VANITY FAIR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 140, 16 June 1931, Page 2

VANITY FAIR

PRAIRIE WIND I slopped again to adjust the chains when the wind caught my hat and sucked it with a slap under the car, then, wrenching the half-open door from my grasp, reached in and snatched the set of strip-maps out of Daphne s hand and sent them like a flock °f snowbirds far over the prairie. Over the prairie I went after them, across the smoking crests, upon the buoyant winds, almost with wings, when on real wings, from all about me, rose an immense flock of several thousand horned larks, and banking against the wind, wheeled and swept past me, banked again, and, veering as with a single wing, came to eath about me in nearly the spot from which / had flushed them. What sailois they were! The Way they trimmed their sheets and came about just above my head in that wild blow was as pretty a manoeuvre of winds and wings as ever brought a barque unfurling to her berth. I caught up with all but two of the flying maps. By some freak or whim the gale had cut in and taken the bits of cardboard for a waltz. Not one wind was here, but a multitude, with spaces in between, pockets and sucking holes, and twisters, where the strips were held fixed to nothing, pinned to some vacuum wall, then clapped to earth and pegged there by a spinning Hille swul. This was a soil of homing ground for tornadoes. —Dallas Lore Sharp, in The Belter Country.

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL. Mr aud Mrs Boland Young, of I Arainoho, accompanied by Mr and Mrs M. Bjgnell, of Gonville, left by motor yesterday for Auckland. Mrs P. Lewis, who has been visiting Ngaio, Wellington, has returned to Wanganui. Mrs Laird, who visited Wanganui Isat week for the Price-Glenn wedding, left o Saturday for New Plymouth, en route to Auckland. Miss M. Quin, who has been spending a week in Htiwera with her sister, Mrs St. Leger Reeve, returned to St. John’s Hill at the week-end. Mr and Mrs Harry Parsons, who have been the guests of Miss E. Parsons, Rees Street, Durie Hill, left on Saturday on their return to Waipukurau. Under the auspices of the Fordeil branch of the W.D.F.U., the Male Choir will give a concert at Fordell on July 2, to be followed by a dance. The proceeds will be divided between the W.D.F.U. and the Male Choir. The only woman in the world to hold the position of business manager to an orchestra is (Dr. Berta Geissmar. Dr. Geissmar is a doctor of philosophy, not of music, but she decided that philosophy was of little practical use in the business world of to-day. She is business manager to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, of which Dr. Furtwangler is conductor. According to an English paper, women are year by year taking a greater interest in cricket. Before the war it was essentially a man’s game. Now the Women’s Cricket Association lias over 50 clubs under its control. County associations are being formed, and rhe number of inter-county games which were played last year will be considerably increased during the present season.

The most outstanding of Reading’s many women cricketers is a Mrs Thompson, who was 46 when she first took up cricket, and at the age of 56 is still captain of her team. Apart from her activities on the cricket field, at which she is no mean exponent, Mrs Thompson finds time to take an active part in the work of the Reading Labour Party, of which she is a member. Miss M. Garrett, a Wesleyan missionary from Toronto, who arrived in the Dominion recently, and who had suffered captivity at the hands of Chinese bandits, who tried to pry the gold fillings from her teeth, said, in the course of an interview with the Free Lance: U I like Chinamen. They are like a tonic to me. Over large areas of their country they live in peace, asking but freedom to grow enough rice to keep body and soul together. It is only the military leaders who make trouble in China. ” A film star popularity contest conducted in Auckland during ‘* Cheer Up Week” resulted in Ruth Chatterton and Maurice Chevalier topping the poll. The piacings were as follows: —Women: Ruth Chatterton 1, Norma Shearer 2, Janet Gaynor 3, Winnie Lightner 4,

Jeanette McDonald 5, Marie Dressier 6. Men: Maurice Chevalier 1, George Arliss 2, Clive Brook 3, Ronald Colman 4, Ramon Novarro 5, Charles Farrell 6. GOLF CLUB BALL The chief social event of the week will be the Golf Club Ball, which is to be held on Friday evening at the Belmont Club house. No detail has been overlooked in the preparations for the occasion and all arrangements for the comfort of the guests are being made by the committee. Carpenters arc busy preparing the floor and enclosing the wide verandahs, and there will be bridge and sitting-out rooms. Visitors are coming from various places as far north as Stratford, also from Marton, Feilding, Palmerston North and Masterton. Rosettes will be presented to the men, on arrival, and these must be worn during the evening. KAITOKE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE A meeting of the Kaitoke Women’s Institute was hold on June 4, when a glove demonstration by Mrs Murray was the chief item of interest. Mrs Denman and Mrs Davidson acted as hostesses and provided a very enjoyable afternoon tea. Another meeting is to be held on July 2, when Mr Pritchard will demonstrate how to make useful articles from old tyres. OLD DANCES REVIVED Dances of past periods are finding favour with many New Zealand dancers. A feature of a debutante dance given in Auckland last week was the dancing of the Cotillon. The figures were very graceful and extremely decorative. There were four, one of which was particularly in accord with racing day, with the wearing of jockey caps by the dancers, and the use of whips and reins. Another dance revived and which was enjoyed was the

WEDDINGS VAUGHAN—COWLES A wedding of interest to a large circle of friends took place at St. Andrew’s Church, The Terrace, Wellington, on the evening of June i'J, when Marjorie Helen, only daughter of Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs A. Cowles, Hataitai, and Mr Thomas Vaughan, of Masterton, son of Mrs Vaughan and the lato Mr T. Vaughan, of Lancashire, England. The Rev. R. J. Howie, 8.A., officiated, aud Mr Frank Thomas was at the organ. The bride, who was escorted by her father, wore a gown of parchment chiffon velvet, cut on mediaeval lines; the softly-draped ' bodice had pearl trimmings at neck and waist, also touches of French orange blossom. The moulded hip-lijie of the skirt was finished with hand tucks, from which cascaded a softlydraped train. The veil of parchment lace, heavily embroidered, was arranged off the brow with a circlet of orange blossom at the back of the head. Handtinted orange blossom was arranged at each corner of the veil, which was long and graceful. The bridal bouquet was of freesias, hot-house flowers and maidenhair fern, with touches of cyclamen pink. Misses Muriel Bhand and Peggy Bird were bridesmaids. The former was in a model frock of rose-pink silk lace, over pink georgette, the anklelength skirt having cascades of soft pink georgette flounces, with ceinture and diamante buckle. Her pink felt hat was folded off the face, and had a drooping ostrich feather, tipped with i pink, over one shoulder, the ensemble being completed by mittens of pink silk net and embossed velvet shoes to tone. Miss Bird wore a frock of shot blue taffeta, the tight bodice finished with a petal collar and accentuated by appliqued pink rosebuds, the skirt falling in graceful Old-World flounces, circular at the back, giving a slight train effect. Her hat was of blue shot taffeta, upturned and finished with diamond buckle in front. Bhe also wore mittens, in blue silk net, and satin shoes to match. Both carried bouquets in pink shades.

Mr Colin Currie, of Masterton, was | best man, and Mr Mitford Cowles, brother of the bride, was groomsman. The reception was held at the Adelphi Cabaret, the tables being massed with flowers in autumn shadings. Mrs Cowles received her guests wearing a frock of black chenille georgette, i patterned in mushroom and vieux-rose embossed flowers, and a trim little coatee with beige fur collar and diamante buckle at the waist. She wore a black tagel hat, with ospreys, and carried a bouquet to tone. Mr R. Darroch, an old friend of the family, presided at the supper table, and the guests enjoyed a happy time with toasts, a musical programme, and dancing. Later, Air and Airs Vaughan left by car for the north, the bride travelling in a lime and mole tweed ensemble, with mole fur collar, and beretta of tweed to match. They will reside in Masterton. ARTHUR—LEECH The wedding took place in Inglewood recently of two teachers of the Taranaki Education Board, th) parties Do-

ing Gwendoline Lorinda Elizabeth Leech, L.T.C.L., youngestcr daughter of Alajor Leech, V.D., and Airs Leech, Inglewood, and Bex Harold George, youngest son of Mr and Airs Arthur, Colville, South Canterbury. The ceremony was performed by Archdeacon Evans, assisted by the Rev. J. H. Thompson, vicar of Inglewood. The organist was Airs Will Hutchens, and the vocalist Air Will Hutchens, Wanganui. The bride, who entered the crowded church with her father, wore a gown of ivory white with close-litting vandyked satin bodice finished at the waist with a dainty silver spray. The full silk tulle skirt, with narrow bands of satin ribbon, fell to the ground, with even hem-line, beneath which peeped the daintily embroidered satin shoes, worn by the bride’s mother at her wedding. She carried a bouquet of chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, heath blue forget-me-nots and maidenhair fern, with streamers of silk tulle and satin ribbon. Elbow kid gloves and a Juliet cap of orange blossoms and handsome veil forming a train completed the bride’s toilette. The bridesmaids were Aliss Marguerite Leech, F.T.C.L., L.T.C.L., sister of the bride, and Aliss Ethol Alurdoch, L.T.C.L., llawera. Both were gracefully attired in turquoise blue taffeta frocks with close-fitting bodices and ankle-length circular skirts and sashes falling to the hem line, and satin shoes and stockings to tone. Both wore elbow kid gloves and silver Juliet caps finished at each side with turquoise blue flowers pearl chokers and earrings wore tlio gifts of the bridegroom. The train bearers, little J O ye Kaye and Eris Hodges, wore dainty turquoise blue silk georgette frocks frilled to the waist and dotted with forget-me-nots. Both wore, silver headdresses and shoes and socks to tone, also necklets, the gilts of the bridegroom. All carried Victorian posies of pink heathroses, forget me nets and maidenhair fern. The bridegroom was attended by Mr W. Shriinpton, M.A, (both bein£ old

student friends of Canterbury College) and Air Peacock, formerly of Auckland. The bridal party was heralded by the Bridal Al arch, played by Airs Hutchens, who also played well-known classics prior to the arrival of the bridal party. A special vocal solo was sung by Air Hutchens. A notable feature during the cere mony was the beautiful setting made by the bridal couple as they knelt beneath a lovely wedding bell, which hung from a floral festoon, the bell being made by the bride’s sister. The party left the. church to the playing of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. A reception was held at “The Poplars,” the homo of the bride’s parents. During the breakfast solos were sung by Mr Hutchens, Aliss Afarguerite Leech and Miss Hthel Murdoch. 'Dhc couple left for Christchurch on the wedding tour, the bride wearing a blue ring velvet frock and coatee with beret to lone, and musquash fur coat, the Gifts of her father.

IN ALGERIA NEW ZEALAND WOMAN A well-known Wellington woman, Aliss Alary Hales, left the Dominion some months ago for a visit to the United States and England. Later she travelled extensively in Europe, ami then crossed to Algiers. From there she writes most interestingly of a three days’ trip to Bon Saada, which is the first oasis on the border of the Sahara Desert. The Early Stages At the first sign of settled weather. Aliss Hales aud another lady started for the trip. Rising at 3.45 a.m., they walked two miles to catch a ‘ ‘ rapide ‘ ’ bus which was timed to leave at 5.30 a.m. But time is no object to the Arabs. At 6.30 a.m. Miss Hales was informed that the “rapide” was not going that day so she and her companion took seats in the ordinary slow bus —a beautiful new vehicle which held twenty people, including a Dutch man who spoke English, and many Arabs, squatting about with big bundles. They passed througn poor-looking barren country, which had had no rain for seven months last year, and the Arabs, who own the laud, had lost many of their ewes and had suffered severely. The scene was Biblical. Patient oxen drew clumsy wooden ploughs, and many of the Arabs wore white flowing robes, while others wore baggy breeches, four yards round the waist. Donkeys were to be seen all along the route carrying burdens. A Garrison Town Two hours at mid-day were spent at the garrison town of Anmale. Thence onwards, the travellers passed heavily laden camels, travelling mile after mile

through barren country, with tufts of grass here and there, until, in the distance, appeared Bon Saada, looking very picturesque with its rows of yellow mud huts all joined together near the river, its groups of date palms, and its fort on the hill, overlooking the township. The market place was thronged with Arabs, looking, to the eyes of “les Angiaiscs,” not too clean. The visitors stayed the night at an hotel kept by two brothers, Jews. In the morning, after rain, the streets looked slimy and uninviting, and the WcWiugton lady made friends with a kindly French woman who kept a garage. A Camel Ride In the afternoon, Aliss Hales and her friend set out on camels, who knelt, while they mounted, and travelled for 1 miles in the Sahara, through endless stretches of yellow sand, with the Atlas Alountains close beside. Camel-travel-ling they found fairly comfortable. The camels had no bridles, and were cheered on their way with sticks and the yells | of two men and a boy, who walked beside them. Lonely Missionaries At the hotel where they spent the second night, Aliss Hales met two women missionaries. One was a SwissFrench nurse, who spoke seven lan guages, and the other was of IrishScottish descent. They took the two visitors to their home, a nice little bungalow inside a huge mud wall. The two missionaries had been in the Sahara five years, teaching Arab children. They teach them, inter alia, to be kinder to their women-folk who, at present, are married at the age of nine years, and are shut up in mud hovels. When the husbands go out, they turn the key and leave the women to work sixteen hours a day. It is said, however, that they go out on Saturdays. The Return Journey

At 4.30 a.m. next day, after having black coffee and a roll without butter, the travellers set out on their return to Algiers. They were accompanied by one of the missionaries, who was going to the town to visit the dentist, and who seized the opportunity of having women companions, as she was often subjected to insults by the Arabs when travelling alone. Sunrise on the Atlas Mountains, so high and barren and majestic, was a glorious sight as the bus travelled rapidly over a splendid road to Algiers.