clark, Blanch, Helmore, and the Misses Beeves (2), Elworthy, Bean, and Sutter (Melbourne). Mrs Stead entertained a few friends to tea on Monday to meet Mrs and Miss Miles (Wellington). Among3t the guests were Mrs J. Borthwick, Mrs and Miss Wood, Mrs Deans, Mrs Merlon, Miss Tabart, Mrs Cbrdner, Mrs Cowlishaw, and the Misses Walker, Harley, and Lee. Mrs J. Hall also invited a few friends to nvot Mrs and Miss Miles on Wednesday. Amongst the guests were Mesdames Palmer, Acland, Stevenson, Beab, Merton, Allen, and the Misses Sutter, Ogle, Wilson, Walker, and Humphreys. Mixed foursomes for the Islington Cup were played by members of the Christchurch Golf Club at Shirley on Saturday, Dr and Mrs Louisson being the winners. Others playing were Mesdames Boyle, Wigram, Vernon, Godley, Symes, Hewlett, and the Misses E. Helmore, Wilson, Wood, and Messrs Hewlett, Donald, Godley, Con dell, Harmon, and Wood. The Allied Patriotic Fruit and Vegetable Show, which was held here yesterday and to-day, promises to be a huge success. The entries are very large, and the various stalls have been well catered for, so that a large sum for the Red Cross Fund is looked for. Mrs and Miss Miles (Wellington), who have been staying at Warner's, have returned to Wellington. Mr and Mrs Gerald Stead have returned from the North Island. Miss Walker (Sydney) is visiting Mrs Stevenson, Fendalton. GREYMOUTH, April 19. The Trinity Diocesan Festival was a most decided success, and was very largely attended. During the evening Archdeacon York presented Mrs Carrick with an afternoon teaset on behalf of the Ladies' Guild, and also made a presentation to the Rev. Canon Taylor, or, as be is now generally known, Chaplain-major Taylor, of the Expeditionary Force. Chaplain-major Taylor is back on the Coast after two and a-half years at the front, and, accompanied by Mr 3 Taylor (formerly Miss Mules, daughter of Bishop Mules), is staying with Dr Usher. Amongst those present were his Lordship Bishop Sadlier, Archdeacon York. Revs. Bloyce and Taylor (who were on the platform), and Mr and Mrs Mabin, Mr and Mrs Lowe, Mr and Mrs Coates, Mr and Mrs Fletcher, Mr and Mrs Kemp, Mr and Mrs Pickering, Rev. Mr and Mrs PatAett, Rev. Mr and Mrs Smyth, Mr, Mrs, and Miss Cottle, Mr and Mrs E, J. Smith, Mr and Mrs Wylde, Mr and Mrs Staffan, Mr and Mrs Kilgour, Mrs .and Miss Pariitt, Mrs Carrick, Mrs Schaef, Mrs Oxenham. Mrs and the Misses Clarke, Mr and Mrs Henden, Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Steer, Mrs Ilartlnnd, Mr and Mrs Guinness, Lady Guinness. Miss Ethel Guinness, Mrs J. Petrie, Mrs and the Misses Robinson, Mrs Franklin, Mrs ICazer, Mrs Lucy, Mrs Thomson, Mrs Bloyce, and Misses O'Brien, Morgan, Griffiths, Smith. Keddell, Ward, Graham, .berry, Lowe, Watchman, Cunliffe, and Franklin. Thoso present at the Bed Cross Scorns on Tuesday during the afternoon or evening included Mrs Carter, Mrs Drake, Mrs Bntty, Mrs Bevin, Mrs and Misses Good, Mrs Petrie. Mrs Sheedy, Mrs Schroeder, Mrs M'Pherson, Mrs and Miss B. Baxter, Mrs and Mis>3 Johnstone. Mrs O'Malley, Mrs and Miss Morgan, Misses Steer, Lowe, Arnott, Ivericlell, Parfitt, Smith, Hambleton. Mr and Mrs Hutton, of Port Chalmers, have been visiting Mr and Mrs Good, High street.

The E-sv. Mr and Mrs Bloyco (Grey

Valley) were in town for the Diocesan Festival. Mr and Mra Carrick leave shortly for Wellington. Mi'9 Carrick will bo much missed, for she has been a most willing, though unostentatious, worker in all church and Bed Cross work. Her many friends all wish her good luck in her new home. Mrs W. S. Austin has received word that hor husband, Lieutenant-colonel Austin, is recovering rapidly from his wound. Many 'friends of Colonel Charles Brown will be pleased to know that he has been promoted to the rank of b: : gadiyr-genera],. Ho is perhaps better remembered as Captain Brown, of the Grevmouth Branch of the Defence Staff. Mrs Brown is now living in Wellington, and their son, Lieutenant Fred Brown, is a most popular officer with the New Zealand Forces. WELLINGTON, April 20. The unopposed re-election of Mr Luke to the mayoralty was the occasion for the city councillors to compliment the Mayor and ■Mrs Luke (especially Mrs Luke) for the splendid services they have rendered in connection with the war. Mrs Luke has won all hearts by her very sympathetic and energetic devotion to her duties, and the very efficient manner of their performance. Many efforts were made by a section to get other people to consent to nomination, but the popularity of tho Lukes was too great to allow anyone to think of incurring tho ignominy of failure. It is another proof of the splendid aptitude of women for publio work. For there is no doubt in any mind that it was Mrs Luke who filled on this occasion the role of the grey mare, who is, according to an old saying, often the better horse.

Mrs Arthur Myers has returned from the south, where she has been with her hus* band, the Minister, for some little time past. General regret is felt at the loss of Miss Greenwood, who has resigned the management of'the Alexandra Home, for everyone is impressed with the difficulty of finding a suitable successor—so tactful, so industrious, sympathetic, and practical. Moreover, she had the faculty of making all inmates love her, and that, as you know, is in these cases more than half the battle. We are wondering what is going to become of us. The report has reached here Unit the Government of England is going to forbid the manufacture of gloves for civilians, because of the need for concentrating the glove manufacture on making safety gloves for the munition workers. The. great question now is, Are we civilians in the sen so intended by the alleged army order? The first feeling was of consternation, _ because the civilised woman —be she, civilian or otherwise —has as high a respect for the indispensable gloves as the Turkish woman has for the yashmak. On second thoughts, however, the idea prevails that the order, if issued, will be to protect the woman who makes munitions from .serious and often permanent injury, or at least disfigurement, which is every bit as bad, of course, with most of us. Thus, if the gloves of our predilection become scarce, we shall all feel as if we were doing work in munition factories. It is a feat of the imagination to which our patriotism is fully equal. Another enjoyable dance, with reception and accompaniments at the Town Hall I The Twenty-fifth Reinforcements were the guests; and right wellv did they enjoy the dancing and the supper and the decoration and the speaking—last and least, let us say frankly. The arrangements of the Lady Mayoress and her volunteer staff of helpers were particularly good, and everything went off wonderfully well—as it always does when youth \d at the' prow and good business organisation steering.

Miss Beatrice Holloway, Mr Grieg, and 'members of their talented company gave a most delightful entertainment at the Children's Hospital; songs, recitations, and toys, with—best of all. when there are gracious women and kindly men about with heads which do grow in the right way upon their shoulders —pleasant words for the little sufferers. A feature of the proceedings v>&a the presentation of the plaster Bust of a sleeping child—surely the most beautiful thing on earth, and a thing meet appropriate in this connection, sounding the pathetic note of good wishes for the health which may never return. It was from the harids of Mr Atholwood, a well-known and favourite member of the Williamson Company. This gentleman, by the way, is a clever and most attentive Shakespearean, who writes scholarly treatises on various characters of the great bard. One of these, I hear, describes Hamlet in an exhaustive study, the effect of which is to make him out to have been simply an actor of the amateur order anxious to do star work. It is a novel way, certainly, of reconciling the disputes about the origin of the most-dis-cussed character that was ever placed on the boards by clever playwright. How doth our Vast Profound oft become Bathos I The coil strike is a little "horrifying for all of us. It is bad enough with the threats of cut railway and tram services, and it is ipow come to the threat of stopping both the trams and the electric service. There is a universal shudder as one thinks now about tea.

Dr Platts-Mills lectured during the week at the request of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board on certain diseases which are never mentioned in polite society, have not been permitted to appear in any conversation, but, according to present signs, are likely to bo the subject of frankness in the future. Mrs Doctor expounded with clearness and lantern slides in simple, earnest language well adapted io warning Work, and one felt in listening to her lecture how much better it is to learn about each things before encountering the dangers of the world than to be taught about them oy bitter experience, following the revelation of surprise. Some such thought was brooding over the doctor's audience I feel sure, for, after it was over, there were none of the things said in the discussion over the stage production of the celebrated "Damaged Goods," here some weeks since.

AUCKLAND, April 18. The sale of work which was, held in the old library at Bishopseourt last Wednesday afternoon was opened by her Exccllencj- the Countess of Liverpool, who looked charming in a. simply-made black-and-white striped voile frock with black chiffon hat,. Bishop Averill was also present. The stalls were particularly well arranged, and a thriving l trade was done in the articles offering. Afternoon tea was also supplied. Mrs Young (Devonport), Mrs Palairet. and Mrs Thompson being m charge of the stall. Much of the succesi of the afternoon was due to the untiring energy of Mrs John Kemp, the secretary. Dr and Mrs Baldwin and Miss Doria Baldwin, of Rarotonga, are at present in Auckland, and are staying at the Grand Hotel. Miss Baldwin is shortly to lx> married to Ma- Russoll, solicitor, of Christ church. Mrs W. R, "Wilson (St. Leonards, Takapuna) is visiting her sister in Christchurch. An impromptu dance took place at Careen on Wednesday evening last, when a collection was mad 9 and a goodly sum realised for the Red Cross Fund. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Children's Hospital -was

performed by .his Excellency ihe Governor last Saturday afternoon,. The Countess oi Liverpool was also present, and wore a. frock of lemon-colourCd ninon with white embroideries and black hat with finishings of green and pink. The Red Cross shop has been in charge of Hie Women's Patriotic League for the paH week, and has been well patronised by he scholders. The Victoria, League, with Jj Coleman and "Mrs C. Nathan as chief Boilers, is to bo in command during th« next week. Mr and Mrs Moore (Nelson), are making a lengthy stay in Auckland. The Williamson Company is at present in possession of Hi® Majesty's Theatre, and is playing "The Land of Promise" to crowded houses. Quito a gloom passed over Auckland this week when the news became known that M!r Malcolm Godfrey M'Gregor, of Takapuna, had suddenly passed away. He was bora in Auckland some 53 years ago, was unmarried, and a leading member of the legal profession.