THE SOCIAL WORLD

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1330, 21 October 1915, Page 30

THE SOCIAL WORLD

C K i rxc su e-y - -3

Announcements of engagements and contributions of interest relat.rg to weddings and social gatherings should be sent to Lady Ed.tor, “Sporting and Dramatic Review” Office. Auckland. In all cases the writer’s signature and address must be attached (not for publication). Photographs of wedding groups will be reproduced by arrangement.

During the supper adjournment of Parliament the other evening several members made a presentation to Lieutenan'- George Massey (son of the Prime Minister) and Mr. W. E. Anderson (son of Mr. G. J. Anderson, M.P. for Mataura), both of whom were recently married. Lieutenant Massey is shortly proceeding to the front.

The engagement is announced of Miss Bertha Baker, third daughter of Mr. W. Baker, of Thames, to Mr. W. Watson, third son of Mr. J. Watson, also of Thames. Mr. Watson has left for the front with the. Seventh Reinforcements.

On October 12, in Wellington, the marriage was quietly celebrated of Miss Vera Chapman, eldest daughter of 'Mr. Justice Chapman and Mrs. Chapman, of Wellington, to Mr. Siegfried Eichelbaum, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Eichelbaum. Rev. A. M. Johnson, vicar of St. Paul’s, performed the ceremony, which took place at the residence of 'he bride’s parents. * :I: ❖ ❖

Th High Commissioner has taken a cottage' near the New Zealand Hospital at Walton-on Thames, in order hat he may keep in touch with requirements. Miss Mary Mackenzie is about to en-er the hospital as a nurse.

On her way to America Madame Melba was delighted with her glimpse of Honolulu, and has announced her intention of staying over on her return, and spending a few weeks m that ideal spot. On the trip to America some successful auctions, at which Madame officiated, resulted in substantial sums for he patriotic funds.

Mr. Arthur Rhodes, who was president of the St. John Ambulance ai d Red Cross in Chris church, has left on a visit to England. During his absence (says a Christchurch paper) he is leaving a monthly provision towards the work there, to enable it to go on during his absence.

Six thousand billies were packed at the Town Hall, Auckland, last week, to be despatched to the' front to provide Christmas gifts for Auckland soldiers. Each billy contains a pipe and tobacco or cigarettes, chocolates, and sweets, in air- ight tins, specially manufactured for the purpose, two khaki handkerchiefs, a small towel, hussif, soap, insect powder, and a wallet, containing writing material and envelopes. There is also a “message” from home in the shape of a sprig of tea-tree, tied with red, white and blue ribbons, and a card, bearing the inscription, “Wishing you Godspeed and hearty greetings from the people of Auckland Province, Christmas, 1915.” Wellington, Canterbury and Otago are also carrying out the scheme.

The wedding took place at. St. Paul’s pro Cathedral, Wellington, on Oc ober 12, of Miss Nora Osborne-Gibbes, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Osborne-Gibbes, of Goring Street, Wellington, to Mr. Charles E. Holmes, eldest son of Mr. R. A. Holmes, Chief Inspector of the Union Bank of Australia, and Mrs. Holmes. The Rev. A. M. Johnson performed the ceremony. The bride wore a while silk costume and pink hat, and carried a posy of pink roses. There were no bridesmaids, but the bridegroom was attended by Mr. Ivan Holmes and Mr. P. Hackworth. The latter, as well as the bridegroom, were in khaki, both being members of the Sth Reinforcements.

News has been received of the engagement of President Wilson to Mrs. Norman Galt, who is said to be a beautiful and charming lady of about thirty eight. Her husband died about eight years ago, and '"he President’s wife last year. It is believed that the wedding will take place in December.

A pleasing little ceremony took place at the Grand Hotel, Auckland, the other day, when Miss J. B. Mace, who is relinquishing her duties, after twelve years’ service, to enter the bonds of matrimony, was the recipient of a handsome farewell token. Mr. J. on behalf of the staff, made the presentation, which took the form of a solid silver tea service, appropriately inscribed. Mr. Rolleston voiced the regre': of all at Miss Mace’s departure, and paid a glowing tribute to the ready tact, energy and executive ability she had displayed during a lengthy period. He added his own appreciation of her close attention to the minutest de'ail, and joined with the staff in wishing her every happiness and prosperity in her new sphere. Miss Mace made a nice little speech of acknowledgment.

Mr and Mrs. Harvey Patterson who have been m Australia since January, returned to Christchurch las'- week.

The engagement is announced of Corporal Leonard Wood, of the New Zealand Medical Service Corps, Palmerscon North, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Wood, to Miss Ida Stacpoole, youngest daughter of Mrs. Stacpoole, of Napier.

Miss Hester Mac Lean, assis antinspector of hospitals and matron-in-chief of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service, returned to Wellington las': week. The New Zealand nurses, says Miss Mac Lean, who are scattered among the hospitals in Egypt, are making a very good reputation for themselves, with both the doctors and patients among whom they work.

A very successful garden party was held at Parnell Park by the Parnell ladies’ committee on behalf of the Soldiers’ Queen, Mrs. J. A. Wallingford. The public were diverted with various stalls at which they made ready purchases. One of the most admired at' J ractions was a summer house converted into a flower bower, presided over by Mrs. Charlie Brown, Miss Mona Mackay, and a number of assistants, wearing white frocks and apple green aprons patterned in pink. The organisers of the gathering were Mesdames Devore, Kenderdine and Shannon, others prominent, in making it successful being Mesdames Mackay

(who kindly lent the tea-room), Wright, Jervis, Palmer, Prendergast, McCormick, Martin, Misses Devore. Mrs. Wallingford was present and shared an enthusiastic reception with th© wounded soldiers present. An iced cake, 'he centre-piece at the “queen’s” tea table, was auctioned by one of the soldiers and realised £5.

The old belief that during great wars more boys than girls are born is now finding new support in Vienna (says the “Chronicle”), where out of 559 births since last October 314 are male. An even greater preponderance is said to have occurred in France during periods of the Revolutionary wars, while the famines and plagues of mediaeval times were often followed by big jumps and curious freaks in the bir h-rate —as, for instance, in England after the Black Death, when, according to Thorold Rogers, in “Six Centuries of Work and Wages,” triple bir hs became common.

The Nurses’ Club House, Wellington, was the scene of a very pleasant party, when the nurses who are leaving with the next transports received their service badges, which were pinned on by her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool. The Hon. J. Allen, Minister of Defence, gave a short address to the nurses, and said New Zealand solders preferred to be nursed by their own countrywomen. He' felt that that was a compliment to both. The Hon. G. W. Russell added a few words, and thanked the, nurses for their care of the men, and remarked that they should feel highly honoured at being the chosen ones out of 600 applicants. The Mayor, Mr. Luke, also wished the nurses good luck on behalf of the Wellington citizens. The nurses receiving badges were: Mrs. Fulton (wife of Colonel Fulton., who has been matron at Trentham, and who is in charge of the contingent; Nurses Douglas (Dunedin), Cumberworth, Scott and Jessop (Christchurch), Stronach (Stratford), Keith and Crispin (Wellington), all of whom have been nursing at Trnetham; Nurses Goldsmith (Hawke’s Bay), Brown (Hokitika), and Burnett (Clyde), who have been stationed at Tauherenikau. The four nurses who returned by the Tahiti, and are going to the front again, are Nurses Nixion, Moore, Lowe and Inglis.

“MY FRIEND PHIL.” “Out of the mouths of babes” suggests itself readily to one after reading “My Friend Phil,” a charmingly told story by Isabel Maud Peacocke. It is a book that will appeal to young and old. The young can appreciate it for the amusing sayings of Phil, and their elders for the familiar chord of memory it will strike as also for the dainty romance its pages inspire. Phil is a merry, lovable little, lad of six, who cemen's a love affair between a man and a maid. The' man is bashful, the maid capricious, and Cupid would fare badly but for the ministrations of Phil, who has adopted them into his heart from the time he made their acquaintance promiscuously in a dentist’s waiting room. The embarrassing positions he places both in with his quaint remarks and untimely observations make delightful reading. It was said of Phil that “dogs always took to him naturally, and old ladies never fidgeted when he was in the room.” The possessor of “My Friend Phil” is “Ruddy,” at least that is the sobriquet Phil bestows on his grownup chum. “I do not know his reasons.” explains Ruddy in his chronicles. “I asked him as a favour once ‘o explain, and after a longsilence he murmured, “It seems like Ruddy to me,’ so I pressed him no further.” Phil goes for an outing with Sinks, Ruddy’s housekeeper, and relates his adventures to Ruddy. “After that we all had a smack.” “A what? “A smack; you know, that’s what Sinks says; it means a bit of bread an’ cheese and beer.” “You had. no beer, I should hope.” “les, I did hot beer.” “Hot or cold,” said I, indignantly, ‘Sinks ought to have known better than to give a child beer.” “You’ve oPen given me some; you know the kind that fizzles up at the back of your nose.” “Oh! Ah! Hop beer. That’s all right.” “I said hot beer” said Phil with dignity; “and after we’d finished —I had the last bit of cheese, ’cos I told them I was the visitor —M’ria’s feller came in. Ye gods! Maria’s what'?” “Her feller! She told Sinks that she’d been ‘going with’ him so long she s’posed she’d go the whole way to church this time? She told me he was her ‘feller.’ Yes, and his name’s H’alf,” said Phil, innocently, ‘and she an’ H’alf were going for a walk, an’ M’ria said I could come, but H’alf said,. ‘Who wants a gooseberry?’ and I said ‘I do, please,’ an’ they all laughed.” . . • “Has Ruddy been making you cry?” he asks a client. “Never you mind, Missis Ellis. I’ll give you my sixpence what Ruddy’s going to give me for not telling he loves Miss Lynn bestes.. of anyone in the world. Oo! I’ve' told! Does that count, Ruddy? It was an axibent.” . . . Ruddy' decides to have a party and gets Phil to break the news to Rinks. “A party’s coming, Rinks.” “Drat it!” she cried, “always coming when a body’s extra busy —where’s he coming, back or front?” “All over the house,” said Phil, cheerfully. “They always do at a party, you know —nobody cares.” “Oh, I thought you meant a lady or a gentleman, a party like that,” said Dinks. “You mean a swarry—Wesleen Mission?” The party comes off. “The piano isn’t ours,” he tells the principal guest. “We have to pay ten shillings, and we didn’t have enough cups and plates to go round, so another lady lent us those.” “You’re my bes : - est friend, Ruddy. You’re not like a friend. You’re ‘nearly’ as good as God, I think. I have to only, say ‘nearly,’ cos He hears everything. It is studded all (through with similar delicious dialogues and subtlymade references to Ruddy’s beloved, Millicent, whom Phil familiarly calls Miller. The result is summed up in t h e , last lines, “An’ they all lived happy ever afl’er.” The book is illustrated with coloured plates by Margaret W. Tarrant. The publishers are Messrs. Ward, Lock and Co., Ltd., London, Melbourne and Toronto, and our copy is sent through the courtesy of Messrs. Wildman and Arey. Miss Peacocke is a well-known Aucklander, prominent for her facile pen. She dedicates “■My Friend Phil” to “My Comrades all, the junior boys of the Dilworth Ulster School, Auckland.”

At the Methodist Church, Rangiora, on October 8, the wedding took place of Miss Winnie Bridget, youngest daughter of Mr. W. Bridget, of Rangiora, to Lieutenant William N. Lace, youngest son of the late Mr. John Lace, of Oxford. * * * si: Madame Kirkby Lunn, the famous contralto, gave a garden party to about 50 wounded Australian and New Zealand soldiers at her beautiful country house, “The Grange,” Ghorley Woods, Herts, England. Madame j Lunn turned her music room into a concert hall for the time being, and several famous artists sang and play- ■ ed to “our brave wounded.” Mdme. Lunn herself sang a number of songs, as did also Mr. Robert Radford, baritone. Mr. William Murdoch, the Australian pianist, and Miss Blanche Tomlin and Mr. Leslie Harriss, two famous entertainers, also contributed to the programme. Among a large number of guests were Lady Alexander, wife of the famous ac*or, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholl, of Canterbury, New Zea- | land, and Mrs. William Murdoch, who was recently married to the. Australian pianist, and Mr. J. Nevin Tait, of Messrs. J. and N. Tait, who made the arrangements for Madame Lunn. 1 The soldiers were driven over to Madame Lunn’s house in large brakes from their hospital at Harefield, and on leaving they gave three lusty Australian cheers for Madame Kirkby Lunn and the ar'ists who entertained them. Soldiers from almost every State were present, and the modesty of the men concerning their historic deeds was observed by our correspondent. “Australasia has every reason to be proud of her brave sons,” said Madame Lunn when they left.