A MALIGNED COUNTRY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1634, 28 December 1912, Page 10

A MALIGNED COUNTRY.

MRS. GILRUTH'S PROTEST. ; After eight months' absence in tha Northern Territory, Mrs. J. H. Gilruth, wife of the Administrator, returned . to Melbourne last week, for a visit, and intends to return after the holidays to her residence at Government House, Darwm< Speaking of lifo in tho Territory, Mrs. Gil-" ruth declares that never was a coiviury so much maligned. "Neither my children nor I havo known an hour's illness. None of our party have experienced the lassitude or inertia which is alleged to bo inevitable." Mrs. Gilrutfo admits that ths domestic problem has really reached an acute stage there, for hired help is practically but of the question. Personally she found the lubra gave-satisfactory service. Under personal supervision she will .accomplish almost' tiiiy sot task. • It is Interesting to learn that threo. .oom* prise the whole dairy herd' of'-'.Darwin, ■Goats, however, take the place .of. cows, and supply milk to most of the. meagra population. Mrs. Gilruth predicts a. profitable industry in tortoise ■ shell m tho north. Tho gold and black speckled shell is in 'demand for dainty accessories for feminine wear.—"Sydney Morning : Her' aid."

It is at this particular time of the year that people aro distractedly wondering what to buy for their relatives and friends, and the greater the number they possess the nioro oomplex is the problem. The place that most certainly should not bo passed by in their search for the novel ancf the beautiful, as well as tho nraeticnl, is l'ringlo's Ltd., upon the Quay, for hero are to be found gifts to suiJ varied requirements, and really, one cannot help thinking that nothing has been overlooked. Tho pottery alone is a 'delight, and included among the beuutmu specimens is Vasco ware in all sorts of delightful colours combining with their beauty a price that can be afforded by most purses. The Moorcroft china, each article signed by tho designer, cannot be passed by, so entirely harmonious and delicate i's it in colouring,' and so graoaful in shape. Very dainty are the glove and handerchief boxes, hat-pin boxes and stands, boxes for laco and all, sorts ;or toilette odds and ends covered with silJc tapestry in delicate colour shades, while fern pots, tea kettles, lea caddies, pip« racks, glove and handkerchief boxe6 in oopper repousee are.delightful. The work in'pewter and enamel, copper and enamel, and copper and silved covers a wide collection of articles and is artistically dosigned, the colouring in somo i instanoea being beautiful and vivid. There ara some extremely artistic calendars, appliqued in silk, .cushions worked in rich, but subdued tints (from England), leatherwork of all descriptions; coffoo services in beaten copper, tobacco jars in copner and pewter, beautiful needlework, and exquisitely smelling scent sacs. Nor among all the things that answer to the requirements of women are the tastes and needs of men neglected. Among tho great collection of tobacco jars, sleevo-links. pouches, letter racks, cigar cutters, stud cases, tie hangers, ash trays, buttons etc., thoy cannot fail to come across something that answers to their standard of tho useful or the beautiful, and probably both..