Vanity Fair

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 257, 30 October 1934, Page 2

Vanity Fair

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

. i Mr. and Mrs. J. Madden, St. Hill Street .Extension, will leave Wanganui next week for Dunedin, where Mr. Madden has been appointed Chief Postmaster. Miss Quinn, Wanganui, is spending a few days in New Plymouth as the guest of her sister, Mrs. St. Lcger Reeves. * * * * Mrs. J. R. L. Stanford, of Marton, is staying with Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Abraham at Paekakariki. ♦ ♦ ♦ • Mrs. A. F. A. Woollams, Roes Street, leaves to-day to spend a few days in Wellington. The christening ceremony of the aeroplane “Grosvenor House,” which was flown bj Scott and CampbellBlack in the Centenary Air Race, was performed by Mrs. Richard Lynton, wife of the Victorian Agent-General in London. It is interesting to New Zealanders to know that Mrs. Lynton is a daughter of the late Mr. ‘.Bob” Bannister, one-time manager of the New Zealand Times. On September 15, at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Ruspcr, Sussex, the wedding took place of Cynthia Merial Grogan, third daughter of Major and Mrs. Ewart S. Grogan, of Venters, Ruspcr, Sussex, to .Tames Hamilton Greig Crawford. The bride’s mother was formerly Miss Gertrude Wait, of Hawke’s Bay. There wore four bridesmaids, Miss Jane Grogan (the bride’s sister). Miss Liana Grogan (cousin), Miss Cynthia Wilson (Bulls)* and Miss Dorothea Lindsay. Discoveries in an ancient Sussex house would seem to suggest that women’s fashions do not change as much as is generally believed—at least in shoes. Under the stairs were found a pair of brown cowhide shoes with a Ifin. heel, leathered covered over a' wooden core. Thev date back to the time of Charles 11. They were fastened by straps tied with white tape and the tongue was holed. One of the most successful business women in China is Mrs. Nyien-Sok-Wo, who began her professional life as a messenger girl. To-day she is at the head of the “Women’s Commercial and Savings Bank” in Shanghai, an enterprise almost exclusively staffed by women. Mrs. Nyien-Sok-Wo, to whose able management the success of the enterprise is mainly due, is a graduate of the Chinese University of Futan. Miss Greta Stevenson (Dunedin), who travelled to Europe with her aunt, Miss Jean Stevenson, national secretary in New Zealand for the Y.W.C.A., left the Orsova at Naples and went to Geneva, via Italy, wrote a London correspondent on September 20. While Miss Jean Stevenson was attended the Y.W.C.A. World’s Council her niece made a tour of Switzerland and stayed for a week with Dr. E. E. Suter, in Aargan. She intends to do research work in botany at the Imperial College, Kensington.

I Miss jL. M. Ltd, nurse inspector, i Health Department, has been appointed matron of the War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji, and will leave New Zealand on November 11 to take up her new duties. The appointment is for a term of three years.

HITHER AND THITHER

- Hint for Storing Furs. When storing woollies and furs for the summer, wrap some Epsom salts in the folds. This win prevent moths ' from attacking your garments, and they will not have the objectionable odour which most most preventatives leave. ■ Models of Real People. It is quite possible that in the near • future we shall see drapers and outfiti tors’ window dummies that resemble , real people. According to news from i London quite a number of models in the ■ shop windows look like people who are actually alive. It is stated that in some - cases they are remarkable portraits of real people. It is rumoured that important people may soon be seen in shop windows—models of them, that is. In ■ other countries this sort of thing has been done, but it may be impossible to I carry out this idea in English counI tries, ft is not impossible, for instance, that the law might have something to ‘ say. Can you imagine being modelled : to show off some article that you didn’t ! like? : The Countrywoman. , Interesting articles on social prob- ; lems, extrasts from presidential addresses on the Pan-Pacific Women’s Association Conference, a page of bright notions, news from all the ; branches, helpful hints and gardening ; notes, are included in the October issue of the Countrywoman, the official organ of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. Many matters of interest ' to branches are mentioned in the Do- > mininn president’s monthly message, in - which she refers to the amalgamation : of the Countrywoman with Point Blank. On the cover of the October number is an excellent reproduction of ; a photogrph of the delegates attending , the Southland meeting of the Provini cial Executive. MILADY WALKS ! If advance heraldings of winter ; fashions are to be trusted, women will need to pay attention to th-eir carriage, states an overseas exchange. , During the past few years comfort as , well as beauty has been a prime con- • sideration. Wow there is to be added , another quality. Regal bearing must > accompany the wearing of winter fabrics and designs. According to Vionnet, Patou, Mainbocher and Schiaparelli, a new era dawns. In place of simple line and chaste materials, there are to be brocades that will “stand alone,’' spangled fabrics of glittering composition, cloth of gold, cloth of silver and other metallic weaves. Skirts are to be adorned with panniers, jackets with padded epaulets, quilted cayes in several tiers are promised. Dresses will be sheathed as in a coat of mail, or, if ruffled, the ruffles will be weighted down with cut steel, beaded embroidery, semi-precious stones. In earlier days when a similar mode prevailed, women acquired a necessary poise and airiness of movement by faithful practice; the training included carrying a pile of books on her head as she walked. It is not likely that the women of to-day will go through any such discipline in order to enter a room with majecty or to walk abroad with grace and ease. It is expected that, having learned during recent years how to dress with taste and comfort, she may refuse—if Dame Fashion goes too far—to follow her dictates. TENNIS OPENING I The Wanganui Tennis Club opened I its season on Saturday. Mr. N. R. Bain, I president, welcomed members and visi- | tors, and hoped the season would be a happy and enjoyable one. He said there was great necessity for a better clubhouse. As the Wanganui Association possesses no courts of its own, it is often necessary for one of the clubs to offer its services and courts to visitj ing teams. The Wanganui public had i been fortunate to see the excellent players that had visited this city, and thanks had been due to the Wanganui Tennis Club. The speaker paid tribute to Mr. Noble Campbell, who was engaged by the club as coach, and who | had done his utmost to improve the I play, especially that of the junior members. He also extended the thanks of the club to Mr. Powdrell, who had been an asset to the club, and Mr. Hay Campbell, who had proved an indispensable secretary. The president referred to the sending of teams overseas, saying that tha club was desirous of carrying out this plan. Mr. Bain extended a special welcome to Miss Montgomery Moore, w r ho is a life member of the club, and to Miss Newcombe and Mr. and Mrs. Strouts all members for quite a number of years. Mr. G. H. Pownall, president of the Wanganui Lawn Tennis Association, spoke a few words and pointed out that the club was formed in 1875, and that the trophy which was presented by Dr. Anson in 1881 had probably been contested longer than, or at least as long as, any trophy in the ! world.

Mr. Bain presented two trophies to Miss Joyce Treloar. They were both contested in Christchurch, one being the ladies’ B grade trophy, and the other a cup for the most improved player. Those present were entertained at an enjoyable afternoon tea served on the verandah of the clubhouse. Mrs. N. R. Bain, wife of the president, was hostess. Owing to the unfavourable weather there was not a large gathering present. Besides those already mentioned, among others were Mrs. N. G. Armstrong, Miss Tizard, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Barkman, Mr. and Mrs. T. Wright; Misses K. Ziesler, M. Thomas, B. Pownall, N. Russell. W. Swan. Mitcalfe, M. McDonald, N. McKay (Masterton), J. Jack, J. Duncan.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

HANDCRAFT DISPLAY. When one sees the achievements of members of Women’s Institutes out of scrap materia], and their pride in making garments and home necessities and adornments that are not only serviceable, but beautiful to look at. one realises that the work of the institutes is of great value. There were remarkable examples of women's ingenuity and skill on display at the half-yearly council meeting of the Wanganui Federation of Women’s Institutes held in the Hunterville Town Hall last Thursday. Apart from the wonderful collection of thrift articles such as rugs and cushions made from old stockings, garments made from flour bags, dyed and neatly embroidered or smocked, pine needle articles, papier mache work of all kinds and toys made from dressed sheep skins. There was a splendid range of articles showing handcraft of former generations. In this class some interesting items were a canvas tapestry woven carpet made in 1830, a bead tapestry tray and druggett cushion made in the same year. Children’s all-over embroidered dresses were of white lawn and were models of beautiful hand stitchery. A ticket showed that they were made in 1860. A unique exhibit and one that attracted much attention was a panel of old Egyptian tapestry (8.C.). Tn the brightly-coloured design were figures of birds and several kinds of animals finished in raised copper work and resembled ancient armour. Among the attractive pewter and copper work was displayed a quaint wall clock, the lower half of the surrounding pewter work being a garden scene in barbola. Vases, trays, jewel boxes, etc., all showed excellent work. Basket work, seagrass and raffia articles and marquetry work were a source of interest to the delegates and visitors. There was an interesting loan section, in which was displayed a handsome rug of black lambs’ skin. Pride of place was accorded a linen quilt, made in squares, each square being neatly worked. This was designed and worked by members of the Shannon Women’s Institute. Other exhibits were crocheted suppercloths, lamp shades, and some excellent fancy work side by side with sugar bag and other thrift articles. The display revealed that there arc many ingenious members in the Women’s Institutes. Since the W.l.’s were founded a few years ago this work has advanced rapidly and there is much enthusiasm among members. “The homes of the W.I. members in the Wanganui district, in fact all over New Zealand, must be very much happier besides being prettier and more comfortable as a result of this work,” was the ;remark heard at the display. PUKEROA. The Pukeroa branch of the W.D.F.U. held their first meeting on October 18. A very interesting lecture by Mrs. McMillen on “Food and Health” was given and a dance followed. Mrs. J. D. Lilburn presided. OKOIA. Members are reminded that the November meeting will take the form of an open social evening to be held on Saturday next. The programme will consist of musical items, dancing and a play by the Dramatic Circle. The committee will be the hostesses. TWO-MINUTE REPORTS. One of the interesting items at the half-yearly council meeting of the Wanganui Federation of Women’s Institutes held at Hunterville last Thursday, was the reading by the delegates of the reports of six months’ activities of the institutes. Two minutes was the time limit allowed for each report and it is interesting to record that the timekeeper’s bell tinkled only twice. In one case the reader had five more words on her paper and the second reader a few lines. There were so many very good reports that the delegates found the allotting of points rather difficult. The voting resulted in two institutes being equal, namely Ohingaiti and Mangapurua. The winning reports are as follows: Mangapurua.

A few hours ago when the tui and bell birds were calling we, the delegates of the most isolated institute in New Zealand, were all hustle and excitement as we packed ourselves into our president’s car. This is a very auspicious occasion for us, our first appearance in public. Six months ago our institute came into being, due to a p'resident of a central Otago institute visiting the valley and seeng what a boon an institute would be to us so far back. Our inaugural meeting was a most enthusiastic gathering, practically every woman in the settlement attending, some riding many miles over boggy roads, others walkin a mile or two, while there were two car loads from far down the valley. If it were not for the generosity of these car owners it would be impossible for our meetings to be held, which proves our men folk have also the true institute spirit. Our activities have consisted of an entertainment and dance resulting in five pounds being placed in the bank, being the start of a fund for a muchneeded hall. We have feted a bride, had a most successful market table and started our Christmas charity parcel, which is the result of our competitions being so admirably responded to. Though perhaps our meetings are a trifle hilarious our able president, with the aid of a cow bell bedecked with ribbon and paint, soon brings us to order. However, latitude is allowed, it being the only day in the month we come face to face. Less than a year ago, months would pass without this happening, so we. far back in the bush, feel we owe a deep debt of gratitude to this excellent institution.

This summer we are looking forward to the deferred demonstrations, not possible in months past, owing to the state of our roads. In the meantime, members have given talks, one by our

president (the first pioneer woman in the valley) was full of interest, another on dressmaking proved most instructive, while one on a motor tour in the thermal regions amused and brought home to us how much we in the hinterland appreciate hot water, by the frequent allusions to the natural and otherwise hot baths enjoyed on the trip. Ohingaiti. Six meetings we’ve held since last we reported, We’ve learned things and done things both new and assorted. From nothing, we’ve made things both useful and pretty, And our songsters have sung us full many a ditty. Wc to lectures have listened (one was ’bout a poet), Been told how it’s wrong if you can’t pay, to owe it. For the poor of the city old clothes we’ve collected. Sent money for milk for the children neglected. Some red-letter days have enlivened our lot. First, the ball of the season (believe it or not)! It gave us some work but it swelled our finances, And we showed off our frocks in the various dances. / Then we had our finst birthday, on 4th of September, An enjoyable evening that all will remember. Mrs. Millen was there and a great many others, With friends and with hubbies and sisters and brothers. • And then wc had lectures from Violet McMillan. (In our dress-forms each one looked almost too killin’.) Then last but not least, Mrs. Kelso arrived, And from her, much enjoyment and help we derived. But sad to relate, we’d a black-letter day. When our genial secretary left us for aye. We wished her God-speed and we wept at the partin’ And transferred her duties to Mrs. Martin. Our president down to the conference went And saw much and learned much.—For that was she sent.

So now is completed six months of endeavour, Which we vote, of all times, the best < half-year ever. And now we are here at this meeting I to-day, . With six months behind us, and what shall we say? That in friendship and harmony so we have walked, And if some times ’twas uphill, well, j no one Has balked. In cheerful endeavour we meet and | we strive With co-operation, to keep well alive I The spirit of self-help and mutual help, ! too, . I The institute spirit, each day shining) through.

Work Commemorated Following a recent decision ef *re committee of the Christchurch bra*«k of the riunket Society, the Karitane Hospital there will in future be known as “The Lady King Karitane Hoepi- ; tai.” The hospitals at some of the other main centres are named after benefactors of the society who have made grants to the various distriate for the construction of the hospitals. None of them has yet held the name of the founder of this movement, and Sir Truby King has frequently desired i that the name of Lady King and the ! work that she did for the cause should ! be commemorated* i ’• =