THE SOCIAL WORLD

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1559, 11 March 1920, Page 26

THE SOCIAL 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 In all cases the writer’s signature and address must be attached (not for publication).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.

Miss Pearl Gorrie, Auckland, is leaving shortly for England.

Miss Kathleen Stott, Wellington, is spending a holiday in Auckland.

Miss Una Buddle, Auckland, left by the Ruapehu on a visit to England.

Mrs. W. B. Benson and Miss Decie Young, of Feilding, are visiting Napier.

Mrs. Algar Williams, Wellington, has sold her house in Hobson Street to the Presbyterian Church. It will be used as a young men’s hostel. ' • • • • • %

Miss Doris Guise has returned to Wellington from Australia, where she has been having instruction from Miss Minnie Hooper, the well-known ballet mistress.

“I believe that three-quarters of the misfortunes in life would not occur if married men would take their wives into their confidence, ask their advice, and then follow it.” —Judge Alden, Chautauqua lecturer, in an address at Wellington.

The lace frock —especially in its evening aspect—bids fair to be coming into its own again. Some of the very newest evening gowns show skirts of lace flounces, with little flat bodices of taffeta or velvet.

During the Prince of Wales’ American tour he attended one dance where the band gave a rendering of “Johnny Comes to Town.” Struck with the lilt of the refrain, he remarked that it was rather a nice tune. Unfortunately for him, his comment was repeated, with the result that at every subsequent dance and reception the Prince was greeted with “Johnny Comes to Town.”

According to a dress authority, “that dear, kind friehd, the blouse, is banished; bright coloured jerkins worn over the skirt, very long in the waist, quite plain in the body, very, very high in the collar, and often buttoning from the top of the collar to the hem, reign in their stead. The sleeves of these jerkins are very long and close-fitting; in fact, the outline is that of a fisherman’s jersey, and the effect picturesque.”

At the annual meeting of the Auckland Ladies’ Golf Club the election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Miss Horton; vice-presidents, Mesdames Geo. Bloomfield and W. R. Wilson; captain, Miss S. Payton; hon. Miss P. Macfarlane; hontreasurer. Mrs. Edmunds; committee, Mrs. E. A. Dargaville, Misses N. MacCormick, Ruddock, Upton, R. Buckland, K. Holmes.

Girls with thick ankles should never wear light stockings, even with light dresses, whilst nothing can possibly accentuate their defect more than wearing light stockings with a dark dress. Dancing is one of the best forms of exercise for those who wish to keep their ankles slim. It gives, too, a light springiness of step which helps a great deal to improve the appearance of the feet.

The dresses worn by Miss Diana Wilson during her adventurous career through the story of “Lightnin’” (J. C. Williamson’s latest comedy-drama success) were specially designed for her in New York. “After 15 weeks in Melbourne and 11 in Sydney,” she says, “I don’t see that there was any necessity for my bringing them. The designers here seem to be able to achieve as much with a dozen dress clips, a twist of net, and a yard of ribbon as anyone else in the world. In fact, I hope to take a few of their creations back with me.”

Mrs. F. and Miss R. Moeller, of Napier, were met at the Masonic Hotel by a large gathering of friends and were made the recipients of a handsome presentation, which was suitably acknowledged by Mrs. Moeller.

Mrs. Massey has returned to Wellington from Auckland, accompanied by Miss Massey. Mrs. Massey’s health has improved very considerably during her sojourn in the north.

Mr. and Mrs. Farquhar Young have returned to Christchurch, after an absence of over two months in the North Island. They were specially engaged to sing at Scottish gatherings in Masterton, Auckland, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Napier, and Taihape, and in addition they visited Rotorua, Waitomo, and Taupo.

Mr. Leo Whittaker, the well-known Auckland accompanist, has resumed the conductorship of St. Patrick’s Cathedral choir, after an absence of 12 months.

St. Patrick’s Church at Okaihau was the scene of a very pretty wedding on Monday, February 16, when Miss Rita Queenin, of Horeke, Hokianga, and Mr. Bertram Penney, of Whangarei, were married. The Rev. Father Bowen officiated. The bride, who was given away by her father, looked dainty in soft white georgette draped over rich cream satin, the bodice made with a fichu effect and finished with gold trimming. An embroidered veil and wreath were worn. The bridesmaids were Miss Norah Queenin and Miss Myrene Penney, who wore soft white frocks relieved with blue and pink respectively, and black and pink hats. They also carried blue and pink bouquets. Mr. Bert Queenin was best man. After the ceremony the bridal party and the guests motored to the bride’s home at Horeke Hotel, where about seventy people partook of breakfast and toasted the happy couple in timehonoured fashion. In the afternoon, amidst showers of confetti Mr. and Mrs. Penney left by motor for Whangarei. en route to Auckland to spend their honeymoon.

Mrs. Nevill and Miss Nevill, of Palmerston North, are shortly leaving that district, and intend taking up their residence in Whangarei.

De Biere, the illusionist, has been the means of discovering “the ugliest woman in London.” Her photograph appears elsewhere in this issue. He required an- ugly woman for a new production, and ran a competition to find her at St. George’s Hall, Langham Place. “Miss Leyton, of London,” beat all comers. The first thing she did was to insist upon concealing her identity under a stage name. She said she “did not want all the neighbours to know about it.” The selection provoked some “frightful” scenes. So overcome was one of the judges that he departed hurriedly half-way through the proceedings. There were eight competitors.

The president (Miss Horton), at the annual meeting of the Auckland Ladies’ Golf Club, made a presentation to the retiring secretary, Mrs. Edmunds, on .behalf of members, m appreciation of her three years’ work in that office, especially during the New Zealand championship tournament.

A wedding in which a great deal of interest was taken was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, Christchurch, on February 25, the bride being Miss Ileene Green ,only daughter of Mrs. J. F. Green, of Colombo Street, and the bridegroom Mr. Cyril Alexander Stringer, eldest son of Mr. Justice Stringer and Mrs. Stringer. The bride, who was given away by her uncle, Mr. M. Louisson, of Auckland, wore a bridal robe of soft satin and tulle, the latter being delicately embroidered in silver, while the court train was also of tulle, with silver ruching. A tulle veil fell from a circlet of orange blossoms, and a bouquet of choice white flowers was carried. In' attendance on the bride were two tiny children, Patsy Comerford and George Louisson. Mr. Frank Wilding acted as best man. After the ceremony Mrs. J. F. Green held a largely-attended reception at her residence.

Have you ever noticed how very few women have backs suitable for low-cut frocks? —Query from South African “Pictorial.”

Miss M. Thurston, C.8.E., R.RC., has arrived in Rotorua and taken up her duties as matron at the King George Hospital.

Mrs. Cyril Brown, who has been to New York on a visit to her brother, Captain Edgar Garland, returned to Wellington by the Tofua.

Miss M- W. Bird, of Darling Point, Sydney, who has been appointed trainer and supervisor to the Dunedin Free Kindergarten, has arrived in Dunedin. Miss Bird has been delayed in Australia for the last month owing to the shipping troubles.

Marguerite Namara, a successful operatic artist, is quoted in a recent article in the New York “Evening Mail” as saying: “Too much sentimentality has grown about the word ‘mother.’ Women are not wise mothers entirely by instinct. You watch a young wife with her first baby. She has trimmed a bassinette with lace and blue ribbons, made or bought a lot of dainty clothes, gurgled over a tiny hair brush decorated with painted forget-me-nots, and then suddenly finds herself as the boss of a job for which she had no training. It is quite simple for the first two years, when the baby needs chiefly only physical care, but even then it has difficulties. Once a woman looks her mother-job frankly in the eye and says, ‘Well, maybe the constant society of a little person to whom I cannot talk intelligently is going to have its irksome moments, but if I handle this business efficiently I can be a proud producer by the time Gladys or Henry is twenty,’ she is thinking straight.”

At the Presbyterian Church, Kelburn, on February 25, Miss Lynette Mackenzie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Mackenzie, of Karori, and niece of Sir Thomas Mackenzie, High Commissioner for New Zealand, was married to Mr. Edwin R. 'Wells, of Wellington, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wells, of Christchurch. The Rev. Mr. Patterson was the officiating clergyman, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Day. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Margaret Mackenzie, and two little nieces, Joan Mackenzie and Bawn Gower. Mr. Christopher Wells was best man. The bride wore a simple gown of white georgette and silver lace, and a beautiful lace veil

fastened with silver leaves. She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and carnations. The chief bridesmaid wore a frock of powder blue silk with a large design of roses, and a black hat. The two little maids wore dainty frocks of pale pink organdie muslin over silk, frilled to the waist, with narrow’ black velvet waistbelts and hats of the same with black velvet streamers. Both the bride and chief bridesmaid are military nurses, and served at Walton-on-Thames hospital during the war. After the ceremony a weddnig reception was held by Mr. and Mrs. James Mackenzie at their home at Karori.

Now on their way to Melbourne are several important artists engaged in London by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., to appear in the firm’s production of “Tilly of Bloomsbury,” lan Hay’s sensationally successful comedy, now the rage of London. The artists include George Blunt, who will also produce the play; Frank Freeman, leading man; Dorothy Manville, leading lady, who will play the title role; Percy Rhodes, and others. All of those mentioned are well-known on the -.London., stage,— and. . have. been selected by lan Hay for the particular roles in which they are to appear in Australia.

Venus, the Goddess of Beauty, had a 26in. waist.

For the prevailing fashions in hats, the Regal Salon in Queen Street meets the requirements of the most fastidious. Mrs. Robson, who is able through long experience in widelyestablished firms in Australia to give authoritative expression to the latest modes, has made a special feature of advance styles for the winter, and her present show gives a satisfying indication of what will be worn. Trimmings cover a wide variety of style, and may be chosen from ostrich and paradise plumes,’ glycerined feathers, wings in an infinite number of colours, beautiful ribbons and French flowers. The brushed wool hats strike the eye very pleasingly with their softness and coquettish shapes, while straws and velours, of course, are to be seen in abundance.

The following interesting old legend is attached to Bart’s (St. Bartholomew’s) Hospital. The person who established it in the reign of Henry I. was a man named Rahere, “a man of infinite mirth, humble of birth, the friend of the king, nobles, the people’s, possibly the Court jester, who with his merry jokes charmed away the cares of William the Conqueror and his son Rufus.” There came a sudden and dramatic change into the life of Rahere; he became serious and earnest, though the gaiety which made him beloved was not lost. He went on a pilgrimage to Rome, and while lying on a bed of sickness his mission in life came before him in a wondrous vision. Tradition says that St. Bartholomew appeared to him and spoke thus: — “I have chosen a place in the suburb of London, at Smithfield, where, in my name, thou shalt found a church.” When Rahere returned to London he obtained the support of some wealthy barons, succeeded in • impressing Henry I. favourably, and obtained the gift of the land which belonged to the King. He commenced a building there, and behold, many who had been his companions in former days joined him and toiled there, dug foundations and dragged stones. The work went on, and Rahere, the jester, became a popular preacher, and crowded congregations followed him. Rahere lived to see a waste field adorned with a fine church and hospital, and became the first controller of this great charity. The hospital and church were probably placed in extensive grounds, as a quaint oldworld part of London called Little Britain is between the two buildings.