Vanity Fair

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 314, 11 July 1930, Page 2

Vanity Fair

"Chronicle" Office, IV anganui, ~ , July 10, 1930. Margot has been reading, not without admiration, of a little English village which, after talking things over in council chamber and public house, decided that it was going to step hard on motor-cyclists, ft had reason: on divers and grievious occasions, cyclists had decided that such a secluded little backwater should be only too glad to be made the scene of speed tests, and the nerves of poultry, sheep and centenarians had undergone most hideous ordeals. Therefore, instead of writing letters of protest to the newspapers, or even getting questions asked in Parliament, the village gossips took things into their own hands. They got up at ungodly hours of the morning, and, seizing on stout ropes, festooned them across the roads when ever a distant rattle and bang informed them a motor-cycle was on the warpath. There were protests; there were disturbances of the peace; there Were real old-fashioned scraps. But the village had its great day, and it is reported that nothing more turbulent than a hansom cab dares to show its nose within the boundaries of the hamlet. With all due respect to modern science, Margot thinks that the motor-cycle is a horrid invention. There's a sort of grandeur about the motor-car, and the common or garden cycle is so picturesque taken, of course, in company with its riders—that one can make allowance for it. But what poet could chant a hymn in praise of the motor-cycle? It utters fiendish outcries and wild clamours: it proceeds at angles which startle pedestrians and usually end by producing large and unbecoming scars of battle on its riders. It is the favourite child of the age of noise, and if someone cant invent a device for stifling its outrageous din, Margot thinks that villages will be acting only justly if they shoo it away from their borders. The dragons of St. Ceorge's day were far better company. They might, if provoked, puff fire and smoke from their nostrils, and devour a superfluous woman or two. But at least they had a dignity of their own, and didn't go upsetting people’s nerves and breaking into their slumbers. If any village in which Margot happens to be stationed wants to strike a blow against motor-cycles. Margot doesn't mind holding one end of the rope. As a reactionary, MARCO 7.

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Miss J. Cardo, of Napier, is visiting Wanganui, and is the guest of Mrs H. Smith, Selwyn Street. Mr and Mrs B. Hogg, of Hunterville, motored through to Wanganui this week. Mrs S. Addenbrooke (Stratford) is spending a holiday in Wanganui. Mrs D. McLean, of Kakatahi, is paying a visit to Wanganui. • • • • • Miss N. Cowper, who has been spending a holiday of some weeks in the South Island, has returned to “Lyncairne.” Mr and Mrs Stanford, China, are in Wanganui for a long visit. Nurse Gatenby, of the Patea Public Hospital staff, has resigned her position. Mr and Mrs W. H. S. Alexander, of England, are the guests of the principal of the Friends School, on St. John’s Hill. Mr and Mrs Alexander, who have retired, spent two years in South Africa, and intend remaining in. New Zealand until the middle of next year, visiting, friends here and speaking of their experiences when occasion offers. They will be continuing their travels next year, and will be going on to Australia. A long walk is contemplated by Miss M. Vincent, who retired recently from the position of librarian of the Millicent (S.A.) Institute, Melbourne. She has set out to walk to Mount Gambier, and will tramp most of the way to Queensland, where she will spend a holiday before leaving for England.

The honour of driving Miss Agny Johnson through Brisbane fell to a woman, Miss Janet Burge. It was only after great difficulty, however, that Miss Burge overcame the belief of the men in charge of Miss Johnson’s reception arrangements that though a girl could fly from England to Australia, none but a man could drive her car safely through the streets of Brisbane.

Mrs Leslie Greener, better known to New Zealanders as Miss Rhoda Haszard, and famed for her paintings, was invited by the Prince of Wales to contribute to an exhibition of the work of contemporary artists held in the Grafton Galleries, London, last month. The proceeds from the sale of the paintings at the exhibition were to be placed in a special fund opened by his Royal Highness in aid of the British Legion. Such well-known painters as Mr Muirhead Bone, Sir D. Y, Cameron, R.A., Sir George Clausen, R.A., Mr ’Augustus John, A.R.A., Sir John Lavery, R.A., Sir William Lewellyn, Sir William Orpen, R.A., and Professor William Rotherstein contributed paintings to the exhibition. Miss Haszard is at'present painting in E gypt, having held veyr successful exhibitions of her work in Cairo and Alexandria. It is probable that in the near future she may hold exhibitions in New Zealand.

When the Queen goes shopping the very first question she puts to the saleswoman who is trying to interest her in some article is: “Yes, but is it British?” Recently she was very taken with some tablet mats made of a lustrous lame-like material. “I like them, but I shall not have them, because they are not British,” was her decision.

The following new members were elected at the last meeting of the Wanganui branch of the Plunket Society: Alesdames C. W. Collins, Cass, Hunter, C. F. Crawford, P. Graham, Soundy, Maurice Barton, Webb Jones and J. H. Miller.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Wanganui branch of the Plunket Society Dr. Helen Deem was appointed the lecturer to the trainees, and a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Dr. Mollie Christie for the work she had done during the past two years as lecturer. At a recent meeting of the Wanganui branch of the Plunket Society the following were eelcted the executive for the ensuing year: Mesdames Robertson,, Cunningham, Wickham, Hine and Miss Stanford. LATE SIR JOSEPH WARD A motion of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the late Sir Joseph Ward, who had always been keenly interested in the work of the society, at the last meeting of the Wanganui branch of the Plunket Society.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS BIG INCREASE IN ENGLAND The increasingly large part that girls and women are playing in industry in England was remarked upon by Air W. H. Saunders, F.C.S., F.R.G.S., governing director of a big Liverpool firm, who is staying in Christchurch. “Although we have 1,500,000 of unemployed in England,’’ said Air Saunders / ‘ there are now nearly 400,000 more employed than there were in 1914. That statement was made recently in the House of Commons, and was not contradicted. “Women are now coming to the front in large numbers in England. They are taking up important positions—not merely as juniors—and the world has never before seen such a large part played by the female sex,” said Air Saunders. “I myself employ 300 girls and women and I find them very hardworking, conscientious, industrious, and anxious to do their best. There is no reason why they should not be employed that I can see. This affects the men to some extent. Again, in England, we have calculating machines which ’ are largely in use, and that has another bearing upon the unemployment problem. ” FAREWELL EVENING Harman’s Hall was the scene on Wednesday night of a very pleasant farewell party given in honour of Air and Airs Jones, of Purnell Street, who are leaving for Auckland. The evening was arranged by the West Coasters tion, and was a very enjoyable occasion. A presentation was made to the guests of honour, a handsome hand-worked supper cloth and mat to Airs Jones and a silver-mounted pipe to Air Jones. The evening was spent with dancing and musical items given by the following: Songs by Mrs Comrie, Miss Wright and Air Takarangi; recitations by Aliss Edna Watts and Aliss Zelda Watts: a clog dance by Miss R. Wright; and a pianoforte solo by Miss W. Cowrie. After a sumptuous supper the evening wound up with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” and ‘‘For They are Jolly Good Fellows.” WEDDING PATON—PHILLIPS The marriage of Mary daughter of Air and Airs W. Paton, of Lower Hutt, to Arthur Reginald, son of Air R. Phillips, of Wanganui, took place at St. Peter’s Church, Wellington. The bride who entered the church with her father wore a dainty frock of white satin with a hem of silver lace. The bodice was made with a cape also edged with silver lace. She wore a lovely veil which was arranged in cap effect and held in place with a band of orange blossoms and she carried a bouquet of pink and white carnations and maidenhair fern with satin streamers. The bridesmaids were Miss D. Wilson in an uneven length frock of blue crepe de chine, with tight bodice and long sleeves, and Aliss F. Baker, who wore pink mariette, made in similar style. Both bridesmaids wore hats to tone and carried bouquets in blue pink and autumn tints.

The duties of best man were carried out by Air F. Chapman. Mr R. Beadle was groomsman. The Rev. H. Watson performed the ceremony and Mr Short presided at the organ. After the ceremony a reception was held at the Empire Hall where Air and Airs Baton received about seventy guests. The tables were decorated by a friend of the bride with pink and white chrysanthemums. Mrs Paton was wearing a f rock of navy blue celanese crepe de chine trimmed with fawn, the skirt being frilled a velour hat to tone. The bridegroom’s mother, Mrs Phillips, was in a frock of black lace and black hat.

A dance was held in the evening. The bride travelled in a frock of fawn jersey silk, a brown fur-trimmed tweed coat and brown felt hat. The bridegroom’s gift to the bride was a fox fur.

FIRE BRIGADE DANCE DECORATIONS A FEATURE The officers and members of the Wanganui Fire Brigade gave their annual dance on Wednesday evening in the social hall of the Fire Brigade Station. The decorations were an outstanding feature. Coloured electric bulbs shed a soft radiance, and red and gold streamers were used with pleasing effect, while on the supper tables, slender vases of iceland poppies and autumn foliage made an attractive scene. Superintendent Williams generously gave the use of his rooms for his guests, and in the board room a log lire sent out a cheering warmth. It was a very happy party, and after a delicious supper, Superintendent Williams and Mr G, Spriggens (chairman of the Board) made brief speeches. The music was supplied by Mrs Gardiner’s orchestra, and extras were played by Mr H. Delves. The Alonte Carlo dance was won by Miss Laird and Air Trott. Noticed among the dancers were:—Alesdames H. Smith, wearing a pimpernel red celanese frock and black oriental bridge coat; A. Bogle, autumn tinted floral ninon and metal cloth bridge coat to tone; Grace, smart frock of love-bird green faille; R. Macßae, shell pink georgette with pointed hem of satin; S. Kendall, soft rose georgette and silver lace; McGrath, flame lace over silk; Blair, black chenille; Bridges, frilled frock of topas blue and silver lace; E. Reid, cyclamen georgette and tissue; AlcKinnon, black georgette; V. Hunt, sunset pink georgette; A. Hind, rose taffetas and Spanish shawl; A. Alycrs, primrose crepe-de-chine; R. Grubb, shrimp pink taffeta; F. De Bussion, eau de nil lace and georgette; W. Wilson, shell pink charmeusc and tulle; B. Hawke, midnight blue chenille and cherry; Holdaway, pearl green che..ille and silver lace; H. Jeffrey, apple green georgette and ivory shawl; J, Delves, green georgette and gold tissue; B. Hicks, saxe blue silk; G .A. Thomson, sprigged green satin; Misses J. Carde (Napier), opaline rose with uneven hem of tulle and pastel tintend embroideries; D. Bourne, pretty shell pink ninon with wide hem of mcdallioned tulle; D. Head, hyacinth blue georgette; G. Brown, rose pink satin; O. Stewart, pearl and silver embroidered georgette; V, Stewart, bottle green lace over lime satin; Laird, pastel tinted flowered lace; Leek, cyclamen shot taffeta; Wilkinson, lace frock in petunia shade; Muir, ivory lacc and georgette; L. Gregg, lemon taffetas; S. Armstrong, flame georgette and tissue’; N. Alger, blue georgette over cyclamen; L. James, turquoise blue georgette; L. Hood, black georgette with wide tulle hem, and rose pink shawl; D. Lampitt, apricot georgette; Bradshaw, frilled primrose tulle; Pitts, sequined net; V. James, sky blue georgette; M. Ansticc, saraccn red llace; N, Rowlands, eau de nil georgette and beige lace; J. P. Clarke, lemon taffeta with green spray; I. Wheel, lemon beaded georgette; H. Park, apple green georgette and tinsel; Al. Coster, parchment lacc over silk; Weir, black georgette and. embossed chenille; Delves, Nile green georgette; O. AlcGrail, pale pink georgette; T. Herd, floral georgette; D. Dempsey, geranium pink gcrogette and lace; Al. Peek, black lace and diamante trimming; I. Gray, hyacinth blue georgette; A. Kearse, lemon and rose floral taffeta; J. Hicks, shrimp pink georgette and lace; K. AlcGrath, ivory georgette and lace; Al. Roberts, green crepe de chine and tulle; H. AlcGuire, gold appliqued black net; I. Roberts, white crepe de chine and sequin trimming; D. Gardner, pale green satin; I. Burchell, shell pink satin and silver lacc; B. Redin, flame georgette; A. Pitts, rose sequined net; K. Halligan, black taffeta and net; L. Greig, lemon taffeta with green spray; A. Johnstone, pale pink taffeta patterned in cherry; C. Spriggens, Princess Alary blue georgette and beaded bridge coat; D. Fabian, Nile green georgette and embossed chenille: Blair, embroidered peach pink gorgette; A, Edkins, black silk net with orange panne velvet and Spanish shawl; D. Edwards, rose embossed silk georgette relieved with diamante. Alcssrs A. Bogle, H. Smitlj, N. Hayward, O. Peek, Stodart (2), Thurlow, G. Thompson, W. Shadlow, W. Hambly, T. McGuire, J. Hicks, J. Alurray, F. Davis, A. Hird, N. Ross, Grubb, F. De Bussion, C. Stevenson, C. Morris, Pedley, Field, T. Wilkinson, A. Graham, Powell, F. Smith, E. Reid, R. Paul, Jeffries, Rodin, Henley, Gurr, Sheridan, McNeill.

DOWN PETTICOAT LANE. New Zealand Music. Now Zealand singers and musicians seem to bo enjoying quite a blaze of glory abroad just now. On Anzac Day, at St. Clement Dane’s Church, Miss Eunice Meredith, a New Zealander, was soprano soloist, and so well did she please her audience that on Empire Day, she is to be soloist at the same church in “Elijah.’’ Miss Esther Fisher, wellknown and delightful Wellington pianist has given very successful recitals in England recently. And incidentally, New Zealand music in the shape of Wellington’s poor homeless War Memorial Carillon, is giving pleasure to thousands, including many audiences of the blind. Wellington’s Lord Mayor, Mr Troup, announces that perhaps at the end of the year there may be enough money to start a skeleton tower for the carillion. Bupt it’s certainly a case of “it may be for years and it may be for ever’’ with Wellington’s memorials.

Bush Beauties. A recent visitor to Australia and New Zealand sins greatly, in an article in a Canadian newspaper, by describing us as “Australasia,” but makes up for it by the nice things she says about the bush-flowers of this dark continent. Australia produced a multitude of c’t rming things for her eyes—little gold wattle balls, flannel flowers, bluebells, waratah, and the wee brown scented cups which she describes, rcveicntly. but inaccurately, as “veronia or baronia. ” (Boronia, she meant). In New Zealand, she spent some months which showed her the very best that our bush could do—first the tall flames of the pohutukawas, and, in a New Zealand springtime up among the snow mountains, cheery white mountain daisies and ranunculi; then the pale stars of clematis, the drifts of snow on the manukas, the living gold of a thicket of kowhai trees, and the bright torches of rata and redgums. She speaks a very kind word for the colourful welcome which she found in Fernland. “Sweet Be Her Sleep.”

I don’t know whether the Plunket Society would altogether approve, but a letter from a friend tells rather a delightful way in which she stuffed the cradle mattress and pillows for a wee baby daughter. Alerc ordinary mat-tress-stuffing didn’t seem worthy of the infant cherub, so she gathered and dried heath, mixed it with the dried petals of many little bags of lavender—and there the baby was, with fragrance forming a pleasant aura for its drcams. Just ordinary chaff is what the Plunket Society has to say on the subject of such small mattresses, and possibly the heath-and-lavender mixture mightn’t bo quite so comfy. Myself, I’ve always wanted one or two cushions stuffed with dry pine-ncedlcs —but I wonder whether indoor life would kill the wonderful aromatic pungency of the brown needles, which seem to hold such a rich mingling of sunlight and earth?

LOYAL VICTORIA LODGE, M.U.1.0.0.F. This ladies’ lodge held a very enjoyable social on Tuesday evening, and in spite of the very cold night there was a large attendance of members and friends. Owing to the indisposition of the N.G., Sister F. Ellis, P.G. Bro. H. Kench presided. The ordinary business of the lodge was conducted previous to the social and two new members were initiated, three more being proposed for membership. Vocal and elocutionary items were rendered by Air Sid. Kendall, Airs Duffy, Aliss Alartin, Miss Norris, Miss Larsen, Alisses Watts, and Alisscs Ollett. At the conclusion Bro. Kendall thanked all who had contributed to the evening’s programme, remarking that it was the most enjoyable evening the lodge had experienced. The ladies of the lodge provided a very dainty supper. The evening closed with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.’’