WOMAN'S WORLD.

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13488, 19 May 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

WOMAN'S WORLD.

Free Cocoa for Wet Soldiers

"Although I did not get- my own pareels, I shared with other boys, and had plenty ni plum cake and'other good things,'' writes a Christchurch soldier from the trenches in France. "My word we boys have got a. lot to thank the V.M.C.A. for. One day about twenty of us had l>oon up to the trenches. We were coming home muddy and wet through. It was a bitterly cold day, and were wishing for a cup of hot test, when I saw a notice on a building, 'V.M.C.A.; hot drinks for soldiers tree.' Well, in we went, and to our tie. light we were each served with two cups ot hot cocoa and a packet of biscuits. We asked who was paying for it, and they told us it was the p,ople of New Zealand, through the V.M.C.A. Well, 1 am sure that if any ot the subscribers to that fund could have seen us wet, cold soldiers drink their coe-a. they would teel that their money was well spent. On another occasion, after leaving the 'bin push,' v.e had been in the. train travelling all- night, and arrived at- a station ai about six o'clock in the morning. To our surprise we won each provided with a mug of hot tea and a piece ol cake. This was also provided by the V.M.C.A. It not only warmed our hearts to know .that we were thought of by those so far away. It iacts like tli.se that we who are fortunate enough to get back to N\ u Zealand will remember with thanksgiving when the war is over. 1 can tell you anyone with a spare shilling can help a soldier hov along by giving it to t'n . V.M.C.A.'War fund." Deep Breathing for Health. Whether at home or in an office every woman ought to learn the habit ol deep breath ni;. Five minutes, or even half that time, taken as a dee|>-breathing rest, will act as a wonderful stimulant, r> invigorating the tired brain and dispelling that listless sleepiness which som- tines takes possession of a woman whose health is not robust.

Clasp the hands behind the neck, inha>ling slowly, and kcepiug the elbows well back. 'To get the lull l» nefit, stretch the legs out- beneath tin' desk at the same time. Count twelve while you hold your breath, .then another twelve while slowly exhaling.

Another good plan is to elasp tho hands behind the back at the waist-lmci raiding the chest well, and -lowly inhaling while you count twelve. tut the shoulders as far back as possible at the same time, and then stretch the arms downwards with a forcible movement. Count six while holding the breath then relax and verv slowh exhale. Sea Bathing. A whole book might be written on the subject, of sea bathing for children, for it, is one beset with difficulties. One or two facts, however, stand out. and should be insisted upon. In the fust place, it by no means agrees with every child, and" harm is undoubtedly done when it does not. A certain sign ot disagreement is failure to recover warmth quickly after immerison, am! when the child*looks blue and cold, with chattering teeth, bathing should lie immediately stopped. Very oft-en the teeth chatter a little, and there ia shivering for a. few minutes, but this should stop as soon as the child i* nibbed dry ami dressed and ha- bad a run up and down the beach. If it doenot, there is a distinct danger signal. which mu-t not be ignored. Another point is that a little child should never be frightened by bathing, for very real harm may be dene in this way. Speaking generally, lessons in .swimming, in itself an excellent exercise as well as a valuable accomplishment, are best given in swimming baths, where there is iittle chance of a child being frightened. At four or six such lessons mav well b> given, and, indeed, where fright doenot enter in the question, babies considerably younger learn to swim ouir well, taking, indeed, almost instinctively to the water. A young mother. herself a Indian! and sin ng swimjnor, taught two little girls of three and live respectively to swim by taking them out with her, holding on to the two long plaits- ot her hair! And though one would be far from recommending such a course, it only shows that question of fright is- the chief one to be considered, alwavs having ascertaine 1 that bathing at all is good lor the child.

Fashionland. The changes for fashion are all for the better, so it is generally agreed here and' overseas (says :t Home writer). What, was extravagant before is now toned down. Tailor-mad', s and afternoon frocks for the cold weather are to be of the simple, slim, and becoming order. The all-in-one dress, with itshigh wai>t, straight lines, and generally loose-fitting r fleet, will be much worn both in the form of house dresses and outdoor coat frocks. In serge or in velvet, sometimes finely pleated on the skirt section, and with the inevitable touch of fur, what could be more becoming and attractive for its very simplicity '1 Green is one of the coming colors in line cloth, satin, and nincn To be looked forward to this- season, and is just the mellow, char green of a glossy myrtle leaf—the most becoming of all dark greens, for it has no trace of yellow or dark brown in it. A dark green cloth coat and skirt is always a garment of distinction, because it has never Income common wear. The superstition against wearing green, has had quite a lot to do with making it exclusive, and another factor is that it is not becoming to the brunetti unless she has a very clear skin and good coloring. It is the lair woman who looks best in dark green. A myrtle greet) coat and skirt, the coat collared high, and stuffed! with skunk, blaek fox or Chinchilla, will bo a garment of much chic for autumn and winter wear.

Head embroidered bags are among the most charming new itenis of the feminine equipment. They are simple in -tincture and so varied that no one net d liar not conloruiiiig with the current style. It is a case of using one's own invention, in both the construction and the embroideries of the bay:! There are bags with two and even three sets of ruffles which are embroidered with beads alon<i tho of these flounces. Then there arc bags with turnover tops ivhieh practically form a flounce, and these also are beaded around the edge of the flounce and around the bottom ol the \r.vj:. Straight bags without rufflo ai all niv quite as new and quite as fa*cinating. \]\\t the cmhroideri. s on these are apt to be more elaborate. The top of the bag is beaded sometimes and drawn up without a melting The cord is run through buttonholed opening quite dose to the upper edge. French wounded soldiers are not content with simply spending then- time getting well. They mak,- mam obects of merit, and often of beauty, including such widely different things as furniture and hat ornaments. Among the latest contributions to the fashions of the world are metal ornaments which are used by smart French modistes as hat trimmings. In shapes and Resigns these ornaments vary greatly, but most of them are made of copper', tin, glass, or zinc. One of these ornaments was a metal flower consisting of a colored uiass centre, and tin leaves pressed very flat and thin, -shaded with black or colored paint. Uiurimmed velvet ami velonr hats are as fashionable and as popular a craze in London as in Pans.