CONVENTIONAL DRESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7212, 25 September 1901, Page 1

CONVENTIONAL DRESS.

A THING TO BE AVOIDED,

Dr Florence Keller, from Chicago, delivered a lecture yv the Metaphysical Club rooms last evening on "Conventional Dress,"' and its many evils. Mrs Wells introduced the iecturer, who did/. not at all come up to the usual conception of a lady doctor. As Mrs Wells explained, • the "dragon" was not at all en evidence ; on the contrary, Dr Keller was a charming instructor, undoubtedly American, bright •nd fluent. She commenced by producing the skeleton of a thorax and explaininig the position of the organs. This was preliminary to a strong denunciation* of the corset, the wearing of which she showed tbbe an unpardonable offence against Nature. She gave the New Zealand Government great credit fpr its efforts to prevent tlie spread of consumption, lmt x thought that plenty of pure air wa_ what was required, and that could not be obtained by lungs rigidly confined in .the bond^of steel and whalebone. Beauty must not be sacrificed, however; she would' acknowledge that all ladies dressed for the gentlemen. In the native races the women did the work, carried! the babies, tent, and all the household gods. But in the highly civilised races, the woman waa the degenerate one, and. the man* had to the work. The remedy for this awful state of affairs lay in a garment which the doctor produced, apparently cut on the lines of a gentleman's waistcoast, and carrying a row of buttons along the bottom, to which the skirt was to be attached. The lecturer then demonstrated' the evil effects of squeezing in the lungs and chest on the other organs. " Where do our fashions come from?' the asked, and supplied the answer, "From Paris." And the French were a people' whom scientists told us were rapidly becoming extinct. Tight boots and garters Dr Keller dealt with sweepingly and thoroughly. They impaired the circulation , encouraged cold feet, and enabled tiie heartless influenza microbe ■to work its wicked will. The men, who had been sympathising with the poor women, here received a cruel awakening. Dr Keiler, if she could be imagined to do am ungraceful thing, jumped with, both feet on patent leather boots, pointed;, toes, belts, high collars and hard hats. It was not married bliss alone that produced baldheads, unventilated Derby hats were largely to blame. Patent leather boots were also unventilated, andi, therefore, unhealthy, while high colli* rs the doctor etrongly condemned. In answer to questions, at the . conclusion Ot her lecture, Dr Keller stated thai she did not, as haid! been stated, disapprove of cycling, but of excessive cycling, especially in very unsuitable garments. She would be very pleased to supply the pattern of the special garment. A hearty vote of thanks was passed^ to the lecturer.

The Mayor, with Mr A. W. Beaven, comprising the sub-committee appointed by the Special Committee of the City Council to endeavour to arrange terms with the Selwyn County Council, for the Waimakariri scheme, will meet the members of the Selwyn County Council at its meeting today. The solicitors to the two bodies having failed to agree as to the terms of the concessions to be given by the Selwyn County, the matter wiil now have to be reopened.