SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1070, 8 March 1911, Page 9

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

A Publjc-spiritsd Lcciy. On Thursday Wellington will be losing for some time "to come a most public-spir-ited lady in the person of Mrs. S. A. Rhodes, who leaves by tho Tongariro on a visit to England and elsewhere. Auckland, Dunecliii, Christchurch have had citizens who, in return for the- wealth made out of the city in which they lived, have given some return for it in the form of endowments fjr schools or hospitals, bequests to the cause of art, or help given to philanthropic institutions, but Wellington, unfortunately, has had strangely few. Whether there had been few or many, however, Mrs. Rhodes would nave been an outstanding personality among them. For years she has taken ths keenest interest in all institutions that have made for the help and uplifting of those, that have b?en in need of both, and they have- owed fur more than the public will ever know, to her generous aid and sympathy. To come to the help of,the sick and helpless poor of Wellington alone was a huge and almost hopeless undertaking, but Mrs. Rhodes organised the District Nursing Guild of St. John by which two nurses were engaged to care for those .who could'not afford to call in outside aid. Not content with that she worked so that there should be a permanent provision for the two nurses, whoever they may happen to he, as long as the city lasts. The- Boys' Institute, by which tha working youths of the city will great-. Iy benefit, materially, physically, and mentally, is another institution that has' been greatly helped by her, while the young women have not been overlooked, for the Y.AV.C.A. has recently been benefited to the extent of .£SOO. These, however, are only the things which have leaked out among the public— there has been much done that is known only to Mrs. Rhodes herself and the recipients. After all, it takes a woman to think of the things that have- been so largely helped by Mrs. Rhodes—and women have been credited with the lack of public spirit. Mrs. Rhodes has set an example that men and women alike might well be proud to follow. Her generosity has not been altogether of the, kind Hint paralyses all otht'r efforts, but instead has been of that wiser way by which others, in giving their efforts as well, have felt that the cause is (heirs too, and their interest has been strengthened by that thought.

Palmersfon Wedding. At All Saints' Church, Palmerston JNorth, on Monday afternoon a pretty weddin? was performed by the Rev. G. ICcndlick, when Miss Elisabeth Colos. cld»v daughter of Mr.'and Mrs. 11. Coles, of Palmerston, was married to Mr. Arthur -Stanleys Bay liss, ninth son- of -Mr.- and* ATrs James Baylis?, ako of Palmerston. The bride, who was given away by i*-r father, was prettily gowned in ' white ■pmbroidered silk with veil and oraiifra blossom*. Miss Woolridgo, of Maneaninire. attended her as bridesmaid, wearing nn Cihbroid»red cream delnine frock. Mr. ,B- Mercer, of Oroua Bridge, was best man. After the ceremony a reception was held at tho residence of the bride's pnr(nts. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Bayliss will take up their residence in Palmerston. Women's Social and. Political League. A record meeting of the Women's Social and Political League was held iu their rooms last evening, Mrs. Keay Brown presiding. A good deal of business was transacted in connection with the year's work. It was decided to hold a picnic at Lyall Bay on Wednesday next for members and their friends. Obituary, The death has taken place of Mrs. Louisa Armstrong, the wife of Mr. Walter Armrtrong, Britomart Street, Berhampore, at tho age of sixty. Tho late Mrs. Armstrong vras tl;o eldest daughter of the late Mr.' •Macaiah Dead, of Wellington, and lived in Wanganui for about forty years. She leaves a husband and six children among whom are Mrs. K.. J. Drummond (Wanganui), Mrs. .T. Anderson (Hastings). Mrs. J E. Perry (Feilding),. and Miss Gladys Armstrong.

Another pioneer has p;issed away in the person of Mrs. Elizabeth Carr, whose .death took place on Sunday.at the residence of her son-in-law. Major P. ,T. W. Gnscorrie, of Hastings. The deceased lady, who had attained the patriarchal age of 92 years, arrived in New Zenland by tho sailing ship Tornado, which anchored at Auckland. The late Mrs. Carr went from the northern city to ' ■Wellington, and thence bank on her track's to Hawke'sßay by tho steamer Wnnga Wonga. Like most of th» early settlers she had to stand up tn, and hold her own against, the turbulent conditions ef the times, and shefcruwly faced ninny trials and privations. Her door was always open, and she,herself was always ready to help those who soiipht her aid diirins the stormy time of the A T ativ« troubles. The deceased was a lady of brilliant attainments—being an accomplished linjrnist, a capable musician, an artist of high amateur status, and a vivid conversationalist. She leaves one daughter, Mrs. F. J. W. Gascoyne, of Hastings, and threo sons. Messrs. H H Carr, of Wnjroa, S. H. Carr. of Kawhia, and A. J. Carr. to whom general sympathy is extended.