WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2560, 7 September 1915, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Continued from 'Page 2) The Originator of Girls' Clubs. . The Hon. Maude Stanley, whose death was recently announced in Homo papers,' was the_sister of Lord, Sheffield, .and was very widely known as a worker in philanthropic causes, particularly thoso relating to.girls. . Miss Stanley started not. only .tie first girls club in the'world, but the first club of any sort for young people, states an English writer. Before slie founded -the-institution,in Greek Street, Soho, London, nobody seemed; to have recognised the faot that the young need clubs to keep them out of mischief even more than their elders need them for other uses. The. idea proved fruitful; her example was followed everywhere, and the parent, institution, while having only ono direct 'offshoot (in Walworth), gradually: came in touch with hundreds of clubs for girls founded on tte same model throughout the world. , She : began with the conviction that clubs must ,bo governed for girls rather than by them, but she took care to temper this later oil. by admitting the members themselves "to a considerable share in management. In America, they have found.it necessary to give almost the entire management to the girls themselves'from the start. • The girls were never; left • at, a loss for- some interesting occupation or amusement. The club waß mostly recreative, but not recreative in the sense of high jinks.' There were' singing classes,! drillj" mending, patching, and darning classes, dancing,'andan annual ba.ll to .which- sweethearts were specially ■ invited; oven, lectures ,on the Greek .heroines; with- a.preference for Iphigenia and Penelope, who had set bright examples of> heroism, and bcaiity of life. The singing competitions were great affairs. .The girls, dressed in . their best, . and.. with tli e-saslics and rosettes. that distinguished club, from club, sang one against' the 'other in good old English 'glees and things of; that sort, and the' prizes were awarded by distinguished professors of the art. Every effort seemed to succeed with her, probably because.it was based on th'e everlastingly trueprinciple that humanity wants nothing'.but tho chance to follow -a kindly light. . .1 - Women's Branch, Reserve. ' • A. most enthusiastic and largely-at-tended meeting of ladies was held at the Petono Council Chambers last evening, for the purpose of forming a branch of the National Reserve.' The Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) presided, and an apology' was. received, from Dr. PlaftsMjlls.' ..The gathering -was addressed by Misses Ward and Thompson, the objects being "-''fully . explained, .which are briefly ;that women should be organised , with a view to ', being trained to fill the places of, men on active service. A committee'consisting of Mesdames M'Kerizio and Colliiis and Miss Robinson, with Miss D. Simons (secretary), and Mrs. Cowio (treasurer), was appointed to further' the movement. /'

A very pleasant dance- was given last ,week at Eketahuna :as a fafewell to Private B. Olseri, who belongs -to Lord Liverpool's Own Regiment, m camp at Rangiotu-. Mrs. G. Williams and Mrs. . Atkins, of Christchurcb, were, the hostesses.': Ail excellent supper ' was provided, _ the "tables being decorated with narcissi and, scarlet rhododendrons. Mr. and Mra. Oken, the parents, and many relatives of tho soldier were present at tho function. Major 'Brende•ville, |in a happy .speech, 'wished the ' "'guest''of the evening a'pleasant journey to 'tho front and a safe; return. .

Miss Parker, of Gisborne, is visiting Wellington with the Poverty Bay ladies' hockey team, and is a: guest of . Mrs'; Borer, The Terrace.

The , Spring Show of tho Hutt Valley. Horticultural Society; is to bo. hold on September. 15, and 16.

: A■; concert in 'aid of St. John Ambulanco Brigade and Rod Cross is to , be held in the Assembly HaU," Island Bay, on.. September } The . performers will include '.."Misses 'Violet Mueller, L.A.8., Betty Pui'dom,' Grant, . Lonsdale, and Rita Perry,- and.Messrs. E. J. Hill, H. W.: Wood, J. Oulford Bell, and Master Robert .Smith.. ..