VANITY FAIR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 23, 27 January 1934, Page 2

VANITY FAIR

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Mrs. M. Carlile, of Napier, is a visi tor to Wanganui. Miss D. Bohan, Wellington, is visit ing Wanganui. Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Milnes and Miss _ Milnes, of Auckland, are guests at the Rutland Hotel. t Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Cave, of Pa j paiti, have taken a beach house at Kai * Iwi. Mrs. Russell McLean and Misses McLean, of Kakatahi, are staying at Spriggens’ Hotel. Mrs. H. Hancock, of Palmerston North, is the guest of Mrs. A. E. Halligan, Upper Aramoho. * • * • Mrs. E. Monckton is a Napier visitor to Wanganui. Miss E. Cornyns, who has been the guest of Mr. and Mrs. S. McCallum, Durie Hill, has returned to 184 Victoria Avenue. Mrs. S. Freeman, Karioi, is visiting Wellington. Mrs. A, Avison, of Timaru is visiting her sister, Mrs. A. E. Halligan, Cumbrae Place. Miss Jordan has returned to St. John’s Hill after some weeks’ holiday in Auckland. • ♦ » w Mrs. Benton, who has been the guest of Miss Cole, Victoria Avenue, returned yesterday to Taranaki. Miss McDowell, Wellington, is the guest of Mrs. McCosh, Field Street. Mrs. H. C. Veitch, Upper Aramoho, who with her children has been spending some weeks with her mother, Mrs. Morgan, Kaiticke, is expected to return early next week. Mrs. Rankin, Wanganui, is visiting her sister, Mrs. Bean, m New Plymouth. Mrs. H. Ncholson and Miss Frances Nicholson, of New Plymouth, are visiting Wanganui. Mrs. Field, Upper Aramoho, is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Summerville, North Auckland. Mr. and Mrs. J. Kingston, St. John’s Hill, w'ho have been on a motoring holiday to the Foxton and Otaki beaches, have returned Mrs. E. B. Heywood, v ho has been spending a holiday in Wanganui, has returned to Hamilton. Mrs. W. Me A. Duncan, Ruanui, who has been visiting Wellington, returned home on Thursday. Mrs. G. Mann, who has been touring England, is visiting Wanganui as the guest of Mrs. T. Dix, Gonville, before returning to Sydney. Mr, and Mrs. G. M. Currie, “Koatanuij’ who have been spending several days in Wellington, returned home on Thursday. Mrs. Gutteridge, of Sydney, a member of the Country Women’s Association, Australia, was a visitor to Wanganui this week and attended sessions of the W.D.F.U. Dominion Executive meeting. Miss J. Paterson of Wanganui, who has been on a month’s visit to her cousin, Mrs. C. F. Bailey, Feilding, has returned home accompanied by Miss Una and Master Graham Bailey. Mrs. Drake, of Dunedin, who was a delegate to the W.D.F.U. half-yearly Dominion meeting, is the guest of Mrs. Duncan Simpson, Heaton Park, Marton. Mrs. A. Cameron, of To Kuiti, is visiting her sister, Mrs. E. Cutfield, Grey Street. Mrs. J. Fraser and Miss I. Reid, of Hawera, are spending a holiday at Castle-cliff with their sister, Mrs, D. Edwards, Guyton Street, who has taken a house at the beach. Mrs. Drinkwater, of Thames Valley and Mrs. Martin, of Opotiki, who attended the W.D.F.U. Dominion Executive, returned yesterday. Miss Ngairc Cobbe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Cobbe, Chateau Tongariro, has taken up nursing at the Stewart Karitane Hospital, Wanganui.

Miss Conner, Dominion secretary of the W.D.F.U., has returned to Wet lington. Miss Lena Allen, of Wanganui, who has been training in the Waikato Hospital, has received word that she has passed her final examination in n«rs ing. The Rev. Basil Taylor and Mrs. Taylor, who have been visiting Miss Taylor in Wanganui, have returned to the South Island.' Mrs. W. H. Ward, Dominion president of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, who has been visiting Wanganui for the half-yearly conference, will leave for an organising tour of the North before returning to the South Island. PALAIS DE DANSE To-night (Saturday), dancing will be held from 8 till 12 in the pleasant surroundings of the Druids’ Hall, by the Palais de Danse. Good Monte Carlo prizes are offered and a programme of old-time and modern numbers has also been arranged for the enjoyment of patrons. The Gaiety Dance Band, together with coloured lighting effects and a good floor, combine to ensure the evening’s success.

HITHER AND THITHER Dainty Traced Goods Miss M. McKenna, 126 A, Avenue, has new designs in traced goods, including ladies’ aprons, unbound Is, bound 2s 6d; children’s aprons, 6d each; cushion covers, 2s 3d; cream linen waggon cloths, original design, is lid to 2s 9d; serviettes, Is each; also Irish linen tea towels, coloured borders, Is (id. Plain Irish linen supper cloths, hem-stitched, 4s lid; waggon and table mats to match from 8d to 2s 6d. Exclusive handwork and knitting made to order.* A Woman Farmer in discussing'a remit concerning tie difficulty of obtaining labour on farms, ono delegate stated at the W.D.F.U. Conference held this week that she had ploughed 2U acres, driven her own milk lorry and killed the meat for household use, because she could not get help, as the men would not leave the relief camp to go on a farm. A Party Mr. and Mrs. W. Cunningham gave a party at their home at Waverley last week in honour of their guest, Miss Marion Grant, of Geraldine, who has been holidaying in Waverley. About twenty young friends were entertained and a most enjoyable evening was spent in games, music and dancing. The hostess -served a very dainty supper, which was appreciated by the guests. Gifts to Orphanage The mation of the Wanganui Orphanage wishes to acknowledge the following gifts; Mr. Molander, rabbits and pom; Mr. Windleburn, plums and jam; Mrs. Goss junr., books and clothes; Miss Smithy, books; yt. Peter’s Sunday School, cakes; Mrs. E. C. Taylor, strawberries, plums and beans; Mrs. Lambert, doll’s pram; Mrs. Symes, plums; Mr. J. H. Burgess, apples; Wanganui Aerated Water Co., soft drinks; Jkfr. Hansel, sweets; New Zealand .Refrigerating Co., lamb, a friend, 10s; Mr. Taylor, tennis racquet; Mr. Stolbert, £2 2s; Mr. A. Wright, vegetables, flowers, fruit, sweets and cream; Miss Murry, cards; Miss Nola Leggett, comic papers; Miss Meuli, plums; Miss Meuli, toys and Chritsmas gifts; Miss E. Warnock, toys and Christmas gifts; Model Dairy, cream; Miss Stewart, sweets; Mr. Graham, chocolates, biscuits and crackers; anonymous, biscuits; Mrs. Grcagor oranges; Mrs. T. Hunter, books; Mrs. Christie, £1; Mrs. E. Dowsett, Christmas mince pics; Miss A. Wood, chocolates; Mr. Milne Allan junr., tennis balls; Misses Beryl Candick, Margaret Burt, of Ohakune, schoolgirl papers; Mrs. Astbury, plums; Mrs. C. Boss, plums; Mr. and Mrs. Huggins, fruit and sweets; Mr. and Mrs. Neal, sweets; Mrs. B. Hewart, plums; Mrs. Sherwood, plums and cabbages. MISS MARIE BREMNER Miss Marie Bremner, the Melbourne soprano, who toured New Zealand a few years ago, and who, at the commencement of her stage career was associated with two of J. C. Williamson’s greatest successes —‘Bose Mane’ and ‘The Desert Bong’—has recently made a successful debut in Johannesburg. When J, C. Williamson decided to take a “Bose Marie” company to South Africa, an all-English company was chosen in London, with the exception of the lead. This important role was given to Miss Bremner, with the distinction of being the only Australian principal. “Bose Marie” is being produced by a woman, Miss Kuby Morriss, which is unique in the history of J. C. Williamson’s productions—with the exception of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas, which are always produced by Minnie Everett. In private life Miss Marie Bremner is Mrs. Ewart Chapple, wife of the programme director of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. Her father is a New Zealander, and she has relatives and many friends in Christchurch. UTIKU WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Last Wednesday the Utiku Women’s Institute held a very jolly picnic at the Toi Toi on the banks of the Bangitikei Liver. There was a large attendance of members and friends, all of whom seemed to enjoy themselves in spite of the weather not being altogether ideal. in a beautiful spot sheltered by over drooping trees, the picnickers squatted round a ground table and partook of an appetising lunch. The afternoon was devoted to sports. Many gayly-coloured bathing caps attached to gallant swimmers embossed the cold x silvery waters. In a lively game of rounders many budding batsmen were found who, through the fault of their muscular powers could send the ball skimming down the river, much to the annoyance of the wouldbe paddlers, who, with their Girl Guide spirits, would risk going over their knees in water to the rescue of the little floating ball. In a nail-driv-ing competition much dexterity was shown, but Miss H. Transom outshone all competitors by driving her nail home with the least number of strokes. Through her skill she won a very useful prize kindly donated by Mrs. G. M. Transom. After a scrumptuous afternoon tea Mrs. Bellow, president of the institute, announced that next month Utiku would be favoured with a visit from Mrs. Miller, institute organiser, and that the meeting’s competition would be best article made, costing no more than Is ‘Gd and the demonstration would be on wicker work. The hostesses would also be Mcsdames Fannin, Cameron, Buick, Witherington and Misses J. Jackson and A. Prime. As the day slowly drew to an end, thice hearty cheers were proposed to all those who helped to make the picnic such an enjoyable success. After happy farewells the merrymakers slowly wended their way homewards.

W.D.F.U. DOMINION EXECUTIVE MEETINC The conference was concluded or Thursday evening, the final sessior being occupied with remits, several oi which were withdrawn. Education “That in what is essentially a primary producing country, the education curriculum of secondary schools should be broadened, so as to make provision for technical studios such as mechan ics, engineering, commerce and especi ally agricultural science with its kin died subjects,” was a proposal sub mitted by Otago. Mrs. Barrar (Mas torton), spoke at length on this, also Mrs. C. C. Jackson (Wairarapaj. Kemit to be reconstructed. South Canterbury: “That we consider that sewing and dressmaking should bo included in the syllabus of all secondary schools as a compulsory subject.” — Covered. In discussing education members were advised to read H. G. Wells’ book, “Sanderson of Oundle, ” on old English Public Schools. Unemployment Waitemata: “That we consider the emergency tax of Is in the £ should bo lifted from boys employed on farms who are not eligible for unemployment relief and are receiving 7s 6d or less per week in wages in addition to their board. —Carried. Miscellaneous ‘ 1 That the W.D.F.U. support the committee of the City Council, Dunedin, in the following recommendations to be applicable in the cases of all those hiring town halls, the concert chambers and other halls owned or licensed’ by the councils where dancing forms part of the entertainment. ” “ That any permit which may bo issued for the consumption of liquor be restricted to ( claret cup’ dispensed under strict supervision by the licensee.” “That in every case hirers be requested not to permit the use of ‘pass out’ checks during the progress of a function.” “That the police be asked to exercise strict supervision over motor-cars parked within the vicinity of the hall.”

It was agreed that branches cooperate with the police in dealing with the problem of liquor at dances.

Alid-Cantcrbury: “That single blankets be increased in length to that of double blankets.” It was stated that although double and single beds were of tho same length, it was a wellknown fact that double and sfngle blankets differed in length, the double blanket being 97 inches long and single blankets only 79 inches. It was resolved to write to the Manufacturers’ Association concerning the matter. Waitemata: “That in view of the alarming increase in the number of railway level-crossing fatalities, the Government be urged to employ relief workers in constructing overhead bridges or subways.”—Carried. “That the Government be urged to acquire or protect any well-known tract of really typical native bush, notably in the Urewera Country, and, if necessary, to offer Crown lands in exchange.”—Passed. Government had already been communicated with. North Auckland: “That the Government be urged to take immediate steps for preventing level-crossing accidents in general, north of Whangarei in particular.” —Passed. “That tho W.D.F.U. individually and collectively by precept and example, encourage closer reciprocity with Britain, with the ultimate object of promoting free and unhampered trade relations with us.” —Passed. The W.D.F.U. is pledged to this. Otago: “That as hydatids is so prevalent in New Zealand, it be recommended to the Women’s Division and the Farmers’ Union to take this matter up, and disseminate knowledge about it in order to educate members on this subject.” —Passed. Wairarapa: “That the question of the patenting of a certain wool mattress, and tne further use of wool mattresses in New Zealand, be discussed at the January executive meeting.”—Airs. C. C. Jackson was instructed to make enquiries. •South Canterbury; “That this executive is of tho opinion that we should adopt a plan similar, or near about, to that used by the Farmers’ Union in its election of officers at the Dominion Conference. By doing so we hope to save time at our annual conference in J uly. Remit lost. Wairarapa; “That we consider that the matter of the difficulty of securing employees, both male and female, for the country should be discussed and a recommendation re the same sent to the Government.” —Covered. Hutcwai Branch: “That we protest against so many unemployed men bebeing put on relief works when farmers, who are paying unemployment ievies, are unable to obtain help on the farm. ’ ’ —Covered. Thames Valley; “That we enter our emphatic protest against the degrading influence of many of our motion pictures, particularly as they affect young people; that we view with concern the dire results which must follow the exhibition of films which so often display the formula of infidelity, and which are a gross misrepresentation of life.” —Already dealt with. “That women police are urgently needed for controlling the laxity of morais, and drinking amongst young people.”—Passed. Nelson Branch: “That the Dental Clinic nurse bo allowed to give treatment to the four permanent front teeth providing the parents are. willing to pay a small fee.” —There was a good deal of discussion on this remit and it was mentioned that this was done up to Standard IV. BIVER TRIP DELEGATES ENTERTAINED The Wanganui branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union entertained the visiting delegates to an up-river trip yesterday . afternoon when about sixty-five were

conveyed by launches to Raorikia, where the visitors enjoyed afternoon tea. A number of delegates were taken by cars up the river road and joined the party at tea. During the morning a visit wag paid to the Wanganui Woollen Afills.

At tho conclusion of the business hearty votes of thanks were passed to Airs. IV. H. Ward (Dominion president), Aliss Conner (Dominion secretary), also to Airs. Wickham (president), and the Wanganui branch of the W.D.F.U., and tho Press.

ROBERT BURNS BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY. Thursday was the anniversary of the birthday of Robert Burns, the chief of the peasant poets of Scotland. He was born in a little mud-walled cottage on the banks of the iDoon, near ‘ ‘Alloway’s auld haunted kirk/’ in the Shire of Ayr, on the 25th. day of January, 1759. As a natural mark of the event a sudden storm at the same moment swept the land, the gable-wall of the frail dwelling gave way and the babe-bard was hurried througn a tempest of wind and sleet to the shelter of a securer hovel. He was the eldest born of three sons and three daughters, his father. William Burns, having married Agnes Brown a young woman on the Doon, in December, 1757, when he was 36 years old. To support her, he leased a small piece of land, ■which he converted into a nursery and garden, and to shelter her, he raised that humble abode w*here she gave birth to ner eldest son. The garden and nursery prospered so much, that he entered upon, a neighbouring farm, named Mount Oliphant, extending to an hundred acres. This was in 1765, but the land was hungry and sterile; the seasons proved rainy and rough; the toil was certain, the reward unsure; when to his sorrow, the laird of Doonholm—a generous Ferguson,—died, the stric-t terms of the lease, as well as the rent, were exacted by a harsh factor, and with his wife and children, he was obliged, after a losing struggle of six years, to relinquish the farm, and seek shelter on the grounds of Lochlea, some 10 miles off in the parish of Tarbolton. When, in after days, men’s characters were in the hands of his eldest son, the scoundrel factor sat for that lasting portrait of insolence and wrong, in the “Twa Dogs.” In 1874 the father died. “After three years tossing and whirling,’’ says Burns, “in the vortex of litigation, my father was just 'saved from the horrors of a jail by a consumption, which, after two years’ promises, kindly stepped in, and carried him away to where the ‘w r ickcd cease from troubling and the w r eary are at rest.’ ” Robert Burns was now the head of his father’s house. He took the farm of Mossgill, near Mauohline, where he and his brother Gilbert worked the land, leaving his mother and sisters to tend to the home, the burn, and the byre. He purchased bo iks on farming, held conversations with the old and the knowing, and said unto himself, “I shall be prudent and wise, and my shadow shall increase in the land.” Burns, however, was no farmer, and daily his task -was wme new work. Between 1784-1786 he composed the greater part of his immortal poems. It was then that he met Mary Campbell, his Highland Mary as he loved to call her. She was fair, he said, and affectionate, and as guileless as she was beautiful, and beautiful he thought her in a very high degree. He met her frequently, she saw by his looks ho was sincere, she put her full trust in his love, and used to wander with him among the green knowes and stream-banks till the sun went down and the moon rose, talking, dreaming of love and the golden days which awaited them. They plighted their vows on the Sabbath to render them more sacred, they made them by a burn, where they had courted, that open nature might be a witness, they made them over an open Bible, to show that they thought of God in this mutual act, and when they had done they both took ■water in their hands, and scattered it in the air, to intimate that as the stream was pure so were their intentions. They parted when they did this, but they parted never to meet more; she died in a burning fever, during a visit to her relations to prepare for her marriage, and all that ho had of her was a lock of her long bright hair, and her Bible, which she exchanged for his. In 1788, he married Jean Armour. Though Jean Armour was but a country lass of humble degree, she had sense and intelligence, and personal charms sufficient not only to win and fix the affections of the poet, but to sanction the praise which he showered on her in song. But poverty and strife were linked with him, and he left “the barren” Ellesland to undertake excise duties in Dumfries. On June 26, 1796, he writes thus of his fortunes and conditions to his friend Clarke. “Still, still the victim of affliction; were you see the emaciated figure wHo now holds the pen to you, you would not know youi old friend. Whether I shall ever get about again is only known to Him, the Great Unknown, whose creature I am. Alas, Clarke, 1 begin to fear the worst! As to my individual self I am tranquil, and would despise myself if I w r ere not, but Burns’ poor widow and half-a-dozen of his dear little ones, helpless orphans! Here I am as weak as a woman’s tear. Enough of this! ’Cis half my disease.” He was taken by friends to Brow-well where he seemed to improve, but in his heart he knew the end was near, for on the evening of July 5, seated at a window, gazing at the sun, then setting brightly on the summits of the green hills of Nithsdale he said, “Look how lovely the sun is, but he will soon have done shining for me.” He returned from Brow-well on July 18, and died on July 21, -when nearly 37 years and seven months old. The burial of Burns, on July 25, was an impressive and mournful scene, half the people of Nithsdale and the neighbouring parts of Galloway had crowded into Dumfries, to see their poet,

“mingled with the earth,” and not a few had been permitted to look at his body, laid out for interment. The body of the poet was, on July 5, 1815, removed to a more commodious spot in the same burial-ground, to afford room for a marble monument, which embodies, with neither skill nor grace, that well-known passage in the dedication to the gentlemen of the Caledonian Hunt:—“The poetic genius of my country found me, as the prophetic bard, Elijah, did Elisha, at the plough, and threw her inspiring mantle over me.” Thus lived and died Robert Burns, the chief of Scottish poets. His poetry is all life and energy, and bears the impress of a warm heart and a clear understanding; it abounds with passions and opinions, vivid pictures of rural happiness, all fresh from nature and observation, and not as they arc seen through the spectacles of books. His thoughts are original and his style new and unborrowed, all that he has written is distinguished by a happy

carelessness, a bounding elasticity of spirit, and a singular felicity of expression, simple yet inimitable, he is familiar, yet dignified, careless, yet correct, and concise, yet clear and full. All this and much more is embodied in ' the language of humble life, a dialect reckoned barbarous by scholars, but which, coming from the lips of inspiration, becomes classic and elevated. “Simple.” as John Wilson says, “we may well call it; rich in fancy, overflowing in feeling, and dashed off in every other paragraph with the easy boldness of a great master.” W.T.C.U. The monthly meeting of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union took place on Thursday afternoon in St. David’s Church, Upper Aramoho, when there was a lair attendance of members. The president was in the chair. The devotions were taken from Psalm 23 and some very helpful thoughts were given. The roll was called, each member responding with a Bible promise. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Apolo-j gies were received from Alcsdames Hamer and Todman. Correspondence was received from Miss Marshall, district Evangelistic superintendent, with helpful suggestions for devotional sessions of our meetings, also one of thanks from Airs. Alorgan. It was decided to hold a garden party on Alarch 3 at Airs. Walker’s residence and a committee was elected to make arrangements for same, it was also decided to hold a picnic on Wednesday, January 31, at the Aramoho Park and to invite Loyal Temperance Legion (Children’s Branch of the W.C.T.U,.) children and their parents. Jubilee Home visits to be held over till later. The president then presented to the union a tray cloth which had been worked by a member with the words, “Aramoho W.C.T.U.” and the badge of the union, the White Ribbon Bow. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the donor, also one to secretary for preparing the syllabus. Airs. Chesswas gave a reading from “Fay Inchfawn” which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The Christmas Cake competition was won by Airs. Walker 1, Airs. Hamer 2. The meeting closed with the Benediction, after which afternoon tea was served.

THE NATIONAL DRINK CUP THAT CHEERS. The tea-drinking capacities of New Zealand people seldom fail to draw forth surprised comment from overseas visitors, states a Southern exchange. They are not enthusiastic about “early morning’’ tea with which they are awakened at 7 a.m., they at first firmly resist the blandishments of those who invite them to drink tea at 11 a.m., but are more amenable to custom at four o’clock, when attention is often diverted from tea to the tempting array of sandwiches, savouries and cakes always served in the afternoon

in private homes in New Zealand, at social gatherings, and at public tearooms. “You drink tea with your meals and between your meals, you drink it when you are depressed and when you aro glad, when you are tired and when you are rested,” said an Englishman making his first visit to Christchurch recently. “Why, we were even offered tea for supper, and wo saw t at Wilding Park, what we have never seen before—at least one prominent tennis player drinking cold tea between seta in a live-set match 1” It would bo difficult to explain why New Zealanders drink more tea and drink it oftener than their forefathers in Britain. In the early days, on the goldfields in Otago and on the West Coast, t/he miners drank almost unbelievable quantities of billy tea. Often the tea was made in the morning and was left standing in the billy by the fireplace in the hut until the next meal, when it was heated up. and all, and drunk for dinner. This stewed variety, always very strong, never seemed to injure the constitutions of those tough, hard-working pioneers. On farms and stations, too, from the earliest days of settlement, billy tea was regularly drunk by all hands—heads, shepherds, drovers, shearers. All these exiles from Home brought with them from England, Scotland or Ireland a predilection for tea.