SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1127, 15 May 1911, Page 9

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Queen Mary's "Must Not," Queen Mary's maids of honour are evidently to bo somewhat restricted in their dress, and such things as tho latest freaks of fashioa may not bo followed out, if their fancy should by any chance run that way. A Press Association cable message announces tho fact that her Majesty has directed that her maids of honour shall always wear gowns that must touch tho ground. They must be longsleered, and have high collars. Toques, not hats, are to bo worn. One cannot help thinking that the latter is a somewhat severe restriction. Hats evermore will surely fill them with unsatisfied longing, • particularly if toques are not the most becoming things they can wear. Gow.ns that touch tho ground will be a nuisance in tho winter-time if they wish to walk, and it is quite possible that tho sight of a trim, well-cut, short, winter skirt will fill them with-longing for the freedom and case that goes with them. "Tho Garden of Allah." Thoso who have read "The Garden of Allah" (Robert Hitchens) are not likely to forget the fascination of the book for a long time to come. Apart from the characters, who aro most unusual and undoubtedly interesting, tho compelling power of the book lies in its wonderful lescriptions of the desert, word-painting that throws all the mysterious spell of Egypt, of vast windswept spaces completely ovei\ the reader and transports him into a land of brilliant sunshine, of Mohammedanism fanaticism, of a glowing illimitable waste of sands as full of moods and changes as tho sea—and as cruel. When so much of tho charm of the book lies in these colour effects, and in its suggestion of an ever-present sense of mystery, it is difficult to imagine it as a good subject for dramatisation. Yet this has been done. In recent news from England one learns that Madame do Navarre (so well known years ago as Mary Anderson, tho beautiful young American actress) and Mr. Robert Hichens have collaborated and written a five-act play founded upon "Tho Garden of '" Can even tho care of its author preserve it from loss—almost ono said desecration? It is rather interesting to learn that Madame de Navarre has turned playwright. She was one of tho most popular and beautiful figures on tho stage in tho eighties and, for long after her retirement, she received the most tempting offers to return to it. However, sho refused them nil. Her chief successes were made upon the London stage, the foremost' jimoDg them being her double impersonation of Hermione and Perdita in "Tho Winter's Tale." A slight alteration had to be made in the last scene of the last act as, for the first and only timo in tho play, Perdita and Hermiojie appeared together on the'stage. She was a very beautiful Galatea in "Pygmalion and Galatea," her type- of beautJ" particularly lending itself to such parts. • A one-act drama "Comedy and Tragedy" (W. S.i Gilbert) usually preceded, this play, and : was' another of her popular successes. ■ ■ "• : "Ring Off." It was a brilliant inspiration that seized the Federal Postmaster-General in Australia when he invited all complaining telephone subscribers to assemble in the Town nail, when ho and the engineer of tho Department will listen to the troubles. It would add still another element of interest to the scene if. the operators also could give utterance to their grievances as well, for they really do have them. However, he did not go so far as that. 1 Foildirg Notes. On Tuesday afternoon Mrs. Horrocks gave a very enjoyable afternoon for Mrs. Sidney Fitzherbert, who has - lately re-turned-from a trip to England. Among the guests wereMesdames Roberts, Gillespie, Halliday, Stewart, Quilliam (New Plymouth), Willis, Montgomery, Glasgow, M'Allum, and Misses Spain (jj. ' Mrs. E. Liffiton (Wanganui) is staying with Mrs. Wheeler (Stanwa.v). Mrs. Bruce has been visiting her daughter, Mrs. Lightbourne, in Taranaki. There was a large attendance at the "Wanderers'" concert on Thursday evening. Among tho audienco were;— Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. Clayton, Mr. and Mrs. N. Gorton, Mr. and Mrs. L. Gorton, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Aylmer, Dr. and Mrs. Johnson, Missis Bruce, Shannon, Haybittle, long, Wyatt, Prior, O'Halloran, Bailey, and others.

Miss Wheeler has returned from Taihape. '

Mrs. Holdsworth (Wellington) is visiting her sister, Mrs. AVall (Kairanga).

Mrs. Humphrey Innes-Joncs (Timaru) is visiting friends in Wellington, and, later, in Masterton. ,

Miss M. Edmondson has gone south, and is the guest of Mrs. Gibbs, iu. Timaru.

Mrs. H. T. Wood (Masterton) is visiting relatives in Auckland.

Captain Wemyss and Mrs. Wemyss aro staying at Miss Malcolm's,

Miss Muriel Wylie is leaving this week on a visit to Auckland.

Mrs. E. Newman (Marton), who has been sjjendfng. some days in ■ Wellington, left for her home on Saturday.

Mrs. Charles Bayly, of Toko, and her sister-in-law, Mrs. A. Bayly, are spending a few days iri Wellington.

On May 28, Mrs. Barton, an excouncillor of the City of Glasgow, is to arrivo in Auckland. Mrs. Barton has been engaged by the Temperance party as a platform speaker in the forthcoming election campaign. Sho will speak at the Provincial 'i'cmpcrauco Convention on June !i.

On Friday evening tho death took place at Petona "of Mrs. J. D. M'Ewen. Sho was a daugJiter of Mr. William. Blako, and had lived with her parents in Petono for something like thirty years. Although suffering a great deal for some time before her death, she was always cheerful and uncomplaining. The late Mrs. M'Ewen was leader of tho local W.C.T.U., a leading member of the Methodist Church in Petone.i mid was connected with various charitable movements.

On Saturday afternoon a very enjoyable tea was given by Mrs. Keefo at the Kclburno Kiosk,. her guests bein.EC thoso who had so willingly and untiringly given their assistance with the stalls at tho recent Kinsr's Festival, held in the Town Hall. Before they parted, Miss O'Sullivan, on behalf of those present, asked Mrs. Kcsfo's acceptance of a very handsome hand-bag and cut-glass scent bottle.