THE LADIES' PAGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3804, 8 February 1927, Page 63

THE LADIES' PAGE

by

Esther

TAELE TALK.

Monday. On Tuesday afternoon Mrs Nisbet and Mrs Crouch (Brisbane) invited a number of friends to meet Miss M'Kerrow at afternoon tea in the Somerset Lounge. The room was beautifully decorated with vases of sweet peas on small tables, at which everyone was able comfortably to enjoy her tea. Mrs Nisbet and Mrs Crouch received at the entrance. Mrs Nisbet wore a soft heliotrope embossed velvet crepe de chine, and a black crinoline straw hat; Mrs Crouch, white floral georgette, and a black crinoline straw hat; Miss M'Kerrow, biscuit lace over cinnamon .georgette, and a black hat. Others present were: Lady Fenwick, Mesdames Allan Holmes, Hewitson, Bowie, Matheson, Dickie, Callan, Edgar Hazlett, Sidey, Denton Leech, Dutton, Inglis, Adams, Cleghorn, Glendining, and Arniitage (Temuka), Misses Dowme Stewart, B. Farquhar, V. Reynolds, N. Reid, Webster, Mollison (-2), Shand (2), Allan, Lamrock (2), J. Burt, Ruie, Dutton, Joachim, Tennant, Gilkison, Holmes, Watt, Glendining, Green, Merrington, Mollison, Moodie, etc.

On Tuesday afternoon the Misses Ramsay gave a delightful tea party for their sister, Mrs J. M'Kenzie (Australia), at the Otago Women’s Club. Tea was enjoyed in the luncheon room, where the table was most artistically decorated with cut-glass vases of pink sweet peas, stocks-, and carnations. The Misses Ramsay received at the entrance Miss Ramsay wore a robe of blue, with a hat to match; Miss Doris Ramsav, cinnamon georgette and lace, with a hat of same shade; Mrs M'Kenzie, black silk with floral vest, and a black hat with velvet. Others present were: Mesdames Shand, Macassey, Oldham, Mcnlove (Athol), Johnson Brown, Leslie Wilson, Finch, Armitage, Haggitt,’ Douglas Ramsay, and Stuart Ramsay, Misses Macassey, Farquhar, Ulrich, G. Webster Tolmie, and Morris.

On Tuesday evening Mrs Finch gave a bridge party for Mrs Weigall (Sydney). Bridge was played in the drawing room, where the hostess received gowned in green marocain veiled in black, and beaded. There were present: Mesdames Cheesemanj Fenwick, Oldham, and Haggitt, Misses Sise, C. Williams, Batchelor, Denniston, Reynolds G. Webster, etc.

On Wednesday afternoon the opening function- of the Medical School took place, when a very large number of guests was present. Dr Iverach, carrying the mace, headed the procession, and was followed by the Chancellor (Mr T. K. Sidey), his Worship the Mayor, professors, doctors, etc. The Chancellor opened the proceedings, and was followed by the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Downie Stewart, and by Sir Lindo Ferguson and Dr Barnett. Afterwards the guests adjourned to the chemistry room, where Mr T. K. Sidey held a reception, and afternoon tea was much enjoyed. The guests were afforded the opportunity of seeing over the beautiful building. Some present were: Sir George and Lady Fenwick, Sir James and Lady Allen, Sir Lindo and Lady Ferguson, Sir John Roberts, Lady Williams, Sir William and Lady Sim, the Hon. and Mrs J. A. Hanan, the Hon. Mark Cohen, the Hon. G. M. Thomson, Dr and Mrs Thompson, Professor and Mrs Hewitson, Dr and Mrs Malcolm, Mesdames Batchelor, Greenslade, Ritchie, Fitchett, Macandrew, Hutchison, Wilson, Moore, Yuille, Chapman, Porteous, White, Fitchett (Auckland), A. Cameron, Evans, M'Kibbin, Salmond, Newlancfe, Lawson, White. Ramsay, Dunlop, Hogg, Halsted, M'Kehar, Riley, Boulte, Plimmer, and Eastgate, Misses Downie Stewart, Rosevear, Ulrjch, Scott, Webster, Mac Gibbon, M'Leod, Bannister, Wells, White, Williams, Rule (2), M'Gill, Wells, Pithie, Blackie, Halsted, Allan, Cameron, Fyfe, Barnett, and Cargill, Messrs Hutchison, Marshall, Anscombe, Sutherland Ross, Cameron, Somraerville, P. L. Halsted, Shacklock, Brasch, Larnach, J. T. Paul, Salmond, Clark, Denniston, Fels, Lewin, Wallace, Ritchie, Scurr, Gilray, and Rennie, Drs Batchelor; Hercus, Riley, Williams, Marshall, MacDonald, Marion Whyte, Radcliffe Taylor, Etaily Siedeberg, Lindon, Hall, Burns, O'Neill, Hogg, Rich, R. Ritchfe, Fitchett, Bowie, North, Jenkins, Borrte, Fitzgerald, Gowland, etc.

Gn Thursday evening the official opening of the Medical Conference took place in the Early Settlers’ Hall, when the hall was decorated with greenery, etc. Speeches were given by the Acting Prime Minister (Mr Downie Stewart), by Sir George Sime, and by Dr Barnett, after which a reception was held in the Art Gallery, where a most brilliant display of colour was to be . seen. Beautiful dresses of all shades and kinds, and shawls of brilliant hues intermingled with the decorations of greenery, etc. Dr and Mrs Barnett received the guests at the entrance, the hostess being gowned in a handsome black robe heavily beaded In steel. A delightful band, which played throughout the evening, was stationed on the stage, the decoration of which was a mass of maidenhair fern. In the water colour room a buffet supper was much enjoyed, the principal decorations being sweet peas, whilst the large art gallery, decorated with palms, bowls of roses, etc., was used as a lounge room. Some present were: Miss Barnett, in a handsome gown of gold tissue and lace ; Miss Downie Stewart, iridescent sequin georgette; Lady Statham, soft blue georgette heavily headed with silver; Lady Ferguson, cyclamen brocaded georgette over gold tissue; Lady Simes, black beaded robe ; Mrs T. K. Sidey, pale lavender figured georgette over satin; Mrs R. Ritchie, black spangled robe ; Mrs Batchelor, silver lace over fuchsia georgette; Mrs R. Hudson, black chenille velvet and georgette ; Mrs Carswell, cyclamen georgette; Mrs Marshall Macdonald, jade green georgette beaded in gold ; Mrs Leech, pale heliotrope georgette beaded in silver sequins; Mrs O’Neill, floral georgette; Airs Hutchison, shrimp coloured chenille velvet and gold tissue; Mrs Fitchett, black and gold gown: Mrs Wilson (Wanganui), sequined. white georgette ; Mrs Renfrew White, black georgette; Mrs M'Kibbin (Wellington), floral taffeta; Mrs Elliott (Wellington), gold lace over gold lame; Mrs Benham, silver lame; Mrs M'Kqllar, black georgette beaded in steel, and Oriental trimming; Mrs F. Dunlop, black georgette; Mrs O’Neill, flor a-’ silk; Mrs Jenkins, wine taffeta silk ; Mrs Champtaloup, black: Mrs Inglis, amethyst beaded georgette; Dr Ada Paterson, black robe relieved with blue; Dr Siedeberg, blue taffeta silk; Mrs Borrie, black georgette; Mrs E. Hazlett, black, with bright fuchsia shawl; Miss Ulrich, black beaded robe relieved with gold; Miss Blomfleld, apricot floral silk; and Miss. O’Neill, black, with gold and silver tissue.

On Thursday evening a very large dinner ’ party was given by Dr Russell Ritchie and Dr Riley at the Fernhill Club, when a large number of the visiting doctors ahd their wives was present.

On Thursday and Friday of last week Dr and Airs Alarshall Macdonald entertained a large number of visitors to dinner parties. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Dr and Airs Stanley Batchelor entertained a number of the visiting doctors and their wives at dinner. On Saturday evening Dr and Airs Russell Ritchie were host and hostess at a dinner at their residence, George street, when a number of the visiting doctors was present. On Saturday evening Dr and Airs Jenkins gave a dance at their residence, High street, for the visitors. On Friday the large cabaret held in the Tudor Hall, arranged by some of the doctors’ wives, proved a great success. Dr and Mrs Riley entertained visitors to dinner on Friday night. On Friday afternoon a very large number of the visitors and friends was present at the garden party at ’’ Glenfalloch,” given by the Entertaining Committee of the Medical Congress. The day was beautiful, and the grounds were seen to advantage in the sunshine. The wealth of flowers everywhere had a most brilliant effect. Delicious tea and dainties were much enjoyed, with a delightful band which played throughout the afternoon. On Saturday evening Airs Oldham invited a number of the visitors to bridge at her residence, London street.

Mr and Mrs T. K. Sidey were host and hostess on Saturday afternoon at their residence, ’’ Corstorphine,’’ when they gave a most delightful “At home.” The lovely old house and beautiful garden were seen to advantage amidst brilliant colouring of elegant robes, hats, and parasols, with the sunshine streaming down them. Alost delicious tea, dainties, raspberries, and cream ices, etc., were done full justice to. The band played throughout the afternoon, and added greatly to the enjoyment of all. Mrs E. Theomin gave an enjoyable bridge party at her residence. Royal Terrace,. on Wednesday evening, the guest of honour being Miss Alison Halsted, whose marriage takes place shortly. On Friday morning Airs Terence Bridgeman invited friends to morning tea at her residence, Sunshine, in honour of Miss Halsted and Aliss Marjorie Blomfleld. The latter is leaving for England shortly. A delightful morning tea party was given for the visiting ladies in connection with the Medical Congress by the Entertaining Committee at the Gardens Kiosk, when a delightful time was spent wandering in the rhododendron dell and the Botanical Gar- : dens, which at the present time are a wealth of colour, masses of roses and flowers of all sorts being out in profusion. Airs Edgar Hazlett gave a morning tea party at the Otago Women’s Club as a farewell to her sister, Mrs James, before returning to Auckland. The George Street Clinic gave a dinner, party on Thursday evening at the Somerset Lounge, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion. The hosts and hostesses were Dr and Airs Greenslade, Mr and Airs Renfrew White, Dr Iverach, and Dr Alarion Taylor.

On Friday Airs Marshall Macdonald was a hostess at a large morning tea party which she gave at the Tudor Hall in honour of the lady visitors at present in Dunedin. There were present: Lady Syme fMelbourne), Lady Ferguson, Lady M'Gairn (Wellington), Lady Fenwick, Miss Downie Stewart, Mesdames Douglas (Oamaru), Argyle (Melbourne), G. Roberts, Finch, Hanan, K. Ross, Paterson (Umaru), Young (W’elEngton), Edmond, Gribbon, T. K. Sidey, North, Craig, Eardley Fenwick, Wylie, Wilson, Devine (Melbourne), C. Rattray, Cheeseman, M’Alaster, Haggitt, Crawford. 'Washbourn, Guthrie, and Litscomb (Sydney), Afisses Stenhouse, M’Lean (2), Ensor, and H. Williams. Over the week-end a number of the doctors and their wives entertained the visitors at picnics. A special train took a large number to "Warrington, where Dr and Airs Falconer were host and hostess, while at Waitati Dr and Airs Stanley Batchelor, Dr and Airs Riley. Dr and Airs Fitchett, and Dr and Airs Williams were all hosts and hostesses. Large numbers of doctors were driven to Waipori, where an excellent lunch was awaiting them. Mr and Mrs Eastgate have returned to town. Dr Gordon Rich is the guest of Mrs George Roberts. Littlebourne. * Airs Menlove returned south on Saturday. Air and Mrs Saunders have returned to Roxburgh. Sir Robert and Lady Stout' left during the week for Waimate. Dr and Airs Douglas have returned to Oamaru. Airs Primtage is the guest of Aliss Stewart, Heriot row. Mrs- Crouch, who has been U ' guest of Mrs Nisbet, has returned to Brisbane. INVERCARGILL. February 4. - Mrs Lawrence, Waikiwi. and her daughter Lou left by the Mceraki for an extended holiday in Sydney. Mr and Mrs Lance Raymond. Tuatapare, returned bv the Moeraki from a ehort holiday in Melbourne. Miss Bunty Macpherson, of Palmerston North, is .the guest of her cousin, Miso Nancy Strettell. Scandrett street. Mrs Stanley Brown, Don street, is staying with friends in Dunedin. Mrs R. S. M’lnnes, Duke street, and family, accompanied by Miss M’Lean, returned from Kaka Point on Sunday. Mr and Mrs F. C. Rowley and family returned from Queenstown during the week. Miss Lester, of the St. John’s Girls’ School, returned by the Moeraki from her holidays in Melbourne. On Tuesday afternoon Mrs Stewart. Yarrow Street, gave a farewell tea for Mrs P. H. Thompon, who leaves Invercargill shortly.

Mrs David Allen and family, who have been visiting Mrs Allen’s mother, Mrs Donald, Edendale, have returned to their home in Wellington. Mrs C. de B. Andrews has returned from Christchurch. Mrs S. B. Ussher and her daughter have returned from a holiday in Waimat.9* Mrs Howard Foster and family left last Saturday to take up their residence in WaiD1 ™ e * Foster will join them later. . Mrs Vk. S. Todd and her daughter Marjorie returned last Saturday from Nelson, where they have been holidaying. Mrs G St. V. Keddell was hostess at a ° ll “S e party on Wednesday evening. Mr and Mrs L. B. Hutton are visiting Dunedin. OAMARU. February 5. Mr and Miss Reid, Elderslie, who have been visiting friends in Auckland, returned last week. Mr and Mrs Haines, of Christchurch who have been visiting their daughter, Mrs Saunders, m Central Otago, spent a few days in Oamaru on their return home. Miss V. Nicholls is visiting Mrs Pinskney, Glenaray Station, Waikaia, Southland. Dr Elspeth Fitzgerald with her little daughter have gone to their crib, at “Karitane. Mr and Mrs Scott and family have returned fvom their crib at Kakaniii. Mrs C. Piper has returned from Christchurch. P r and Mrs S. Morton have gone to Dunedin for the Medical Conference. A very pretty wedding was celebrated in St. £ll’. ~8 Clrurch last Wednesday, when Miss Winifred Preston, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Preston, Ouse street, was married to Mr Robert Thompson, eon of Mr and Mrs Thompson, Auckland. The Rev ’ Archdeacon Russell officiated. The bride’ who was given away by her father, looked *'° r y pretty in.. a white beaded georgette > frock and veil with a wreath of orange blossoms. Her bouquet was of white lilies and roses. The bridesmaid, in powder blue> looked very pretty. A reception was held at Blackwood. Eater Mr and Mrs R. Thompson icft by motor car for the south.

~ ’ , TIMARU, February 4. Mrs Charles Macfarlane, of Lyndon North Canterbury, who is the guest of her father, Mr R. W. M‘Laren, Highfield. will return home on Monday. Mr and Mrs John Page, Mount Gerald, have returned from Wellington, and are with Mr R. A. Rickman, Church street west; Mrs Rickman is visiting Christchurch. Mrs Allan Holmes, of is the guest of Mrs M’Lean, Ardgour, Sealey street. Mrs W. H. Unwin, Church street, left to4ay for Christchurch and Amberley. Dr and Mrs C. A. Paterson, of Tiamru, find _Dr and Mrs Benham, of Pleasant Point, are in Dunedin.

■ Mrs William Raymond and family, Nile ■treat, have returned from some weeks at their river camp.

Miss Janet Paterson, Sefton street, is the guest of Mrs O’Neill, of Dunedin. Mrs Cecil Perry, Cadogan, is on a short visit to Mrs F. Smith, Waratah, Albury. The engagement is announced of Allan, only son of the late James Marshall and Mrs Marshall, Coney Hill, Tycho, Claremont, to Gertrude, only daughter of the late W. A. Purdom and Mrs Purdom, of Temuka. Mrs J. R. Loughnan, Fairlie, is the guest of Mrs J. A. S. Watt, Riccarton. Mrs E. C. Shallcrass and Mr W. Shallcrass, Otipua road, returned this week from a month’s holiday in Auckland. Miss Marjorie Edgar-Jones, of Otiritiri, returned from The Hermitage on Thursday. Miss Elsie Oddie left Timaru for Auckland to-day. Mrs Middleton and children, Waimate, are at the Bungalow. ’ Mr and Mrs Ongley went to Oamaru this week before leaving for their future home m Auckland. Miss Violet Russell, Tu Nanui, Hawke’s Bay, is spending a few days at Silverton with Mrs Mowbray Tripp. Miss Mavis Reese has returned to Christchurch after a holiday visit to Queenstown and Timaru. Miss Wilfrid White and her daughter, Summerhill, Levels, returned this week from a visit to Milford Sound and Dunedin. Dr and Mrs L. S. Talbot, Te Weka street, are in Dunedin. Mrs R. Hamlin, who was with Mrs W. D. Revell, Jackson street, has returned to Auckland. Mrs Howley and Mrs H. H. Webb, Sefton street, are visiting Christchurch. Mrs James Grant, Grey’s Hills, is on a visit to Christchurch. The Misses Bond, of Christchurch are the guests of Mrs W. N. Bond. Claremont. Mrs J?hn Matheson and Miss Mona Matheson, Wai-iti road, have returned from Simons Pass. Mr and’Mrs Gordon Wood and Miss Wood, Wai-iti, road, returned on Tuesday from some weeks in Auckland. Yesterday afternoon Mrs A. F. Roberts gave a garden party in her beautiful grounds in Park lane. Mrs Roberts wore a handsome frock of black sounle satin and heavy black lace, and a • black hat with a black feather ruche. Tea was served under the trees. The table was prettily decorated with, pink ivy geraniums. Others present included Mesdames Westmacott. Wigley (3), C. A. Paterson, W. Sharp, Huddlestone, N. M. Orbell, C. J. LeCren. W. C. Burns, J. Temple, Peter, and English, Misses White, Elworthy, Knubley, Macandrew, Cartwright, Paterson (2), Le Cren (2), and Sharp.

ASHBURTON, February 4. Miss Armstrong, Christchurch, is the guest of Mrs Laing at the river camp. The engagement is announced of Dr Stewart Hunter, elder son of Dr and Mrs H. Hunter, Burnett street, Ashburton, to Elizabeth, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs D. Russell, St. Leonards, Dunedin. The engagement is announced of .Thomas Henry, elder son of Mr, and Mrs J. H.

Pilbrow, Downlands, Palmerston South, to Florence Barbara, only daughter of Captain and Mrs W. Morgan, Evandale, Mount Somers, Ashburton. ■ The engagement is announced of Mr J. Sinclair, of Ashburton to Miss Dolly Keith, daughter of Mr and Mrs A. Keith, Walnut avenue. Mr and Mrs Nelson Saunders have left for their new home after spending a holiday as gilests of Dr and Mrs Hunter, Burnett street. Miss Betty Russell, Dunedin, is the guest of Mrs H. Hunter, Burnett street. Mrs Jennings and Miss M. Jennings are in Wellington. Mr and Mrs Bailey, Rangiora, have returned home. They were the guests of Mr and Mrs Boyce while in Ashburton. Mrs H. Hunter and the Misses Hunter gave a most enjoyable afternoon at their residence on Monday. Chairs were placed under the shady trees by the tennis court, and those not playing were able to watch. Afternodh tea was dispensed under the trees. Among those present were: Dr and Mrs H. Hunter, the Misses M. and Helen Hunter, Dr Stewart Hunter, Mrs H. F. Nicoll, Mrs L. C. Latter, Mrs E. C. Raynsley, Mrs Arthur Nicoll, Mrs Gerald Nicoll, Misses J. Coward and B. Russell (Dunedin), and Mr Hugh Hunter. Mr and Mrs Bowden, who have been spending the holidays in Timaru, have returned home. Mr and Mrs Arthur Grigg, Longbeach; are in Christchurch. Mr and Mrs J. H. Grigg are also in town. e Mrs Le C. Latter, Rotherham, who has been the guest of Mrs H. F. Nicoll, has returned home. Miss Jean Newton has been spending a holiday at Arthur’s Pass. Mr and Mrs C. C. Roberts have arrived from England, and are the guests of the Hon. Mrs W. Nosworthy, Walnut avenue. Miss Barbara Morgan has gone on an extended holiday to Palmerston South. Dr G. Fisher, Dr W. J. Mullin, Dr Billcliff have left to attend the Medical Conference in Dunedin.

CHRISTCHURCH, February 4. Mrs Eric Harper, Kilmore street west, who, with her children, has been spending the holidays in Timaru, has returned to Christchurch. Sir Robert and Lady Stout passed through Christchurch on their way to Dunedin. Archdeacon and Mrs Haggitt have returned from a visit to South Canterbury. Mrs J. G. L. Vernon Papanui road is the guest of Mrs Alister Deans. Waddington. Mr and Mrs Peter Hall have returned from a motor trip through South Canterbury. Dr and Mrs Gordon Craig, of Sydney, are the guests of Mrs Hurst Seager, Cashmere Hills. Miss Cowlishaw has returned from a visit to the West Coast. A delightful morning tea was given at Ballantyne’s by Miss Mary Cowlishaw' on Saturday- in honour of Miss Kathleen Helmore. Each guest brought a coat hanger or shoe tree. Those present were Miss Kathleen Helmore, Mrs Neil Rattray, Mrs Maurice Macfarlane, Mrs George Reid, Mrs Guy Cotterill, Mrs Derrick Gould, Mrs John Moore, Misses Betty Black, Alice Pascoe, Ruth Wynn, Williams. Halmai Loughnan, Kathleen Irving, Elizabeth Harris, Irene Cracroft Wilson, Joan Cooper, Adrienne Acland, Nancy Gibson, Fay Gibson, Joyce Gibson, Lettie Williamson. Margaret Stevenson, and Betty Rutherford. A most enjoyable dance was given by Mrs E. J. Chennells, Medbury, Fendalton, in honour of Mr and Mrs W. A. Whitlock. Mrs Chennells wore a lovely gown of fuchsia faconne and a handsome Chinese shawl. Those present were: Mr and Mrs F. Graham, Mr and Mrs Allan Russell, Dr and Mrs Averill, Mr and Mrs S. Mears, Dr and Mrs D. Anderson, Mr and Mrs K. M. Gresson, Mr and Mrs B. L. Jameson, Mr and Mrs H. M‘D. Vincent, Mr and Mrs J. G. Collins, Mr and Mrs R. Livingstone, Mr ' and Mrs Cuthbert, Misses Eileen Snarkes. Kiore King, Kerrie Kelly, and Eliott, Messrs Riley, Gillespie, 'Eliott, and Webster.

BLENHEIM, February 3. On Saturday afternoon there was a big attendance of tennis and croquet players at the Marlborough Lawn Tennis Courts, and the weather was particularly suitable for enthusiasts. Mrs P. Wiffen and Miss Isabel Fairweather dispensed afternoon tea. Some of those there were; Mrs Best, Mrs Ball, Mrs Huddleston, Mrs Monro, Mrs Young, Mrs M'Lean, Mrs King, Mrs Brookes, Mrs Boyes, Misses Chapman, Neville (2), Meikle (Greymouth), Grigg, H. Williams, BettyMead, M. Wood, and Bannett (Masterton), Messrs Branunall, Johnston, Shaw, Ward, Barnard, Griffiths, M'Donald, Brookes, Boyes, and Mitchell. Dr Bennett, etc. On Tuesday afternoon, at her rooms in Maxwell road, Mrs G. F. Watts, of “Lansdown Station,” entertained a few friends by means of a bridge party. Mrs Watts received. her guests, and was attired in a charming gown of black ninon. A dainty afternoon tea was dispensed. Those present were: Mrs G. Seymour, Mrs B. Clouston, Mrs Grigg, Mrs M. Wood, Mrs Hawkes (Wellington), Misses Smith, Anderson, Rutherford, and Cook (Marton). Mr and Mrs J. Stevenson, of Palmerston North, are the guests of Mr and Mrs J. Stevenson in Monro street. . Mrs A. Nacnab left on Friday for Wellington en route to England, and will be absent until November. Mr Macnab accompanies her as far as Wellington. Mrs Morrison, of Wellington, is the guest of Mrs W. A. Churchward at Springlands. Miss Pauline Bennett has returned from visiting Timaru. Mrs Conolly and Misses Gard (2) have returned from a holiday spent in Picton. Miss Itta Macalister, who has been visiting Mrs E. Rose at “Kai Iwi,” has returned to Wellington. Miss Cook, of Wellington, is visiting Mrs Grigg at Meadow Bank. , Mrs W. B. Stevenson, Upcot Station, left on Tuesday for Christchurch.

WELLINGTON, February 3. Wellington is growing very busy with “queen” entertainents of all sorts and kinds, and as the success of the big pageant in Auckland was so great, the interest grows apace. Mrs Blackmore, of Kelburn. gave a delightful party on Monday night for the returned soldiers’ candidate in her house, using an extra two rooms for dancing at her sister’s house next door, ices and cool drinks being thare also. Mrs Blackmore received in her pretty drawingroom, which was decorated with beautiful pink and blue hydrangeas. There was a billiard tournament carried on, which interested many of the young people, dancing downstairs, and an excellent supper. A charmingly-dressed ‘telephone girl” was the subject of the guessing competition,- a “hidden name” being provided by one of the It yvas a perfectly fine night, and the young people went from one house to another, and had a most enjoyable time. Mrs Blackmore wore fawn georgette wrth Ihce of a deeper shade; Miss Yvonne Blackmor( who is a queen candidate in the R.S.A. interest) was in white and silver, with a large applique snrav of roses; her sister was in a black jetted georgette frock, while Mrs Blackmore’s

sister, Mrs Hutchinson, was in pale blue mariette. The whole evening was a most successful and enjoyable one, and the sum realised for the fund very satisfactory. Mrs Gravestock gave a small afternoon tea, when a few friends had the great pleasure of meeting Miss Phyllis Lett, the sweet singer who is making her first appearance in the Southern Hemisphere in New Zealand. The party was given at the Midland Hotel drawing room on Tuesday afternoon, the decorations being of exquisite pink asters. Mrs Gravestock was in bois de rose crepe de chine, with a wide silk cape to match, and a rustic straw hat en suite. Miss Lett wore a dainty gown of grey and rose flowered georgette, and a mauve and pink flowered hat. Miss Margot M'Gibbon was in pleated green crepe de chine, with a cream collar and hat. Mr Gravestock, Mr Besley, and Mr Norman Bennett, and a number of Wellington visitors were also present. The Plunket Society held a great gathering of people interested in their work at Messrs Kirkcaldie’s Jacobean Room on Tuesday afternoon. Every table in the large handsome room was occupied, and a delicious afternoon tea was served. Mr Sydney Kirkcaldie was in the chair, and the speakers included the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, Sir Truby King, and Mr Winsloe, the organiser of a campaign for £50,000 to complete and equip the Karitane Hospital, which is in course of erection near Sir Truby King’s residence at Melrose. The city and suburbs are divided into wards, and the following ladies are chairmen and secretaries for the districts:—Mesdames H. Corrigan, Bringans, Lea, O. W. Doctor, Alice Joseph, E. M. Kirkcaldie, E. R, Wells, G. Johnson, A. Harnett, E. W. Smvthe, Sanders, J. S. Read, E. D. Richmond, L. G. Brown, Davidson, Schierning, A. Gray, D. M'Lean. R. W. Crocker, Collingwood, Geddis, J. O’Shea, Springhall. F. W. Downs G. C. Newton, Tythe-Brown, Misses M. Shore, Gray, and F. Peach. Mr S. Featn, chairman of the Wellington Branch of the Institute of Architects, and Mrs Fearn, gave a very pleasant evening reception in honour of the new Town Clerk and his wife, Mr and Mrs Norman, and the new City Engineer and his wife, Mr and Mrs Hart. The party took place on Tuesday evening at Pioneer Club, where rooms were charmingly decorated with flowers, stocks and carnations, foliage intermingling artistically. 'Supper was held in the club dining room, the. table l>eing arranged with leptosyne daisies and grasses. Some'very good music .was urovided: Mrs W. Prouse played a violin solo accompanied by her husband;

Mis Shaw and Mrs Williams sang, each item bsing enthusiastically encored. Mr Fearn made a brief speech welcoming tha guests of honour to Wellington, and also emphasising the necessity for the Town Planning Bill which recently passed Parliament, and offering ths advice and services or tha Institute of Architects, with the remark that they felt that they should have been consulted many times before. Mr Hart replied very cordially, and expressed the pleasura they had all felt at the kind welcome they had received on all sides. Mrs Fearn waa in Nile green georgette with a caps bodice, Mrs Hart in henna embossed georgette, and Mrs Norman in pink georgette and pearl trimmings. A successful afternoon tea took place at ths Kelburn Kiosk on Thursday, when a number of ladies met in. the interest of the Returned Soldiers’ Association queen candidate, Miss Blackmore. After tea had been served Colonel Hall made a brief speech, telling the guests that the R.S.A. had great need of funds, especially to help those returned men and their wives and familiea who were in poverty and distress owing to the fact that the breadwinner could not prove that his illness came from war disabilities. The association needed every penny it could get, and he thanked thosa present for thier worm and kindly interest in the queen contest. A number of donations were promised and several entertainments planned. Amons those present were Mr and the Misses Blackmore, Mesdames C. W. Earle. G. A. Troup, R. Kennedy, G. H. P. Davidson, Spear, Burt, Flanagan, Petrie, Ashton, and' others. * Mrs Knox-Gilmer and her daughters hava returned from their overseas tour. Mrs Will Lawson( of Svdney. is the guest of her mother, Mrs Willis, Wadestown. Mrs and Miss Macassey have returned from. Auckland. Miss Evelyn Marshall, of Marton, is the guest of Mrs Anson, Lower Hutt. Mrs Bird, of Masterton. is in town to bid farewell to her sister. Miss Marion Wilson, who is leaving for England. Miss Ernestine Hadfield left by the Athenic for a visit to England. 'Mr and Mrs Albert Russell left this weak en route for- England and abroad. Mrs J. A. Shand has left for the south accompanied by her sister, Mrs Turner, of Dunedin. Mr and Mrs A. Newton are leaving shortly for a visit to Australia. Mrs Gravestock and her two daughter* returned to Australia by the Manuka.

. Mrs A; de Brandon has left for a visit to the north. Mrs Algar Williams has returned to Christchurch after a visit to Auckland. Sr ’ CARTERTON, February 3. A quiet wedding was solemnised by Father Hegarty at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Monday, when Rene Daysh (daughter of Mr and Mrs A. S. Alexander, of Carterton) was married to Mr P. J. Murphy (of Cambridge, and formerly of Martlnborough). Miss Olga Alexander was bridesmaid,-and Mr E. Alexander attended as best. man. A reception was held at the residence of the bride’s ’- parents. ' • • • 1 The engagement is announced of Alice Helen (daughter of Mr and ‘Mrs H. Holmes Miller, Pahiatua) to John Grey (son of Mrs and the late W. E. C. Ty.lee, of Makuri, • and:formerly of “ Llandaff,’.’ Masterton). f ; ;..-A- wedding of much, interest took place at . Knox Church, Masterton on Saturday evening, when Miss Alice Septima Silvester (eldest daughter of Mr and Mrq S- Silvester, ... . of Columba road, Master ton) was married to Mr James R. Dean, of Dannevirke. The . Rev. John Davie officiated, Mr Glen played " ' the ” Wedding . March.”, ' ' The bridesmaids . were Misses Nonie Malmo (chief), Marjorie Silvester, Edna Andrews, and Lena Mason, while Jean Mason and Ivy Harrington were flower girlfs. Mr O. Jansen acted as best man, and Mr C. Dean ’and Mr H. Silvester as groomsmen. A reception was afterwards held in the Municipal Hall, Masterton. A quiet wedding took place on Thursday ■■■ at Knox Church, Masterton, when Mr Murdoch Campbell Baikie ..(son of Mrs Baikie, : of Masterton) was married to Grace (eldest daughter of John Mathie;, of Salkirk, Scotland). The Rev. John Davie officiated.-JThe ' biride. was attended by Miss Baikie, while '■ Mr Campbell, of' Upper Plain, acted as grooomsman. Mr and Mrs Baikie intend to • J ’Tfv i e in''Marton. • At Greytown on Wednesday evening, at of .the bride’,s parents; Eva Maude (daughter of Mr and, Mrs D. Dockery) j»as married to James (eldest son of the late

Mr J. and Mrs Wood, of Kuratawhiti street, Greytown). The Rev. C. R. Taylor, of the Methodist Church, officiated. A reception was given by Miss Jessie Kempton at tne residence of Mr A. J. Kempton. > The marriage took place at St. Andrew s Church' in Carterton of Dorothy (youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs G. S. Phillpotts, of Carterton) to Robert Davie Harris, second son. of Mrs G. E. Allen, Tipua, East Taratah’i). -The Rev. John Davie, uncle of the bridegroom, was the officiating clergyman. Miss, Doris Phillpotts. attended as bridesmaid,. and Mr Ivor Scott, of Feilding,’ was best inan. Miss Kilgour, of Feilding, presided at the organ. . A' pretty wedding, and one of considerable local ’ interest, was solemnised at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carterton, when John' Joseph (only son of Mr and Mrs J. M. O’Hagan, of Palmerston North) was -united to Mary (Molly), only daughter of Mrs'*F.- Stempa, of Carterton; Miss Kathleen ■ O’Hagan- attended as chief bridesmaid, and' 1 was assisted ’by Miss May "O’Hagan. Margaret Gaynor and Beatrice Reilly acted as flower girls, and Miss Winnie Dyer • presided at ; the organ. The bridegroom - was attended’' by Mr-- L. J. Cronin, ■of Wellingtom as 'best man, and Mr Ronald M’Kay, of Masterton, as groomsman. ■ A pretty wedding took place at the Mauriceville North Church on Wednesday last, when Miss May Larsen (youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs L. Larsen, of Mauriceville North) was married to Mr A. Swin, of Greytown. Mrs Matthew Gordon, . of Auckland, is staying with Mr and Mrs John M’Lennan. Mrs F. E. Fleury' and children, of Martinborough, are staying with the Misses Brown, Masterton. Mrs- James, sen., who has been staying in the Rangitikei district for a few. weeks, has returned tb her home in Masterton. Mrs R. M’Kenzie, df x *Mast'ertdij, who has been staying at Cargeri,' Auckland, has returned’home.' ’ . , Mr. and Mrs Melody, of Wellington, are ..the -guests of Mr-and Mrs,,F. W. Martin, Masterton, -

Mrs ■J. Shearer, -of .'Masterton, has :-: returned from a holiday-in Hawera. . Mrs Stubbs; of Wellington, is the guest of Mrs Harvey Donald, Masterton. Miss Brookfield, who has been staying at Tlkitapu,- returned to Auckland on Monday last. --■■■■■ Mrs W. S. Reid, of Featherston, is spending a.holiday with her parents in Palmerston. North. Mrs Saunders, who has been the guest of her sister, Mrs W. J. Davidson, Featherston, returned to Auckland on Friday. Mrs W. H. Hayden has returned to the Wairarapa from an enjoyable holiday trip to various parts of the North Island. Mrs W. S. Hill, Carterton, has left on a visit to. relatives in Nelson. Mr and Mrs D. M. Montgomery, Masterton, are staying at Castlepoint with Mr and Mrs Scales. Miss Speedy, Seatoun, Wellington, is paying a round of visits in the Wairarapa. Mr and Mrs J. T. Wilson have gone to Wellington for a holiday. Miss Dolly Moore has returned to Wanganui after a few weeks in Masterton with her sister, Miss Winnie Moore. Miss Valeda Mantell, of Wellington, who is at present in Masterton, is staying with Mrs Stewart. Miss Ibbetson, Masterton, Is visiting the Marlborough Sounds. Miss Violet Ray has returned to Masterton from a holiday trip. Miss V. Lane and Miss V. Thompson have returned from a trip to the South Sea Islands.

PALMERSTON NORTH, February 4. Mr and Mrs Wylie have gone to Dunedin to attend the Medical Conference. Mr and Mrs Monro are at present in Wellington to farewell their son, Dr Peter Monro, who sails for England this week. Mrs K. Stewart is visiting New Plymouth. There has been a number of farewell parties for the Misses C. and N. Fitzherbert, who sail for England by the Remuera on the 12th. Miss Doris Haggett has returned from Waipawa, where she was competing in a tennis tournament. Miss Sandy Macdonald is visiting Mrs R. Payne, Dannevirke. Miss Betty Goring Johnston has returned from Hawke’s Bay. Mrs J. Mackie, of Auckland, is the guest of Mrs A. Guy.

FEILDING, February 4. Mrs and Miss Horneman, of Wellington, are thqi guests of Mrs Goodbehere. Miss Dorothy Levin, is visiting Wellington. Mr and Mrs James L. Perry, of New Plyiriouth, have been the guests of Mr Wilfrid Perry. Highden. Mrs Bell has returned from a visit to Taihape. The Rev. Mr and Mrs Miller and family have returned from a month’s vacation in Auckland. Mrs Graham and family have returned from Plimmerton. Mrs Harper and family have returned from, Plimmerton. Miss . Joyce Pownall, Hunterville, is the guest of Mrs Gordon Eliott. At St. Paul's Presbyterian' Church, Feilding; on January 2G, Doris Ruth (daughter of Mr F. Boddy and the late Mrs Boddy, of Kopane) was married to Charles Douglas (son of Mr and Mrs J. Collis, of Kairanga, Palmerston North). The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr Peat, of Palmerston. The church was beautifully decorated by friends of the bride, the bridal party standing under a large, pale blue, pink, . and white hydrangea wedding bell. The bridesmaids were Miss Dulcie Boddy and Miss Mavis Collis. The 'bridegroom was attended by Mr Lance Boddy as best man, and Mr Ray Collis as groomsman.

WANGANUI, February 3. St. Paul’s Church was the scene on Thursday last of a wedding of considerable interest, when Ileene May, third daughter of Mr W. S. Dustin, was married to Ernest Oswald, eldest son of Mr and Mrs K. Trail, of Caversham, Dunedin. The Rev. J. Paterson was the officiating clergyman, and Miss R. Turvey played the wedding music. The bride, who was given away in marriage by her father, wore a very dainty frock of ivory moirette made in semi-Victorian style, with silver trimmings. .Her mass of dainty tulle veil was caught with a bow and orange blossoms, and she carried a white bouquet. Misses Edna Murray and Hazel Dustin were bridesmaids, and wore becoming frocks of Nile green georgette in semi-Victorian style, with tiers of silver lace down the front of the skirt. Their lace caps of silver were trimmed with ostrich feathers to tone, and they carried posies. Mr W. Manly carried out the duties of best man. After the ceremonv a reception was held at the Masonic Hall, where a number of guests -were present. During the afternoon musical items were rendered by Miss M. Allomes and Miss R. Tilley and the “ Buffalo ’’ boys. The happy couple had a hearty send-off, the bride going away in a smart bolero suit of light fawn, trimmed with floral fawn and chartreuse green, and a green hat en suite. Mrs Fred Wagstaff, Gloucester street, gave a delightful afternoon :on Thursday last. Among those present were: Mesdames W. Bracks, W. E. Campbell, G. Allen, F. Lampitt, R. Carthy, W. M’Elwain, and Sefton Hawker, and Miss Campbell. Mr and Mrs Hayman and family returned last week from a delightful motor tour in the Tokaanu and thermal spring district. Miss Winnie Russell, of Rapanui, is visiting Mrs Hector Mylrol, of Palmerston North. Captain and Mrs A. Neville, of Wellington, are visiting this city. . Miss J. . M'Lean, of New Plymouth, and Miss D. M'Lean, of Timaru, are in Wanganui, and are staying with their mother. Mrs Creed-Meredith has returned from her holiday spent at New Plymouth. Mr and Mrs Russell, of New Plymouth, are the guests of Mrs F. J. Jensen, Rapanui, Wanganui. Mrs Frank Searle has been staying with her sister, Mrs E. Richardson, Kokaramea, Madame Ivo Symes and her daughter have returned - from a holiday spent at Plimmerton and Wellington. Mrs W. E. Quigley is the guest of Mrs Kenderdlne, of Auckland. Dr and Mrs A. E. Wall and family returned to Wanganui this week after a very enjoyable ' comprehensive tour of the United States, England, and Europe. Mr and Mrs George G. Bullock-Douglas arrived from Auckland to take up residence in this city last week. Mr Bullock-Douglas previously held a position, on the staff of the Wanganui Herald as sub-editor, and a similar position on the Auckland Star. He will now fill Mr East’s vacancy as editor on the Wanganui Chronicle. Mr and Mrs M’Knight, of Palmerston North, have been staying with Mrs Craig, Wangaehu. Mrs J. Rankin, Waverley, has returned from a long motor trip through the South dsland, visiting the southern lakes and Milford track. Mrs Abe Morrell, of Sydney, is visiting Wanganui, and is the guest of Mrs Cave. Major and Mrs Hume,'of Nelson, are at present'visiting-Wanganui. . Mrs Barton was hostess at a bridge afternoon in’ the' Jellicoe Rooms on Monday. My and,. Mrs W. J. Polson, who are holi-. daying .ati are expected back next week. J

HAWKE'S BAY, February .3. Waipawa was favoured with brilliant weather and record entries for its tennis tournament, which lasted a week,' and was the most successful ■ tournament yet held by the club. The courts-' were, in splendid order, and the grounds were looking beautiful. Among the /"players were': Mesdames Gardiner, and Lawrensbn (Napier), Wood(Waipawa), Campbell and Heald (Wellington), and Douglas (Napier), Misses'Ormond, Craig, Wanklyn, ' Bradley, Bernau,. and O. Humphries (Napier), Hassell, Nairn, Fannin, and M. Russell (Hastings), B. Johnston Wright (Dannevirke), Ormond (3), (Wallingford), Williams (3) (Te Atua), Warren (Pukehou), -M. Donnelly (Havelock), and Ritchie (Hastings). Among the onlookers were:? Mrs H. M. Rathbones, Mrs Tod, Mrs Blundell, Mrs Cyril Williams, Mrs P. Wilder, Mrs S. Williams (Te Aute), Miss Cary lon, Mrs Monckton, Mrs Haddon-Smith, and Misses Monckton. Rathbone, Chambers, Nelson, and numerous others. Mr and Mrs J. W. Willoughby, of Hastings, arfe at present visiting Rotorua. Mr and Mrs Frank Armstrong, of Akito, are leaving this month on a visit to England. t Miss Thurston, late matron of the Puketora Sanitcrium, leaves in March on a visit to England. _ Mr and Mrs W. Shrimpton, of Matipiro, are on a holiday visit to Christchurch. Mrs. Hector Stratton, who has been spending aiholiday in Hawera, has returned to Hastings. Mr and Mrs R. Barnsdale, who have been spending a holiday in the Auckland district, have returned to Hastings. Mrs Swain, of Waipawa, who has been spending a holiday in Wellington, has returned home. The Misses Amy Roach, Havelock North, are spending a holiday in Auckland. Mrs R. R. Stewart and family returned to Napier after spending the holidays in th" southern Hawke’s Bay. Misses Rathbone and Lindsay have returned to their homes in Waipawa afterspending a holidav in Wellington. Mr and Mrs T. H. Lowry, of Okawa,.who have been in Wellington havs returned home Mrs Henley, of Napier, has left for Dunedin, where she intends to reside for some time.

Mrs G. Thomson, of Awatoto, is spending a holiday in Rotorua. Miss Madge Newton, of Napier, is on a holiday visit to Auckland. Sir Alex and Lady Roberts and family, who have been visiting Napier, have returned to their home in Wellington. Mr and Mrs A. Parsons, of Waipukurau, have returned from a trip to England. Mrs Cunningham, of Dannevirke,’ is on a visit to Napier, and is staying with Miss D. Cunningham, Corry avenue. Dr and Mrs Edgar, of Napier, accompanied by Miss Edgar, have gone to Dunedin for the Medical Conference. Mr and Mrs J.’Lockhart, who have been on an extended visit to Otago, have returned to their home in Waipawa. Recent visitors to Morere Hot Springs were Mr and Mrs Collins, Mr and Mrs Ryder, Mrs Humphries, Mr and Mrs Forgie (all- otf Gisborne), Mr and Mrs Gordon Stewart (Wairoa), Miss Butler (Hastings), and Mrs Poynter (Wellington). Mr and Mrs Marchant, of Wanganui, who are on a car touring holiday, spent a few days in Wairoa, and have now gone on to Morere Hot Springs. ' .' Mr and Mrs C. E. Nation, of Punawaitai, are leaving shortly on a trip to HonoMiss C. Humphries, who was the, guest of Miss Johnston,\Tamumu, during the Waipawa tennis tournament, has returned to Napier. „ . , Mr and Mrs Noel Beamish (Whana Whana) are at present staying at le Awanga. , Miss' Evans, of Hastings, has returned home after spending a holiday- in W ellingtOMr and Mrs Deddic, of Dannevirke, have beeri spending, a holiday, at Plimmerton. Mrs J. K. Dobson, of Australia, has been on a . visit to Mrs Angus M Kinnon, Aiapawanui. . , „ . Mr and Mrs W. A. Armour, of Napier, spent the holidays visiting Taupo and Roto--IUMr and Mrs S. Hindmarsh, of Napier, were in Dannevirke visiting Mr Hindmarsh s sister, Mrs Eric Knight. Miss S. Macdonald, of Palmerston North, has been staying with Mrs R. Payne, of Dannevirke.

HAMILTON, February 3. An enjovable afternoon was spent playing tennis at ' the home of Mrs S. Simmons, “ Hadlow,” Claudelands, on Saturday. Those present were: Mesdames A. Joseph, Feilden, Norris, G. Dalzell, and H. Ferguson, Misses E. Simmons, Scott, E. Norns, ClaytomGreene, Monckton, and Gardner. A small bridge party was enjoyed by a number of guests at “ Royston, Mrs F. Jb. Stevens’s home, on Friday evening. The rooms were arranged with delicate pinK and mauve sweet peas and roses. The guests were: Mesdames T. B. Inson, <-». Rees, D. Dillon, and E. H. O’Meara, Miss C. Wallnutt, Captain D. Dillon, and Messrs S. Browne, T. B. Insoll, Columb, and C. very delightful twenty-first birthday party was given for Miss Jessie Clemow at her mother’s home, Cambridge, on Friday. The supper table was decorated with pale pink flowers, while in the centre a birthday cake with 21 candles on it. Mrs Clemow wore a black silk frock, and Miss J. Clemow cerise georgette. Others present were: Misses Bartlett o (Auckland), V. Banks, Hart, T. Banks, Short, V. Nelson, G. Bertlesen, and C. Bertlesen. Miss E. Hammond, of Hamilton, is spending a holiday at Kawau. Mrs Wynne Gray, is staying with Dr and Mrs Bull, in Auckland. Mrs S. Bennett has returned to Hamilton from a trip to Napier. _ m Mrs F. G. Harvie, of New Plymouth, is the guest of her sister at Cambridge. Miss Gardner, of Gisborne, is the guest of Mrs A. Joseph, Hamilton. Mrs R. J. Matthews has returned to Hamilton from a trip to England. Mrs D. R. Caldwell, of Cambridge, is visiting Hamilton. - . Miss Scott, of Gisborne, is staying in Hamilton. _

AUCKLAND, February 3. Miss Quaile gave a small tea party last Wednesday afternoon in the Regent tea room, the guest of honour being Mrs Frank Hay of Wellington, who has been spending a few weeks in Auckland. Rose and mauvecoloured sweet peas were used to decorate the tea table. Miss Quaile’s frock of gold and brown georgette was worn with a large hat in which these colours predominated. Mrs Hay was in black marocain, and a black hat trimmed with large bows of black velvet. Miss J. Ewart, who has been spending some months at Arundel, left by the Remuera on a visit to England. Miss Ostler, who has been for the past two years in England, is back again in Auckland, and is- staying with friends in Lucerne road, Remuera. ! Miss -Vera Hoddinott has arrived from the south; and is the guest of Mrs Eastgate, Gladstone road, Parnell. ■ - ■ Mrs G. Thome-George has returned to Auckland after a .three weeks’ launch: cruise as the guest of Mr and Mrs Harold Baxter.

Mrs E. Rawson and her little girl, Phyllis, are spending a few weeks at Milford, Takapuna. Mrs and Miss Tewsley are on a holiday visit to Rotorua. , Mrs Waller and’ the Misses Leslie and Rosemary Waller are staying at Waiwera. Miss Nancy, Hugo, of Masterton, is staying with friends in Auckland. ' An evening, party was given last week at the Lyceum Club, when the president ' and members of the council of the' Auckland Society of Musicians entertained the 'visiting delegates of the annual conference of the New Zealand Society of. Professional Teachers .of Music. Mr Barry , Cooney (president). Miss Alice Law ..(.vice-presi-dent), and Mrs Archdale Taylor received

the guests. An enjoyable musical programme was given and supper was served in the tea room of the club. Mrs Coviiss accompanied Miss Corliss to Auckland, the latter being the Wellington delegate to the Musicians* Conference. A pretty night wedding which Cook place lately at St. Andrew’s Church, Epsom, was that of Miss Catherine Shakespear youngest daughter of Mrs R. H. Shakespear, Wljangaparaoa, to Mr Gordon Alexander Russell, youngest son of Mrs A. S Russell, Pukenui road, Epsom. The bride who was given away by her uncle, Colonel W. R. Shakespear,, wore a charming frock of ivorj* georgette with panels embroidered in silver, the train being lined with pale pink. A tulle veil, fastened to the hair with clusters of orange blossoms, was also worn. The bridesmaids, Miss Jean Upfill and Miss Jean Taylor (niece of the bridegroom). were alike in frocks of delphinium blue taffetas petalled with silver lace, and veils of silver tulle fastened with bandeaux of blue ! flowers and leaves. Mr W. Worthington was best man, and Mr Macfarlane was groomsman. The ceremony was- performed by the Rev. E. Lionel Harvie, and Mr .W. F. Bingle presided at the organ. The future home of the bride and. bridegroom will be in Dunedin. Mrs Cooke, wife of Commander Cooke, nt H.M.S. Diomede, has left for Dunedin with her little girl, Joan, where they will be the gu-sts of Mrs Ritchie for a few weeks. WEDDING. On January 26 a very pretty wedding took place at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Dunedin, when Gladys, twin daughter of Mr and .Mrs J. Sheehy, of Miller’s Flat, •yas united in matrimony to Frank, second eldest son of Mr Roderick MacDonald, also of Miller’s Flat. The officiating clergy was Rev. Father Marlow. The bride, who was given away by her father, looked charming in a frock of white georgette and silver lace, with the usual veil and orange blossom. She carried a ' beautiful bouquet of white lilies and maidenhair fern, with a touch of heliotrope. "Miss May' Sheehy, sister of the bride, acted as bridesmaid, and wore a becoming frock of heliotrope georgette and silver lace, and a pretty heliotrope hat. to match. She carried a bouquet of heliotrope pansies and sweet peas with maidenhair fern and streamers of ribbon to tone. Miss Gladvs Hall, of Forsyth, niece of the bride, made a charming little trainbearer, her costume consisting of a white crepe de chine dress and a heliotrope bat. Her early Victorian posey was of heliotrope sweet peas. The duties of man were ■carried out by Mr Leo Sheehy, brother of the bride. After the ceremony the party proceeded to the Savoy, where they -were received by Mr and Mrs Sheehy, and a very nice breakfast was partaken of by about 30 guests. The presents were boJi numerous and handsome, including several cheques. Telegrams of congratulations were received from all Zealand. The happy couple Jett by train the following morning for Christchurch and Timaru, where the honeymoon was to be spent. The bride’s travelling frock was a smart ensemble M 1 n’t! to i Mr and MBteris Fkt ntend mak,ng their home at

A LETTER FROM HOME.

By Sheila Scobib Macdonald. (Specially Written for the Witness.) December 13. Mid December—and a “Christmassy” feeling m the air! Not that the weather is in the least Christmassy, for it has for the last week or so been almost warm, and not even the most optimistic of weather prophets hints at the possibility of our' having frost and snow on the 25th. Personally I am glad, for snow in London, or indeed anywhere in the southern counties has a habit of immediately turning into a slushy grey mud, very trying to the spirits and temper. In November, 1925. we had a wonderful wrpk crisp, frozen snow, and clear cold si io©--a week during which everyone rushed to buy skates, and talked hopefully of a real old-fashioned winter only to find that their confidence had been cruelly misplaced. But it is impossible tor even the least impressionable to live io England and not be conscious of the spirit of Christmas, for the smallest and Humblest of shops is festooned and decor-

ated with paper streamers, flowers, and the inevitable glittering tree. The fattest of fat turkeys are already hanging outside the poulterers’ shops, and the butchers display large notices announcing whaL extra special joints, and quality generally of meat, will be available next week. In these sad, bad, modern days it is evident that most housewives buy their cakes, pies, and puddings, for the pastry cooks’ shops and the grocers also, are piled high with these delicacies. And the large shops! Well, their splendour is indescribable, and one and all are so thronged that progress through their great aisles and countless departments is difficult and slow. WinteT sport outfits for Switzerland are quite a feature of all the large West End shops nowadays, and the lighting and background are so wonderfully arranged that the purchaser sees the articles almost as they will actually appear amidst the snow and ice of Switzerland. At one enterprising huge departmental store, the ignoramus can actually learn the elements of ski-ing, for two experts have been engaged, who, amidst miniature mountains of white chalk perform deeds of daring do, calculated to inspire the least enterprising. It is said that their pupils are so many, and so eager, that next year half the shops in London will be engaging ski experts.

I had such an interesting prowl in the neighbourhood of London Bridge the other day. . I had an appointment in the city, and instead of going to Victoria and thence by underground,.! went direct to London Bridge station. It was a lovely morning, frosty, with gleams of sunshine and a clear, pale blue sky, altogether so inviting that I decided to walk over London Bridge, instead of taking one of the innumerable buses, which apparently will take one from that station to anywhere and everywhere. The view from London Bridge o n a clear winter’s morning to my mind almost equals that of the river as seen from a balcony at the Savoy or the Cecil. Over the stone parapet you look on the “Pool °f London,” look on a forest of masts and ships, and beyond them see the misty outline of the Tower Bridge, and the grey stone walls of grim and fascinating memory behind it. It is only from London Bridge that one i ealises that this great London of ours is really a seaport, for, from the point of view °f the ordinary man London consists of the “City,” and from that of the ordinary man of “the shops,” and that is about all I was much amused the other day, when, after gazing spellbound from the bridge at the busy river below, I asked no less than five people where the Monument was, and in each case was directed to the underground station of that name. 1 dont know why I wished to see the Monument, certainly not from any desire to mount its formidable, array of steps, and have a view of the cifv. but being in the neighbourhood and on'foot, I should have liked just to have a look at it. My wanderings in search of it took me into billingsgate, a neighbourhood hitherto associated in mv mind with bad language and nothing else. At one time, no doubt, 1 had heard of the fish market, but that must have been long ago, and I deemed the information so uninteresting, that it made no impression on me. But no one could get near Billingsgate without becoming aware that it was in some way connected with the fish tradeone s nose shrieked that fact to one’s brain and I found it so interesting that I forgot all about the Monument.' For there were fishwives and porters, all bustling and shouting and pushing and scurrying" and fish and fish and fish! I walked up and down the narrow, noisy streets • 1 gazed open mouthed at the ‘sight of one fishwife in silk stockings and shingled ■ -a ; J 7 alked thron ffh the market, and decided that never again could I eat sprats or kippers, and furthermore I saw sole and turbot, whitebait and kindred luxuries sold at prices which completely undermined my faith in the integrity of my local fishmonger.

In fact, I saw so much in Billingsgate that interested ma that I should like to go again (this tima with a friend) and

venture just a little further afield. But one thing I expected was completely and absolutely lacking—and that was anv or that lurid language commonly associated with the neighbourhood. It simply wasn’t there! * * * There are pantomimes and pantomimes but one of the very best is at present being staged at Smethwick, in . Birmingham, by those ardent and very pleasantly circumstanced Socialists, Mr Oswald Mosley and his wife. Mr Mosley hopes to be returned as* the Socialist member for Smethwick on December 21, and his wife, Lady Cynthia, is by way of assisting him. They are both most pronounced Socialists, and will do almost anything to convince the workers of the district of their sincerity. When it was pointed out to them that Socialists did not engage a suite in the most expensive and exclusive hotels, Mr Mosley and his wife moved to an inexpensive boarding house, and when Lady Cynthia’s title became a nuisance, she became Mrs Mosley, and smiled happily when her husband referred to her as his “Missus.” Also as soon as they became aware that the masses don’t drink champagne at every meal, they nobly swallowed beer and cider with the best grace possible. Their connfry estate became in their vivid imagination a farm, and they have even tried to explain away the fact that, owing to having in the past suffered from the housing problem, they had been obliged to buy the house next that of their London one, and knock down the partitions between, thus providing themselves with twenty rooms, instead of a paltry ten. But on one point this entertaining- pair of Socialists have stood firm, and that is on the question of money. Lady Cvnthia has £_o,ooo a year of her own, and in these bad times requires every penny ot it, and in spite of Socialism, means to hang on to it. But even the most versatde of Socialists wearing a battered c t pathetically drawing attention to the fact that he has appeared in the same twenty guinea Saville Row suit for two weeks running must find it difficult to make factory hands and working men listen to reason about that £20,000 a year.

Smethwick, however, does not at present contain quite all the most entertaining Socialists, for here in London we have Mr Harry Day. who, besides being Socialist member of Parliament for Ccntral Southwark, is also a person of importance in the entertainment world. This Mr Day has just cabled an offer to the much-advertised wife of Charles Chaplin to appear in London for 26 weeks, at a rate of no less than £SOO per week! Mr Day surely will also have some explaining to do when he next meets his electors. As in Central Southwark, according to recent and rather dramatic disclosures, the worst slums in London are to be found, it will probably be hinted that some of that £SOO per week might be devoted to the general bettering of housing conditions in the electorate.

Community singing will at this rate be quite a feature of public life. The two great concerts in Birmingham almost outdid that at the Albert Hall in enthusiasm, with the result, that everywhere one goes one hears all the old tunes being lustily whistled and sung. The .other day I was in an electric train, which, as the result of some minor breakdown, was stationary for 20 minutes. Some man in a compartment up near the engine started “London's Burning,” and within throe minutes every packed compartment, had joined in. “John Peel” followed, and before the train moved on five or six songs had been lustily shouted. It was quite an entertaining little episode, during which everyone forgot that being good Britishers they must distrust their neighbour and refuse to acknowledge that he even exsited. Yet in spite of so much fervous Sir Thomas Beecham refuses to alter his opinion that we are not only an unmusical nation, but can never hope to be anything else. Community singing is not music, we are told, but merely a combined and friendly effort at noisemaking. All of which is very dashing to one’s hopes, for there must be many another who, like myself, after singing heartily for two solid hours at the Albert Hall, began to feel that one’s latent talent only required fostering to bring one worldwide fame.

I went to a dress show the other day, a show in which all the mannequins wearing evening dress appeared to have quite barebacks, which backs on closer- inspection proved to be covered with an inset piece of flesh-coloured georgette. Very chilly this weather, and I can’t say I thought it pretty. I said so to the young thing who had dragged me to the show, and she turned her little round Etoncropped head and looked at me pityingly: “Pretty!” she ejaculated, “as if anyone wanted pretty clothes.” Whereat I felt properly snubbed.

HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS.

To .avoid lumpiness in sauce, mix the ingredients together smoothly; don’t leave it standing, and stir the thickening rapidly after adding the hot liquor. When covering a fruit pie, brush the under crust over with white of egg to prevent the juice soaking through and spoiling the appearance. Curtain pins' can be cleaned by quick boiling for ten minutes in half a pint of vinegar, and the same of water, mixed together. Wash well in tepid water and dry thoroughly. All trace of smell or taste can be removed from a pan in which fish or onions have been cooked, if it is well scoured with powdered whiting. Grease can be removed from the hair by washing it in warm water to which a teaspoonful of borax lias been added.

A creaking door can be silenced by apply*ng soap to the hinges. When cooking fruit, a small piece of butter should be put in the water. It will prevent the fruit boiling over. Bamboo furniture should be washed well with warm water; then dried and polished with equal parts of linseed oil and turpentine applied with a flannel. Tiled hearths should never be washed with water. Instead, dip a cotton cloth in turpentine, and Tub the tiles until they are clean. Polish with a soft cloth. Many a gas range would be improved if once or twice a week the burners were removed, turned upside down, and tapped gently to remove particles of food or dust. Furniture not provided with castors often scratches polished floors when it is moved about. To prevent this, glue little dies of felt to the bottom ot the legs of the furniture. To prolong the life of scrubbing-brushes, wash them occasionally in a strong solution of salt and water, and dry in the open air. This process also tends to keep them sweet and clean. Locks that are stiff and hard to turn should be oiled with a feather dipped in good machine oil. Insert the feather through the keyhole and twist from side to side. Tin's oils the parts and loosens dirt. To clean a greasy stove, rub it, while still hot, with a piece of rag dipped in turpentine. If a piece of dyed cloth is damped and rubbed on clean white peper. the absence of any stain shows that the dye is a “fast” colour. Mint is chopped easily if coarse sugar is mixed with it. Before pourin a on vinegar, cover with a dessertspoonful of boiling water to preserve the colour and make it more digestible. Do not slice apples into even pieces when making a pie. It is better to cut them in irregular pieces. Then they do not “pack” ; the hot air gets to them better, and they cook more quickly. When washing leather gloves, put a few drops of oil into the soapy ’ lather. Rinse in a second lather, squeeze as dry as possible in a towel, and hang out in the air. The oil keeps the lather soft and pliable. If Vou wish silk to retain its original lustre after it has been washed, add one tablespoonful of turpentine to two gallons of cold rinsing water, and hang the silk out in the air to dry. Subsequently damp and iron in the usual way. Leather that has become shabby can be revived by rubbing it with a mixture of linseed oil and vinegar. Equal parts of both should be used, and the oil should be boiled and allowed to. get nearly cold before the vinegar is added. When cane seats become slack, sponge both sides of the cane with hot soapsuds to which a handful of salt has been added, stand in the open air, and when the cane is nearly dry cover with a cloth and iron with a hot iron. The seats will be as good as new. Mildew on linen can be removed by damping the marks, rubbing soap on them, and covering with chalk scraped into a powder. Work this well in, and then wash the linen in the ordinary way. Do not use baking powder in pastry that has to been kept for any length of time, but increase the quantity of fat, which’ will prevent it from becoming too dry. ' To renovate a gilt frame remove all dust, then brush over with a mixture of

white of egg and soda beaten well together. Discoloured linen may be whitened by boiling a few slices of lemon with them for about a quarter of an hour. If clothes have been made too blue put them into boiling water and leave for half an hour. If that is not successful boil them till white. HOME INTERESTS. GOOSEBERRIES IN BATTER. Half a pound of flour, two eggs, a pint of milk, one pint of gooseberries and two Lblespoonfuls of brown sugar. Sieve the flour into a basin, make a hole in the middle of it, beat up the eggs and put them into it. Then add slowly, stirring all the time, half the milk. Now beat the mixture i tll e back of a wooden spoon, then add the rest of the milk and let the batter Btand half an hour or more, if convenient. Vash the gooseberries and “top and tail” them. Well butter a piedish, put the gooseberries in the dish, and sprinkle the Ty^ ar ., ovei ;. t ] le ! n - Lastly, pour in the batter. lut the dish m a moderate oven, and bake about three-quarters of an hour, or till the batter is crisp and a nice broyrn. BOILED GOOSEBERRY PUDDIXG.

Half a pound of flour, four ounces of beef suet, naif a teaspoonful of baking powder, cold water, a pint of gooseberries, and two ounces (or less) of sugar, and salt. Sieve together the flour, salt, and baking powder*; shred the suet, then chop it finely, using a little flour to prevent it sticking together. Mik the suet with the flour, then add. enough cold water to mix the whole into a stiff paste. Grease the pudding basin. Cut off one-third of the pastry and put it on one side of the. lid. Roll out the rest till it is large enough to line the basin; press it to the sides. GOOSEBERRY AMBER. One pound of gooseberries, quarter of a pound of castor sugar, two ounces of butter, three eggs, one ounce of cake or breadcrumbs, and vanilla essence. “Top and tai!,” then wash the gooseberries. Melt the butter in a clean saucepan; then add the fruit and sugar. Let this mixtura cook gently till the fruit is in a thick pulp, then stir in the crumbs. Separate the yolks and whites of the eggs. Beat the yolks well into the gooseberry pulp. Slightly butter a piedish, pour in the mixture, put the dish in a moderate oven, and bake for about half an hour, or till the mixture is set. Beat the whites of the egg to a very stiff froth, add lightly to them three tablespooitfuls of castor sugar and a few drops of essence of vanilla. Heap this meringue roughly all over the top of the pudding, then sprinkle a little, castor sugar lightly over it. Rut the dish in the coolest part of the oven till the merin-gue is a pale biscuit colour. Put a prst-ty piedish frill round the dish, and serve at once. APPLE AND QUINCE JAM. Four pounds of apples, four pounds of quince, few cloves, and some lemon rind. To each pint of pUlp allow three-quarters of a pound of sugar. Peel and quarter the quince and remove the core. Put them into a pan with just sufficient water to cook them. Add also a few cloves and some thinly-peeled lemon rind. Stew gently nfatil almost tender, then add the apples, pseled, cored, and quartered. Cook slowly until the remove the cloves and lemon rind, and rub the fruits and juice through a sieve. Measure the pulp, add the sugar, and turn both into a preserving pan. Cook slowly until the, sugar is dissolved, then bring to the boil and boil until it will jelly when cold, keeping it skimmed and stirred as required. CHEESE SPAGHETTI. Break half a pound of spaghetti in a pan of salted boiling water, boil until tender, and strain thoroughly. Melt one ounce of butter in a stew-pan, stir into it a teaspoonful of flour and one of mustard, add ' the spaghetti with a tableSipoonful of milk. When hot, mix in a quarter of a pound of cheese to taste. Boil up, turn into a buttered piedish, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top, with a few nieces of butter here and there; brown on the surface, and s-rve with dry toast. CHERRY CUPS. Required: Four sweet oranges, one lemon, one pound of cherries, six ounces of loaf or granulated sugar, one gill of cream, half a wineglassful of cherry. Wash, stalk, and stone the cherries, queeze the juice from the oranges, cutting each in half across. Scoop out the white pith without damaging the rind, and leave these orange cups in a cold place. Strain the juice into a pan, add the sherry and lemon juice, and ths sugar. Stir over low heat until the sugar has melted, then boil for ten or fifteen minutes. Add the cherries, and simmer for ten minutes. When cold, put the cherries and syrup into the orange cups, and place a spoonful of whipped cream, sweetened and flavoured with vanilla, on the top. Serve on strawberry or vine leaves. Note. —The fruit may be put into custard cups or wineglasses if preferred. QUINCE JELLY. Six large quinces (not too ripe), six pints water, four pounds Brewer’s crystal sugar; boil three or four hours; try it. Do not stir. Rub all dust, etc., off quinces, and take out the flower at top; nut them down whole. When cooked, the jelly should be a bright red. and the quinces delicious as stewed fruit with cream or custard, or may be cut, bottled, and put away for winter use in air-tight bottles. BLACK CURRANT JAM. Pick and wipe four pounds of black currants. Weigh four pounds of water; thia may be done first, taking the weight of a jelly can, then weighing the water in it. Put the fruit along with the water and eight pounds of sugar into the preserving pan. Allow to boil from twsnty-five minutes to half an hour. Pot and cover when cold. RASP JAM WITH CURRANT JUICE. Take two pounds of red currants, and put' them in jelly pan with a pint of water. Allow to boil until the fruit begins to pulp, during which process it should be mashed occasionally. Put through a jelly bag, or a sieve would do. Have six pounds of raspberries steeped with the same amount of sugar in layers overnight. Put this into the preserving pan, along with the red currant juice and two pounds additional sugar. Allow all to boil from twenty-five minutes to half an hour. Test in the usual way, pot and cover. RASP AND RHUBARB JAM. Wipe and cut up a-quarter of a stone of good, firm., red rhubarb. Put this in layers ip,., a large basin with, seven pounds of raspberries and ten and a-half pounds of preserving sugar. Allow this to remain overnight. Boil rapidly for about half an hour. Test, pot, and cover. Strawberries may bo prepared in the same way, making quite a nice preserve. Rapid boiling, of course,* is necessary.