TABLE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3382, 8 January 1919, Page 49

TABLE TALK.

Monday Evening'. On New Year's Eve the people who had intended to usher in 1919 with a demonstration of fireworks must have been disappointed, for as the dusk fell heavy showers thinned the crowds in the streets, and in the morning of New Year's Day, although the sun shone, a. slight sprinkling of snow was seen on the hills above the city. Picnickers started off hopefully, however, and it was not until the afternoon that a big thunderstorm with large hailstones blew up from the south. Throughout the week the weather has continued electrical, cold, and unseasonable, spoiling the holiday for visitors, who hoped to see something of the many beauty spots in and around Dunedin, and playing havoc with fruit and flower gardens.

A large audience assembled at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening- to witness the initial screening in Dunedin of D. W. Griffith's great picture " Hearts of the World." The clever and interesting story, with its exciting and happy ending, has for a background a wonderful representation of many scenes and happenings in the Great War. Sir William Eraser (Wellington) arrived on Tuesday afternoon, and left on Thursday for the Lakes district. Professor and Mrs Hurst Seagur and their niece, Miss MacMillan Brown (Christchurch), stayed at Onslow House during their short visit to Dunedin, and returned to the north by motor on Wednesday. Mt and Mrs Eric Bullock (Trentham) are staying at the Grand Hotel. Mrs Guinness and Miss Guinness have returned to Timaru. Mr and! Mrs Gallawny and Miss Gallaway returned on Satirrday from Matakanui. Mr and Mrs Howard Dodgshun have returned from spending the holiday at Waimate. Mr and Mrs F, O. Bridgeman left on Saturday to viaii Queemstowa.

Mr and Mrs Breniner (Hawke's Bay) are visiting Dunedin at present. Mr Justice Hosking (Wellington) is the guest of Dr and' Mrs Lin do Ferguson (Anderson's Bay). Mrs G-ibbs has taken Miss Reynolds's cottage at Macandrew's Bay for soma weeks. The Misses Jackson (2) left on Saturday to walk over the Milford track. Mr Whitson and the Misses Whitson are staying at Brighton . Mr and Mrs C. King, who have been staying at Onslow House during their visit to Dunedin, have returned to Timaru. Miss Gethex, who has been stationed at Rotorua, teaching arts and crafts to the returned soldiers, is at present visiting Dunedin. Sir James and Lady Allen and Miss Rona Allen lei't on Monday for a motor trip to Mount Cook. Dr and Mrs Kenneth'Ross are spending the holidays at Warrington. The* French Mission will arrive on Saturday on a short visit to Dunedin. Mrs Sargood and the Misses Sargood are at Marinoto for a short stay, having motored down from Wanaka. Mrs Cantrell, Miss Jackson, and. Miss Mario Pry-do have been spending the holidays with Mrs Hislop at Brighton. INTERCARGILL, January 6. Mrs Hodges is spending a holiday at Stewart Island. Miiss Bews is also staying at Stewart Island. Miss V. Bews returned from a holiday at the Island last week. Mrs Handyside has returned from her trip north. Mr G. Cuthbertson (Timaru) is visiting his mother, Mr R. F. Cuthbertson, Gladstone. Mrs Abbey Jones has returned from Christchurch. Mrs B. Basstian is staying at Riverton for the holidays. Mrs Gordon Smith (Timaru) is visiting her sister, Miss Bell. Mrs - J. M'G. Watson is visiting friends at, Dipton. Mrs Grossman, who has been staying with her daughter, Mrs G. Clapcott, for some time, has returned north.

TIMARtT, January 4. Mr and Mrs Clifford (LeCren street) have returned from Albury. ' . Mrs and Miss Bush and Mr L. Bush (Invercargill) are staying at the Hydro Grand. . , Mr and Mrs C. Buchanan (Christchurch) were in Timaru for the holidays. - Miss Mannering (Napier) is the guest of Mrs Simon Mackenzie (Park lane). Mrs Fielden (Christchurch) is staying with Mrs Wigley (Park lane). Mrs Morris (Napier) is staying with Mrs C. S. Verity (Craigmore Downs). Miss Buchanan (Christchurch) is staying with Mrs Buchanan (Crofton). Mr and Mrs T. Rhodes (Hadlow Grange) and Miss Ca-Tgill are camping at the Opihi. Mrs Elworthy (Christchurch) and Miss Elworthy are staying with Mrs Bond (Clareniont). CHRISTCHURCH, January 4. Much to everyone's disappointment, New Year's morning proved wet and wintry, very heavy showers falling throughout the morning, and though it cleared in the afternoon, all whole-day picnics and outings were spoilt. The Canterbury Trotting Club's meeting at Plumpton attracted a large crowd; • but for moat people the day was a spoilt one, as children do like their New Year's Dav pleasures. Their Exteellenoies the Governor-general and thfe Countess of Liverpool and suite arrived in Christchurch on Saturday, and are the guests of Mr and Mrs A. Rhodes for a few days. They will then go into residence at Elmwood for the summer months. Mr and Mrs J. Studholme have gone to Mount Cook. ■Sir George Clifford and Miss June Clifford have returned from the Auckland races. Miss Cowlishaw has gone to the fishing huts at" the Rakaia. Mr and Mrs G. Helmore have gone to Mount Cook. Mr and Mrs Godby are visiting the Southern Lakes. Mr and Mrs H. Cot'terill and family have gone to Hanmer Springs. Mrs Cordner and daiighters, who have been in Timaru for some weeks, have returned home. WELLINGTON, Janaury 3. The death of Lady Whitmore has struck a great chord of sympathy. It is, of course, a recollection, for Lady "Whitmore has been absent from Wellington for many years and never was a resident in the permanent sense. The Napier district was her home from the days of her marriage to the dashing, clever military secretary of General Cameron onwards. During the 10 years—more or less—of warfare that followed Mrs (after Lady) Whitmore was the centre of much friendship, sympathy, and admiration. When the Poverty Bay massacre occurred she was not far off, and when Ngatapa fell she shared in the glory with her husband as a matter o* course, and when Tito-Kowaru was finally driven out of the Taranaki country into the fastnesses dominated by the Maori King she shared in the congratulations showered on her husband. Throiigh many vicissitudes Sir William and Lady Whitmore retained their hold on a large circle of friends in all parts of the country. Since the general's death—something over 10 years ago—Lady Whitmore has lived in Napier in her beautiful house on the Marine parade a quiet_ life busy with good for others, unostentatious, and greatly respected. Her health failed gradually, until the end came last week, not unexpected, but none the less sincerely lamented. The sympathies of her friends are now for Mrs Dixon, her companion of many years since the untimely death of her own husband drowned soon after their marriage in one of the rivers near N'apier. Mrs M'Gilp, widow of the late Sergeantmajor M"Gilp, is returning to Egypt to rejoin her father, the Chevalier Aquilina. The death is announced from Ismailia of Mrs Barry, wife of Quartermaster-sergeant Barry, of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. She was Miss M'C'ure, of Dannevirke, and at the outbreak of the war was teaching school. She at once devoted herself to war work, joining the Volunteer Sisterhood organised by Mies Etty Rout, She did much canteen work in Egypt, and continued to be useful after her marriage—truly one of those who "did their bit." ■Sir John and Lady Findlay, now travelling In the north (Ihey were last heard of *t

Auckland) with their Bona, Major Findlay and Captain Lloyd Findlay, M.C., will, it la anr.onr.ced, visit Rotorua before returning l to town. A third son was killed at Gallipoli. Ten years ago the three were boys at school preparing for careers via the preliminary road of " exam." and degree. Who would then have thought of their being soldiers in a great war in which the men of New Zealand were. to hold thoir own with tbo best regiments of British military tradition? Those who know these younger men predict a fine career for the two abovenamed, for they have given evidence- of considerable talent and industry, the Major, indeed, having written very good stuff, prose and verse both. He will make his way to the front in politics, a career for which the experiences of the battlefield will not be t, handicap by any means. The British elections are the subject of much discussion by reason of the behaviour of the women—very few women candidates, and not one returned. As*--to Ireland, the only woman returned being a Sinn Feiner and a condemned rebel, one scarcely likes to, say much more. But the great feature of . the election Is the immense support given to the war views of the Government, and that is a great credit we all feel to the loyalty and good sense of the new voters—the vast numbers of women who supported ths soldier and sailor voters in their stand, against narrow-minded pacifism. and the shortsightedness! of extreme Labour. Are we downhearted, about the defeat of Mr Aequith? Does it imply reaction and. stagnation? One woman discussing these questions declared in my hearing that it would be worth while to give a 10-years' setback to Liberalism (of the best kind even) if,, that would make sure of the right sort of peace Another declared that it its all very well to count the labels and-give the majority to the Unionists, " but the labels are new, said she, " and, after the war as we they signify vast consequential changes." AUCKLAND, December 31. Christmas Day was observed in Auckland with glad rejoicings and with much of th« . old-time spirit of happiness and goodwill. Family meetings marked the day, the recent return of soldiers from camp and from th« front making this possible to a certain extent. Sorrow and loss have, however, left ; treir mark on nearly every home during ths past few years, but the prevailing spirit of ..-". thankfulness at peace having been brought about has in a manner tempered the pain > of personal sorrow and sad memories. The glorious weather on Boxing Day tempted large numbers of the public to visH the many pleasure lesorts by the- seaside,, and picnic parties were much in evidence. Auckland's wonderful range of water excur- ... sions never loses attraction, and this year was no exception. The Auckland Racing Club's summer meeting opened at Ellerslie on Boxing Day under perfect weather conditions and before ». . gathering believed to have constituted a record. The grounds have never been seen to better advantage. The green, velvety lawns were studded every here and there with, ; beds of bright flowers, the telephone posts were hidden by crimson ramblers, and tubi of hydrangeas in every shade of blue wers to be seen in front of the grand stand. Amongst the southern visitors were Mr and Mrs Gerald Stead (Christchurch), the latter wearing a short grey frock finished with, touches of dark blue, and grey hat; Mr ami Mrs Allen (also from Christchurch), the latter wearing a pretty accordeon-pleated frock of flowered ninon with bl&ek hat; Mrs Brodie and Miss Rita Moss (two sister» from "Wellington) were somewhat alike in navy and white foulards, with dark hats; Mr and Mrs "W. Stead (Hawke's Bay), th« : latter in saxe blue georgette with wide floral ribbon and hat to match: Miss Clifford'" (Canterbury), pale pink gebrgette, withlarg« pink and brown hat edged with fur; Mr and Mrs Louisson (Christchurch), the latter looking very smart in a frock of white net' and lace . and straw hat lined, with black satin and wreathed with flowers; Mr and • Mrs Eric Riddiford (Wellington), the latter in mauve georgette embroidered in white and large white hat; Mr and Mrs Murphy (Gis-> borne), the latter in d'ainty white with black hat; and Mrs Dean Pitt (Gisborne), in saxe blue georgette and black hat. Amongst the local visitors were Lady Walker, in white georgette finished with lace and ' smart black hat; Mrs Arthur Myers, in ■ pale grey ninon finished with touches of coloured grapes in bunches and hat in a like' '"' tone; Mrs 'Alfred Nathan, pale mauve georgette accordeon-pleated frock with black hat; the c Misses Molly and Joyce Nathan ." wore white. georgette iouchpd with black and pale pink ninon respectively; Mrs Fred Waller, navy blue taffeta with hat to match}. >"::• Miss Neville Thorne George, accordeon- '" pleated frock of pale pink ninon sparsely embroidered in gold and pink a.nd Leghorn ha% wreathed with flowers; Miss Maud Buckland, sand-coloured georgette frock and black hat; Miss Ruth Buckland, reseda green and while foulnrd and pretty hat; Miss Una Buddie white linen and smart '■'• Laghom hat; Mrs Edward Dargaville, dark grey georgette finished with embroideries and hat in a like, shade; Mrs Bickerton Fisher, dark fawn suit and Tuscan hat with, flowers; the Misses Gwen and Rachel Gorrie were much alike in 6mart black-and-white striped flannel suits and pretty hats. The second day's racing was held on Saturday, but the weather, which looked dull and threatening in the early part of the day, turned "out very treacherous, and heavy rain set in later, thus preventing many front ■ putting, in an appearance. The French Mission, which, at the invitation of the New Zealand Government, is paying a visit to the Dominion, arrived last ■'.