SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1098, 10 April 1911, Page 9

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Mr, Herdman's Address. In addressing a meeting of those interested in the work douo by the Freo Kindergarten Union, Miss Richmond said that the women of the Dominion, as a whole, knew nothing, did nothing, and cared nothing for the cause of education—the whole domain of it was left in the hands of men. The same thing might well be said of them in regard to politics. Unless they happen to bo directly connected with men who are deep in political matters, women leave the subject severely alone, until olection time comes' round, when a spasmodic excitement is worked up, to quickly die. away when the great event is over. The subjects which vitally concern the -welfare of their country, and, indirectly, of the people around them, they, as a whole, do not trouble to delve into and see foi themselves how- matters stand. If life is a comfortable enough affair for their menfolk and their families'in general, all is well with the world, and things can tako their own course. If it be true, ,ns has been said, that not for many years has there beon a greater need for higher political- ideals -than-now, then a very heavy indictment is brought against the women of the Dominion, who, for eighteen years, havo so neglected their opportunities for remedying matters.

Not very long ago an English visitor (she was twenty-two years of age) remarked to a lady whom she met:-"The franchise is quite wasted upon you women of New Zealand. All tl.o weeks I have been in this country I have never heard a. woman mention political matters. At Home wo aro always talking about them —what measures are being discussed in Parliament, their advantages o> ' disadvantages, the ability of different members, who is likely to get in or -nlio will stand in the.place of vacancies, or whether the poor old House of Lords is to be put an end to." Her father happened to be 'a peer, certainly, but that makes no difference, as.the. same keen interest is taken in these affairs , by women of every class. As is well known, women have always been a power behind the scenes in political life in England, although they have not had the franchise. In his address to electors, to be Riven in the'Cancert Room of the Town Hall this evening, Mr.' Herdman should have no Iflck-of arguments to prove his case that-a' change of Government is desirable—everything goes to prove it.

Kindergarten Training. ' •?■' Mrs. T. H. Gill (president of the Free Kindergartens), who has recently returned from Sydney and Melbourne, where she took the opportunity of visiting some. of the kindergartens there, stated, in the course of an interesting address on Friday evening, that students in both .of these cities were on a very different footing from that occupied by students here. In Sydney they paid so much a year for their training, which consisted of practice in the freo kindergartens in the morning, from 9.30 to 12.30. They had lunch in tho schools in which they taught, and then went to tho Sydney Kindergarten Training' College, in Roslyn Gardens, for two hours in the afternoon for lectures. Then, in ! the evening, these lectures had to be worked up in order to pass the examinations for the College Diploma in February. The faculty of the college consisted .of the principal, Miss Jenkins, and four associato teachers, besides special teachers on special subjects. Before being allowed to enter the college, applicants had to pass what was known as the Junior Public Examination (somewhat the same as our Junior Civil Service), or an equal to'it, set by the college. Another oxmination had to be passed before the second year's course was begun, this being on the following subjects:—Outlines of European history, Australasian history, general literature, elementary geometry, naturo knowledge, reading aloud, drawing and modelling, music, and handwork. The training course was open to suitable applicants without these entrance examinations, but, in that case, they could not receive tho , college diploma. The standard of examinations wa9 gradually being raised each year, and, from 1911, tho course is to consist of three years' training with more time for study, and will include certain lectures at tho university. There were between fifty and sixty students attending each year, and from fifteen to twenty graduates who receive the diploma.

The Miramar Golf Club. Such a day as Saturday must havo rejoic«d tlic hearts of thousands of people. Trains, trams, and boats—everything that carried them away from tho confines of the town—were simply crowded, and tho followers of every kind of sport had a glorious day's outing. An event that attracted, a specially large attendance of members aiid friends was the opening of the season of the Miramar Golf Club, special facilities in the way of tram-cars being provided for their convenience. Sir. Firth, in a very happy littlo speech, declared the season open, after which several competitions were played off. Tea was served in tho golf house, which ha 3 recently, been added to, and also on the verandah, the tables being decorated with exquisite carnations, Michaelmas daisies, and ixias. Members of the committee, assisted by friends, dispensed the tea, which ■was provided by tho club. Some of those present were Mrs. JI. Holmes, Miss 11. Gavin, Miss E. Grav, Miss M. Seed, Mrs. Firth, Mrs. Ward. Miss A. Rawson, Mrs. M'Rae, Mrs. Macarthy, Miss Grace Palotta. Mrs. Corliss, Mrs. L. 11. B. Wilson and the Misses Wilson (3), Mrs. Fulton, the Misses Coleridge (2), Miss Fulton, Miss Williams, Mrs. Gowing, Mrs. Wylie. Miss A. Turner, Mrs f Tennant, Miss Tiirton, tho Misses Drummond (2), Mrs. Gill. Mrs. G. Reid, Miss Cleghorn, Miss Richardson. Miss J. Seed, Miss Litchfinld. Miss K. Ilannay, Miss Kane, Miss Mnrchant, Miss L. ISaird.Miss Amy Kane. Mrs. Watkins, Mrs. A. M. Johnson, and Mrs. MH'ford.

The Hon. Mrs. Denman, who has been visiting the Cold Lakes, arrived in AVellingtou by the Mararoa, on Saturday morning. Mrs. Oliver Smith (Mosterton) visited Wellington last week. Mr. and Mrs. A. Montgomerie (Fiji), who have been 'spending some days' in Napier, left at the end of last week for Auckland. Mrs. Donald Donald (Mastorton) is a visitor to Wellington. ■ Mrs. J. B. Henry has returned to llaeterton from .a visit to her brother at Akitio. Miss Atack left for Sydney on Friday. Mr., E. Brocklomann, director of the La Veloce Navigation Company, who tcompauied by Mrs. Brociilemann) has been visiting New Zealand, loft on Saturday by the Manuka ior Sun Francisco. . Mr. and Sirs. K, C'ottcrill (Gisborne) are spending a few days in Napier. Miss Elfio -Williams and Mrs. Wyvern Williams, who have been visiting various relatives and friends in the Wairarapa, have returned to Auckland. '' The marriage of Miss Elaine Simcos, of Forest Lakes, Otaki, to Mr. Hubert Keeling, of Wellington, has been arranged to take nlace on April 20, at the Maori Mission Church, Otaki. Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bcetham, who have been visiting their sons in theEangitikei, have returned to Masterton. Miss Williams (Napier) is the guest of Mrs. Gowing. On Friday afternoon, .at the D.I.C. rooms , ,' Miss V. C. Adams, who is leaving for Auckland, was farewelled by a number of friends from the Government Buildings, a very pleasant hour being passed. Mrs. A. Macandrew (Auckland) arrived in Wellington from the south yesterday morning, and is the guest of Miss Macanclrew for a few days before going north. Mrs. Messenger, who has been staying with her daughter, Mrs. Gavin, of Northland, for the past five weeks, intends returning to hcrhomo in New Plymouth on Wednesday. Mrs. Suisted (West Coast) is a visitor to Wellington.