FEMININE INTERESTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18659, 30 August 1930, Page 4

FEMININE INTERESTS.

PERSONAL AND FASHION NOTES. Sir Charles Fergusson’s Son Married: The marriage took place at St. Columba’s, Pont-Street, London, on the 17th of July of Mr James Fergusson, eldest son of Sir Charles Fergusson, of Kilkerran, May bole, Ayrshire, and Lady Alice Fergusson, and Mies Louise Frances Balfour Stratford Dugdale. daughter of Mr and Mrs Edgar Dugdale, and granddaughter of Lady Frances Balfour. The bride wore a lovely gown of opal satin, long to the ground and trimmed with much old lace lent by the Balfour family. Her veil of old Brussels lace (lent by Lady Alice Fergusson) was held in place by a wreath of real orange blossoms, and she carried a sheaf of regalia lilies. Her ornaments were a string of pearls (the gift of her uncle) and a pearl and diamond pendant (given by Sir Charles and Lady Alice Fergusson). Two small boys in pink corded silk shorts and shirts to match, carried the train and they were followed by three child bridesmaids. After them came the six grown-up maids, among whom were Lady Kathleen Balfour, Lady Anne Gaythorne-Hardy and the Hon. Daphne Strutt. They were dressed in very pale pink georgette, and pearltrimmed net caps. The children were in long frocks of the same fabric and tone. Each earned a spray of blue delphiniums and wore a Chinese choker necklace of coloured beads (from the bridegroom). Lieutenant S. C. D. Fergusson, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, attended his brother as best man, and Mr Bernard Fergusson, another brother, was one of the ushers.

The church was beautifully decorated with hydrangeas in a variety of shades and tall palms. The choral service, Scottish form, included Psalms exxi and ciii (both versical settings, the one French, the other by Coleshill) and a hymn.

The reception was held by Mrs Dugdale at 2, Bryanston Square, lent by Lady George Campbell (great-aunt of the bride). Lady Alice Fergusson was in light blue georgette with hat of darker shade; ;Mrs Dugdale wore pale biscuit-tinted lace, with brown lace hat. Mrs Edward Lascelles, an aunt of the bride, looked very smart in pink and black flowered chiffon.

Half the Scottish peerage were among the guests. As the bride is a grand-daughter of Lady Frances Balfour, and a relation of the Dukes of Argyll and Northumberland, it was not surprising to find dozens of Balfours—headed by Lord and Lady Balfour— Campbells and Percys among the guests. Lord and Lady Glasgow, the bridegroom’s uncle and aunt, were also there.

The bride and bridegroom left later for Terling Place, lent by Lord and Lady Rayleigh. They are to make a tour of Iceland. Their future home will be in Edinburgh. Mrs Fergusson wore a dress of wine-red silk, with white spots, coatee, and hat to match. Many New ealanders were present at the wedding, including Mrs Vernon Reed, Mrs lan Duncan, Miss Skerrett, Mrs C. Kebbell, Dr. and Mrs Hardwick Smith, Mrs Noel Blakiston, and others.

Amy Johnson in the Tropics: ; Owing to the intense heat, Miss Amy Johnson did not wear stockings when the Naldera, by which she travelled from Australia, was passing through the tropics, states the Sydney “Sun.” A member of the staff of a Sydney oil company has received a letter from a friend who was a passenger by the Naldera, which gives some interesting facts concerning Johnnie. . Johnnie is a charming girl, he says, and greatly interested in machinery. Almost daily she accompanied the chief engineer to the engine-room, where everything was explained to her. Often she spent hours there, notwithstanding the intense heat. She put on the gloves with Johnny Peters, the clever English bantam, who was on the same steamer. So that the passengers would not stare at her, she boxed in the second-class section of the ship. As she had over 500 letters to answer the passengers did not see much of her. She had a special table near the bridge, so that she would not be disturbed in her work. When she joined the ship she gave a champagne party to several friends. All were men. She looks much different when in evening dress, said the traveller, and had two beautiful evening dresses green, with which she wore sets of long ear-rings. She was looking much better than when she left Australia. Princess Elizabeth Goes Shopping: Princess Elizabeth demonstrated in decided fashion tnat she is no longer “the baby Princess,” when she visited Forfar on a shopping visit with her grandmother, the Countess of Strathmore. The Princess, who is four years of age, asked to be shown some books on animals. She examined numerous books with expert eye, and several were rejected with the remark: “I have seen that already.” She asked the price of one book. On being informed she agreed to take it, and in dignified fashion produced her own purse, which was of blue, matching the coat she was wearing.

Link With Naval History: A charming old lady who lives at the Royal Homes, Queen Alexandra’s Court, Wimbledon, is the daughter of an Admiral who served in the Battle of Trafalgar, 125 years ago. She is also a cousin of Lord Jellicoe, and thus has the possibly unique distinction of having relations who fought in two of the greatest naval battles in history—Trafalgar and Jutland. Miss Emily Patton, the daughter of the late Admiral Robert Patton, is seventy-two years old, but looks little more than fifty. She was born when her father was sixty-seven years old, and for generations, as far back as can be traced, the menfolk of her family have been sailors—and still are. The life of a great-great-great-grandfather of hers was saved, when a bullet hit him in the chest, by a snuff-box he carried in his pocket. This occurred in the reign of Queen Anne. “Ever since I can remember, the Battle of Trafalgar was a favourite topic of conversation with my father,” this delightful young-old lady told a newspaper representative. “At the time of the battle he was a midshipman on board the Bellerophon, the ship which later conveyed Napoleon to exile in St. Helena, and was eleven or twelve years of age. It was he who probably saved the Bellerophon from disaster when a huge sail fell from a French vessel which they had engaged, and, catching fire from cannonshots, threatened to send both ships up in flames. Running to the responsible officers, he warned them of the peril in time, and the flames were extinguished. His cousin, who also later became an admiral, was serving on the Bellerophon at the same time, but they did not meet until the battle was over. This meeting was one of my father’s most vivid recollections because neither knew the other was safe until they met at the top of a mast, where they had been sent to push the sails.” Miss Patton is a remarkably clever artist in water-colours, and spends much of her time painting.

The Harrow Luncheon: The Harrow Luncheon Club luncheon at the Savoy Hotel was attended by many old Harrovians and their friends. Lady Stradbroke. in an attractive frock of dark crepe de chene patterned in brown and navy and a large black hat trimmed under the brim with sprays of white flowers, was in the chair, and had the Headmaster and Mrs Norwood to support her. Lady Isabel Margesson, very charming in black satin with a scarf collar lined with white, was the guest of honour and in a happy little speech explained that she was the wife and mother of old Harrovians, and the first woman to be asked to speak at the club's annual luncheon.

Lady Dudley Gordon, wearing a flounced frock and coatee of soft blue and beige patterned chiffon, had at her table the head boy, R. G. Stewart Brown, whose little speech—in which he expressed the hope that the Harrow side would put up a good show at Lord’s—followed that of Dr. Norwood. Lady Southwark, whose black crepe gown was powdered with beige flowers, was another guest. Lord and Lady Ossory were there, she in soft grey chiffon patterned with black and white, as well as Nita Lady Critchett, wearing a black gown, Lord and Lady Ormonde, Lord and Lady Ernest Hamilton, Charlotte lady Rous, and Mrs O'. W. Kimmins.

Gifts for Bride: It was very disappointing that Princess Louise Duchess of Argyll was not well enough to attend the wedding of her god-daughter, Miss Frances Dugdale, to Mr James Fergusson, for everyone loves to see this smiling, white-haired daughter of Queen Victoria. Though H.R.H. is now an octogenarian, she retains the most youthful outlook on life and is always ready to give youth a helping hand — particularly young artists and musicians.

Both bride and bridegroom are very musical, and among the former’s presents was a lovely guitar, inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and a complete set of Gilbert and Sullivan Operas. Princess Louise gave her god-daughter three beautiful pieces of jewellery—an exquisite necklace of diamonds with diamond conventional flowers with ruby centres, which belonged to a former Duchess of Argyll, a diamond and amethyst pendant, with a brooch to match. She also received an emerald and diamond necklace and pendant from the Dowager Lady Rayleigh. Among the bridegroom’s presents were an old silver galleon centrepiece from the employees and railway officials on Kilkerran estate, a cheque from the tenants to be spent on a portrait of himself, and a game bag from the gamekeepers. Embroidered Peacocks: favourite bird of the Governor of the Bank of England, bearded and suave, Mr Montagu Norman, m quite evidently the peacock, remarks a writer. Two of these birds, with tails outspread, worked in silk embroidery, are a striking feature in the hall and on the staircase of his country house in London. Thorpe Lodge, Campden Hill. Tiles of mother of pearl, interspersed with Moorish ones of blue and green, are used for the walls of the h" I *, and Emnire woods make gay patterns on the walls of his domed music-room. A "''"nan's Year: This year wall be memorable for the nuiii-or of successes scored by women in the world of sport. Last month Miss M. E. Foster won the King’s Prize at Bisley; ;a fortnight before this Miss ; Winifred Brown the King’s Cup air race. News of Miss Amy Johnson’s ovations on her way back from Australia was still coming through by cable as these other victories were proclaimed. A list of other notable records was given in an English newspaperMotoring—The Hon. Mrs Victor Bruce drove for a longer time than anyone else when she kept going for twentyfour hours at Montlhery, France’s Brooklands, in January. Holder of twenty-four world records. Miss Violet Cordery (who, with her sister Evelyn, * last year drove a car for 30,000 miles in 30,000 minutes) drove in top gear through the city for a week in April. Motor-boating.—The Hon. Mrs Victor Bruce last September beat twenty-four hours’ record at Southampton by steering her boat for 691 nautical miles at an average speed of 28.79 m.p.h. Miss Carstairs is at present in American waters to challenge for the International Trophy. She has already travelled at 90 m.p.h. Mountaineering.—Miss Katharine Trevelyan, daughter of the president of the Board of Education, was the first to ascend Mount Edith Cavell, Alberta (11,000 ft.) this season. In hockey English girls have dominated matters for lnany years. Speedway racing was challenged by women, and Miss Fay Taylour has proved the greatest woman rider on the speedways, having gained many sucesses in Australia daring the close season. Motor-cycling.—Miss E. Foley, Miss M. Cottle, and Mrs M’Lean were chosen as one of the British teams for the International Vatse in the international six days’ trial against male opposition. They won two years ago, and suffered hard luck last year, when a donkey ran into the machine of Miss Cottle. Three ladies, Miss Foley, Mrs M’Lean, and Miss Lennitte, will again ride for England this year at Grenoble. Athletics.—Records, British and world’s, have been beaten by English girls during recent years, and on 21st June Miss L. Howes did the mile walk in Bmin. 12 l-ssec., a new world’s record for women. ?n February, Miss L. Styles won the women’s crosscountry championships over a testing course at Wdverton in 20min. 59 2-ssec. for nearly three miles. But just a few grains of comfort are left to mere mar. No woman has yet won the Derby, Jed England in a Test match, captained a Cup final team, or stroked a University to victory.