THE COSY CORNER CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 3526, 11 October 1921, Page 48

THE COSY CORNER CLUB.

DISCUSSIOX MEETING. Dear Ccmrades of the Cosy Corner, —Another session of tlie Cosy Corner Club lias come to an end, and I think all members are agreed that it lias been a successful and enjoyable one. It. is most gratifying to me to have expressions of appreciation of my share as conductor of the club, and ot members’ contributions, such as are contained in Elsie’s and Hinekopunga’s papers for this meeting, and in many letters I have received. Also we have had testimony that the club papers ere read with interest by many nonmembers. I hope this success will stimulate members to devote their talents and energies to next session's programme, and, if possible, improve on our work of this year. Nqav members will always be welcome. I should like to see some recruits from D.L.F. members who have reached the retiring age. No members have availed themselves of the invitation to send in suggestions for next year's programme. I have one or two sent in last year which I think of employing, and if members have ideas they may be communicated to me at any lime within the next few weeks. 1 intend to draw up the programme and publish it a. little before Christmas, so that members will have ample time for getting up subjects. I desire to thank very heartily all who have contributed this year. A few have been prevented by ill-health or pressing domestic duties from contributing often; I hope another year they may be more favourably circumstanced. And several who have contributed frequently have often, I know, done so when overpressed by work or suffering from illness or other tr< ttblo. I am most grateful to them for their loyal support.—Your comrade, ESTHER. Dear Esther, —As tin's is review meeting, perhaps I may be allowed to mention, i~ii anticipation of criticisms of my own first contribution, that in Dr Pierson’s "George Muller, of Bristol,” there is mention of one man who carried out in practice whet I advocated in theory, and for each child that was born in his family he undertook tiie support of an orphan. Now, with regard to th« Native Plant meeting. When 1 attain to

the position of Minister for Education my efforts eh-all be directed to remedying the present deplorable lack of botanical knowledge. I will have Cheeseman’s “Manual of New Zealand Flora'* made a text book for the senior standards, and supplemented by illustrations find specimens, then a future generation may be able to understand one another when they epeak of native plants. Maori names are often as unsatisfactory as bushmen's names, one name being given to several plants, or one plant having several names. Hinekopanga’s letter affords an instance of the former; ake ake, according to Cheeseman’s list, being applied to Olearia traversii, a Chatham Island tree; 0. avicenniie folia and Dcdonea viscosa, the latter a long way removed, botanic-ally, from the other two. It may be the seer]—technically fruit—of this last that H has mistaken for flowers like hops. Kirk aav© the male and female flowers are on separate trees, the latter insignificant, though the former are attractive from the number and the red colour of the anthers, but the fruit is conspicuous, being surrounded with broad membranous wings. The “fern weed” may be a lycopodium, perhaps L. volubile, a very pretty trailer. We have 11 species out of the 100 that exist; some are epiphytic and some terrestrial, some erect, some pendulous, and Feme trailing. Swamp vine and white flax leave me mystified. “Hireau” and “kutu kutuku” ate not in the list, although it occupies about 900 lines. The Maori names of the small flowered manuka is “kamika” and aFo “maru,” but the latter is also applied to a semi-aquatic plant Ift to 2ft high. Elsie mentions mako mako (Aristoteiia raeernosa) with black berries; it is sometimes found with bright red berries. The smallleaved spcciea (A. f rut-coos a), leaves perhaps *in long, and intermediates, sometimes bear white or pink berries; but it makes no difference here, thrushes and blackbirds treat thorn quite impartially. Oscar mentions the “small white convolvulus.” probably Calystegia tuguriorum, a very pretty climber, and not quite such a rampant grower as C. scpiuin. The pink C. sold-anella that frequents sandy beaches is. I am told, uncontrollable in a garden. Our native convolvulus is described as having stems slender, prostrate, and trailing, 2in to 12in long, and closely -allied to the common C. arvensis of the Northern Hemisphere. The karaka, spoken of by Buena Vista, is peculiar to New Zealand, the Kcrmadecs, and Cliathams. Though the flesh of the fruit is edible, the seed is poisonous unless steamed or soaked m salt water. Invercauld rejoices that the Government are protecting some parts of the bush, but a par. that appeared in the Otago Witness last winter stating that moose and elk were barking trees 12ft up. and devouring the ferns, makes the protection appear somewhat doubtful; and how about the opossums?—they devour ferns as ravenously as the deer. Sony I can't supply Gabrielle with a Maori name for the Maori onion; it does not appear to have one. The right name is Bulbinella hookeri. Auckland and Campbell Island possess another species, B. rossii, that attains a height of 3ft or more, and is strong in proportion. The “small orchid streaked with mauve” eludes my search. It may be one of our lilies, herpolirion—flower almost sessile, lilac blue or white. £in to fin long. Their “green-robed sisters" were possible Pterostylis (p silent), of which we have 11 species. The bluebell must be Wablenbergia : we hace three species out of tO. No Maori name given. The “insignificant white flower” is probably Mentha c unniughamii, native mint. Geraldine’s orchid with flower like a skuT (was it not still more like a helmet?) must be Pterostylie. The other, as it grew in the bush, was piohably Gastrodia cunninghamii, said by some to be a root parasite and by others to grow on decaying wood. To my own knowledge 1 have not seen it two years in succession in the same place. The “daisy tree” with “pale green silvery leaves and yellow flowers” seems to be Senecio grevii. and the other two with “white flowers and leaves with rather prickly edges” must bo Olearia illicifolia and O. macrodonta. the latter not quite so prickly and strongly scented. Mr Norman confirms and deepens the impression .th-at I had previously received, that Banks Peninsula. is botanicallv a highly-favoured locality, and 1 hope that Mr Studholme and his successors for many generations may preserve that piece of native bush. Many of Mr Norman's names I am profoundly ignorant of, and the “silver tree fern that grows 2ft high only” is unknown to the Manuel, as is also “male and female kowhai.” The flowers arc described as hermaphrodite—pistil and Marne lie in the same flower. May not Mr Norman have been misled by some other variation in the trees, or may there have been some specimens of var. grandiflora ? The “supplejack tree” with the captive insects I would suppose to be a parsonsia. It is not a carnivorous plant like the drosera, but unwary flies and moths sometimes get the proboscis caught in the tube of the flower and cannot release it. The anthers cohere in a ring, and the filaments inside the tube arc often twisted, so, when the insect is exploring- the tube for nectar, it is liable to suddenly find itself a prisoner. 1 once found quite a large moth in that, position, but probably biids relieve most of then:. OCTOG FXARIAXF You are much more of a naturalist, Octogenarian, than most members of our club, myself included, and the iuionnation you give about various plants is welcome. Certainly the only way to avoid confusion when talking about native plants is to give the botanical name, as popular names are so capricious and inaccurate, and Maori names often variously applied, besides being unknown to many people. The botanical names may have rather an alarming look to the uninitiated, but when one grasps the system by which they are applied one finds they simplify the stucly of plants amazingly. With reference to your first contribution, it is indeed interesting to know of a man who, for each child of his own, undertook the support of an orphan. How much better than, heaping up wealth for his own children, or ac«i.sioniin*jf them to luxury and extravagance!— ESTHER. Dear Esther. I am feeling too unwell to write a proper discussion paper. My head is really too muddled to take proper notes of the session’s papers. J have read them as they come in each month, and much enjoyed each and all. “A. C. Benson: An Appreciation.” I enjoyed this paper very much. Rangioia brings before us, with quiet force, 11 1 e beauty and purity of Benson’s mind in writing his “Thread of Gold.” I always find, if I strive after an effect. I always fall short; but if I keep <i still, observant mind—not "trying t c hard,” as Benson save -things turn out truer and better. 1 have not read the “Thread of Gold,” but 1 shall certainly do so. May I thank you very much, Rangioia. for your beautiful papor. Lena, also, J should like to thank for the very clear description she gives of our New Zealand biids. Merix's paper on the “Gift of Imagination” appealed to me very much. The wisdom of the boy’s remark to his mother was really wise, and worthy a much older person. There is a. great deal in being allowed to think cut one’s own thoughts olea/Jy without interference. When 1 glance through Geraldine’s paper on “Civilisation” I vai.t to be with you all, at the meeting, and hear it discussed. I may sri t T think no are over-o?vilised in theee days. If we were •ontent to live simpler lives in every way

things would be better for ue. If we wouil only live up to God’s laws, more than man s, there would be fewer downfalls. Downfalls of men, of kingdoms, or cities, and nations. The world gets more and more civilized in every way. There comes the climax, as the “kultur of Germany. What is Germany to-day? And what was the root of it all? Because they set aside God’s laws to gratify ambition. “They were sufficient unto themselves”—or thought they were—and had to bo taught different. And so it has been all through the ages. What stubborn people we are that we won’t learn by infinitely sad experiences! Before closing my May notes I would like to make an appeal to Octogenarian. As an “old writer” may I 9ay I do not think he (or she) is “too old to join next session, as I hope to do, and to write a paper each month, as I find—as perhaps other members do—the quiet sarcasm expressed in them inspiriting. Please take this as a compliment to your style of writing. Octogenarian. I enjoyed very much indeed the several papers on “Hobbies,” but have not time to mention them in detail. Those on Nature interested most. The July papers, too, on the flora of our New Zealand forest, was a perfect feast to me. I learnt several new things about our flowers and ferns. I wish to thank Eve for her “Memories of Tasmanian Flowers.” 1 was much interested in her paper. But I was in all the papers, and will thank you all. If T were feeling more fit 1 would have much to say on the beautiful descriptions and knowledge of cur “bush” shown by the papers of Richard Norman. G. M., and others. Invercauld’s sketch of Gainsborough: I have, Invercauld, an old print hanging in my room of Gainsborough’s picture “The Young Cottagers.” It was published by John Sharpe, London, October, 1828. My first session as a member j of the C.C.C. has been a great pleasure and joy t-o me, and 1 hope I may be spared to join all my new friends next winter. To you. Esther. I am indebted for your great kindness and helpfulness, and subscribe myself—Yours truly, HTN7KUPAXCO. Thank you much for your very kind appreciation, Hinekupango. I shall look forward to yc-ur papers next session, and am very glad that the Cosy Corner Club lias proved so interesting* and helpful to you. T am very sorry for your eye trouble, which, however. you have overcome wonderfully.— ESTHER. Dear Esther,- After Octoi :enarian’s letter I felt ashamed of myself thinking of shirking the Cosy Corner meeting on the plea of giving way to younger people. The first meeting I always miss, as 1 can never make up my mind what to write about when left to decide for myself. Octogenarian’s paper “On Giving” was very interesting, and a principle that should be more acted upon. We should give according to our means as an expression of gratitude for our own blessings. “Count your blessings, name them one by one ; Count your blessings, .see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” Like Rangioia. I enjoyed reading “The Thread of Gold,” by A. C. Benson. This passage—“We are children at school. we ought not to forget that: but many of us want to sit in the master's chair and rap tlie desk and cane the other children” — always brings to ray mind how much caning children do when plaving at “school” —they keep the cane going all the time. Like Rangiora, plain monotonous sock-knitting has never appealed to be, but I have found very great interest in trying new patterns in fancy knitting. With another lady 1 tied for first place in samples of fancy knitting at Hie New Zealand International Exhibition at Christchurch. As Gabrielle says, “Photography gives an endless and wide-reaching pleasure. So it does, but it. requires more spare time than I can give it. It is not like knitting or crochet, that can Ire taken no or put down. I like developing my own films, but 1 often cret interruptions in doing them. Perhaps Gabrielle would like a few notes on birds taken from an address by Mr Edgar Stead at Timaru. “Mr Stead’s talk on birds | was then given, the speaker easily succeeding in arousing a new love for the feathered tribe, and all who heard him will doubtless j find a new interest in future in the birds : which they see around them. Mr Stead j spoke as a personal friend of the birds, and | appealed for their protection, so that we might have them always with u-s. If protection and encouragement wore not given many of the New Zealand birds—birds full of beauty and interest—would become extinct, a catastrophe to be avoided at all costs. He showed how birds will respond to kind treatment, and how full of interest they are in every particular. He then showed on the screen a large number of birds separately. The first shown was what Mr Stead described as “the perfectly delightful little tomtit.” Mr Stead spoke of the birds as if each one was a friend he was proud to own, and exhibited them with a fondness akin to that of a mother for her children. By the time he had displayed the whole of his feathered nets he had accounted for the tomtit, the fantail (which he explained builds its nest of cobwebs and broken wood, lined with hairs and grasses); the grey warbler, the little blight birds, which, while they cat blight, only take quite ripe fruit, and that only in small quantities; the rifleman, the smallest of the New Zealand birds: the handsome native pigeon; the grey duck, which, though very shy in its native habitat, has become so tame on tire Avon, in Christchurch, that it will feed out of one’s hand ; the all-too-tame blue or mountain duck; the harrier hawk, which, he explained, could not do one any harm with its fearsome beak unless it first got a grip with its feet ; the seagulls, variously coloured according if) their age: the graceful albatross, with its streamline body, which gave the minimum resistance to the air when flying: the lively little dotterel, wonderfully coloured to harmonise with its surroundings so that it was not readily seen ; the plover, of the open shingle river beds; and the black-billed gulls and tern were shown by the hundred in colonies where they nest; and the rearing of their young was described most interestingly.” I quite agree with Anemone about how patient fowls are when hurt. Two or three years ago a small rooster got under my fret, and I broke its leg. I took it inside and put it on the table, and put its leg into splints, the poor little thing being perfectly still all the time. Two or three months after, when killing it for the pot. I took the skin off its leg and found the bone had united perfectly. I must draw to a close, and wish the Cosy Corner another successful year, as the past has been BUENA VISTA. I should much have liked to hear Mr Stead’s talk on Native Birds. I have just the same feeling* for our confiding little bush birds; the fantail, warbler. tom-tit, and robin especially. 1 am very fond of some of the English birds, but they cannot take the same place in my affections as our own. I think some effort- should be made to teach school children to know our native birds, and protect them as much as possible, for none of our small birds are in any way injurious.—ESTHF— (To be Continued and Concluded next week.)

WEDDINGS IN LONDON. NEW ZEALAND Eli I DEL ROOMS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, August 21. On August 17 a quiet, but very happy, marriage was solemnised at St. Andrew’s, Ashley place, by the vicar, the Rev. R. A. Wyman. The bridegroom, who was in khaki, was Captain James Lloyd Findlay, M.C., Legion ot Honour, second son of Sir J. G. Findlay and Lady Findlay; the bride was Mis 9 Ruby Violet Finch, youngest daughter of the late Mr Thomas Finch, of Trinity College, Dublin, and of Mrs Finch. For the la-st two years Captain Findlay has been on duty in Ireland with the R.A.F., and his is a Gold Medallist and B.A. of Trinity College, Dublin, where she has had a brilliant career. Captain Findlay served all through the war, from the outset and tor several years with the East -Surrey Regiment, where lie attained the rank of captain and early gained his M.C. He transferred to the R.A.F. at the beginning of 1918, and ror more than two years lie has been on duty in Ireland in this branch of the service. He is about to resign his commission, and lie will go out to New Zealand with his bride in a lew weeks’ time, travelling by the Geiamic via Australia. He intends to settle in the Dominion. Pending the arrival of the bridal party the organist played a sHection of appropriate music, and Major J. \\ seats. Ihe bride looked very pretty in a gracefully draped wedding gown of pale primrose charmeuse, the crossover drapery from tire shoulders at the back eventualF* ior ini ug a long panel train, while the bridal veil of tulle divided itself into two long cascades which outlined the satin panel centre. There was a. girdle of blue flowers and pale mauve leaves, and sprays of orange blossom were arranged as a half-wreath. The bouquet was of white carnations and smilax. The bride was given away by Major Mairs. Captain Knight, of the East Surrey Regiment, was l>est man. Friends and relatives present included Sir L (r. and Lady Findlay, Mrs Wilfred Findlav, Admiral Sir Wilmot Fawkes. Mies Massey, Mrs and Miss Michie, Mrs C B Russell, Mr and Mrs Riddell, Mrs Doan, Mr Dodson, and Miss Kate Park. There vyere also several officers who saw service during the war with the bridegroom. Nt the conclusion of the service Sir J. and Lady F indlay entertained the guests in their flat at Ashley Gardens. By the special request of Lady Findlay, Admiral Sir Wilmot Fawkes, who had known the bridegroom since lie was a very small child, proposed the health of Ihe young- couple, making a neat little speech, the. bridegroom’s response being equally happy, despite the fact that he “had not inherited the family gift of oratory.” The bride cut the cake with the bridegroom’s sword. Later she went away in a harmony of nigger brown —every detail a perfect match,--and she wore a fur of golden fox. Lady Findlay was in black channelise with ermine* stole, and her hat of black velvet was bordered with saxe blue ostrich feather, with a drcoping feather mount at one side. On the afternoon of August 22, rather less then three days before the departure for Now Zealand of the Prime Minister and his party, the wedding took place, of a member of his staff—-Mr IT. T. B. Drew, the well-known New Zealand journalist. Mr Drew cam? to England with Mr Massey to take charge of the Publicity Department of the visit, and the public at this end, as well as in New Zealand, have every reason to feel gratified at. the result of this new departure. The bride was Miss Mabel Grant, only daughter of the late Mr A. Grant and Mrs Grant, very well-known residents of Addiscomb? and Croydon. The service at St. Matthew’s Church, East Croydon, was a very quiet one, and in view of the short time available it was by special license. The Rev. Fiske Moore performed the ceremony. The bride, who was given away by her brother, Mr H. \V. Grant, was in a dress of m-astic georgette, panelled with dark blue silk and finished with a deep band of Oriental brocade. Her hat was of black satin with a crown of cream georgette, and she wore the badge of the Canterbury Regiment, to which Mr Drew was at: ached during the war. Mr F. D. Thomson, 0.M.G.. attended the bridegroom as host man, and among those percent in the church as well as at the subsequent reception were the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mrs and Miss Massey, Sir James Allen, Dr and Mrs Gray and Miss Gray, Miss Keddell, and many other friends of (he bride and her mother. Mr Massey and Sir Janies Allen went to the vestry to sign the register. Before the ceremony the organist played an interesting selection, and there was Mendelssohn's “Wedding March” as the party left the church. Mrs Grant held a very happy reception at the Croydon Art Gallery, which contains a very choice collection of etchings. The room had been tastefully decorated for the- occasion with very choice flowers. Mr Massey was unable to remain very long, as he had to go back to town for another engagement. The health of the newly-married couple was proposed by an old friend of the bride, Mr J. IT. Downie, and a suitable response was made bv Mr Drew. Sir James Allen made a very neat little speech in proposing the health of the bride’s mother, remarking that no one needed more sympathy cn such an occasion than the mother, but in this case Great Britain's loss would be New Zealand's gam. A parting sucli as this was always sore, but here there were compensations, for the bride was going out to a glorious little country, and ho felt sure that she would b? very happy there. Sir James made a very appreciative reference to Mr Drew himself, whom, he said, he knew well. The bride and bridegroom were the recipients of some very nice presents, including two handsome silver nhot:> frames from Mr and Mrs Massey. They received, too, a good many cheques.