THE SOCLAL WORLD

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1547, 18 December 1919, Page 26

THE SOCLAL WORLD

Announcements of engagements and contributions of interest relating to weddings and social gatherings should be sent to Lady Editor, “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 ’ In all cases the writer’s signature and address must be attached (not for publication).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.

Mrs. A. C. Owen, Auckland, is the guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. Meadowcroft, Wellington.

Mrs. Russell, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs. Rutherford, in Canterbury, is returning to her home in Australia.

Dr. Ethel Sands, medical inspector of schools in Auckland, is to be transferred to Christchurch at the end of the year. Dr. H. J. C. Wilkie has been appointed her successor.

A meeting of women in Sydney formed an organisation to demand better conditions for domestic servants. They claim a 56-hour week, a minimum wage of 20s. per week, good accommodation, and the abolition of the term “domestic, servant” in favour of “household assistant.’

The wedding took place in St. Luke’s Church, Christchurch, of the Rev. Philip Carrington, curate of St. Luke’s and son of the Dean of Christchurch and Mrs. Carrington, to Miss Gwendoline Smith, formerly of the staff of St. Margaret’s College. The ceremony was performed by his Lordship the Bishop of Christchurch, assisted by the vicar, Rev. F. N. Taylor. The bride, whose people live at Home, was given away by Dean Carrington, and Miss Mollie Carrington was bridesmaid. Captain A. H. Carrington was best man.

Miss Zoe Bartley, the clever Auckland teacher of elocution, gave a delightful farewell party to her youngest pupils at her studio in Durham Street last Wednesday evening. The little guests were all in fancy dress and made a charming setting for the artistically arranged room. Dancing, games, a conjuring exhibition by Mr. Oakley and a dainty supper passed away a pleasant time. Miss Bartley leaves early next year for England and America on a 12 months’ holiday trip.

The Australian delegates to the Y.W.C.A. Convention held recently in Auckland, returned to Australia by the Riverina. Amongst them were Mrs. Austen, president of the Brisbane Y.W.C.A. (who was elected president of the Convention in Auckland) ; Mrs. David Dey, honorary secretary to the National Board of the Association for Australasia; Miss Dobson, president of the Hobart Association; Miss Beattie and Mrs. Simmonds, both of Hobart; Miss Gertrude Owen, general secretary of Adelaide Y.W.C.A.; and Miss S. Wilson, general secretary at Brisbane.

The floral fete held at the Ellerslie racecourse under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade proved one of the most brilliant carnivals seen in Auckland for many years. The beautiful grounds and flower enclosures were looking their best, and with the decorative vehicles to enhance their beauty, made up a scene of indescribable loveliness. Much ingenuity was apparent in the designs carried out in a large number of the motor cars, cycles, lorries, carts, etc., and the grand parade in front of. the stands provoked prolonged applause. The children’s section was a feature of the fete, and they were well to the fore in decorative competition, while their dancing was greatly enjoyed. There were donkey races and hunting events in addition, and the 12,000 persons who were present were enraptured with the spectacular feast. Over £BOO resulted from the function. which owed its success mainly to the efforts of the honorary organiser, Mr. C. F. Bickford.

As an appreciation of the services rendered to the town of Masterton by the former Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Coradine), a large number of citizens gathered in the Town Hall and presented them with a solid silver tea service, Rotherham half hunting gold watch and an album containing an illuminated address. Mrs. Coradine was also presented with a bouquet of roses and sweet peas.

Miss A. C. Marsden, assistant mistress in domestic science at the Seddon Memorial Technical College, has resigned, and leaves for Wellington shortly. The Board of Managers, in accepting her resignation, decided to send her a letter of commendation for her services.

A wedding of considerable interest was performed in the Holy Trinity Church, Gisborne, on December 2, by the Bishop of Waiapu, assisted by the Rev. H. Packe, when Miss Jessie McKenzie, second daughter of the late Mr. John McKenzie, of Patutahi, was married to the Rev. Douglas Blomfield Malcolm, vicar of Porangahau, son of the late Captain Walter Malcolm, of Liverpool. The bride was given away by her brother-in-law (Mr. Sydney Newman), and was attired in a charming frock of georgette, artistically draped with charmeuse, the court train being set off with a large true lovers’ knot of tulle and orange blossom, finished with silver trimmings. The bridesmaids were Misses Lilian Jerram and Annie and Nona McKenzie (sisters of the bride). Mr. St. Clair Keogh was best man, the groomsmen being Messrs. Cedric Greig and D’Arcy Blackburn. After the ceremony at the church the wedding breakfast was held at “Braeburn,” the residence of the bride’s mother, at Waiohika.

For the past seven years Miss Zoe Bartley has given a toy distribution at Christmas time for poor and friendless children. She again invites the co-operation of the public, and will be glad to receive subscriptions up to December 22 (when the distribution takes place) at her studio.

Do you know why lovers kiss under the misteltoe? The story goes as follows: The misteltoe was held in great reverence by the Druids. It was believed to be particularly and divinely healing; in fact, it was given this attribute for centuries. It had special significance as the cause of the death of Balder, the Norse Apollo, who was killed by an arrow made from its branches. Subsequently Balder was restored to life, the mistletoe

tree was placed under the care of Frigga, and from that time until it touched the earth was never again to be an instrument of evil. The present custom of kissing under the mistletoe is the outcome of an Abid practice of the Druids. Persons of opposite sexes passed under the suspended vine and gave each other the kiss of love and peace, in full assurance that, though it had caused Balder’s death, it had lost all its power of doing harm since his restoration. • a s • “Women never say what they want. They bring it about.” « « * Mr. and Mrs. Hugh McKenzie, of Clevedon, celebrated their diamond wedding last week. They were both born in Inverness, Scotland, and married there in 1859. After a few years they came out to New Zealand and started farming in Ness Valley, Clevedon.

Sister Esther, the benefactor of Auckland’s poor, asks for assistance to send Christmas cheer into at least 250 homes of those in need. Owing to the high cost of living, and the increase in rents (she writes), our poor people are having a particularly hard time just now, and unless some help is given their Christmas will be a pitiful one. Gifts in funds, provisions, or toys, will be thankfully received at 11, Picton Street, Ponsonby.

Why not get ready for good luck? It will come just as readily as the bad. The curious thing is that everyone expects bad luck to come and no one seems to expect good luck. If you want to succeed, to be lucky, you’ve got to banish all hate, worry and anxiety, and you’ve got to shun your pessimistic friend as you would the plague. Also, you’ve got to cultivate optimism, enthusiasm and will power. Think luck and you will get luck. If you don’t expect things to come right they won’t. Make up your mind that you are lucky, and you will be.

St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, Wellington, was the scene of a wedding of great interest on December 4, when Miss Agnes Isabel Pearce. M.8.E., younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Pearce, of Heretaunga, was married to Colonel T. D. M. Stout, D. 5.0., N.Z.M.C., third son of the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, and Lady Stout, Wellington. The ceremony was performed by the Bishop of Wellington, assisted by the Ven. Archdeacon Johnson, and Mr. Robert Parker played music appropriate to the occasion. The bride, who was given away by her father, was charmingly gowned in white crepe de chine, draped over silver embroidered georgette, with corsage trimmed with lace and long train of ivory brocade. Her veil was one that had been worn by many brides, and was fastened with a wreath of orange blossoms. Her only ornament was a pearl necklace. the gift of her father, and she carried a bouquet of deep cream flowers with maidenhair fern. There were no bridesmaids, but the bride was attended by her two small nephews, Shirley and Nat. Hodson, both wearing cream suits. The best man was Major Robert Stout. N.Z.M.C. Both Colonel and Mrs. Stout have been war workers, the latter having been a V.A.D. in Walton-on-Thames Military Hospital, working in the kitchen until the time came when the V.A.D.’s were replaced by men. When that happened she went to Brockenhurst Hospital as an ambulance driver, and was there from the beginning of its existence until it was closed, being the last left of the original band of helpers when it was disbanded. Mrs. Stout only returned to New Zealand two or three weeks ago with Mr. and Mrs. Pearce.

Fascinating modes in millinery are a feature at the Regal, Queen Street, where Mrs. Robson has built up one of the most popular hat establishments in the city. With a thoughtful recognition of the increasing demands on the average woman’s purse, Mrs. Robson is no exploiter of high prices, but makes a point of reasonable adjustments. A glance through her tastefully-arranged display of the latest summer models proves her to be an artistic interpreter of fashion’s needs from the millinery point of view, and as she possesses the gift of knowing intuitively the particulai’ style of hat to suit every type of face, she is a great boon to those who understand the importance of a becoming hat. Models illustrating the latest Parisian and American designs are on view at present, and all the newest straws, ribbons, flowers, feathers, ospreys and plumes, together with exquisite patterns in gold embroideries and the very last note in veilings find a home in this up-to-date atelier.

Miss Cecily Tabor, Palmerston North, has left for Sydney to undergo a course of instruction under the leading Australian dancers. She intends to return about the end of January.

The reason why Christmas always falls on December 25 is given in an American journal. December 25 is the reputed anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, and one of the greatest festivals of the Protestant, Catholic and Greek churches. It is a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing—a day of good cheer toward all mankind. It is not known for sure whether December 25 is the exact anniversary of Christ’s nativity.. In the fourth century, however, Pope Julius had St. Cyril make an inquiry as to the exact date, and the result was that December 25 was established as the date for the festival at Rome. Before the end of the century that date had been accepted by all Christian nations. For 12 years England went without a Christmas. Parliament enacted in 1644 that December 25 should thereafter be a fast day, in repentance for the way in which, for many centuries, the occasion had been given up to feasting and mirth. This was the work of the Puritans, who were then in control of the Government. They did not regard the anniversary as of the real birthday of Jesus, but as a relic of paganism. Parliament proposed to extirpate the Christmas festival and make the day as common as any other' day in the year. This was done under an order of the council passed December 24, 1652. The Government of Cromwell rigorously enforced the Act, its soldiers confiscating everything that might contribute to the festivities of Christmas. But when King Charles 11. came to the throne his people once more had their great day of jollity and generosity.