VANITY FAIR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 412, 1 November 1930, Page 2

VANITY FAIR

MOORISH BEAUTY IN FEZ Streets incredibly crooked and ’narrow, walls brilliant white under the searchlights of the car, robed figures flattening themselves into doorways or against the wall at the honk, of the horn, overhanging shade trees and latticed windows, every fascinating detail was there. . , IVe were in Fez at last. I spent days poking around in the “souks," those narrow streets lined with tiny shops, each street devoted to one /(bid of industry. The souk °f carpenters interested me particularly. . . There was not a Well-made tool nor anything but the very most primitive labour-saving contrivance to be seen. In the souk of cabinetmakers such a thing as a square corner or a plane surface or a straightedge was not to be found on any of the tables and boxes and cabinets in the whole busy place, yet they Were made and inlaid after a fashion so suriously artistic that they Would sell to American women in preference to the most carefully made tables turned out by mac hinery. This quality of beauty, which one sees everywhere in Fez, is one of the hardest things to explain. . . . Here arc buildings executed with no regard to any of the rules of geometry, which are yet immeasurably more pleasing than most of the accurately designed structures made to the T-square, triangle plans of the modern architect. Take a look down the narrow street of sun-baked brick and dried mud which winds like a cowpalh through the souks. The sunlight is moderated by falling through a lattice of crooked poles laid across from house ic house, on which are tied other just as crooked but lighter poles running lengthwise of the street. . . Look the street corners. They are none of them plumb, none of them square, and not one of them is carefully made. 4 . Enter one of the stunningly beautiful palaces, its patios filled with plants, running water splashing in its fountain, and see its faiencecovered walls, decorated ceiling beams and alabaster or plaster grills through which only the morning sun can shine. You are conscious of never having been in a more charming place; one in which a sense of proportion was more perfectly exhibited. Yet when you examine it carefully you find that the doorway at the end of the room is just off the centre of the wall space, that the doorposts are not quite upright, that the designs on them have been put on by a of guesswork system in which, when the design did not come out quite evenly, the workmen simply changed the design so that it Would. You notice that the ceiling beams are not laid parallel, nor are their ends all on exactly the same level, and there is seemingly no order in the size or arrangement of the niches which constitute such a beautiful characteristic of Moorish architecture. I hese descendants of the Moors have, by following their childish technique, made some of the loveliest architectural structures the world has ever seen Not only have the Moors made beautiful towers and minarets and tombs and palaces, but they have built walled towns of flat-roofed white houses along whose streets you can wander for days without seeing a single structure which grates on your sense of appropriateness and proportion.—David Fairchild, in "Exploring for Plants."

THEATRE IN NEW ZEALAND The theatre in New Zealand is in a sad way, so Helen Cane, the young actress, who is now playing over here, tells me, says a London paper. ‘ 1 Those few theatres that, still remain in the towns of my country—for i was born in New' Zealand —have been Fumed into cinemas and talkie theatres,” she said. ‘‘That is why I have decided to settle over here. For 1 had before me the alternative of cither living a rather narrow life in one of New' Zealand’s towns, or else going into the wilds and sheep-f ming. ” ANNUAL BAZAAR The parishioners of St. Peter’s Church, Gonvillc, are holding their annual bazaar the Gonvillc Town Hall on Wednesday ami Thursday, November 5 and 6. A splendid collection of plain and fancy sewing, Christmas cakes, sweets, produce, handkerchiefs, etc., will be available, at moderate prices. Air F. Spencer’s woodwork stall will be a feature of the bazaar, and patrons have a wonderful opportunity of securing unique Christmas presents from this stall. Various side shows, under the auspices of Toe H, will be open during the evening. His Worship the Mayor will declare the bazaar open at 2.30 on Wednesday afternoon. ■

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Miss Nanion, of Napier, is spending a week in Wanganui and is the guest of Mrs F. M. Melody, Godwin Crescent. Mr and Airs K. Sleight, of Wellington, are visiting Wanganui, and are J the guests of Mrs Sleight senior. Miss M. McLeod, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs McLeod, of Wanganui East, has returned to Wellington. Miss Joan Calver, who has been visiting her parents. Mr and Airs J. Calver, has returned to Wellington. Mr and Mrs Horn have arrived from London and art! the guests of Mrs W. A. Veitch, Wellington. Mrs AL H. Godby (Christchurch), pvho accompanied her husband to Palmlerston North for the golf tournament. I will visit Wanganui for the college sports. The many friends of Miss D. Polson will be pleased to learn that she is making a good recovery from her recent illness and has left “Braemar” hospital. Mr and Mrs W. J. Treadwell are spending a few days at Mataroa with their son. Airs T. Blennerhassett was hostess on Thursday afternoon at a party in the Elrick Rooms in honour of Airs E. Pearce, who will leave shortly to take up residence in Afastcrton. Airs A. D. Smith, of Upper Aramoho, has returned to Wanganui from several weeks spent in Wellington, where she was the guest of her sister, Airs Sapsford. Air and Airs Brine, of Wanganui East, are visiting Wellington. Airs E. C. Bull, of Greytown, is a visitor to Wanganui. Air and Mrs J. Ashwoll have returned to Wanganui from a short visit to Hawke’s Bay. Air and Airs R. A. Boon, of New Plymouth, are visiting Wanganui. Aliss AL Long is a Hawera visitor to Wanganui. Air and Aliss Owen, and Airs Frank Warnock, of ’’’ellington, spent a short time in AVanganui this week as the guests of Air and Airs T. Warnock, of Gonvillc. Airs S. Rankin has returned to Wanganui from a visit to AVellington, where she was the guest of her sister, Airs Campbell. Last AVednesday Airs J. H. Salmon was hostess at a bridge party at her home on St. John’s Hill. Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, schools’ medical officer, has been granted leave of absence by the Education Board, and is leaving next month for a visit to England. Airs Rutherford, mother of Sir Ernest Rutherford, celebrated her 88th birthday at a gathering of a few friends and relatives in New Plymouth on Thursday. Lady Rutherford arrived at Auckland from England this week and will visit New Plymouth. Airs J. C. Paterson. ‘‘Gordon Park,” left on AA’ednesday for a holiday in Auckland, where she is visiting her daughter, Airs Don AVatson, Remucra. At the recent vocal and musical examinations held Lore Aliss Doreen Aloye (pupil of St. Alary’s Convent) was not only successful in securing A.T.C.L. (pianoforte), but also passed ‘‘with honours” the intermediate examination in singing. This promising young candidate also gained “honours” in the junior examination last year in singing, her 91 marks being one of the highest in the North Island. Airs J. A. Tripe, of AVellington, the well-known New Zealand artist, who went to England some nine months ago with Afr Anthony Tripe, who is studying architecture in London, reached Auckland yesterday evening by the Rangitane. Airs Tripe gave her time to studying art while in England and France. She leaves for AVellington this evening.

FARMERS’ UNION THE WOMEN’S DIVISION Interest in the aims of the AVomen’s Division of the Farmers’ Union is rapidly spreading through the country I districts. On October 13 a new branch was formed at Bell Block, Taranaki, at which Mrs Alarsh, president of the Inglewood Branch, was the speaker. A most enthusiastic meeting was held and quite a number of the members joined the newly-formed book club. Airs Marsh had a successful meeting of the Provincial Council held at Eltharn. The latest life member of the W.D.F.U. is Airs Bernard AVood, of AVellington. The members of the AV.D.F.U. in Wellington and Airs Ward (president) in conjunction with the Pioneer Club are entertaining Aliss Alay B. Gibson at a reception on November 29. Alias Gibson, who is a partner in the Industrial Counsellcrs of Broadway, is a passenger on the Alalolo. She is considered one of the wonder women of the States. 'The 1. R.C. is to allay strikes and not promote them, and their services have been made use of by all the big organisations. I’he Wanganui branch of the W.D.F.U. are holding a “shop day” on December 3, and the support of the members is requested. The October meeting of the Putaruru Women’s Division was held on Friday last, thirty members attending. The sum of £3 8s 6d was received from Lichfield, the proceeds of a social evening, in aid < the general fund. A paper was read during the afternoon advocating eeonouiic independence for married women. It was resolved to hold a debate on the subject at a future meeting. Several housekeepers have been employed in the district during the last mouth, and the advisory members report that general satisfaction is felt at the help thus obtainable for country mothers. At Waikouaiti, Aliss Crowe, from the Home Science School, gave an address on “The Use of Commercial Patterns and Draping in Dressmaking,” and also a resume of the Home Science Extension Service. At the newly-formed branch at Uruti, Mrs S. S. Butt - was elected president, and Aliss E. Alurray, secretary, with Alesdamcs A. Alfc and ?J. y. Murker, vice-presidents, and Airs AV. Lawrence treasurer. The Winton branch celebrated its first birthday on October 2, when a number of members from the Invercargill branch were also present. The Opotiki branch held a very successful meeting on October 2, when ; Airs A. E. Alartin presided. At the Tuatapere branch last month a number of members gave an interesting discourse on “Home Hints,” and Mrs Harrison read an extract entitled “A Tribute to Housekeepers of the W.D.F.U.” At Kaukakapaka, Airs Bailey gave a demonstration of first aid, bandaging, and a talk on antidotes in case of poisoning. At the last meeting of the Eltharn branch, Airs Cocker, president, gave a report of her activities while attending the meeting of the Advisory'Board in Wellington. At AVhangaroa a branch was formed by Airs C. C. Jackson in Alay, and has steadily increased in membership ever since. This month it held a “bring and buy” afternoon, which resulted in five guineas being forwarded to the community chest. The Opunakc branch is steadily growing, and has just donated eight pounds to the community chest, and two pounds to the Alanaia branch to assist with distress and sickness in its district. The Dominion president has just paid a visit to the Cambridge district where she was warm l *' and enthusiastically received by \\ .D. members, together with representatives from Te Awamutu and Tirau branches. The Hawera branch of the AVomen’s Division of the Farmers’ Union held a social evening recently to entertain Flock House boys and girls, who arc employed in the district. Air F. AV. Horner, South Taranaki representative under the Flock House scheme, presided. Items were given bv Alesdamcs AV. C. Carter, T. Aloss, J. C. Robb. AV. T. Seed, Alisses O’Sullivan, R. Alills, and Harcourt. 'l'hc branch has been instrumental in sending two and a half cwt. of good assorted clothing to eight needy families in the district. The Toi Toi branch has decided to award a year’s membership and book club subscription to the member who