SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 754, 1 March 1910, Page 3

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

. /The Mayoress. Mrs. Newman has sent the following reply.'.to ;tho'deputation wliich waited upon her last Saturday:— '.. "Dear Mrs.' Wright,—After due consideration, Br. Newman lias decided not' to "seek re-election, and for many reasons' 'I am sorry, and ; yet I want him to "have a real holiday. Will , you 'kindly ,l convey to the ladies of the ■ deputation you introduced my sincere . gratitude for their '• nattering expres- ■ sion of their appreciation 01 my ser--1 vices as Mayoress. ' Believe me, my . success is chiefly due to the unfailing'consideration and courtesy I have received: from every section of the community. TheV ready kindness ehovn me has'made my duties a pleasure.' Thanking 'you all very much.—Yours sincerely,' • ".': "OCTAYIA NEWMAN,. "Mayoress."

While everyone—especially those who heard Mrs. Newman's plea that Dr. Newman really, requires a holiday—will sympathise with, her desire that lie shall rest this/year, they will, sincerely, regret the decision arrived at. ■ During Mrs.-' Newman's term-of office .she he,T done a great deal more than was ever expected of her. The citizens had.seeu Mrs. -Kislop'shealth i shattered by her close attendance at all public functions, her eager interest. in everything that .was of interest .to the. city, and they knew that for a very.long time Mrs. .Newman had been sulfering from -severe-illness, and they could not expect that she .would take up the duties, of Mayoress as energetically: as if she possessed robust'"health.;'.and'they have been. amazed- at .what' Mrs. : 'Newman, has done, the number of bazaars, flower shows an/L:;Similar t ,f Unctions* that.,she.i-has 'con--trived to attend, in addition to the more important functions, that she could not allow herself to miss. .., Mrs.. Newman speaks very' modestly -'of : aIV -this work; ehe. acknowledges'that>for about a fortnight before: Christmas she did have a great deal to do, and that she uquired a rest to enable her to recover. For tho remainder of her term, if one would believe i Mrs. Newman's cheerful manner, she did not work too Hard; but the citizens hold a different opinion. Mrs. Newman, .in spedking to the deputation, said that it had given. her very great pleasure to make the acquaintance of the many people.with whom, as Mayoress, she came in contact, and ..that she valued very highly the. friendships she-had made iir that way. She may bo assured that those people yahie as highly their opportunity of making her' acquaintance, and meeting her on a common.ground', for. it is. not only what Mrs. Newman lias done that has endeared her to tho Wellington public, - it is the unarming way she has 3one.it. She has a cheerful, heart, a light hand, and a manner." that has charmed us all. - ... Palmerst'on' North News,, Last week there , were two- farewell afternoon teas for Miss Lorna Snow, who is leaving with her narents to live in Marlborough. One wSs given by Miss Slack, at Waitoitoi, and the afternoon was pleasantly spent in tennis.and tea in the garden. Among those present ■were the Misses Snow, Monro, Warhurton Abraham, and Tweed-(Wellington). On Friday another tea was given by ' Mrs. Monro, when, .unfortunately, the -heavy downpour of rain prevented any tennis being played. Competitions were held indoors, and a very pleasant afternoon was spent. Among the guests were Misses Snow, Slack, Kussell, and Abraham. ' ; Lord Kitchener passed through Palmereton' by special train on Sunday, and a few ' interested spectators who had gathered at the railway crossing had the satisfaction of catching a glimpse of the famous soldier standing on the platform of his carriage as the train flew past. A number of Palmerston people went through by train or motor to the pleasant garden '.party given . by Mr. and Mrs. Birch-;;n their lovely grounds at Thoßsby,: near Marton. ' The gardens were looking their: best, and tho largo expanse, of lawn was a good setting to the many lovely frocks. Among, those who went over, from Palmerston were: Mr. and Mrs. Alan" Strang, Mrs.' and Miss Abraham, Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Abraham, Mrs.'Potts, Mrs.. Monro and the Misses Monro, Kussell, Wilson, and Miles (Wel- ■ lington). Mrs. Birch received her guests in a handsome gown, of black striped gauze worn over a vieux rose silk, and a toque with white ostrich tip.- Mrs. Caccia Birch wore a white cloth coat and skir, with check silk facings, and large black hat; • Miss Montgomery (Wanganui), .handsome black costume with ~ heliotrope bonnet; Mrs.. -Dove (Wanganui) had a princess robe of cinnamon, doth, the bodice handsomely embroidered; Miss Harding' (Wellington) wore an electric blue coat and skirt, and Sretty black'hat trimmed'with roses; and irs. G. Potts- a white cloth costume, n-ith-which she wore a. lovely stole and muff of ermine; Tea. was .served on small tables in ithe garden, and a baud iplayed on.the lawn. ; .-. .., ■ Jliss Miles (Wellington) is visiting Mrs. V'alter Strang. -..••/■■'• ■ -. Mr. and Jlrs. -Godfrey Baldwin are spending a few days in Palmerston. Dunedin Victoria League. A Press Association message from Duncdin states that the annual meeting of the Otago branch of the Victoria League was held yesterday afternoon, tho Mayor, Mr. J. E., Walker,, presiding. Speeches.were-made, by members of Parliament, concerning the work done by the league, also detailing its objects an'd social beuents, and it was resolved to make r.n effort still further to extend its operations by inviting men to cooperate in the work. The Mayor of Dnnedin was elected patron and Mrs T M. Hocken president. '

Many mothers arc often at a loss lo know what to give their children to reBoto the fcverishness, and prevent concisions at the period of t«ethiug with their children. The safest and surest remedy is Dr.' Home's Teething Powders, .vhich contain no opium or narcotics of any description, and can always bo relied on to quieten them and produce a refreshing sleep. These Powders aro sold only at Shaw's Ifcdical Hall, "Manners Street, and the Cecil Buildings.' Lnmbto.y Quay, for tho' small sum of Is. 6d. per jacket.—Advt. •

Reception in the Concert Chamber. Most enjoyable was the reception given yesterday afternoon in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hal), when the Committee of tho Victoria .League entertained. Miss Talbot, the general secretary, anil nil the members of the league. The stage was furnished and decorated, and tho two or three long tea-tables were decorated, with yellow flowers, but it was partly a business meeting—Miss Tr-.lbot wished to address the league, and space had to be left to place rows of seats near the stage. , During the first part of the afternoon music was. supplied by a string band, stationed in the gallery. The Ruesst were received near tho door by Lady Ward, president, and Mrs. Grace, vice-president of tho league, with whom was Miss Talbot. Lady Ward wore a frock of ninou, of the pretty ashes-of-roses shade, and a wide hat with roses; Mrs. Grace, black' filet net and lace over white, with black and white bonnet; Miss Talbot, white muslin with black hat; Mrs. Chatfield, secretary of the league, wore a frock of cornflower blue cloth, with vest and sleeves of black laco, and a large black hat with plume;. The two other vice-presidents, Mrs* Ttickey aud Miss Coates, were present, and the following numbers of committee:—Mrs. I. P. Luke (treasurer), Mrs. Corrigan, Mrs. Corliss, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Larnach, Mrs. Stott, Miss Holmes, Miss iticlimond, and Miss Hardy,-while among the many guests present were:—Mrs. Pindlay, Mrs. Newman, Mrs. and Miss Humphries, Mrs. Salmond, Mrs. MaoEiran, Mrs. Kane, Mrs. Samuel, Mrs. Collins, Mrs. and Miss Duncan, Mrs. Tringham, Mrs. and Miss Edwin, Mrs. J. Duthie, Mrs. Boyd, the Misses Myers, Miss : Turner, Miss Rachel Richmond, aud Miss Baber, Miss M'Lean, Mrs. Fuchett, • Mrs. - Fulton,-' Miss HardingeMaltby, Mrs. Butts, Miss England, Mrs. 1 , . Cohen, Miss Longford, Mrs. Suteliffe, Dr. Gibb, Professor Rankine-Brown, and • Mr. -Powles.

. Miss Talbot, who was introduced to' the gathering by Lady Ward, gave a very interesting address on the work of the league. She told how it had been started eight years ago, at the time of the Boer war, by a few women, and how its first work was mainly connected with South Africa. The league cared for the graves of the soldiers who had fallen there, and saw that the: care would be permanent; it raised a fund to help loyalists whose property had been destroyed during the war; and it*provided comforts for the Dutch. womcii| in the concentration camps. ... Hhe told how.tho work of the league had extended, and how it was trying to educato the ; children in regard to the history-of the Empire—dwelling not only on the inspiring records of glory, but on tho records of failure and the lessons to be drawn therefrom, lessons among the most valuable that a child could learn.Then,, also, the children were taught about the nation's heroes, and in reference to < this Miss Talbot thought tho children of New Zealand • should be taught to reverence the pioneers who had done so much for the country. She had been "immensely impressed with the fact that those early comers had . given the young countries a ;magnin'cent start, and it must bo good.lor.the .children to realise it. ■■'■~'' .

There. was a great ileal of ignorance with, regard, to different .parts of the Empire., She.had been .asked by an Englishwoman how long the train took -to vo from Sydney to New- Zealand, and Hie- question had shown her how ranch iinglish people, had' still to learn: She thought, however, .that people. ■in the overseas dominions 'had a good deal. to loam about England. They knew the historic importance of the Home laud, but they.oticn'failed to understand its present industrial ■and intellectual .activities and value. nThcre. was'an idea among the younger people ..in , these, countries tuat..England w.is-plaxe.di.out.iiiShO'jepiild-assuv-j them ..from 'lier 'experiencei . and kn-jif ledge of England that that was very fatv indeed...from: being the case. ■.-' ■ There was an impression Miss. Talbot wished to correct, the impression that the Victoria League was a society affair, and that it could be used as a means of entering Eng)ish society. If the league were.tb.be regarded as a stepping-stouo to London society, she said, she would have nothing to do with it. The principle underlying all the.social work of the league was that they wished to make it easy for English people of all classes to meet each other, when travelling wherever. their homes might he. It gave the iiiglish members' of the .league great pleasure to meet people from overseas, and she would like to see the other side ot the work developed; and travellers tram England to' the colonies welcomed' there, so that they might take back with' them to Ungland the. very pleasantest impressions, instead of being, as they sometimes were, disappointed with their visit to the new lands. .' .: Miss■ Talbot urged other' societies to work m conjunction with the Victoria League. She would like to see the i.M:C.A., for instance, with kindred institutions, sharing in tho league's work. .Miss Talbot said that the weakness of the league at the first had been that it was managed by women. She was a great admirer of her own sex, and behoved in its capacity, but she did'behove that where men shared a work with women, better results were achieved. The London League now had many men on its council, and tho result had been most gratifying.' She hoped to see that in these countries also men would interest themselves in the work of the league l^. lv:l s a very comprehensive address that Miss lalbot gave, no point being left unnoted, and her audience were intensely interested and appreciative.

Mrs. Kendall , and her two daughters. ;«th '-Mw. Hector ■Buthuae, au<!" i\ii S3 Kitty .Mackenzie, leave to-niriit for Lytteltou, where they.-will join th'e Kaikoura which sails for England from that port. Mr. and Mrs.' Judali Myers, with Mra John.Myers, and Miss Bleanor Myers, leave to-day for a trip to Rotorua. Mrs. Stott has returned from her visit to Rotorua. . Dr and Mrs. Boyd, who have been to AucKland aud Rotorua. havu returned to Wellington. Mrs. Leonard Knell, who, with her cUildivn, bus been staying with her sister, Jhs3 Tocker, of I'eatherston, has returned to the Hutt. • Mrs. ,W. Perry of "Penrose," Masterton, has her mother, Mrs. Bridson, '■ staying with her at present. . Miss.C. Cameron, of Opaki, is spending some little time' with Mrs. D. Cameron, of "Moeraki." Mrs. Mackersey rind Miss Beatrice Mackersey returned to Masterton yesterday alter a short visit to -Wellington.' Mrs. W. W. Eountree and Miss Ethel giving i parcel tea at the Y;W.C.A. Rooms on Wednesday, March 9, in aid of the plain, fancy, and art stalls at the bazaar to be Riven in a few wetks by the Victoria College' students. Ladies' Costumes are made at tho English Tailoring Rooms, 52 Willis Street. Those who have been gowned by Mr. W. S. Bedford, continually advertise him.