SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1091, 1 April 1911, Page 10

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

The Census Paper. An especial appeal has been made to all women "to tell tlio truth and nothing hut the truth" upon tlio delicate question of age at tho tortbeoming census paper (says an Australian writer). In one's own household tho trial of setting tho two figures down opposite ono's own name when tho first number is over 2, to be witnessed by ■ younger members, is not so great as that of the girl wdio resides amongst strangers, and is obliged to mako a considerable sacrifice of her pride when sho admits tho year in which sho was born. This year, under a new system, women aro reassured that a strict privacy will be guaranteed by separate cards, containing the questions, addressed to each individual; so under theso conditions, perhaps, even tho "fair, fat, and forty" unmarried maiden of to-day may return a straightforward answer. Presentation Tea.

Miss Birmingham, who has been a member of the accountants' branch of the GJ.P.O., is retiring, and yesterday, she was the guest of honour at a tea given for her by the ladies of the accountant department, in one of their rooms, after office hours. The, room and the tea-table had been arranged with beautiful gloxineas, from prize plants belonging to Mr. Chapman, of the Hutt, and they were of the most charming shades of purple —mauve and red, as well as white. There were also most lovely begonias from the same garden, and the table, .with its cloth of wonderfully-worked point laco and rich-ly-coloured flowers, was delightful to look at. Mr. Donald Robertson, in the course of a pleasant little speech, presented Miss Birmingham with a letter of appreciation from those who had come into contact with her, and a cheque from the members of the department. Besides her fellow-workers, there wero also present Mr. Ledger, Mr. Huggins, 'Mrjii'Ghogividdcn, .'Mr. • Walters, and others: l •-'■' Miss Birmingham wore a dark E'reeii l ebSt"aftl3 i,, ste?itl' and a green hat with pink.

Rising Prices. The. cost of living.seems-to bo increasing day by day, likewise the sorrows and lamentations of the housewife. Now Zealand, the working man's paradise, is fast becoming one of the dearest countries iii which it is possible to live. In the coming winter vegetarians will have decidedly tlio best of things, for nt last the rumour concerning the rise in the price of meat is to bo verified. Prime beef and mutton are to be raised n halfpenny, and legs of mutton, that formerly cost 5d., are to bo sold at the rate of 5Jd. a pound. Rump steak and sirloin of beef have an increase of a penny per pound. Glancing at it casually, it possibly does not seem anything to protest against, but when it comes in conjunction with so many other things the matter assumes different proportions. Decidedly, people have to pay very heavily for the things that arc produced in their very midst. The simple life may in a little while become to look more attractive. W.C.V.U. at the Oil Worlir, In connection with the W.C.T.U. Convention, held in New Plymouth, the delegates, on Wednesday afternoon, were the guests of the mayor, who very Kindly provided drags in which to t-ako them to visit tlio petroleum works at Moturoa. It was most interesting to see the oil in the different stages—from th(j state in which it emerges from tlio bore to tho oil in the bottles. The mineral water, which comes up with tho oil, is tarried away by a separate pipe, aiid it appeared (to the visitors at least) a great matter for regret to see this running to waste, when there are so many complaints for which it is said to be very beneficial. At the close of tho inspection, Mrs. Alan Douglas and Mrs. Don, on behalf of tho delegates, thanked the directors of tho company and the mayor for the kindness extended to thciu.

A Presentation. On Thursday afternoon tho office staff and factbrv employees of tho Fresh Food and Ice Company met to present Miss I. C. Tucker (whose marnago takes place shortly) with a massive marble time-piece. Mr. Brandon,'secretary of the company, made tho presentation, and assured tho recipient that she was leaving with the host wishes of all for her future welfare. Mr. Duilon, factory manager, also- added a fewwords of appreciation, and, after Miss Tucker had expressed her gratitude for tho kind wishes and the very handsome present, tho meeting dispersed. Boy Scouts and Miss Dolly Gwtles. Miss Dolly Castles, who is at present in London, entertained 200 of the Boy Scouts at a pantomime treat, on the occasion of her birthday. Tho performance was thoroughly enjoyed. Inncess Mary and Princess Helena ol Tcclt, accompanied by Lord Crichton, were present, and also Licut.-Goncral Sir li. F. Baden-Powell. The Princesses sent an invitation to Miss Dolly Castles, asking her to visit them in, tho lloyal Box after the performance. The Scouts we're subsequently entertained at tea by Miss Castles, whoso health was proposed by Mr. Tom Birch, chairman of the Dru'ry Lane Company, and tho boys | applauding to the echo in musical terms, "She's a Jolly Good Fellow.'" All tho members of tho company attended ill stage costume—even the policeman. THE WOMAN OF TO-DAY. She leads a busier lifo and has far more strain on her physical resources than n generation ago, and is, tnerefore, nioro liablo to let her hair and skin got out of order. Therefore, consult a qualified specialist such as .Miss Milsom, highest di. plomas. Electrolysis (qualified with Madam Barclay, New iork). Permanent and painless. Shampooing, Hair-work of every description. l'aco Massage Cleaning,, and Muscle Bracer. Certain death to dull and wrinkled skin, Special Home Treatment (astouudiug results) taught to each client. MISS MILSOM, King's Chambers, L Telephone. 811

Mrs. J. B. Henry and family (Mas--tcrton) aro the guests of Mr. Frank Armstrong, Akitio Station. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholls, late of Hit Thames, are visiting their daughter, Mrs. Monro, at Mastorton. Dr. Kate Hogg, who is to take over |Jr. Agnes Bennett's practice in Wellington during her absence in England, arrived in Wellington on Wednesday by the Uliimiroa. Dr. Bennett leaves by. the Ruahine on Thursday. Miss B. Yallauco, Miss Erne Chal-' mors, and Miss Bennett arc expected to arrive m Sydney by tho Ostcrlev about the end of this month from a visit to England. Tlicy intend to visit friends in Ihieensland before returning to New Zealand. Mr. and Mrs. Galway, accompanied ay their daughters, returned home to Mastoi'ton on Saturday last from an wi M «7 o n- t<lur of tl,c s "" th Isl:md - They ett Wellington for Nelson and coached through the Otira Gorge to Christ, church, then on to AVakatipu and lavcrcargill, and finally homo again. n \ ™ e l ,ing o£ , th .°, ladiGS of tho Hutt Golf Cub was held on.Thursday, and the following officers were elected:— Captain, Mrs. Coverdale; secretary, Miss Murphy; committee, Mrs. Bridge and Miss .Foster. The first competition' has been fixed for April 5.'. • A meeting of the Tree Kindergartens' Council is to bo held in tho Marino Engineers' Instituto on the evening of April 7, and everyone interested is invited to be present. Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Arluvright, of Rangitikei, left by tho Marama yesterday for Sydney, where they join tho Orvieto, and proceed to England. Mr. and Mrs. John Bhmdell were'passengers by tho Marama yesterday for Sydney and Vancouver, en . route-- for England. , ,' ; . Mrs. Percy Smith (Karori) and her littlo daughter leave for England by tho Arawa, sailing from Wellington on April '20. Mrs. Smith will be away for some time. Tho marriage of Mr. Sydney Thompson, tho well-known Christclmrch artist, to Miss Maude Ethel Coe, was celcbrateel in St. Mary's Anglican Church, Irwcll, on Tuesday. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Thompson leave very shortly for the Continent, where Mr. Thompson intends to spend somo years in the further pursuit of his studies. Mrs. Fitchott returned on Thursday ■ from Auckland, and is staying at Day's Bay House.

Mrs. Thompson, "Foulden Hill," Central Otago, and her daughter, Mrs. Kirker, Alexandra South, with Mrs. Patcrson, "Gladismuir," Central Otago, arc visiting Mrs. Henderson, Tasinan Street, Wellington.