VANITY FAIR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 118, 21 May 1932, Page 2

VANITY FAIR

TRAVELLERS' TALES. To people w/io lived in the /Middle Ages, our modern world would be full of wonders; but some of the things they believed their world to contain Would seem just as miraculous to us. Travelling to distant lands was a venturesome undertaking, in the days when the known world was bounded to the east by a "Sea of Pitchy Darkness" and ended on the west in the "Green Sea 0} Cloom." So few people went travelling at all that it was hard to check up on the tales told by those who did. Their stories match, marvel for marvel, with the best we can boast to-day. Our animal and vegetable kingdoms in especial are poorly stocked indeed when compared with theirs; and, as far as physical geography is concerned, where can we produce a single volcano that is so sure of the calendai that, unfailingly, it makes more noise on Fridays and Saturdays than on other days? We have no animal to vie with the legendary unicorn, full of chivalry as he was, so pure. that his horn dipped in a stream would make the water safe for all to drink; so honest that the horn could be trusted to detect poison lurking at a banquet; so aloof that no one was ever quite sure of having seen him at all. Or with the rhino, whose horn, when split open, showed the pictures of "a man, a beast, a bird, and a fish." We have no better tree than that which grew from reports of cotton discovered by travellers in India, and developed, through hearsay, the habit of bearing live lambs. Or that othei, from which sprouted fluffy yellow ducklings, with flesh that conveniently tasted of fish, and so could be eaten on fast days. . . .. , With all our huge airplanes that fly brightly illumined through the evening sky, where is the bud to-day whose feathers give out light in the dark; or the species whose wing-span measures sixteen paces? At night We are guided by shifting traffic signals; but, with the draining of the marshlands,* We have banished the enticing "Will-o'-the-Wisp," even its shimmering name changed prosaically by modern natural science into “marsh gas.” We no longer know the fastidious breed of lion that haled to be looked al asquint; or the people who outdid all the latest fads of diet by living on the smell of fiuit. In otu day We never met that particularly captivating sori of mule, with so long an upper lip, that he cannot feed except while walking backward." But in those days "out-sizes" in appendages seem to have been all the fashion, ror We lead of a race of humans that make up for being one-footed by possessing a sole io their foot so big that, when the person is seated, it can serve as a parasol. We find mention of Pygmies with ears so voluminous that the fortunate owners have room to stretch out comfortably and sleep on one ear, after they have coveied themselves up and lucked themselves in with the other. (After that, how dare We speak in piaise of our handy, modern camping IfaO From this queer menagerie of a medieval world, we come back persuaded that its people did not want for thrills just because they had no telephones or radios.

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Miss Grace Wool ven, Fordell, is visiting Wellington for the week-end. Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Clark have returned from a week’s visit to Auckland. Miss A. Hamerton has returned to Cambridge from a holiday ?-pent in Patea. Miss Cathleen Somerville (Feilding-, has come to Wanganui, where she will reside with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wcdderspoon at Hipango Terrace. Mr. and Mrs. Wedderspoou, who have leased Mrs. Avery’s property on Hipango Terrace, will take up residence there on Monday, 23rd. Miss Williams, of Hastings, who is staying at Wanganui, has been on a short visit to Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Williams, of Kiwitea. Miss Hill, of England, who is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Salisbury. Kiwitea, is leaving by the Niagara at the end of the month, after spending six months in New; Zealand. Miss Hill intends breaking her homeward journey to stay at Honolulu and Vancouver. Mr. and Mrs. S. Goldingham, of Palmerston North and Miss Fitzherbert, accompanied by Messrs. J. Graham Driver, and C. M. Driver, motored through for the Parisian Underworld Ball in aid of the S.P.C.A. funds. Mr. and Mrs. Nasmith, of Canterbury, are visiting Wanganui. • » • • • •

Mr. Paish, British Trade Commissioner, and Mrs. Paish will leave Wellington on June 9 by the Remuera for London. They will be absent from the Dominion for about a year.

Mrs. Northover, of Marton, is visiting Wanganui as the guest of Mrs. Mulholland. St. John’s Hill. Mr. and Mrs. G. Mitchell and family, Puriri Street, Gonville, left to-day to take up their residence at Sanson.

Mr. and. Mrs. R. E. Jamieson, and Miss Jamieson. Wanganui, are visiting Hawke’s Bay.

Miss McCall, headmistress of Ngatawa Girls’ College, is visiting Airs. Hoadley, Hastings.

Mrs. Alorton left for Wellington yesterday.

Mrs. Boon and her daughter, Judith, leave to-day for her home in Mataroa, also accompanied by Miss Eleanor Morton.

A. new field of opportunity foi women interested in all kinds of handicrafts will be opened in the nursing world if li occupational therapy” becomes popular in British hospitals. The work of the occupational therapy clerk is to give suitable employment to convalescent patients, the idea being to keep their minds occupied so that they will not brood over their ailments.

A French literary prize is waiting to be claimed by an Englishwoman who had not heard of her good fortune until she read a message announcing the award. It is the Priz Severino,' worth 5000 francs, which is given annually for a women’s book furthering the ideals of international peace and conciliation. How it was won by Miss Helena Smith with her book “Not So Quiet” makes an interesting story. There are no candidates for the prize. Persons interested in the peace move ment submit works to the jury. “Not So Quiet.” was submitted by AL Jean Piot, chief editor of the Paris daily newspaper L’Oeuvre, who had read the work and been impressed by it. It was considered by the jury to be the best of the works brought to their notice, and they duly awarded the prize, adding a note that they would be glad if the authoress would make her address known to them as they, wore not in possession of it. It is only now, as the result of the public announcement of the awarding of the prize, that. Miss Helen Zenna Smith will be ennblcd to establish contact with those who honoured her work. The Priz Severino was established in part with money left for that purpose by Madame Severine, the famous internationalist, and the jury is composed of men and women all anxious to further the cause of international peace.

KITCHEN EVENING Airs. A. C. Robertson and Mrs. Preston were joint hostesses on Wednesday at. a delightful kitchen and ”white” evening held at Mrs. Robertson’s residence, Papaiti, in honour of Miss Zilah Anderson, who is shortly to be married. Mrs. Robertson and Airs. Preston received their guests wearing becoming frocks of prune panne velvet and black silk respectively. Miss Z. Anderson looked very charming in a cherry-coloured frock. The rooms were beautifully decorated with autumn-tinted chrysanthemums and marigolds, and an enjoyable time was spent, in dancing and bridge. Among those present were Alesdamcs Cave, Walker. Hammond senr. and junr., Oldaker, Todd. Horrocks. Farley, Mayle, Mclntosh. Scott, Georgetti, Sheild, Ford, Woon, W. D. Lowe, D. Powdrell. Preston junr., A. Hunter, Carruthers, Anderson and Rutherford, Misses Z. and H. Anderson, Forlong, Brew. Blythe (2), Currie, E. Lowe, Rutherford, Ford. Horrocks, Sheild, ATcLcod, K. Rankin, Scott, Georgetti, Brownley, Swanson, Walker., Mclntosh, D. Wylie, Woon and Skeet, Alessrs. Farley, Powdrell, Cave, Georgetti, Preston, Lowe, D. Lowe, J. Lowe, Wells (3-. Hammond (2), Deighton, Ford, Horrocks, Walker (3), Farley junr.. A. C. Robertson, Hunter. Moyle. Anderson (2). Bartrum, Aldntosh, Wylie. Montgomerie, Pleasants, Roberts, Wootton, Rutherfprd, Harvey, Drew, McLeod, Handley (2), Piper Wall, Oldaker, Carruthers.

ENJOYABLE DANCE Another of the series of enjoyable dances held by the Wanganui East Lawn Tennis Club took place last Monday evening in the Anglican schoolroom, Wanganui East, and was well patronised. A small private orchestra provided the music, which was most deservedly popular, and contributed in no small measure eo the enjoyment of all present. A competition was won by Air. H. Stevens. The opportunity was taken to make a small presentation to Air. S. Cowie, vice-captain, for the past season, who has been transferred to Hawera. Air. G. Williamson, who apologised for the absence of the president, Air. E. Walpole, referred to the willing assistance always given by Mr. Cowie and wished him the best of luck in the future. Mr. Cowie returned thanks in a neat, little speech, and expressed the hope of being able to rejoin the club, and wished it every success. Another dance will be held in the near future, when the connnittec hopes to see more members and their friends. ENGAGEMENTS The engagement is announced of Lee, third daughter of Air. and Airs. J. G. Swan, Wilson Street, Wanganui, to John Edwin, only son of Air. and Mrs J. A. Carr, Auckland. The engagement is announced oT Chrissie Lucille, third daughter of Mr. and Airs. Charles Duncan, of Wanganui, to Alan James, second son of Air. and Airs. H. Al. Afartin, of AJgongotaha, Rotorua. FREAKISH DEVICES NEW YORK EXHIBITION. I .1N G E NI.OUS 1 N ENTO R S. NEW YORK, May 10. A mousetrap which recovers its own bait, and a necktie equipped with a sponge for soup-eaters, are part of the world’s most freakish show, opened with a display of 5000 now inventions, at the Grand Central Palace, New York. A perfume atomiser attached to a fork for eating high-smelling cheese, and a reversible hat for women contributed by a Western cattleman, arc also features of the show. Other exhibits are an assortment of whistling egg-cookers, a substitute for crooning, self-smoking pipes, and nonskid soap bars, the last-mentioned being the invention of a 10-ycar-old girl, who has several other patents to her

WEDDINGS WILTON—EELES The marriage took place ou Saturday, May 7, at St. Luke’s Church, Castlecliff, of Norah, only daughter ui Air. and Airs. J. J. Eeles Castlecliff, to Eric Allan, eldest son of Air. and Airs. A. J. Wilton, Hunterville. The Rev. D. Malcolm officiated and suitable music was played by Airs. J. E. Alar* shall. The Bride, who entered the church with her father, wore an ankle-length frock of ivory satin, with close-fitting bodice and flared from the knees. A coatee gave a bolero effect, while her embroidered veil was held in place by sid clusters of orange blossom. She carried a shower bouquet of chrysanthemums, roses and carnations. In attendance as bridesmaid was Miss Alargaret Armstrong, who had chosen an ankle-length frock of sprigged primrose taffetas. It had a close-fitting bodice, bouffant skirt and tiny puffed sleeves. Her hat was of pale primrose felt .with a bandeau, and bow of velvet ribbon under the brim. She carried a bouquet of pink and primrose flowers. Air. Stan. Wilton attended his brother as best man. Mrs. J. J. Eeles later received her guests at the Elrick She wore a delphinium blue silk frock with navy coat of wool ottoman and hat to tone and carried a posy of roses and chrysanthemums.

Airs. Wilton (mother of the bridegroom), wore a navy erepe-dc-chinc frock trimmed with beige, a navy tricorne hat with quill, and she carried a posy of autumn colourings. Air. and Airs. E. Wilton later left by car for the south, the latter wear- ’ ing a Lido-blue frock of fancy wool , repp with touches of fawn, blue velour | coat and hat. WOMEN'S DIVISION THE FARMERS' UNION The monthly committee meeting ol i the W.D.N.Z.I-.11. was held on Wednesday, May IS, in the rooms. There were present Alesdamcs Wickham, Soundy, Lilburnc, Scott, Gibson, AlacDougall, Cave, C. Smith, Mullins. Butcher, Fulton and Alisses Pratt, Hudson, Davis, Cole, Jordan, Polson, K. Fraser and A. AlcUarthy. The minutes of the annual meeting were read and confirmed. In connection. with the recent wool display, hearty votes of thanks were passed with acclamation to Mrs. Gibson, Airs. Benefield and Aliss Laird, who judged the exhibits} also to Airs. 'Lovell, Soundy (hon. see.), for the exceedingly strenuous work which she did before,’ through, and after the display, to Airs. White, of Alangamahu, who collected! the exhibits from the children working in the Education Department’s correspondence classes, to Alisses Eantham and Polson for outstanding help given, also to other members of the wool committee, to Air. Alilne Allen for the gift of a framed photo of last year’s wool display, to Alessrs. Alorrison for kindly lending the “Ultimate” wireless set, and to Airs. Tulloch for her interesting demonstration with the spinning wheel. Donations were gratefully acknowledged from Mrs. Currie, Airs. G- i H. AlacDougall, Airs. Wickham, Airs, j Fulton and the Wanganui Woollen Mills. In connection with the supplying ol I capable housekeepers to country fami ! lies in need of them, the W.D.F.U. ■ wish it clearly understood that their j housekeepers, for the supplying and ; employing of whom the W.D.F.U. has* its being, arc absolutely apart from the | casual labour which is supplied by un • employment schemes. The di' ision carefully trios out those whom it selects as housekeepers and thus maintains a high standard of cfliciency byselecting such tried and capable persons. Many of these have been known to arrive in homos at moments of extremity, and take hold of situations with ability and resource which would usually be expected only of a trained nurse or doctor. The W.D.F.U. makes a point of never refusing help in any emergency, and it will thus be seen that its qualified housekeepers are on a totally different footing from those people seeking employment because ol Ihe present crisis. Il is to maintain support for this supply of efficient ! housekeepers that all the energies of I the W.D.N.Z.F.U. are directed, and! that public support of its various ar i ti'ities is from time lo lirn<* solicited I

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE MEETING AT FORDELL The monthly meeting of the Fordell Women’s Institute was held on Tuesday afternoon when Mrs. Dale presided over an attendance of over fifty members and visitors. The business of the meeting concluded, Mesdaincs lx. Aiken and K. A. Sutherland delighted those present by their-rendering of the vocal duet, “April is a Lady,” responding lo an emphatic encore with “Nocturne.” A competition of interest to motorists was won by Miss Christie. An instructive demonstration of moccasin-making, kindly given by Miss Smith, of Westmere, proved very interesting and helpful. The result of the seone competition was: Mrs. Ji. Campbell 1. Airs. J. Ross 2, Mrs. A. Loo 3. A delicious afternoon tea was dispensed by the hostesses. Mesdames Stewart, 11. Campbell, Green, R. Campbell and Miss P. Toomnth. The singing of the National Anthem brought n very enjoyable afternoon to a close. i NEW ZEALANDERS ABROAD , i MR. AND MBS. B. H. ROLPH j I The wedding took place at All | Saints, Leyton, England, of Miss I Emma Eva (Cissie) Bird, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Bird, who was married to -Mr. Arthur Royal Letkey, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Letkey, of 53 St, James-road, Wandsworth Common. The Rev. H. Sweeney officiated. The bride, who was giv en away by her father, was charmingly dressed u* white satin, and carried a bouquet of red roses and lilies of the valley. The bridesmaids, Miss T. Bird (sister of the bride) and Miss Hilda .Tones (cousin of the bride), wore dresses of palo blue flowered silk, and carried bouquets of double yellow tulips. Mr. Frank Letkey (brother of the bridegroom). ably carried out the duties o' I best. man. ■ The bride’s family have been resi-l dents of Levton for over 35 years. The organist (Mr. A. V. Rogers), played “Salut D’amour” as the bride entered the church. The choir rendered the hymns “How Welcome was the Call, and “O Perfect Love.” and the bridal ! pair left the church to the strains of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.” The reception was hold at the Co- '' operative Hall, Lea Bridge Road, Ley-; J ton, whgre 50 guests assembled, chief among whom were Air. and Airs. R. H. Rolph (uncle and aunt of the bride), of Wanganui, Now Zealand, who made the journey specially for the occasion. ! The evening was made a great success with the assistance of Mr. .T. Dawson s r dance hand. v c | BRIDGE EVENING 8 The Scaffold Ladies’ Bridge Club ■i held their usual weekly bridge evening t in the Ladies’ Rest Rooms on Thursdav. There wore six tables in play. I The bridge trophy was won by Aliss i- A. Woods.