LADIES' COLUMN

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 13738, 31 October 1908, Page 4 (Supplement)

LADIES' COLUMN

Social Doings for the Week. (By Ghellie.) Mr anil Mrs W. Fisher, of Christchurch, who have been the guests of - Mrs Chalmers,. .Sefton house, returned home this week. i The ball given by Mr and Mrs l'ercy El worthy at Holme station on Friday, October"23rd, was- largely attended, over 500 guests- being present, and a- very enjoyable evening, was-epent. . , The marriage of Mr Cyril Ward, eldestson of the ,Hon. ...Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, to Miss Davidson, daughter of Mr J.. H. Davidson, Brisbane, is fixed to take place on Saturday, December Stli, Another society wedding will take place on Thursday, December .10th, the contracting parties- being Miss Tcnnent, daughter of Mr K. C. Tennent. manager Bank of New South' Wales, Timaru, and Dr. Miles, of Dannevirke. " The entertainment organised by the members of St. .Prisca's Guild, •• held in St. 'Mary's schoolroom on- last Tuesday evening, * was very well attended. The various competitions .were keenly "contested. r ■ Anuingst -those : present) were: — Mrs Dr. Thomas, Mrs K. G...Turner. Mrs. D.r. Gabite?, Miss Khodes, Miss Tennent, .Misses Beckingliam.. Wood- and 'Schmidt;• and !>lis and 'the :Misses Palliser.' - --Miss Irene ASnsley,' tie'Nefft-sXealimd contralto, uppearedrn the Theatre Royal on Friday evening, October 25rd.. • .Among the miny lovely frocks brought out,, frpm England by Miss Ainsley, l ' ther'inotit' valuable ,is the one presented to her by. Madam? Melba, a. rose ■ point gown-, worn over- silk.- At- the-concert on 'Friday i evening Miss Ainsley looked exceedingly well in a trained gown of sequinned net * over - champagne silk. , Mis. Queerre, the pianist, of the. company, wore pa-Ie green glace, the double skirt -trimmed with 'cream lace applique- . Amongst .those pre- . sent, I noticed : —Mrs L. Orbell T - wearing a-lace blouse with black skirt-, pale blue evening .wrap; Mrs E. A. LeCren,. black taffetas cream lace, blouse, long grey ostrich feather boa; Miss .ifee, Miss IJ. McCuhon, pale blue liberty silk,. cream net yoke. . The grounds of the Main School presented a very gay appearance on Thursday. Octobr 22nd, when the annual garden party was held. in lovely weather. The time passed very quickly, the various entertainments -being so arranged' that no long intervals occurred. A number of boys and girls gave a splendid exhibition of ."club swinging. The maypole, dance was a very enjoyable item, .and the little girls, looked very sweet 1n long Empire' flocks of crimson and-yellow jnuslin.. 'A Highland reel was given by eight of Miss Glover's pupils, 'and they acquitted themselves, admirably. The afternoion's entertainment, was .brought to a-close with a tableaux and a grand • march led off by Miss Lena Palliser iin tlie role .of "Britannia." • Amongst those present, I noticed :—Mra Mannering, who wore a pretty mauve gown-trimmed with white insertion, black picture hat with ostrich, feathers; Mrs Hill, dark green tweed, . shaded green hat;. Mrs Wilkin,, pale grey cloth, lace vest, hat' of brojfn straw, trimmed with brown and vieux pink rodes; Mrs Beckingham, smart gown of brown chiffon taffetas, cre;tm lace yoke, brown . toque trimmed with 'tulle [and shaded lilac; "Misses Beckingham, pretty floral voile frocks, "hats to match ; - Miss B- McCalion, cream cloth, ..with fijlk blous?, dark green hat trimmed with Banksia roses; Mrs. I?. Porter,, -handsome trained gown of black voile, deep voko of cream net finished with lace applique, black picture hat Avith touches of white : Mis Hall-Jones, cieam serge, Tuscan'hat witli red and white roses; Mis Stinson, pale green and white muslin, cream aiid pink hat; Mrs Bascand, vieux rose Eton cost time, pretty pink hilt; Mrs Walton, black mousseline de soie, black and white hat; Mrs Lawson, black cloth, black hat with ostrich feathers; Miss Mitchell, cream serge costume, smart- black hat with [long- black ostrich feather.*-; Mrs A. L. Taylor, dark blue Jieciliari; Miss PorterHayes, white niousseline ,de soie, trimmed witli wjiifce insertion, Leghorn hat,trimmed with, tulle and roses; Mrs J. Tj. Gillies, dark blue Secilian; ' Mis F. Palliser, trained gown of black • eolienne, with strappings of black glace, smart black bat; Miss Palliser, cream voile, cream lace yoke; pretty floral hat ; ; -Miss Palliser, soft cream silk; Mrs Buchanan, light brown toilette; . Mrs Hole, black gown, black hat relieved with-pink ; Miss Hole liglit brown Eton ccstume. purple h ;l f/ Mni W. H. JFoden, dark blue cloth, smart -green toque trimmed with clusters of' *'l?odei>« nivy iAot-u ; Prat*U EWu -costume of cl6th Hedges, ligl?t br.nvii aoW'Eton corstunie;. 2vlLss Hedges,.; brown and white checked voile, cream liat with ostrich feathers. THE CAIIE OF FROCKS.

We were staying not. long ago witli a recent bride, ivho had a very beautiful trousseau (says a writer in the " Queen''), and yet whenever sho put -a. fresh dress on it looked half worn out and ■ spoilt. Before her marriage she had.been accustomed to the devoted ministrations of at maid, but this she had now forgone, and, having very little experience, had-no idea how to take care of. lier dresses and show them off to tho best advantage. Klio fully realised the fact of the harm that had" been done, and followed our advice. We made her s;t aside a long wardrobo for the skirts, -and insisted on lier purchasing a range of coat-hangers; the skirte all being supplied with loops at the waist-, the hangers were easily set inside them. By tlie purchase of many yards- of calico of a light make she tvaH able to have a series of bags .on draw-strings long enough to cover the dresses, the hook of the hanger piercing through the top. Thus the gowns fell in easy folds, and were protected from duct. The bodices woro stowed away in large drawers in place of tho wardrobe, each fleevo filled with tissue paper, with a good deal of paper in the middle which kept tho bodice in shape. One drawer was devoted to evening and one to morning dresses, and where the bodices and skirts were attached tlie bodies were scuffed out -with paper in the same way. and placed in the covering bag. A very few pence will buy plenty of silver paper, and it is not, too much" to say that its liberal use conduces to a lengthened lilo of gown.?, not easily calculated. Nothing is so dowdy as dveJH-s which show they have not ■ been properly taken cute of.

jiow in-: An .\iit-iralian (jim!** a s:«iy i"ld ahoul. Mr lteniaid Shaw liv Mi.- I'umiiv.illl.s NV-.-i. nlinv lviniiii.'-ctiicr.s .ii' :il wav«» aiiiur>ii!-. ll I'unixnw an iitviiaturn to'lunch, ami is d'lizht fully tii: 'if Mr ."-luii V. mniinvcia:i>nal ways ;u»l wmid-.Tful rapfirity fur . lt t'l<nn .m awkward rix: liv a liltio word--It w vinv lhat. Mih C"i'nw aili.\Vt>! had til. t til- "tall, lliil). |>ali'. ami a.-(vlic 1/x'k.Hiil.'' ls>hman. " with wutidi t ful vrau>jianjit.'t\>>." and lik-d him Mil tiii- ntly.M'>:irivi'.e Ju;u :<> ;l hnuiion p,u!y. Imajin- h-r u I*ll rdi- rc<*iv. d I h. fnlloM mi: an>w.r: "('cltamly in>l ; vir.i: hi'.r I d'Hie t<> |ir"vkr -licit an uti.irk mi my w.llkm>Mii halm?" Mi- ('"I'll ivallii t \V..-t i-I'll'd a;, nn< c I'V 1.-l. : ■ ICm.w- of ynifi- Imli;T»s." liu|"' v aro n"t lia<l in vow js i;iti:i• ; ■ She jviiii n; Jy " thought- ?•!: - liad j.• ; ti• 1 'J:r Itmidinj; l»in-Mr >i:awri vXl>I iliiiUnu IJllii* ( :t ty< d !l» V. It KUI a;liiMov*:.-. _ 1 "'II- : v*.-illl -ai I -I" * I' 1 r' tti-c an luvitatixa in < "in* u: i"iia! limn 1 am unci"'r*t««xl ■'> rt juidiatitijr the ai'iuniutamt.' "I my It I jiukv ill- uiual excise- an-i •••jivin. •• 1>« r that, 1 am <i-•x.!.! I 'd hv r in- <*■ ij' iii:ll. »)i- w:l! :i<k in.- Aim wji-'ti 1 have* txni-.d my" - ': r-:x !:in-i »!>•• Mill <in t ii.it I on.iliy di* ■ ik'- hir. Of <. ui:--, t!mv <h<- e-l'.tr-

native of accepting; but- then I shall endure acute • discomfort, and Starvation. I shall not have the pleasure of really meet-ing-her and'.talking to her any more.than if ~we .happened to lunch at. . the feavoy .on the saoMV' day by chance. ..--I slydl get no lunch,! because X -dc> nofc eat. unfori ; imate dead animals and things whichshe has to provide for the) other q>Cf>ple.. Of those other , people,- half will abuse the occasion to ask me to lunches and dinners, and the' other half, having alreadv spread that-net for me in- vain, will be offended"- because I have-done-for vou what- X would ■ not do for them. -I shall 'have to dress myself' carefully and behave properly, both of• which • are contrary to my nature. Therefore lam compelled to do the simple tiling, and wlien you say "Come to lunch witli a lot of people." replv. flatly, " I won't. If you propose anything pleasant to me T reply witli equal flatness-. "I will." But lunching with a lot of people —carnivorous people—is not- pleasant.- Besides. ir. cut's down my morning s work. I won't, lunch with you; .1 won't dine with you; T-won't call on you; I won't, take the smallest part in your social routine : and I won't, ever know you except, on the most, special and privileged terms, to 'the utter exclusion :of that-."lot. of other people" whose' appetites you offered me as an entertainment •■'.Only an /Irishman, could have edged .out of an almost- impossible'position so neatly and.'so. completely. ; . :Mrs.r ' CornwallisWesfc haye told Tif whether f j3ie admitted ti«bj3ramatist io the friendship upon the "most;!special and privileged terms'V which lie claimed, v . Possibly the fact that sho has told the tale may be regarded as proof' thai ;she. was forgiving. - WHAT MEN LIKE.

. ' An attractive quality of the charming woman lies in absolute neatness. - Men like to see well-kept, neatly/dressed hair.' a skin that looks;as though tlie morning bath were the rule and not the exception. Well-brushed white teeth, a well- ( . kept pair of hands - , and a general look of.lresh air "which gives t-he lie to"laziness. The charming woman will have about her. no bits of torn lace, buttons off, belt crooked, and skirt of uneven length, revealing possibly untidy shoes. Ask a man which of'three women lie most admires. and see if he doesf not-' nnhesitatingly pick • out the one who is wellgroomed. A "charge often laid at man's door is that after all he chooses the silly,, frivolous girl, pacing by .the good, comomnsense: girl, who would have -made him suuch an excellent wife. -Poor man! Is he so very much to' blame .- Common sense is a splendid quality, .but by itself how terribly dull and uninteresting it is-. Tliie should teach a girl a most important lesson on .a point too often overlooked, viz., that the charming; woman always has a- firm foundation of character; and; common sense, .which she generally keeps -well underneath..like the anchor that holds the ship. She may-seem.to sway with every wind of frivolity that blows- 1 is readv for all the fun that is going, even . to the verge of being a madcap. . Narrowminded people may want to. say spiteful things of her, but they cannofc trutlifuullydo it because the anchor of cliaracter find common sense says to her. "Thus< far and no farther."' She knows to a hair's breadth where right ends and wrong begins. and nothing wrong, mean, spiteful, or unkind enteis into her scheme of life-. It is this combination of stronir, "sweet cliaracter With fun and frivolity that give.s her that inexplicable, irresistible something which spells charm. DUTCH 'WOMEN. A recent writer has discovered great) charm and power of intelligence, in tho Dutch women .of the Transvaal, who are not descended from, tlie Dutch of • Holand only. "Just as the French have, the blood of many;-other nations in ,their veins, the Dutch are'not absolutely a pure race. While the most' famous, Dutch- have a strain of French or German blood in them, a touch of Irish beauty, vivacity, and wit is almost welcome, ■ especially in the- women. . The wife of the Premier of the Transvaal, Mrs. Louis .Botha, a handsome Irishwoman, is descended: from . Robert Einmett, tho patriot, and her daughter Helen,, now Mrs. Dp Waal, owes much of her charm < * to her Irish mother. of tho Transwere tall and splendidly developed, and thei'o.'are two distinct types,- the purely.* Dutch, with godeu-brown hair, grey or hazel oy<.'s, and creamy skin, and the brunette of French descent, with dark eyes and hair, and rich dark colouring. But both typci? arc on a larger, scale, than their European antecedents. The present, generation can be divided into two distinct classes, the inhabitants of the veldt- and those of the towns and villages, and while the fundamental .characteristics

are -the same—grit, tenacity,, level-head-. edness, independence—still,-there is a wide diperenee.between the Boer.:women of the countryand; tlifl .educated Dutchwomen of the town, s The former, on reaehitig the age of tbirtyj: are-large, fat, and; heavy".Tliey .ihariy.- very ■ young and have, patriarchal ; families, and over husband and children Svield great sway,-- au influence very much -greater than: that of the "-'Englishwoman. Of schooling the woman of' the'back veldt has had" little; but the.-'rising generation, thanks' .to the 'system instituted -under Lord Milner, will enjoy .'as good Van education as can life de- ,- sired, for scholarships from the smaller schools carry the winners of them to the towns. "Wide -as the poles asunder are tlie educated Dutchwomen of -the towns, or those, indeed, of the country,, who have been sent to Cape. Colony or to Europe; ,to school. As adaptable as the i Americans, with decided mental , ability, unspoilt by cramming, they, can hardlyyba called eithed well-read -or .over-educated-; but they are full of.,commonsense, »f goodtempered gaiety, and -an inherent sense of savoir yivre. . A-. girl -who j ; has been, to -a. igood school in South Africa- and afterwards in - Europe has something - most channing and-fascinaiing aboul her." ;