Our Ladies’ Letter

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 100, 1 September 1923, Page 2

Our Ladies’ Letter

Dear Tonia, The placidity of our slumbrous 1 Burg lias once more been disturbed by what a newspaper man calls “sparkbng football” : “sparkling,” mark ye! I have known muddy, Tonia mine, but have you seen it sparkling? Never mind, wo, or most of us, steered our barks (or cars rather) to the Mecca of all (or nearly all) retired folk, New Plymouth, on both Wednesday and Thursday, and greeted each other in the arena prior to the good fight “fit,” by Taranaki against Otago, and wo did so want Taranaki to score. Even more keenness was exhibited over the two “Higjhs,” and methinks the barrackors were more lusty for the homo outfit, showing their perspica. city—eleven to nil! What! Stratford was well represented on the “stadium.” Now wo have to think on our best raiment to lie sported at the races on Saturday, while in the interval wo had a few games of bridge. One very jolly afternoon; I think of it, so, as I came first. Most unusual for “yours truly” to do such a thing. Miss Meryl Skoglund is to be congratulated on tbo very charming farewell party she arranged for Miss Alice Webster, who was to join her mother in Auckland, but is (it is vow understood) remain 1 ng in Stratford for at least a time. Her young friends met an tlie Marble Bar and had a jolly tea with musical honours, Miss Hope Penn being the guilty one at the piano. The tables looked pretty. 'An amusing competition worried ithe brains of the young people, and Miss Molly Ooppuig proved herself much the most erudite on the subject of “Birds,” thereby winning the first prize. The proceedings concluded with the presentation of some charming and useful gifts. Miss Alice Webster suitably thanked everybody in a very neat, if somewhat short, speech. Mrs Geo. Hall gave an enjoyable afternoon for Mrs Biddiford (Hawera) who motored up with Miss Caplin, The weather being line the Stratford Golf Links were, as you may imagine, not deserted. Many have gone away for the term holidays. Mrs (Dr.) Steven and family arc in residence at the beach home. Colonel A. Dillon Carbery, Mrs Diilcn Carbery, Mr and Mrs Uniacke and family are also at Ngamotu, having borrowed Mrs H. E. Abraham’s beach house, and I hoar they . are disporting"themselves in the salt sen waves (at least so they say). Do you believe it at this tim© of the year Sounds fishy! What? Mrs Lewis Webster and family are on a visit to Mrs Avery in New Plymouth. Miss Mann Porritt returned last Saturday after much fun and gaiety in Palmerston North. Mrs H. E. Abraham had a week end in WanganuiMiss A, Shaw (New Plymouth) is visiting the Misfecs Skoglund. I almost forgot to tell you there was a (cheery smoke concert at the Marble Bar last week. Those who attended thought it ripping. Are you not grieved to know that the Chinese football team will not come and play on our own Victoria Park. Just as well, wo should have

to look up our Chi l no fee and mine is so rusty.

I have not heard yet if the Spanish “footteis’-’' are travel. Will ihey come so far? King Alphonse •»s most keen on the game and would certainly be .a determined opponent with his wonderful (if somewhat underhanging) jaw, which was bequeathed to him by his illustrious ancestor the Emperor Charles, whose famous portrait, as you remember, lives in the Prado, at Madrid, painted by Titian.

. Talking of artists a f tend of mine tho other day was descanting upon the excellent reputation for education that Taranaki has . and its Splendid youth, etc., ap opos of which ho told me this pathetic tale. He was out on a rocky beach, not a thousand miles f om Stratford, taking some sketches and whilst engaged upon a very painstaking drawing ho was surprised to find a lad gazing with rapt admiration upon his unfinished work. What) a nice hoy ho was, so lie addressed, him in patient tones. “Well, my boy, what do you think of it?’’ . he asked. The youth raised his tearful blue eyes and murmured in melting tones. “Oh! Sir, it is the most beautiful picture I over saw in the world.” The artist, much touched, returned to his hotel and made enquiries as to who this engaging, embryo artist could he, only to ho met with ironical grins. “Oh! yes, we know all about him. He i s the biggest sneak thiof on the whole beach.” My friend is a sadder and a wiser man now, and ho still much regrets the

loss of his best p”egontation five-blade-pocket-knife with corkscrew attachment. It is the latter loss that hurts most. Moral; Beware of mol ring eyes. Do you ever make vegetable soup? Fry in good beef dripping two onions x;\it small, have some cabbage out up very line, fry it also—then have all sorts of vegetables also cut small or g ated, add stock, and boil for tw,o hours, then add a small cup of rice, when cooked add salt, pepper, and a little Worcester sauce, a raw bone cooked with this is good. You will surely have to come and see our boulevards; they are growing. My! but wo were busy on Arbor Day, .However, there is no fear of the trees hiding the face of our clock for a fen- years to conic, 'file clock tower is getting on, but when shall wo gaze upon the clock’s countenance and hear those chimes? They talk about them oven in the Capital. Jealousy again. What o’clock is it now ? I mutt gp and see. Y'ours, on time, VERONICA.