SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 833, 3 June 1910, Page 3

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Wellington Highland Rifles' Ball. The first military dance of the season took place last night at the Town Hall, when the Wellington Highland Rifles gave a very successful ball. The liali was most effectively decorated, and one could well believe that a vast amount of work had gone to that decoration. From the central 'electrolier to tho sides of tho gallery were festooned alternato bands of white and crimson, the front of the platform was draped with the same colours, and across it was stretched a streamer with the words "Scotland for Ever." High above this hung the flag of Scotland, and at the further end of the hall the flag was displayed once more. All round the hall under the gallery the floor was carpeted, and- comfortable seats were arranged, while each alcove was hiing with pink draperies and lace curtains. The famous victories won by the Seaforths at Lucknow, Spiopkop, Paardcberg, Modder River, and many more were recorded by the inscriptions placed above the alcoves, an alcove for each victory. The land of the mountain and- the shaggy wood was called to memory by. the stags' heads that stared majestically from the sides of the gallery, each head , set on a crimson background, and a very magnificent head placed in the very middle, where it looked doivn ( on the stalwart Highlander who did sentry-go backwards and forwards in front of the city organ. The stage was decorated with palms and foliage, among .which stood three tents, while at the side were bristling pennoned lances. The sentinel gave the last touch of realism.

The ball began with a grand march, beaded by the pipers, who looked fine in iheir green Highland costumes and their bonnets stuck on one 6ide of their heads, while they skirled away bravely. They played again during the evening for the Highland, fling and schottiscnes and reels, and for the very clever sword dance, danced by Messrs. J. Finlay, W. Dewhurst, and little Miss M'Lellan, who danced as if she were possessed. For the more ordinary dances, Miss Hawthorne's band played, and the call to supper was sounded mspiringly by the bugler. Col.Sergeant J. Mactlonald was M.G., with seven assistants, and Corporal Shannon was the bon. secretary. Mrs. MDiarmid, wife of i Captain M'Diarmid, with Mr». G. Willis, Mrs. Henderson, and Mrs. Macdonald acted as chaperones. The hall •was comfortably filled with dancers, and what with the pretty frocks of the ladies, nearly all of them in light colours, and the handsome and imposing uniforms of' the Rifles, the scene was a very brilliant one. Mrs. M'Diarmid wore a frock oi pale bluo brocade, with Maltese lace and gold trimming; Mrs. Willis, pale blue satin, with silver trimming; Mrs. Macdonald, pale pink silk. Others present were:- Mrs. Simeon, who wore white charmeufe, with crystal trimming; Mre. Macintosh, black silk, with white lace; Mrs. Crawford, cream silk; Mrs. M'Lellan, white silk; the Misses Caldwell, cream silk and heliotrope; Miss Green, white muslin, with Maltese lace; Miss Jackson, white frock and red roses; Mrs. M. Pheran, cream silk and black velvet bands; Miss Neilson, Highland costume; Miss F. Neilson, cream frock; Miss Baker, pale blue silk, with silver trimming; Miss Brown, pale blue with red roses; Miss Cottle, white frock, with blue poppies; Miss Boeker, white frock; Miss White, hflLiotropo frock; Miss Allen, freen silk, with pink roses; Miss Powell, pale blue; Mrs. Wilkinson, heliotrope lilk; Miss Trillford, Highland costume; Miss Scott, Highland costume; Mis Sophie Milne, coral pink satin; and Miss MTCellar, in white. The Domestic Help Difficulty. The doctors in Christchurch, a short time ago, petitioned the Government to bring out to the Dominion a number of girls suitable for domestic service, spe.cially mentioning Norwegians and Swedes. They urged that the health of the mothers of New Zealand was seriously injured by the want- of help in. i their housework, at times when they most required it, and they said that the strain put upon , the mothers, amd the way their health was sapped, seriously affected the health of their children. A similar petition is now being circulated among the doctors of Wellington, most fcf whom have already signed it. 4s faT as one can gather, the feeling among' the profession here is quite as strong as in Christchurch, and one doctor after another, when 'discussing the proposed remedy for a very serious state of affairs, has quoted oases from his own experience to show how urgent is the need for some help to be given to the overworked mothers.

One doctor mentioned as a typical case that of a patient whom he had said must have at least a week's rest in bed. The following day, when he calied at hor house, the lady herself opened the door, and in response to the doctor's surprised question, said that as soon as she told the maid she was to have a week's rest, the girl departed without notice, "ana what can I do?'"' asked the patient; "someone, most do the housework, and there is no one else to do it." This is ease that might be matched a score of times by every doctor, and there are, of tourse.many still worse. Many a woman lare not let herself take the rest she retudres, far she cannot trust her maid to Temain if she does so. The dislike that maids have for children probably has a far-reaching and evil effect on the community. Most girls will not go to a family where there aro little children. * and tho ideal happy mother of half a dozen boys and girls is 100 often in real life a worried, harassed woman, at the mercy of her maid, and terrified constantly lest she should lose hor, and have to hunt far and'wide for someone to fill her place.

Headache is one of the worst, yet common, results of strained eyes. The habitual overwork of the eyes causes pain, antl that not necessarily in or near the eyes. Frequent attacks of headache, puckering up the eyes when looking at things, or any difficulty in seeing eionld lead yo« to consult FRANK SHAW, Qualified Chemist-Optician,. Medical Hall, Manners Street, and the Cecil Buildings, Lambton Quay.—Advt. MISS MTLSOM teaches ladies and gentlemen the healthy, _ natural up-to-date treatment for the hair. Your scaip was given tou to grow hair, inako it do ita work. "Call and sho will explain. Shampooing, and all treatments. Hair workonly best work and quality used. Hairdressing taught. Egyptian Henna (Registered No. 5206) for Grey Hair- restores immediately. Perfectly harmloss. Does not burn the -hair, gives life. Be-, ware of imitations. Consultation free. KING'S CHAMBERS., next Empire Hotol. Willis Street. Telephone 811 SUPERFLUOUS Hair destroyed, 2s. Gd. /acp and Body Massage, Shampooing, Manicuring, Pedicuring, Chiropody, Rheumatism and Nerve Troubles treated. Corpulency cured. Mrs.' Hullen, 208 Lambton Quay, opp. Kirkcaldio and plains, Lambton Quay, Wellington.

Wedding ai Kilbirnie. A very pretty wedding was solemnised on Wednesday at Mrs. Colo's, "Lebrina," Kilbirnie, when Miss L. Robinson was married to Mr. E. J. Pratt, of Nelson. The ceromonv was performed by the Rev. Douglas. The brido \voro her travelling costume, a smart green check tailormade, braided with blaek, and a hat of violet and green. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt left by the Auckland express to connect with the Navua, for Fiji, where their future home is to be. Wedding at Ballance. At the Ballance Church on "Wednesday last Mr. Arthur E. Thomas, youngest son of Mrs. E. G. Thomas, of Rototuna, was married to Miss Edith M. Cooper, fourth daughter of Mr. A. A. G. Cooper, of Ballance. A reception was afterwards held in the JBallanco Hall, and also a eocial in the evening. The Children's Pageant. A South Wellington-committee for the children's pageant has just been formed, with Mrs. J. P. Luke as directress, Miss Belle Luke as secretary, and Mrs. Herbert Bailey treasurer. Mesdames W. H. P. Barber, Bock, and S. Brown form thesupper committee. Yesterday the children who are to take part had their first lesson from Mrs. Moore, who has,kindly offered to train them, St. Thomas's Hall being lent for the occasion.

Mrs. Cooper h&s gone with her husband, Mr. Justice Cooper, to Palmerston North, and she intends to remain thero for a fortnight. Mrs. ODrJ James, of Wanganui, and her sister, lliss Scott, motored down on Tuesday. Mrs. James is an expert chauffeur, and herself managed the long journey very successfully. She and lliss Scott are staving at "Kenilworth," in Hill Street. Visitors staying at "Kenilworth," Hill Street, include Dr. Fullerton, of E.M.S. Pioneer, and Mrs. Fullerton, iliss Bourdillon, from .England, and Miss A. Campbell, lioin Chi-Lstchurch, Colonel and Mrs. Pirie, who have been sonic weeks at "Kenilworth," in HiJl Street, are about to return to their homo in Auckland. The ladies of the Wellington Bowling Club are giving a euchre party and dance at tho club's pavilion on Friday, June 17. Mrs. Wilford left England by the Orsova, and is expected here in about five weeks' time. Sir George and Lady H'Lean will bo the guests of Mies Holmes for the earlier part of the session, and the Misses M'Lean are going over to Sydney to meet Mrs. Wilford. / Tho nurses' annual , dance is to be given in July on a date not yet arranged. The Ladies' Christian Association acknowledges with hearty thanks the gift from the Two-Garment Society of 200 or more garments, most of them new and beautifully made. . It was a most acceptable gift.