SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1790, 1 July 1913, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

A Cat Show, The cult of the Persian cat has become very popular, in Auokland, and go many people now possess these beautiful) pets that it is thought advisable to hold an exhibition for the benefit of animal lovers. The Poultry Association has agreed to make all arrangements for a cat show, to bo held in connection with the poultry show, on July 19. A ladies' committee has been formed, awl'numerous exhibits are already promised, including shorthaired cats and children's pets. Should the venture prove successful, it is intended bo form an Auckland Cat Club. The Worst Audience in the World. I should 1 think any great artist must dislike singing, playing, or dancing to a merely society audience, for it is so cold}, nothing seems to N tnove it; and the mid, spontaneous pleasure of the gallery, which expresses itself in enthusiastic clapping, must be terribly missed (states a writer in "Tho Queen' ). I remember seeing Adeline Genoo dance in a private houso in Paris before a most "distinguished audience," as tlie papers put it, and I could havo wept for her. People murmured that it was Charming, buit no ono clapped and almost before she had finished her danco tt bum of talk began, and her dainty art was consigned by tho majority to the mists of tlie past. It may bo presumed ithat society is bored, spoiled, blase, and nothing really makes it feel, or, at any rate, nothing makes it show. what it feels. It is not surprising that the artists who spend their lives in expressing beautiful things for the pleasure of tho public prefer the "mixed audience" to the elite. And yet how wildly this same socicty rushes to see or to hear a celebrity. 1 can remember being asked to meet Paderewski, who, by the way, is to play in Paris at the end of the month, and everyone thought he was going to perform on that particular occasion. But ho just stood beside his hostess and shook hands in an absentminded way with everyone, and left as soon as he could. A little girl w"iio wa9 there said: "Isn't it a pity ho hasn't played I got mother to let mo havo a holiday on purpose to see him, because t'hoy say that when he plays he puts his feet right on the keyboard." Probably Padoreweki felt that curiosity rather than appreciation, mado up tho atmosphere of tho room, and/that is why he' did not play—who can toll? . ' Written from Paris, The mast weird hats are being worn, (states a Paris correspondent of May 24). Shepherdess, Dolly Varden, call' them what you will, but itlioy are soft, round, frilly things in tullo or straw, lifted high behind and made to dip over the brow. Flowers or ribbon are tucked under the brim at tho back, and the effect is decidedly eighteenth century. In fact, all the modes are tending to the Watteau styles, even to tho narrow velvet ribbon round tlio throat, the very dainty little sandal slippers with high heels, tho draperies and trills about the corsago. Silk is the one material for dainty dresses, and at all tho lecon9 de danso as the .tango patties are called, and which take placo in tho afternoon, one sees short, slit-up gowns of delicate silken materials in gay and neutral tints, Worn with tho hats already mentioned, • and also with amazingly simple yet daring: toques trimmed with Mepnistophelian tioklers. There •is something very daring about all the simple things cf Fashion s making this season, and to wear them successfully, a woman mu6t have studied tho up-to-date Silhouette carefully,' otherwise they look merely vulgar. Everything is bunched up round the limbs, and tho feet are left so unveiled that slender lines are essential, and the woman, who has them not must be content to be behind tho times. Fortunately, the evening gowns have much more flowing lines, and the manteau de cour is quite in favour. Generally it is mado In tulle to flow over a rio'h brocade or satin, and the short sleeves will bo in tuille also. Beautiful combinations of lace and gold and silver embroideries are worn over black Liberty or charmeuse gowns, and the most exquisite tones in cream and blonde are allied to beige and black. Plisso silk dresses with clinging lace or gauze tunics are to be seen, and at ft the other evening a handsome woman with coppercoloured hair was wearing an olive-green silken gown, which was entirely plisse, even to ;a quaint little hanging .plisse coat, which cave a mermaid-like effect to the figure. The fashion of wearing bright sashes is a great relief to dull gowns, and better than a skilfully-folded Sash in some brilliant and beautiful silk. _ Tho charming little lace casaquins which are worn ovor evening gowns of plain satin are adored by the Parisienno, and her manner of putting them on is quite special Sho manages to keep them soft and negbgent and graceful without causing them to look "frippos," but the moment one of these dainty coats is stiffened into tidiness it loses all its "cachet." To be soft and not slovenly is the art and aim of good dressing iust now. The members of tho Star Boating Club have decided to hold their annual ball 011 Thursday, August 7, in the Sydney Street Schoolroom. A strong committee has been 6et up, and comprises the following Messrs. C. Pearce (vice-president, A. D. Bayfield (captain), J. E. Widdop (deputycaptain), A. H B&rnett, C. E. Bridge, R. M. Brovex, F. Craig, F. H. G. Galvin, W Harrington, C. E. Holmes, G. King, C. H. Lawrence, C. Mack, S. Menzies, C. Robinson, H. B. Tomlinson. Messrs. R. M. Brewer and F. H. G. Galvin are joint lion, secretaries. Mrs'. Vickerman was. a passenger from the south on Sunday, 011 her way through to tho north. Mrs. Waddington (Masterton) 13 spending a few days in Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. Beatlie left Wellington on Friday on a visit to New South Wales ond Queensland. Mrs. Rolleston gives advice regarding children's hair. Great care should be taken to ensure the hair's welfare in later years. Mrs. Rolleston's advertisement on this theme should be read by every mother."

"Would be Better Stenographers," At a conference that was held at tho London. University (England) recently to discuss the best methods for tho training of women clerks and secretaries, Mrs. W. L. Courtney sojd that girls should be readers of the newspapers. "If they really read tho better newspapers," sho said, "and kept themselves in (ouch with the things that were happening and tho people who were being talked about, with the movements and the wars and tho political history of their time, they would be in a better position to recognise proper names and literary and political allusions when, they heard them, and would certainly bo better stenographers." The matron and nursing utaft of tho Napior Hospital were hostesses at an enjoyable danoe last Tuesday night. Tlie nurses, all of whom wore their becoming uniforms, were indefatigable in looking after the pleasure and comfort of their guests, and the dance went with a. smug from 6tart to finish. .Amongst those, present were Dr. and Mrs. (Jitqiy. Miss Cooper (Wellington), Dr. Hardwicke, Mr. and Mrs. Hordmau, and Dr. Thompson. Miss 'Williams, who Is leaving Masterton to-day to livo at tho Hutt. has been the guest of honour at several farewell functions. On Saturday Miss Boe gave an afternoon tea, and Dr. Helen Cowie, after making a brief speoch, presented Miss Williams, on behalf of those present, with a gold bracelet as a token of their esteem svnd reflaxd for hor. More farewell gatherings were to be held yesterday. The Masterton Savage Club gave r. most successful ladies' night on Saturday evening; The local secretary of the Trinity College of Music, London, has been informed that his Excellency tho Governor will be pleased .to give a medal in connection ■with tho Trinity College examination in i New Zealand. 'Iho medal will bo known as "tlie Governor's medal," and will be given to tho best pianist in tho Dominion taking tho associate-pianist, A.T.C.L., or L.T.C.L. degree. His Excellency has also consented to present tho medals and diplomas won during last year, at tlie Sydney Street Schoolroom 011 July 22.