VANITY FAIR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 104, 4 May 1937, Page 2

VANITY FAIR

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Mr and Mrs H. B. Johnson, Wellington. were in Wapganui during the week-end. Mrs L. Stephenson. Napier, has been visiting Wanganui. Mr and Mrs L. Matthews are Dunedin visitors to Wanganui. Mrs E. M. Lance iert Wanganui recently to join the Wanganella at Auckland for Sydi * •. Mrs F. Slater, of Wanganui, is visiting Hamilton, after a few days in Auckland. Mrs Peake, Wanganui, is visiting Mrs A. Keat, at Hamilton. Mrs Aitken, of New Plymouth, is spending a holiday in Wanganui and is staying with Mrs J. Aitken, Liverpool Street. Mr and Mrs Douglas Mills, of Auckland, visited Wanganui early in the week en route to the Chateau Tongariro and Taupo. Mr and Mrs W. S. Jones and Mrs Dustin, senr., were Wanganui visitors to Napier for the week-end. Mr and Mrs Stan Powdrell, St. John’s Hill, left Wanganui during the week-end to spend a holiday in Hawke’s Bay. • • • • Mr and Mrs Robert Kenna and their small daughter, formerly of Wanganui, left Auckland by the Wanganella on Friday for Australia, where they will reside. The news that a Mohammedan woman df Syria, Miss Bourone Tarazi, has—the first woman of her country to achieve this—been called to the Bar at Damascus, sheds an interesting light on the evolution of women in the countries of the Near East. The young advocate, who has graduated from Beyrouth University, will plead in Arabian and French. The first Polish woman was called to the Bar in 1925. Since then the number of women barristers has steadily increased. with the result that to-day 157 women exercise this profession in Poland. It is only since 1929 that women have been admitted to the Bench as Judges, and the same year saw the appointment of the first woman in that, capacity. In this branch of the legal profession progress has been slower —a fact that must chiefly be attributed to the lack of vacant posts—and women Judges in Poland number seven at present.

An Oamaru message reports the death of Mrs Ronald Arbell, wife of Dr. Arbell. Deceased, till a few years ago. was prominent in New Zealand ladies’ golf. She had a wonderful record with the North Otago Club, being champion from 1911 to 1933 inclusive, excent in 1913 and 1932. Her record of 21 years champion is believed to be a New Zealand record In ladies’ golf. Mrs Arbell won the Wanganui golf championship in 1921 and was once runner-up for the Dominion title. She was a member of the present executive Of the Ladies’ Golf Council.

One of a group of four magistrates I recently appointed for the borough of Windsor, England, was an Australian —a Victorian, in fact, and a woman— Dr. Rachel Gillespie-Hill, who is remembered in nursing circles in Melbourne as Rachel Gillespie when she did her training at the Alfred Hospital. Dr. Gillespie-Hill is an Old Lauristonian, who. after she concluded her nursing training, went to England, and there decided to do a medical course instead of continuing her nursing. She took her M.R.C.S. and j L.R.C.P. in London, and was apI pointed to the Windsor Hospital. It was in Windsor that she met and married Mr H. G. Gillespie-Hill who is manager of Lloyd’s Bank there. At present she is practising medicine in partnership with Dr. J. P. Cuddigan, and is an honorary assistant anaesthetist at King Edward VII. Hospital, at Windsor. In a letter to friends in Melbourne, Dr. Gillespie-Hill says how glad she is to see Australian visitors, and among those who had called on her recently were three Old Lauristonians—Mrs E. Bailhache, Miss Leura Andrews, and Miss Margaret Fox. She also mentions that Windsor is looking forward with interest to the Coronation State drive through the boroughs, which will take place on June 12.

i Dr. Pierra Hoon. a brilliant young Siamese student, who has successfully finished her studies at the Sorbonne, 'in Paris, will shortly return to her ; native country, where (says an exchange) she will be appointed nrofes|sor of gynaecology by the Governiment. She will be the first woman medical practitioner in Bangkok, and, ardent feminist as she is, she proposes to consecrate her life to the organisation of the women of her country and to the amelioration of their position. Though Siamese women have been granted the .right to vote according to the new constitution, much work remains to be done to detach them from age-old customs and tra- . ditions and to educate them with a view to a higher moral standard. HITHER AND THITHER Dance at A.B.C. Hall To-night, in the Aramoho Boating Club Hall, club members will combine with the Wanganui Harrier Club and hold a grand dance, for which the Midnight Revellers will supply the music. Novelties, Monte Carlos and a good supper should ensure an enjoyable evening. Dance at Nukumaru In aid of the funds for the Nukumaru Hall, a grand dance will be held in the hall to-night, when Hooker’s Merrymakers will supply the music. A good floor and good supper are promised and the programme will include novelty dances. Buses leave Hodson’s garage at 7.30 p.m. Ex-Queen’s New Home Ex-Queen Ena of Spain, who, duringing the past few years has been residing with her mother, Princess Beatrice, at Kensington Palace, is now to have her own home, which is situated in Porchester Terrace, near the West End. From the former Royal Palace in Madrid comes some of the furniture to be used in the new home and modern furnishings in Spanlsn style will augment these pieces. Wanganui Townswomen’s Guild The Wanganui Townswomen’s Guild general meeting will take place tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday, May 5), in the Savage Club Hall at 2 p.m. Mr J. G. Denniston will be the speaker. This hall has been chosen by the guild as their future meeting place and the monthly gatherings will be held there. This afternoon the Peace and International Relations Group* will hold a meeting in the Y.M.C.A. rooms, commencing at 2.30 p.m. The speaker for the afternoon will be Mr P. Martin Smith, 8.A., L.L.8.. and his subject will be “The European Situation.” • * * * Well-known Guide Married

The wedding was celebrated in Christchurch last week of Mr Frank Alack, well-known guide in the Southern Alps, to Miss Dora Amelita Deal, second daughter of the late Mr Deal and of Mrs G. W. Deal, Fendalton Road, Christchurch. The bride is well known as an accomplished violinist. For her wedding she wore a brown suit and a rust-red hat to tone. Both the bride and the bridegroom were unattended. During their wedding tour, the bridegroom hopes to take his bride from the Hermitage, Mount Cook, over the Copeland Pass, into Westland, weather permitting. Tribute to Miss Jean Batten. Carrying out a suggestion by a correspondent of the Christchurch Press that the “Jeans” of Canterbury should contribute one shilling each for a present to commemorate the achievement of Miss Jean Batten in flying from England to New Zealand, sixtyone “Canterbury Jeans” subscribed to the fund. Enquiries were made from Miss Batten as to what present would be most acceptable. She chose a slide rule, which would help her solve various navigation problems rapidly while flying. Miss Batten’s slide rule was mislaid shortly after her flight from England to New Zealand. The sum of money was forwarded to Miss Batten to enable her to select a rule suitable for her requirements. A Lover of Flowers Mrs Knox Gilmer, of Wellington, writing to a friend from San Francisco, states: “California is truly a garden’s paradise. Miles of fruit trees in bloom are a joy to behold, while forsythias. cherries, peaches, and daffodils present a wonderful sight. I have never seen such roses, the stems being feet long! The florists are displaying orchids of all shades and shapes. I simply couldn’t resist the hyacinths and violets, they were so lovely. Camellias are worn as buttonholes and as something uncommon. I went to an exhibt of Japanese ‘flower arrangements and dwarf trees.’ The vases were most intriguing, and the arrangements of flowers were mostly cherries and maples and iris. One Japanese teacher informed me she sometimes studies a tree for half an hour before cutting her flowers so as to obtain the branch of flowers suitable to the arrangement she desires.”

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE POUKIORE BIRTHDAY PARTY On April 30 the Poukiore Women’s Institute celebrated its fifth birthday. The president, Mrs. S. R. McAlley, welcomed visitors from Auckland, Taihape, Rata and Stiverhope. Mrs. Mason gave a very interesting address on “Friendship in Institutes,” and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The two guessing competitions were won by Mrs A. McAlley and Miss P. Powell. A delicious afternoon tea was served while sitting round a cheery fire. The birthday cake, which was made by Mrs. A. McAlley and iced by M;ss Coleman, was cut by Mrs. T. U. L Powell and Mrs. Aidworth, while the candles were lit by Mrs. R. G. Dalzlell and Miss E. Dalziell extinguished them. Mrs. Cruickshank gave several musical items and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and “National Anthem” brought an enjoyable Afternoon to a close.

DOMESTIC WORK | PRESENT-DAY PROBLEM GOVERNMENT TRAINING CENTRES SUGGESTED The question of the shortage of | domestic workers as especially ef- I fecting nursing mothers is one ol the main topics of the present, day. Columns have been written on the subpects of the problem discussed at m oz, ‘«ngs held in various places in Nc.v . ''aland. An address given at Christchurch last week to members of the Home Service Association by Dr. A. B. O'Brien, and suggestions put forward are well worth quoting: — To attempt a nuiversal scheme for the training of domestic helpers in New Zealand* would be a colossal task, but the time had come when it was imperative that there should be some system whereby nursing mothers could be supplied with efficient helpers in their homes, said Dr. A. B. O’Brien. As a physician he had seen many of the handicaps under which many mothers laboured, but he had also seen under what disadvantages many of the domestic helpers worked. The Home Service Association, in common with many other associations dealing with the welfare of women in New Zealand, had realised how difficult it had become to supply trained domestic workers to homes where they were needed; but until that assistance was given to women, the birthrate was given to women, the birthrate would continue to decline. Prize cattle were given more consideration than many women during the ante natal period. The most potent cause for Neu- Zealand having, with Sweden, the lowest birthrate in the world, was the drudgery imposed on the mothers. The average birthrate had gone down to half of what it had been 20 years ago. The State has a system for ciring for children over the age of five years, but during the intervening years from their birth, the mother had to get along the best way she could, and it was obvious that she must have no other cares but herself and her baby. If she was not given the assistance necessary she would continue to dread the arrival of other children. Social Civil Servants. The speaker suggested that small training schools for social civil servants should be established in the four principal centres of New Zealand, and that classes of 20 girls should be trained from three to six months, preferable in resident colleges, and then sent to do this work for a period in Government or other institutions, such as maternity hospitals. In this way they not only gained experience in work that would benefit young mothers, but would give their supervisor an idea of their capabilities. The supervisor would be responsible for investigating conditions under which the girls had to work, and they would be unable to leave a position without her approval. The girls should be given the same privileges as other civil servants and should work on two shifts, one girl working from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the other from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Their nights should be free, to enable them to have the same opportunity for pleasure as girls in other positions. As an additional attraction, he suggested that the Government should give a bonus of £lOO to girls who had given five or six years’ service, and smaller bonuses could be paid to girls who, an attaining the age of 21, had given fewer years of service. The State would be reiKtid by the increased efficiency of mothers, and the girls themselves would be eligible for marriage, and their knowledge that they themselves would be able to secure service similar to that which they had given would make them unafraid of the cares of motherhood.

The speaker said it was impossible to formulate a scheme at once, but the work would gradually progress, and women could elaborate on the scheme and incorporate any suggestions that might benefit the mother and ultimately the nation. Millions of pounds had been paid to bring immigrants to the country, and the scheme which he had suggested, or something similar, if undertaken by the Government, would cost very little in comparison.

“If we can assure the Government that there is urgent need for this service, and can suggest some suitaole scheme, I am sure the Government would give it consideration,” said the speaker. He added that after so many years of women’s suffrage it was surprising that women had not put their cause in a more convincing manner before the Government. If men were treated as women were, there would soon be a parliament of men to make new laws.

Unpopularity of Domestic Work. One of the reasons why domestic work had been unpopular with girls was that it was generally considered menial work. This attitude was a survival of the days when people kept slaves, but after 60 years of compulsory education things had changed, and to meet those changed conditions it was necessary that the social status of the domestic worker should be >raised. Nursing to-day was considered a noble profession, but it had not always been regarded as such. When Florence Nightingale had started training her little band of workers, nursing was not considered a calling for a lady, and her system had been ridiculed, because up to that time nursing had generally been entrusted to the “Sarey Gamps.” The status of the nurse had been raised. She was proud of her work, and rightly so. When she entered the house of her employers she did not have to be told what to do, and in the same way the social civil servant could be trained for her domestic duties, and could gain the respect of the household which she entered because of her skill in household management. There should be a definite contract between the mistress and her assistant.

MARRIAGE THE ONLY CAREER LADY WAKEHURST'S OPINION With her 15-year-old daughter, the Hon. Henrietta Loder, contemplating a career at Oxford or Cambridge, Lady Wakehurst, wife of the new Governor of N.S.W. (Lord Wakehurst) does not disapprove of careers "or women, but she says emphatically, “marriage is the only career.” “I do not think that women can combine successfully marriage and a career,” she added. “I do know some women who have managed both, but they are rare.” Lady Wakehurst, who has recently arrived in Sydney with her husband and three sons, will be extremely ! popular in New South Wales (says an I Australian paper). She har great personal charm, and a sense of humour which will win her many friends. She is tall and slim, with very dark brown twinkling eyes and softly waving dark brown hair, which is dressed in a loose knot. at. the back of her head. She sketched her life in one sentence:

“I grew up during the last years of the war, then I ‘came out,’ and I married, then we travelled, and then I had my babies, and there you are,” she said.

She is devoted to her four children. Her daughter, the Hon. Henrietta Loder, will come to Sydney in September; her sons, the Hon. Christopher Loder, the Hon. David Loder, and the Hon. Robert Loder, who will be three this month, arrived with her. Lady Wakehurst has promised to help the girl guides in New Soul th Wales, and the Countrywomen’s Association will also share in her interests. “I tremble to think of the hundreds of letters I have already received from various organisations,” she said. Asked about recreation. Lady Wakehurs- ’aid that she liked a game of golf or tennis and “adored sailing”— an interest which she shares with her husband and sons.

“I cannot live without music, but I do not think you could call me musical,” she said, “and I am not a bridge player.” Lady Wakehurst saw the lights of Sydney at 5 o’clock in the morning, “though I did not get up then,” she said with a smile. By 1 o’clock she had been so busy with the official reception that she had little time to see her new home, but the warmth of her welcome touched her deeply. “I had learned that we might drive through silent streets,” she said. “But instead the warmth of the people was quite overwhelming. Seme even threw a bunch of flowers to me, and although it did not ”~ach me and made one of the horses shy, I appreciated the friendly gesture very much.”

W.C.T.U. The monthly meeting of the Upper Aramoho branch of the W.C.T.U. was held in St. Davids Church on Thursday afternoon last. The president occupied the chair and the devotions were let by Mrs. Greig. Apologies were received from Mesdames Read Walker, Withers and Hallam. Members stood to re-affirm their pledge, after which Mrs. Nicholson gave some very interesting temperance facts. An invitation to attend a social afternoon at Wanganui East on Thursday, May 13, was received. Members were reminded of the m« et in g to be held in the W.D.F.U. rooms, when the Rev. MeLean will be the speaker. The Rev. Burley then gave an Interesting address on the evils of both drinking and gambling. At the conelusion, Mrs. Gilmour proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker and this was carried by acclamation. The president thanked the members for the posy and good wishes sent to her on the occasion of her silver wedddmg. r lan J! r was the competition A' n "'; r 1 -,L month - The meeting closed with the Benediction and afternoon tea was served by Mesdames Ansell and Wellard. “esdames OHLTU GOLF CLUB BALL When the dancing season for 1937 “ .review, the Ohutu Golf Ball helrt > n the Druids’ Hal), Raetihi, on Friday evening last will without doubt be regarded as one of the bright spots of the social yeai. More than ample provision had been made for a lavish supper and the hall, both inside and out, had received the artistic attention of skilled decorators. The club was greatly indebted to a party of pipers from the Wanganui Pipe Band (Pipers J. Allen. L. Wright, I. Mclntyre and Drummer R. Williamson) who, besides leading the grand march to a Scottish air, frequently rendered pipe music to the dances. The novelty “travel” dance conducted during the evening was won by Miss Enid Burtenshaw (black floral chiffon) and Mr. R. Ciochetto. The golf club is to be congratulated upon the success of its initial ball, the arrangements for which were in the hands of the following capable committee: —Mrs. Russell McLean (bright blue windswept velvet); Mrs. Evafn Mac Lean (brown flowered ninon); Mrs. R. H. Collins Boyd (black satin, red tunic); Mrs. K. M. Baird (black silk shirt, pink tunic); Mrs. L. F. Baird (pink silk, touches of blue); Mrs. W. G. McDowell (black floral ninon); Mrs. R. Cracroft Wilson (black with gold trimmings); Miss I. Cracroft Wilson (red silk); Mrs. P. A. Wright (wine silk and velvet coat); Miss Vida McLean (pink floral frock with blue and pink tinsel effect). Among others present were:—Mrs. A. J- Windle (black georgette); Mrs. F. S. Baddeley (black ninon); Miss P. Addenbrooke (blue American silk,

black evening cape); Miss D. Guthrie (white silk and net); Miss T. Woodill (green marocain); Miss D. Carmichael (apricot marocain); Miss C. Som 1 ?? * blu « marocain); Miss Jean Kellick; Miss T. Anderson (lemon and brown embossed georgette); Miss S. Nielson (floral georgette); Miss H. Handley (red crepe); Miss F. Hopkinson (dark green taffeta); Miss R. Handley (tangerine crepe); Miss Molly Robertson (green "lace); Mrs. K. C. Guthrie (black georgette): Mrs. L. Strange (purple taffeta); Miss L. Coleman (salmon cloque); Mrs Fife (maroon silk velvet); Miss A. Dawson red crepe de chine); Mrs. H. V. Marshall (blue flowered georgette); Mrs. J. Shaw (blue crepe); Mrs. A. S. Ashmore (pink floral); Mrs. H. W. Littlewood (black, scarlet posy); Mrs. R W. Wallace, Elizabeth blue Viennese model): Miss B. Wallace (blue taffeta with silver); Mrs. J. Cordello (blue lace); Miss I. Oram (blue windswept velvet); Miss J. Dawson (red crepe); Miss L. Eyes (black ninon); Miss Edna McLean (red ninon); Mrs. B. Simpson (green floral georgette); Miss C. Spreagell (crimson satin); Miss O. Benton (blue lace); Miss M. Hansen (black velvet); Miss J. Fitzgerald (green, white fur coat); Miss F. Brown (floral voile); Mrs. R. Marks (apricot cloque, silver trimmings); Miss Lyson (pink angel skin lace); Miss N. Slight (black and white); Miss B. Marshall (green taffeta, pink spray); Mrs. F. Robb (floral taffeta); Mrs. A. Webb (plum and gold); Mrs. F. Stephenson (red velvet); Miss M. McLean (cherry soft taffeta); Miss J. McLean (white velvet, pink sash); Miss O. Frew (parchment angel skin lace); Miss A. Gower (taffeta); Miss J. Anderson (pink taffeta); Miss J. Mabbott (green marocain, lame trimmings); Mrs. R. G. Black (magnolia French crepe); Mrs. I. Carter (blue and gold shot.velvet); Mrs. A. Scarrow (kingfisher blue crepe); Mrs. C. E. Heinold (magnolia satin), Miss C. Ratcliff (black and white Paris model); Miss J. Gudsell Miss T. Parker; Mrs. M. Oliver (red velvet); Miss J. Hall (pin korgandie); Miss B. Ward (green satin); Miss V. Ward (tartan taffeta); Miss B. Gordon (tinsel crepe); Miss M. Riley (red taffeta) ; Miss E. Burtenshaw (black floral chiffon); Mrs. C. L. Dobbs wine velvet); Miss E. Price (rose pink spot taffeta).