The Social Round

Southland Times, Issue 24358, 12 February 1941, Page 9

The Social Round

The lady cdilor will be pleased to receive for publication in "The Social Round 1 ' each day items of social or personal news. Such items should be sent in promptly and should be fully authenticated. Engagement notices must bear the signatures of both parties. Correspondence is invited on any matters affecting, or of interest to. women.

Mrs W. A. Caldwell, Gisborne, arrived last evening to be the guest of her daughter, Mrs H. R. Williams, Norwood, Waikiwi.

Miss Dorothy Ross, who has been the guest of Mrs E. B. Pilcher, Spey street, returns to Christchurch today.

Mrs J. Hartstein, Sydney, arrives at the end of the week to stay with her parents, Mr and Mrs A. H. Mackrell, Duke street.

A typical example of the remarkable courage of the women of England is described in letters received by a New Plymouth woman from a relation in charge of a big convent on the outskirts of London. This building shelters 900 children and a staff of 40 sisters. In the last letter the writer says: We seem to bear a charmed life and so fai have escaped danger. We sleep m the corridors of the ground floor and have an anti-gas chamber, but so far have had no use for this building. So me parts of London have been a veritable chamber of horrors but the very poorest keep smiling and cheerful.” She speaks hopefully of the battle for Britain and adds that no one has a doubt of the result.

To relieve the loneliness of women with husbands and sons in the services or away for long hours on war work, the Hon. Mrs Kenneth Marr-Johnson, youngest daughter of Lord Maugham, goes every day to a 3d-a-year club in Paddington to welcome . these lonely wives and play with their babies, says

a London writer. For babies who have not been evacuated to the country there is a big nursery and playroom, with nurses in charge. Mothers are permitted to leave the children there while they knit and chat to other women. For their annual payment of 3d the members have the run of a clubroom, a library and a canteen. V/hist drives, sewing classes, concerts and jumble sales are also held. At present the club is trying to collect enough money to black-out the club s huge Victorian windows so that the members will be able to remain there after dark if they wish. WOMEN'S WAR SERVICE AUXILIARY CO-ORDINATION OF WAR EFFORT The origin of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary and its purpose were explained by Mrs Knox Gilmer in an interview with The Southland Times yesterday. “It began with a group of women in Wellington called together by Dr Agnes Bennett for the purpose of finding out if co-ordination of women’s war work would be possible,” she said. Study groups were formed, and after careful and detailed study it was decided that there was much women could do to help the war effort, especially work which would release men for more vital things. “For instance,” continued Mrs Gilmer, “if there arc married women who are skilled factory workers, we want them back in the factories, and will provide trained girls to mind their homes while they are working.” Having decided that they had something definite to offer, these women took a deputation to the Prime Minister, feeling that the strength of Government backing was necessary. The Prime Minister suggested a conference of all women's organizations. That was held, and so the organization began. In July of last year the constitution was formed and council elected of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary which has been accepted by the Ministry of National Service. The council has elected an executive and the members of that were the organizing body. Mrs Gilmer, as well as being an executive member, is one of the original women who met with Dr Bennett. “I have had a wonderful response everywhere,” Mrs Gilmer concluded, “and have found women and girls anxious to help, but needing guidance in how to help. This organization will give that guidance. It is now forming the Women’s Air Force. There is no doubt that this will be successful, and the Army must follow. The Women’s War Service Auxiliary will have a uniform, but it will be a working uniform and not only for parading.”

WEDDINGS ALLISON—TAYLOR The -wedding was solemnized recently at Christ’s Church, Dipton, of Grace, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs Owen Taylor, Caroline, and Thomas Robert, youngest son of Mr and Mrs Allison, Ermedale. The Rev. B. O. Plumb performed the ceremony, and the music was played by Miss Iris McCurdy. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a frock of white stiffened net over satin. It buttoned down the back, and had a satin cowl neckline. The sleeves, which finished with a peak over the hands, were trimmed with a row of tiny buttons, and a wreath of white satin roses was swathed across the shoulders. Her embroidered tulle veil fell from a coronet of orange blossom and she carried a bouquet of cream roses and maidenhair fern.

The bride was attended by her sisters, Misses Beryl and Daphne Taylor. They wore frocks of green and pink silk net respectively over taffetas to match. The bodices had short puffed sleeves and heart-shaped necklines. They wore matching shoulder length veils of net with top-knots of flowers, and carried bouquets of roses and maidenhair fern.

Mr Hugh Allison, brother of the bridegroom, was best man, and Mr J. Frazer was groomsman. The ushers were Messrs Owen Taylor and L. McLay. The reception was held in the Dipton Hall, where 100 guests were received by Mrs Taylor, assisted by Mrs Allison. For travelling the bride wore a costume of anemone pink with a hat to match and black accessories. She also wore a fur stole, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr and Mrs T. R. Allison will live in Riverton.

Before the wedding the bride was entertained at a gift evening by Mrs G. Steele (Georgetown), at a pantry afternoon by Misses B. and D. Taylor and at a surprise party by the Dipton Hockey Club.

Mr and Mrs Charles Vestey, Christchurch, are the guests of Mrs Noel McGregor, Mount Linton. Mrs R. G. Seymour, with her daughter, has returned to Queenstown from a holiday in Hamilton, where she was the guest of her parents, Mr and Mrs J. R. Gourlay. COUNTRY NEWS WINTON Mr and Mrs M. Reilly, Great North road, were visitors to Nightcaps last week-end. Misses D. McDermott, N. Mcllwrick, J. Fowler, M. McDermott and N. Pierce were visitors to Queenstown last weekend. Miss C. Dixon, of Lilburn, has _ returned home after spending a holiday with Mrs G. Price, Great North road. Mr and Mrs H. Scully, of Limehills, spent the week-end at Central Otago. Mr and Mrs C. Carter and their children, Grange street, have returned from a holiday at Timaru. OBEPUKI The Rev. Martin and Mrs Martin and their children have returned from a holiday at Queenstown and Manapouri. The Rev. Lopdell and Mrs Lopdell, Lower Hutt, have been the guests of Mrs E. Garden. Mr and Mrs S. Goold, Waimate, are the guests of Mrs A. Goold. Mrs E. Clifford was a recent visitor to Invercargill. Mrs Laurie, of Hill Springs, who has been the guest of Miss Jenkins, Tuatapere, is now staying with her sister, Mrs M. Moylan. Mrs C. Procter, Happy Valley, was a visitor to Orepuki recently. Mrs Meers has returned to Gore after visiting her parents, Mr and Mrs J. C. Shaw. Miss N. Gillanders has returned to Dunedin after being the guest of Mrs E. Garden. Miss Elsie Barnett has returned from a holiday at Manapouri and Queenstown. Mrs C. Cameron is spending a holiday at Timaru. Mrs L. J. Brown has returned to her home at Waihoaka, after spending a holiday at Dunedin. Mrs V. Daley and her children are spending a holiday at Otautau. Mr and Mrs A. Campbell, Milton, have been the guests of Mrs E. Garden. DRUMMOND Miss Thelma Buchanan, Riverton, has been the guest of Miss Annie Wilson. Mr and Mrs E. W. Roberts have returned from a holiday at Alexandra. Mrs C. Ward, Tauranga is the guest of Mrs A. H. Officer. Miss Marjorie Young has returned from a holiday in Invercargill. Mrs R. Woods and her children have been staying at the Rocks. RIVERTON

Mr and Mrs B. Kelly have returned to Wendon.

Mr and Mrs D. Simpson, Lochiel, spent the holidays at Riverton. A short meeting of the Riverton and District Soldiers’ Comforts Committee was held, when the secretary, Miss V. Cassels, reported on the financial success of the social afternoon in Fleck’s Hall. It was decided to buy wool and ask knitters to make balaclavas and socks. Miss L. M. Weir, 8.A., has begun duties at the school. Miss E. Templeton is assisting Mr L. Gough at Gummies Bush School. Miss C. Borland is on the staff of the | Stewart Island School. An at home was given by Mrs Gray at her home in Palmerston street to Miss Krishnabai Gadre, 8.A., 8.T., who is returning to India. In the evening Miss Gadre addressed a meeting in the Methodist Hall about the Ramabai Mukti Mission. In the absence of the Rev. H. R. Wright the Rev. J. A. F. Watson, M.A., presided. Reina Crengle, of the Colac School, has been awarded a scholarship to attend the Te Waipounamu Church of England College at Christchurch. The scholarship is tenable for four years. Mr and Mrs H. Morton entertained a number of guests at Fleck’s Hall recently to celebrate the 21st birthday of their son, Mr James Morton. Mr J. Adams was the Master of ceremonies and he asked Mr James Morton to accept the gifts with the good wishes of his friends. Mr W. Smyth also spoke. Mr Morton replied. SOLDIERS’ COMFORTS COMMITTEE The party organized by the Riverton and District Soldiers’ Comforts Committee was held in Fleck's Hall. Mrs J. W. Martin, the president, regretted that bad weather had stopped the garden party, which was to have been held at the home of Mr W. Ashley and Mr adn Mrs A. Nicol. She thanked Mr W. Ashley and Mr and Mrs A. Nicol for their help and all the others who had assisted. A feature of the afternoon was the exhibition of Near East souvenirs and gifts that had been sent home by some of the Riverton and district soldiers. The winners of the competitions were: Jumbled flowers, Mrs A. Helm; name, Miss M. Robertson; beans in bottle, Mrs A. Hopcroft; “Ice,” Mrs H. McKinnon; stepping, Miss M. Robertson; darts, Miss M. Simpson. PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE A meeting of the Women’s Patriotic Committee was held in the Council Chambers, Mrs J. W. Martin presiding. A circular copy of a letter that had been sent to New Zealand by MajorGeneral Freyberg to headquarters expressing thanks for the parcels that had been sent to the New Zealand troops at Christmas time was read by the secretary. Correspondence was received from Invercargill intimating that Riverton’s quota for the patriotic parcels was 35 or £l7/10/- in cash, which is required to be in Invercargill by Saturday, February 15. Some criticism was expressed at the short notice. The secretary was instructed to write advising Invercargill that in future longer notice be given. She was also instructed to inquire whether it was possible for country members to attend the Invercargill meetings that they might be conversant with what was happening.

To help secure their quota the members are holding a card evening at Mrs MacDougall’s tea rooms tomorrow evening. _______________