The Social Round

Southland Times, Issue 24500, 30 July 1941, Page 7

The Social Round

Mrs J. M. Gillanders, Newcastle street, leaves on Monday to spend a holiday in Dunedin. Mrs W. E. Hunt, Waitoru Downs station, -returns tomorrow from a holiday in Christchurch. Mrs R. A. McCaughan and her son, Brian, Roslyn Bush, have returned from a short visit to Waimate. At a meeting of the Bridge Circle of the Southland Women’s Club on Monday evening there were seven tables at play. Prizes were won by Mesdames J. H. Turnbull and J. H. Watson and Miss J. McLeod. Mrs J. L. Hazlett leaves tomorrow for Dunedin to stay with Mrs L. G. de la Perrelle on her return to Christchurch from a short visit to Invercargill. She was the guest of her mother, Mrs C. B. Tapley, Dalrymple street. Of interest to friends and relations in Southland are the activities of Miss Lucy Lopdell, of Wellington, as a transport driver in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in England. Miss Lopdell is the daughter of Police Superintendent C. W. Lopdell and Mrs Lopdell,, of

Wellington. She went to England in 1939 and when war broke out was one of the first to join the W.A.A.F. Her courage and a keen bump of locality have stood her in good stead for her arduous work. Writing to her parents she says: “I am going to stay to the kill and drive my car into Berlin.” A morning tea to congratulate Mrs M. M. Dreaver on her election to the Waitemata seat recently was held in Auckland. The hostesses were the members of the associate branch of the National Council, of which Mrs Dreaver has been president’ for some years. Members of the executive of the National Council, friends of Mrs Dreaver, and her sister, Mrs Clearwater, were also present. Mrs Dreaver and Miss L. V. Langsford, president of the Auckland branch, were each given a shoulder spray, and Mrs Wardour presented Mrs Dreaver with a fountain pen on behalf of the associate branch. Mrs Dreaver, in reply, thanked the members for their gift and their attendance, and stated that she felt it would be her greatest privilege to represent the women of Auckland. She also emphasized her long and happy association with the council.

Ballroom dancing, one of the most popular sources of enjoyment, comes into its own in war-time when men are on leave and anxious to enjoy themselves, and those at home are equally 1 anxious that the last precious days should be full of fun and happiness. Wherever men and women are together, and if music can be found, a dance, either organized or impromptu, invariably happens. Those who can dance enjoy it, but those who cannot feel self-conscious and diffident. To solve their problem there are two booklets, one a war edition of “Dance Instructor” by the British professional champion, Ella Spowart, and the other “Dance Steps for the Modern Ballroom.” Simply illustrated with diagrams of each step and turn, they show the basic principles of ballroom dancing and the accompanying instructions are clear, concise and easy to follow. The waltz, fox trot, tango and quickstep are described in detail and with variations, and instructions for the Palais Glide and Lambeth Walk, old-time dances and sets are given. Each booklet has a valuable chapter on the etiquette of the ballroom and deportment and theory of dancing.—Published by Robertson and Mullens, Ltd., Melbourne. Prices 1/- and lOd. GOLDEN WEDDING MR AND MRS W. H. SMITH Mr and Mrs W. H. Smith, Biggar street, Invercargill, celebrated their golden wedding yesterday and in honour of the event a family gathering was held last evening in the Selwyn street Kindergarten hall. The function took the form of a dinner party, followed by a social evening. Only relations of the bride and bridegroom were present, and they included members of the family from Dunedin and country districts in Southland. Mr and Mrs Smith were married on July 29, 1891, at the home of the late Mr William Smith in Yarrow street. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. R. Taylor. The bridesmaid was the bridegroom’s sister, Miss Alice Smith, now Mrs J. J. Wesney, and the best man was the late Mr J. C. Thomson, of Riverton. 1 Mr Smith was born in Sussex, England, 73 years ago, and is the only surviving son of the late Mr and Mrs William Smith. At the age of nine he left England with his parents and went to Australia, two years later coming to Invercargill. WORK AS BUILDER Mr Smith was educated at the South School where his children and some of his grandchildren have been educated. At one time he was engaged in tin mining at Pegasus, and also in goldmining. He entered the building trade, being employed by his father, who was the ■ founder of the well-known Invercargill ' firm of William Smith and Company, . Ltd. Mr Smith began building on his own account, and among the buildings , he erected are the Mataura freezing . works, and the Victoria wing and part of the old hospital in Dee street. He ’ made extensive alterations to the Burn- ' side freezing works and the Woodville ( freezing works, and built the Royal Mail Hotel at Lumsden. For a time he owned a furniture shop in Gore and he also built a merry-go-round which travelled all through New Zealand. At one time he owned a farm at Waipango. ( Mr Smith, who has been living in retirement for some years, comes from a family that enjoy a long married life, as his parent® also celebrated their golden j wedding. < WELL-KNOWN FAMILY £ Mrs Smith is the youngest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Hugh Wilson, of I Walton Park, Green Island. She was c bom at Hulford, Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1 1869, and at an early age came out to New Zealand with her parents. * Mr and Mrs Smith have a family of s

. one daughter and four sons. They are: ; Mrs T. Collinson (Invercargill), Messrs E. H. Smith (Tahakopa), W. E. Smith, i R. H. Smith and W. H. H. Smith (all • of Invercargill). There are ten grand- . children. Mr Smith also has two sis- . ters who live in Invercargill, Mrs J. J. V.’esney and Mrs R. Winning. DEATH OF SOCIAL WORKER COMMANDANT MAY ELLIOTT Tire death has occurred in Auckland of Commandant May Elliott, a retired Salvation Army social service officer, aged 68. For over 80 years Commandant Elliott was engaged in women’s social work, earning a reputation as a ; capable and hard-working officer. After holding positions in Australia, she came to New Zealand, where she spent the greater part of her service. She was assistant matron at Salvation Army women’s homes in several parts of the Dominion, and was subsequently matron at Christchurch. Since her retirement some years ago, Commandant Elliott lived in Auckland. She had no relations in New Zealand. A service was conducted in the Congress Hall before the interment by the territorial commander in New Zealand, Commissioner J. Evan Smith. FASHION FOLLOWS FOOD “WEAR MORE CARROTS” “Eat more carrots,” said Britain’s Food Minister Lord Woolton. Then “Wear more carrots” say dress designers here in London. The fashion experts back up the Minister. He gives advice on food consumption; sartorial degrees underline his injunctions. When the edict went forth “Eat more vegetables” the fashion salons showed vegetable buttonholes—a clus- • ter of artificial carrots, potatoes and a ; couple of small-size rutabagas. A • string of runner-beans attached to the lapel of a coat or across the front of 1 a hat is another idea. A couple of ! onions or potatoes, mixed with radishes ! serves as a salad buttonhole. A stick 1 of celery replaces a jewelled hat orna- 1 ment, and crisp green lettuce is the war-time successor to a bunch of violets.— Christian Science Monitor. ]