Page 1 Advertisements Column 3

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7787, 19 August 1903, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN SOCIAL JNOTES. + A LADY'S LETTER FROM MELBOURNE. *.- August 7. The quite ■uncommonly mild weather we ar<J having has caused the first herald* of spring shows to appear q.uiWs a montli earlier than 1 usual in the drapers' shops. With almond trees in full bloom and the streets and florists' -windows ornamented with bunches of yellow •wattle, daffodils aoid violets filling the air with their dieli-i eatery-scented: breath, it sterns none too soon to be weary of heavy winter garments. In very facfc, there have been many days already when muffs and tippets became a burden, and to go abroad clad in a jacket made one very quickly feel g-enerotw enough to present it to the first deserving p-grson one might happen to meet. Already it -is possible to think of a, cotton or alinen frock -without feeling cold water running down one's, back, and to take more than a passing interest in the first little bitif of temptation artfully placed' in the way of the early spring shopper. "Very tempting they are, too, especially the dainty and soft delaines and challus, which delicate and clinging fabrics are making the first bid for popular favour. The bordered effects which caime in with bloueing iiaimels in the autumn appear to be holding their own in these thinner summer materials. A pale ground slirewn, with tiny flowers seems to be the general design, and colours incline to the most delicate and palest shades of blue, pink, mauve and green. A delightfully cool-looking novelty is Donegal linen, not unlike the drill which was so popular last summer, but. appearing in soft, indefinite shades of blue, pink, green and holland-colour, as well as a good dull red. Any of these linens would make charming walking costumes, and will probably 'be very .generally seen strapped and piped with white. Some -pretty between -season hats are gradually being shown, although, of course. iV is far too early for the real spring fashions to make their appearance as yet. A broad Tuscan or black straw, downward bent in front and ornamented with larye bows of oriental. ribbon, has a- good deal of vogue just now. These ribbons show quite-/ 1 lovely embossed effects jn floral designs and every possible rainbow shade of colour. Simpler are the pretty straw hats in various shapes and colours inlet with stripes of pure white straw. Thus, » pretty dark blue straw had' a tiirned-up brim of blue and white, and was trimmed with folds and rosettes of dark blue and white tulle! A biscuit-coloured crown had a, brim of white and darker brown, and was trimmed with- tulle of the three shades. A dark red; and white was also very effective, and it is almost needless to remark that the Inevitable white osprey in nearly every case formed part of the trimming. Very large shoulder-capes of coarse- lace will "still be a good deal worn. The newest shapes- have long stole ends in front, falling almost to tic knees. The Westminster Gke and Con cert Party has jitE^;finisied-jatt extraordinarily, successful season' here. The original number of concerts has been twice extended, and there will probably be a few 'more- giv-en when the company returns from Sydney. The Glee Party has, I believe, already toured New Zealand, so that you will know "how very charmingly they sing and what a treat it is to hear them ; but as their cJmrin depends in a great measure upon the extreme delicacy, purity and simplicity of their eiriging and the perfect blending of their voices, it "was really rather surprising to see, night after night, an immense audience following every item with jfuch keen appreciation and enjoyment. It would seem to show that Australians are very true lovers of music at heart, and will give support to whatever is really good even- in the worst of times. Socially, things have relapsed after the winter races, and are not likely to wake up again much until November. A successful charity ball, in aid of the city newsboys, came off last week, and was fashionably attended. Lady Clark was present in grey satin, with Honiton lace and silv-er embroidery. The ball went one better than its predecessors in haying a dance for the whole of the -debutantes of the, season. A pretty fashion noticeable in the gowns of young girls is a return to soft India muslin uud silk muslin, often simmed with a fringe of single blossoms. A white silk .muslin, closely fring-ed with single pjnlc roses was much admired at this dauce. OLIVIA. Ho t od's Sarsaparilla Has won success far bcyoud the effect of advertising only. It 3 wonderful popularity is explained by its unapproachable Merit Based upon a prescription whici; cured peoplp considered incurable, Hood's Sarsaparilla Unites the best-known- vegetable remedies in such a way as to bave curative power peculiar to itself. Its'cures of scrofula, eczema, psoriasis, and every kind of humor, as well as catarrh and rheumatism — prove Hood's Sarsaparilla the best blood purifier ever produced. Its cures of dyspepsia, loss of appetite and that- tired feeling make it the greatest stomach tonic and strengthrestorer the world has ever known. Begin to take it today. Sold by all chemists. Prepared by C.L Hood Co.. Lowell. Mass., U. S. A. The mea.ns by whioh sea.-birds quemeb.! their thirst ivlii&n. iav out at sea. is de- 1 scribed by am. old skipper, who tells how be has seen birds at sea, far from any lavd 1 that could furnish the-m water, hovering around ajid under a storm-cloud, clattering like ducks can a hot day, at a pond, and drinking in the drops of rain as lacy fell. They will smell a rain squall n, hundred miles distant, or evcin farther off, and scud few it with almost inconceivable swiftness. ' ' ■ In the British 'Grown Colony of Hongkong a cpin is in circulation known as the "mil." This is a tiny copper coin with *a hole in the centre, intended to take theplace of the Chinese "cash," which is one-fifty-third of a penny, and- is in general use among the coolies in the colony. The mil is brae-tenth part <yf *a cent,' one-thousandth part of a dollar, and 1 , as the silver dollar in use in Hongkong is. worth, about Is^d, it follows that the mil is worth about onesixtieth part of a penny. This-, therefore, is the value of the smallest British qoin. CHAMBERLAIN'S COUGH REMEDY is not intended as. a cum for Pneumonia, and is. not recommended for that disease— except as a preventive, but it must be taken in time. Is, 6d. . - -7 It has been -calculated^ that every inch of railway line in England has cost 12s, and every mile £39,000. It is ah?o said that English railways are three times as edstiy as those of America. - •