LADIES' COLUMN.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144842, 20 November 1915, Page 5

LADIES' COLUMN.

OF LOCAL INTEREST. ST SISTER ANN. Aliss Keitha Leatham returned from Napier on Thursday. Mrs. Dodgshun returned from Auckland this week. Mrs. Cross (Timaru) is the guest of her daughter, Mrs. Jennings. Miss Southey Baker, Auckland, is visiting Miss Leatham. Miss Mona Corkill has left for Motueka on a long visit. Mrs. Russell Standish has returned from Christchurch. Miss Easton, who was the guest of Mrs. Bullard, has returned to Wellington. Mrs. N. K. Mac Diarmid has returned from Christchurch. Miss B. Neville (Wellington) is tho guest of Mrs. Simpson. Miss AA’ilson returned from Australia this week. Mrs. Grant Cowon (Hawcra) is staying at the AVhito Hart Hotel. Miss B. Hirst left by last nigbt’s boat to visit relatives in Auckland. Mrs. Napier M’Lean (AA’ellingtou) is staying at the Criterion. Miss Peach is visiting Auckland. Mrs. M. Fraser has loft for Auckland and Taurauga. Miss Erice Bayley left this morning for AA’clliugton. Airs. Carver loft last Monday on a lengthy visit to Christchurch, where sho is the guest of Mrs.,J. A. Frost. Airs. Wyborne spent a few days here this week and returned to AA’averley on Friday. Airs. Daniell returned to AA’avorley on Thursday. Airs. AA’atson (Bulls) is visiting Airs. Perkins. Aliss Ava Hunter ,who has boon visiting AVaverley, returned on Tuesday. Airs. Poyntcr (Eltham) was a visitor here this week. Airs. E, C. Horner (Patea) is staying at tho Terminus Hotel. Mrs. Quilliam has returned from Foilding. Mrs. Standish (senior) is visiting Auckland. Mrs. Lloyd (Afarton) is staying at the AA’hitc Hart Hotel. Airs. Henley (Napier), after spending a few days here, left on Thursday for AA’ellington. Aliss C. D. Grant left Auckland this week for Sydney, where she joins the P. and O. steamship Malwa for Port Said. Mrs. Hale and Aliss Ruby Hale, of Lower Mangorei, have gone to Christchurch on a holiday visit. Airs. Chisholm (Hawera) is visiting Airs. C. Fairbrothor. On Sunday afternoon, from 2 to 5, a sacred concert, the music for which will bo supplied by tho Citizens’ Band, will bo held at “Aotea,” Messrs. Solo Bros.’ beautiful property on tho Avenue Road. These lovely grounds arc now looking at their best, and if the fine weather continues there should bo a very large attendance. An energetic committee of ladies has made arrangements to provide afternoon tea, tho proceeds to gn to the Belgian and Wounded Solders’ Funds. They will be very glad to receive donations of cakes, etc., ■vhich can be brought to “Aotea” on ttunday afternoon.

Owing, no doubt, to the many calls .has have been made upon the public on behalf of the patriotic funds, there oas been a considerable falling oif in the tmount of subscriptions received by a number of institutions which are kept jp by voluntary contributions, and he. .nary’s Homes, Olahuhu, for instance, ore in urgent need of financial assist.nice. A special appeal is being made , Mrs. Calder, All Saints’ Vicarage, ronsonby, who has written pointing out .nat unless money comes in the homes ■.ill have to be closed. It is not necessary to enlarge upon the good work which has been accomplished by these tomes, to which girls of all denomina.ions are admitted, and it is to'be hoped tnat the public will make a generous .esponse. To help this good cause a garden party is to bo held at Mrs, ii. A. Walker’s residence, "Dunmure.” Avenue Bond, on Tuesday, November 30. Competitions of all sorts will be held, including a putting competition and a Yankee tennis tournament. Afternoon tea will be obtainable, and a shilling entrance will be charged. It is to be hoped that the public will attend in large numbers. A quiet but interesting wedding took place when Miss Mary Duncan, second daughter of Mrs. John Duncan, _ Durie Hill, was married to Mr. Norman Blackmore, manager of the National Bank at Palmerston North, and formerly of New Plymouth. The ceremony was performed at, the Matarawa Church by the Rev, Carew-Xbomas. The bride, who was given away by her brother, -wore a coat and skirt of white Shantung silk and a white tulle hat. Her niece. Miss Grace Duncan, was bridesmaid, and wore a frock of white embroidered muslin and a pink, silk hat. After the ceremony a reception was held at Mrs. Duncan’s residence. Mr. and Mrs. Blackmore left for the North on their honeymoon, Mrs. Blackmore wearing a navy costume aud hat to match. General Birdwood’s daughter is a nurse in the Australian Hospital at Harefield Park, England, and is the only non-Australian on the staff.

The well-known surgeon Dr. Acland, of Christchurch, who so nearly lost his life in the Marquette disaster, writing to a friend in the city, says that flannelette pyjamas are required in any quantity, adding, “Everyone says flannelette is the best material and most appreciated by the men.” Lady Rogers, wife of Sir John Rogers, head of the Red Cross in Egypt, also says: “Flannelette in preference to anything.T Red jackets are also wanted, made like largo pyjama coats. Wide lengths of linen or calico are wanted for binders for chest and abdominal wounds. Manitail bandages are not much used. No-

flannel binders or cholera belts are wanted, but slippers, tooth and hair brushes, crutches, walking-sticks, flannel shirts, large coloured handkerchiefs, thick waistcoats, mufflers, and bed socks are required. THANKS FROM A BELGIAN. A committee at Stirling, Otago, who wore working for the Belgians, sent Homo a large quantity of clothes, etc., and one member sent an address and a inquest for a reply with some articles. The following letter was received by them from the Belgian who received the goods:— “Honoured Sir, —AVith this letter I, Belgian married soldier, with three little kiddies, being just sent to England with a broken foot, to thank you very much for the clothing which you were so kind to send us poor Belgians, who needed them so much. AA'c arc very glad to see that you, being so far from us, have such good hearts to think of us so generously. AVo Belgians so little in comparison with tho mighty English. But strong of heart and strong of hate for the Boches, which wc little ones beat so often. “Now dear ladies and gentlemen of tho committee, you know very well what a poor soldier is, and principals Belgian one. Your help came just in time, for I could not buy clothing for my wife and the kiddies, and have I am for always with a spoiled foot. I hope altogether to be able to do my work.

“Once again receive from a Belgian father and mother and children tho sincere thanks for what you did, and be sure that every soldier and every Belgian would do the same for you, ii it should have been England who was invaded by the awful Germans instead of Belgium. “Please lot me know if my letter fell in the right hands. I hnow it is a very long way, but it will do us all so much pleasure to hear of you.—AA'ith many thanks, yours faithfully, “FERDINAND LA CROIX. “6, Arthur Road. White Heart, Lane Station, Tottenham.” NEAY ZEALAND AVOUNDED. LIFE AT AVALTON HOSPITAL. PARTY OF MERRY INVALIDS. (From Weekly Press Correspondent.) LONDON, Sept. 24. The New Zealand War Hospital at AA’alton-on-Thames is now wonting as smoothly and methodically as an institution of several years’ standing. Only those who took part in the initial labour can realise the magnitude of the task aud tho immense amount of attention to detail which it was necessary to payin the very limited time at the disposal of the committee. It was fortunate, indeed, that a Now Zealand nurse of wide experience should have been in London just when such a person was wanted, and it was to Miss Tombo, of Dunedin, that tho Hospital Committee turned for information and advice from tho nursing point of view. Mj»'s Tombe at once threw herself heart and soul into the hundred-and-one problems involved in transforming a country residence into an up-to-dato hospital, and the result to-day is ono on which she is to be warmly congratulated. Now Zealand may rest assured that at Mount Felix the wounded men are happy and contented and receive the best of treatment from Major Bernard Myers, R.A.M.C., and his assistants. TTie hospital, in fact, is fully equipped with the latest appliances for tho alleviation of pain and suffering, and an X-ray apparatus is to be installed at once. The staff is kind and considerate, and tho New Zealand atmosphere which pervades the place is the best tonic that tho patients could possibly have. The inhabitants of Walton are very proud of the New Zealanders, for whom they cannot do enough, and it is impossible to accept all the offers of hospitality which arc received. The local cinematograph company give the men free shows and send a motor vehicle for the invalids, while private residents lend their motor - cars for drives and send parcels of books, game, fruit, etc. Quite a respectable library is being formed. A London company has also generously sent down a huge gramophone and records. The general conduct and behaviour of the men in the town are exemplary, and have created a most favourable impression. The men have taken full advantage of the charming grounds, and for the more convalescent there are provided tennis, bowls, croquet, clock-golf, etc. Those confined to their beds are wheeled into tho open and enjoy the luxury of a sunbath. Mr. James Coates has been appointed to the Hospital Committee in the place of the late Mr. George Beetham.

The hospital now has three motpr ambulances two given by the Red Cross and one lent by Captain Macalister, R.N.R. Mr. J. Reid (Oamaru) is proving a good friend to the men; one dav ho took a large party to Hampton Court to see the King’s stables._

Apropos of the Royal visit. Mr. Norman Dalston, ns adjutant of _the hospital. has received from the King and Queen signed autograph prints of their Majesties, together with a cordial letter concerning the visit. The prints will be framed and hung in the hall. New Zealanders are asked to remember that the cold weather will soon set in, and gifts of blankets, socks, and woollens would bo very acceptable. It may be said that the spiritual side of the hospital "has not been overlooked. Every Sunday morning service is held at 9.30 o’clock, conducted alternately hy the Vicar of Walton and by the Presbyterian minister. The Roman Catholic Father also visits the men. Concerts are an important feature in the social life of Mount Felix. Mrs. Michio has given a grand piano, which stands in the hall, and Mrs. Wolf Harris has given an upright, which has been placed in the men’s recreation room, where there is a good billiard table, the gift of a resident of Walton—a total stranger to New Zealand. There is no limit to the musical talent which is daily discovered among, the patients. Recently some members of the Phtnket family, together with certain ladies assisting in the kitchen, treated the men to a concert by “The Seulleryites.” as they called themselves. A week later the men returned their compliment. They headed the programme “Concert Given hv the Halt. Maimed, and AVoary of Mount Felix Hospital.” Private S. J. Roberts was stage manager, and also wrote “I want to bo” and “Sing Me to Sleep,” full of topical allusions. A local printer printed the programme free of change. On another occasion Mr. Leslie .Stewart, the well-known composer, brought down a party of theatrical friends and the orchestra of the Piccadilly Hotel, They gave the men a delightful afternoon’s musical entertainment, as also did bliss Margaret Cooper another day.

Shampooing, Hairdressing and Tinting, Electrolysis for permanent removal of superfluous hair. Hairdressing and Toilet Requisites, Switches, Transformation, etc.; Ladies' Comhings made up to any design. MRS. BEADLE, * Griffiths’ Buildings, near Camegjf-A Library.*