SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 868, 14 July 1910, Page 3

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

"Kelburne" and the Ignorant Housekeeper. ' One finds it rather difficult to believe that there are many girls in this country so entirely ignorant of cooking and housekeeping generally as in the case that is being instanced. A correspondent, signing himself "Kelburne," writes asking if it is not a fraud upon prospective Benedicts that some mothers will not train their daughters to their possible responsibilities as housekeepers? In his opinion, the following extract from a letter which he has received joints a moral. "... I called upon tne bride, and sho told me of her inexperience of housekeeping, saying that she had never used a range, and had done very little cooking. Whereupon I gave her a lecture on the sinfulness of any woman entering married life without having an elementary knowledgo of so important a duty. Sho quite agreed with me, but naively admitted that many girls never gave it a thought till after marriage." ''Kelburne" goes on to ask if this kind of thing might not account for many unhappy homes, and only emphasises the necessity of greater technical education. Dance-in Hobson Street. A delightful little dance was given last ,night by Mrs. M. G. Richmond at her home in Hobson Street as a coming-out dance for Miss Mary Atkinson. The folding-doors between the pretty hall and drawing room were thrown back, and the guests danced there. Supper was served in an upstairs room, where the tables wero decorated with quantities of spring flowers, masses of which also decorated the drawing-room. Miss Richmond received in a frock of black silk with sequined trimming; Mrs. Tudor Atkinson were black with white lace, and Miss Mary Atkinson a charming frock of white chiffon taffetas and lace. Other guest; present were Dr. and Mrs. Fell, Mr. and Mrs. George Denniston (Peel Forest), Mrs. Denniston wearing a frock of black satin, with white lace; Miss Denniston, black frock; Miss D. K. Richmond, grey brocade; Miss Sylvia Fell (Nelson), cream satin: Miss Beatrice Richmond, pink striped niuon with embroidered trimming; Miss Rachel Richmond, pale blue ninon, with blue and silver trimning"; .Miss Myrtle Lee, black ninon over white satin; Mrs. Burnett, black; Mrs. Dymock, black frock with sequined trimming; Mr. and Mrs. Tudor Atkinson, Mr. and Mrs. R. Richmond, the Misses Fell, and Miss England, and Captain Blunt and several officers from the Pioneer were also present. Hibernian Ladies. The St. Mary's Branch, No. 3, of the Hibernian Society (Indies' branch), hold their half-yearly meeting at St. Patrick's Hall last evening, there being a good attendance of members. Sister K. Robinson, 8.P.,, presided, and. among those present were the Rev. Father Venning, chaplain, and Brn. ¥~ F. Eeichcl, B.P. of St. Patrick's Branch. The following officers were duly installed:—President. Sister Robinson; vice-president. Sister Davis; secretary, Sister G. O'Flaberty; treasurer, Sister A. Grant; wardtn, Sister F. O'Flaherty; guardian, Sister M. O'Callaghan; sick- visitors, Sisters Gosling and M. O'Callaghan. Three new members wero initiated and five proposed. The balance-sheets and auditors' Teport, which were received and adopted, showed a very satisfactory stuto of affairs, both in funds aiid memberships. The Rev. Father Venning addressed the meeting, and the president, announced that, the branch had decided to donate .a trophy to the member securing the highest number of new entrants for the current, year. The Children's Flower Pageant. Final arrangements for the Children's Flower Pageant, to be held in the Town Hall next Wednesday, aTe now almost complete, and a rehearsal by the children takes place on Saturday next at 2 o'clock. There has been such a "demand for tickets for reserved seats that loss than one hundred are now available for late-comers. Lady Beatrice Kerr Clark, accompanied by Captain Shannon. A.D.C., paid a visit of inspection to Hie new Government House on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Thomson, M.P. for Dunedin North, and Mrs. Thomson arrived in 1 town yesterday. They are staying at the Occidental. Mr. and Mrs. ITaugh, from Koromiko, Picton, are visiting Wellington, and are staying at the Occidental Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Willis, Miss Willis, and Mrs. Nothman, from -Wanganui, are staying at the Occidental. The engagement. is announced of Miss N. Bolton, second daughter of Mr. Chas. Bolton, of Owen Street, Wellington, to Mr. R. Watson, of Melbourne. Mrs. Hume Lindsay returns this morning from Christchurch, where sho addressed a meeting of the Sheepowners' Association on the subject of imported domestic help. She leaves at noon by the Arawa for England. Mrs. Godfrey Pharazyn is visiting her mother. Mrs. Johnston, Hobson Street. The Wellington City Council staff are giving their annual ball at I lie Town Hall or. Friday, July 29. The engagement is announced of Miss Bora Temple Perkins, elder daughter of Dr. Temple Perkins, to Mr. Lionel Hitchings, youngest son of Mr. V. T. Hitching*:, of "Wargrave," Levin.