THE SOCIAL WORLD

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1408, 19 April 1917, Page 28

THE SOCIAL WORLD

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Announcements of engagements and contributions ot interest relating to weddings and social gatherings shoulo be sent to Lady Editor. “Sporting and Dramatic Jteview” Office. Auckland. In all cases the writer’s signature and address must be attached (not tor publication). Photographs of weddins groups will be repr lured by arrangement. Mr. N. Kettle (Napier) and Miss Aubrey Kettle motored through to Rotorua for the Easter holidays. Mrs. T. A. Ardagh, of Christchurch, has returned home after a trip to Australia. * « * * Mrs. Andrews, of Borneo, is staying with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Dall, at Kelburn. Mrs. Mellsop has returned to Palmerston North after a trip to Rotorua. * ❖ * * Mr. and Mrs. J. Willis, of Christchurch, are visiting Auckland. Mrs. Margaret Jackson, of Ponsonby, Auckland, celebrated her 101st birthday the other day. Miss S. Fitzherbert, of New Plymouth, is spend’ng a holiday with her sister, Mrs. Chilwell, of Remuera. v * * * Mrs. Tewsley has returned to Auckland after a trip to Wellington. Mr and Mrs* W. A. Beddoe have returned to Auckland from their honeymoon trip to Rotorua and are staying at the Grand Hotel. * Miss Susan Robertson, daughter of Mr Peter Robertson, of Avondale, has passed her final medical examination at Edinburgh Univers ty and intends to volunteer for medical service at the front. Mrs. Bosworth, of Palmerston North, is on a visit to Auckland. The engagement is announced in Christchurch papers of Miss Lily Hawkes, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. Hawkes, Timaru, to Dr. C. R Davies, Karori, Wellington. * * * * The authorities of a London bank have told their girl clerks that Vshaped blouses and short skirts must be covered by overalls reaching o within two inches of the ground. a, * * * Says the “Bulletin”'. Beatrice Day sends greetings from Paris, where she :’s trying to establish a soldiers’ hostel. Her son, Robin Wall, who was seriously wounded, is now doing nicely. Mrs. P. Kennedy, of Well’ngton, accompanied by Misses Cook and Johnson, of Hataitai, are at present visiting Auckland. Two women assistants have been appointed to the staff of the Greymouth railway station and offices. sjs * * * Sydney presswomen raised £l2O by a theatrical performance recently. A soldiers’ home will be furn shed with the money. * * * * Tom: When you proposed to her I suppose she said, “This is so sudden!” Dick: No; she was honest and said, “The suspense has been terrible.” « ♦ * * A jolly Lttle dance was held at “Cargen,” Auckland, the other evening in aid of the Red Cross Fund. * * * * The political correspondent of “The Times” says it is virtually assured that women’s suffrage will be granted in England. The share women have taken in the war has changed the whole position. * * ♦ * Mrs. Acton Adams has returned to Dunedin after a visit to Auckland. s> * * * Mrs. W. R. Wilson, of Takapuna, is spending a holiday in Christchurch. ♦ * * ♦ Miss Louise Mack has just completed the second of her books on Australian life, written s-’nce her return to Sydney. Mr. and Mrs. P. Blundell, of Wellington, spent the Easter holidays in Auckland.

Mrs. Adams, of Lower Hutt, Wel--1 ngton, is on a visit to Auckland, where she is the guest of her daughter, Mrs. J. D. Spicer, of Parnell. A :< * * Miss Jean Gore, of Wellington, a pharmaceutical chemist, is at the New Zealand Hospital, Walton-on-Thames, in her official capacity. She expects to rema n there for the duration of the war. Miss Owen won the first prize of 10,000 dollars offered in the great San Francisco beauty competition to the girl adjudged “the most beautiful daughter of Uncle Sam.” Miss Owen, who is one of the wealth est women in the United States, handed over her prize to the American Committee for the Relief of Poor French and British Prisoners of War. • • • * The wedding took place quietly in All Saints’ Church, Palmerston North, on April 8, of Mr. W lliam Owe? Dupre Ryall, a member of the stall of the Union Bank at Napier, and son of the late Mr. O. R. Ryall, of the Imperial Army, to Mss Ethel Muriel Capp, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Capp, of Kairanga.

Influenced by the war smart frocking is not a distinctive feature at race meetings as in days gone by, but here and there one catches a glimpse of something out of the ordinary. The coat-frock was in popular favour at the Easter meeting at Ellerslie, and there were many modifications of this useful form of dress. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool, who is at present in residence in Auckland, wore a graceful frock of white embroidered muslin with black touches and a black tulle hat set with an old gold roseOthers present were Lady Walker, Lady Lockhart, Mrs. Stringer, Mrs Firth, Mrs. Markham, Mrs. Seymour Thorne George, Miss Neville George, Mrs. Colbeck, Mrs. Waller, Mrs. Riddiford, Mrs. Black, Miss Thomas, Miss Gwen Gorrie, Mrs. Hartland, Mrs. Cooke, Mrs. Gavegan, Mrs. Higgins, Mrs. Benjamin, Mrs. David Nathan, Mrs. Charles Nathan, Mrs. R. Isaacs, Mr. and Miss Marriner, Mrs. F. Rayner, Mrs. Ballin, Mrs. Ring, Miss Macklow, Miss . Meadowcroft (Wellington), Mrs. Louisson, Miss Dawson, Mrs. McCallum, Mrs. Von Sturmer, Mrs. W. Lloyd, Mrs. Upton, Mrs. A. Bruce, Mrs. E. W. Alison, Mrs. J. Donald.

A wedding of New Zealand interest took place on January 27 at Brompton Oratory, when Miss Mona Levin, younger daughter of the late Mr. W. H. Levin, of Wellington, and of Mrs. Levin, Netley Park, Gomshall, Surrey, was married to Captain J. D. C. Hawkins, Royal Field Artillery, elder son of Brigadier-General J. W. Hawkins, late R.A., and Mrs. Hawkins, of Wormegay, Norfolk. A sum of £5O is to be sent to Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, of Wellington, by the Wairarapa branch of the British Red Cross Society, to be forwarded to the High Commissioner for the purpose of providing comforts for the men in Egypt, says the “Wa.rarapa Age.” A sum of £25 is also to be sent to prov de comforts for the men in Mesopotamia. These amounts are to be taken from the Christmas Gift Fund, in lieu of Dominion gift parcels. • * * w At St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, Wellington, on April 3, Miss Deda Otterson, younger daughter of Mr. H. Otterson (formerly clerk of Parliament) was married to Mr. Philip Brown, youngest son of Mrs. Kerr,

of Kilb±rnie. The Rev. A. M. Johnson officiated, and the br.de was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr. Maurice Burnett. The chief bridesmaid was Miss Harcourt Turner. Both bridegroom and best man (Mr. B. Boddington) are returned soldiers. On Thursday, April 5, at the Catholic Presbytery, Patea, Mr. Percy Bromley Shield, son of Mr. John Shield, of Whenuakura, was married to Miss Annie May (Dolly) Mercer, of Patea. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father Duffy. The bride, who was given away by her brother, Rifleman George Mercer, of the 26th Reinforcements, wore a grey gabardine costume, with a black lace hat and carried an ivory prayer book. Rifleman W. Fitzwater (also of the 26th Reinforcements) was best man. Mr. and Mrs. P. B. Shields left by motoi’ car for Wanganui and Feilding, where the honeymoon will be spent. Mr. Shield goes into camp almost immediately. * ♦ * ♦ At the meeting of the French Chamber, on January 9, Monsieur Latappy, one of the senior members, delivered an address, and after expressing the admiration of the House

of the heroism of the French troops, said: “The war will be a great educative factor in respect to the part played in .it by women. It is the women in the fields who have sown the wheat to nourish our soldiers, and the women in the workshops who have manufactured mun tions. We must have no false pride. You, like myself, I feel sure, will feel that women have taken a fresh step to secure the franchise. The United States have taken the lead; it is time for us to follow them.”

The wedding took place in Auckland on April 11 of Miss A. Syms, daughter of the late Mr. Henry J. Syms and Mrs. Syms, of Manukau Road, Epsom, and Sergeant-Major J. L. Cotton. The bridegroom is a returned soldier, who saw service in Egypt and was wounded in Gallipoli. He was attached to General Birdwood’s staff, and is now an official of the First Auckland Military Service Board. Sergeant-Major Cotton, by the way, is a brother-in-law of Ada Reeves, the famous English comedienne, while his niece is Lily Elsie, the favourite musical comedy artist.

A military wedding was celebrated at St. James’ Church, Newtown, Wellington, on April 3, when Captain C. K. Ward, of the Dental Corps, son of the Rev. Mr. Ward and Mrs. Ward, of Christchurch, was married to Miss Rita Jacobsen, daughter of the late P. S. Jacobsen, architect, and Mrs. Jacobsen, of Newtown. The bridegroom was attended by Lieutenant Alison, and br degroom, best man and clergy were all in khaki. The bride was given away by her mother, and attended by her sister, Miss Claire Jacobsen, as bridesmaid.

Two stage stars now in Australia have musical gifts. Miss Marie Tempest has had a piano installed in her flat in Melbourne, and every morning she practices for an hour. Miss Kathlene MacDonell, appearing in “Daddy Long Legs” at the Criterion, Sydney, is also a brilliant pianiste. Before she went on the stage she gave concerts.

The Sydney g.rls have taken possession of Miss Kathlene MacDonell, the brilliant young Canadian actress, who impersonates Jean Webster’s hero.ne in “Daddy Long Legs” at the Criterion, Sydney. Miss MacDonell finds herself embarrassed by the number of invitat'ons she receives to afternoon teas and similar functions, arranged in her honour. The young star has also been asked to visit various lad es’ schools, evidently from the fact that she impersonates a school girl.

Mr. Robert Greig is fortunate in hav ng associated with him in the production of “Seven Keys to Baldpate” that admirable character actor Mr. Edwin Lester. Mr. Lester will play his old role of the Hermit of Baldpate. In this part he scored a tremendous hit when the piece was performed in Sydney. The Hermit .s a woman-hater. In fact, his loathing of the sex drove him from the world. On becoming a recluse he Lved in a cave and sold picture post cards of himself to summer vis tors and during the winter months played the ghost of the deserted hotel. Mr. Lester has wonderful make-up for the character, which he makes a lanky bundle of nerves attired in rabbitskin trimmings and a weird smile.

A New Zealander at present at Sling Camp writes as follows to a friend in Christchurch:—“The work is very hard, and no half-holidays, and no leave. Do not think lam complaining, for I am really not doing so. The difference between camp life, in New Zealand and here is so vast that I am sorry for the boys; it seems to knock the heart out of them instead of putting it in, and it makes them all wish they were in France. But when all is said and done, we are ever so much better off here than in France at this time of the year. We have huts and blankets, and three meals a day —what more does a soldier want? What beats me is the intense cold; under its influence I am absolutely helpless and miserable.”

The first annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the Women’s Nat onal Reserve was held last week, the Mayoress. Mrs. J. H. Gunson, presiding. Mr. George George made a vigorous speech referring to the war service of the women of New Zealand and emphasising the need for greater activity on their part. Mrs. Gunson sa.cl she was convinced if only the proper lead were given, New Zealand women would be very willing to make real sacrifices, and follow the example of the women of England and France. Miss Statham also made an earnest speech, pointing out the necessity for personal sacrfice. Officers for the ensuing year were appointed as follows: — Hon. president, Mrs. J. H. Gunson; pres cient,. Miss E. Melville; vice-pre sidents, Mesdames A. Myers, C. J. Parr, j. L. R. Bloomfield; organis.ng secretary, Mrs. McLean; treasurer, Mrs. J. B. Macfarlane; committee, Mesdames, D. Gill.es, F. E. Baume, H. C. Walker, Irwin, Skipworth, Stan. Chambers, Stewart, Holland, Middlebrook, Misses Moore, Basten, Dawson, Black and Statham.

For tact and charm no woman in the world can hold a candle to the French woman. The mother of a soldier living in a sister State received a shock when she got a cable announcing the marriage of her son to a French girl, and definitely made up her mind not to like her new daughter-in-law. Not to like her at all. But last mail she received a letter from the bride, written in perfect English, which began: “My very dear John’s mother, —May I love you? May I love you very much for being the wonderful mother who brought into the world this glorious man who has made me his wife?” That settled it. Mother was completely disarmed. She is enchanted with the bride, and now speaks of her as “my sweet daughter-in-law!” — “Clio,” in Melbourne “Punch.”

The engagement has recently been announced of Miss Frances Brad shaw, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bradshaw, Waimate, to Mr. Vivian Hargreaves, Blenhe m, son of Mr. W. H. Hargreaves; Christchurch, and formerly manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Waimate.

Mrs. Reid, of Ramsay Street, Haberfield (N.S.W.), has just finished a pair of socks for the King, the Country and Inter-State Soldiers’ Depot having benefited to the extent of £l4 7s. from Mrs. Reid’s work. The socks, which show the British and Australian flags and coats of arms, will be sent to the King by the Prime Minister’s secretary.

In South Africa, Mr. Robert Greig instituted a novel means of raising money for the Red Cross funds. He purchased a large Union Jack and on it he procured a number of the signatures of soldiers who had been in the fighting line. Subsequently the flag was auctioned, then re-auct oned until at present it has been the means of raising just on £3OOO. Mr. Greig is keen on doing something to raise funds for the Red Cross fund in New Zealand.

A “Thrift Week” is being held in Sydney, one of its objects being to demonstrate to women and girls how they can util’se their clothes from one season to another. Several hints are worth mentioning, including the adjustment of the soft muslin collar of a blouse to an old one, to cover any fading; the dyeing of white and coloured stockings to winter tints in preference to saving for next season; the altering of hats; using shirt waists as camisoles by the cutting of a V neck; the shortening of the sleeves and a little hand embroidering. Economical hints are also given with regard to food and cooking.

A wedding of interest to Wairarapa took place at St. Paul’s Pro- Cathedral, Wellington, on April 10, when Mr. Ivon Vernon Wilson, of Featherston, was married to Miss Mona Moore, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Moore, of Carterton. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. A. M. Johnson and the Rev. Mr. Young, of Carterton. Mr. Robert Parker officiated at the or~an. The bride wore white chiffon taffetas softened with lace and fur, and a handsome ve‘l. Miss Molly Moore and Miss Lila Dawson were bridesmaids. Mr. Arthur Locker was best man and Mr. W. A. Hutton groomsman. A reception was afterwards held at Kirkcaldie’s.

Recent developments in Russia make the following account of the Czarina’s daily life of some interest. A lady who has been at the Russian Court has lately been giving rather interesting details about the daily life of the Russian Empress. Her Imperial Majesty is an early riser. She has a cup of tea in her dressingroom at half-past six, and devotes half an hour there to reading some religious book. Her morning toilet occupies less than half an hour, and when that is finished, her daughters come to her room to bid her good morning, and have a quarter of an hour’s chat with their mother before breakfast. The Czarina has four maids, but the strict etiquette of the Russian Court forbids that anyone but a lady of the Court and of noble rank should be :n personal attendance on the Empress. The maids looks after the rooe-room of Her Imperial Majesty, and the Czarina’s instructions are conveyed to them by

the lady-in-waiting. The Czarina’s favourite recreation is driving. Her Majesty drives two ponies very frequently, taking with her one or two of her daughters, all of whom, by the way, she has herself taught to drive. One of the greatest distinctions which a Russian lady can have conferred upon her is to be taken for a drive in the afternoon with the Czarina. This is an honour that is only conferred on the Czarina’s most inti mate friends. Ladies who become guests under the Imperial roof find in the Russian Empress an extraordinar ly courteous, kind and attentive hostess. When a large party is entertained, a programme of the events arranged for each day of the visit is put in each visitor’s room; but visitors who wish to make other arrangements for themselves are perfectly at liberty to do so.