DOMINION GOSSIP

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3044, 26 August 1933, Page 6

DOMINION GOSSIP

WHAT OTHER N.Z. WOMEN ARE TALKING ABOUT. A petitioner in an undefended divorce case in the Auckland Supreme Court said she had been deserted by her husband. “He wanted to lead a double life,” she added. “A single life, you mean,” remarked Mr Justice Herd man.

Debonair in a grey flannel suit, the long trousers sharply creased, the coat smartly fitted and the cream collar and grey silk tie sternly correct above a pull-over of maroon wool, a graceful figure occupied one of the seats in Albert Park on a recent afternoon. Its severe masculinity was belied by a head of bronze-brown curls. A grey felt hat with a fairly wide brim and a swagger crown lay on the scat beside her, completing the ensemble. * * * Pointing to exhibitions of work done at the exhibition of woollen goods, a lady member of the Wanganui W.D.F.U. remarked to a Herald reporter: “We have a class for work of ladies up to 70 years of ago, but we have so many excellent entries that wo will have to make a class for up to 80 years.” Some of the work of the elderly persons is most intricate and required a great, deal of time and patience, to say nothing ’of the artistic skill introduced. ** * * A humanitarian act was witnessed in Wanganui (says the Herald). A wellknown jeweller noticed a small girl on the town bridge on her way to school without shoes or stockings and shivering. He took the little girl to a boot shop, where he bought her a pair of shoes, ami then, crossing over, lie purchased a pair of long stockings for hc-r. As the little girl left the shop her countenance was lit up with a beaming smile, and the jeweller felt amply rewarded.

It is not unusual for women to attend the annual meetings of dairy companies, where they act the role off listeners, recording their votes if necessary. It is only a very rare occasion that they take part in the discussions. A woman supplier at the Royal Oak Dairy Company’s annual meeting, however, was an exception. Clearly and concisely she criticised the report and asked the chairman numerous questions, being practically the only member in the room to do so. Later she was nominated for a seat on the directorate, but the suppliers missed their chance of showing the world that the age of chivalry was not yet passed for they placed her opponent at the hc-ad of the poll.

In a brief sketch of her impressions of London Mrs lan Fraser, speaking at tho annual meeting of the Women’s Social Progress Movement in Wellington, said that she was greatly impressed with the culture of English people, particularly the students. -“The English student is deeply y-gltured in a way New Zealand students arc not, despite the high standard of education in. New Zealand,” said Mrs Fraser. London had been planned, she thought, by men of groat vision who had seen the necessity for open spaces amidst its great buildings.

The merits of the' literary contents of New Zealand and overseas women’s magazines were discussed before tho Tariff Commission at Auckland. A woman witness, interested in a New Zealand publication, produced sample copies of each type, and remarked that stories of an American typo figured largely in competing overseas magazines. "Yours seem pretty snappy, you know,” commented Professor B. E. Murphy, a member of the commission, thumbing the local publication. "Here is one story: ‘How I Escaped From a Harem’.” The witness laughingly replied: "The public wants it.” • * * • ) It seems that not even the approach bf "palsied age” can entirely dispel for man the lure of "the eternal feminine.” Two visitors who were examing some of the antiques at a display an Balclutha (Otago), were greatly amused by the request of an old man, who had obviously reached the allotted span of life. Impatiently lie had viewed Gaelic Bibles, samplers worked by Children 100 years ago, and silver which had been in the possession of families through four and five generations. Supporting himself on a stick, he hobbled up to the visitors, and in a voice shrill and high, inquired: "Can ye tell me where the crinolines are?”