SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2573, 22 September 1915, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Answer to Correspondent. "Willing Wayback, Wnitorao.—Miss Rout, secretary of the Volunteer Nursing Sisterhood, Christclnircii, will ho ahle to supply the necessary information. Women's National Reserve at Nelson. Mrs. Porter, organising secretary of the Women's Branch of the National Reserve, visited Nelson last week, and while there a ..branch of the association was formed at a meeting which -was held in the Council Chambers.' Mrs. Lock presided, and explained the objects of the Women's Reserve. Mrs. Sadlier also spoke, and referred to tho work that was done in England by women, and emphasised the need of a branch of the Reserve being formed in Nelson. Mrs. Porter gave a resume of the scheme of organisation, and at the close of the speeches a committee was formed, thirty-two enrolling officers volunteering for the work. Seventy active and honorary members were enrolled at the meeting, and keen interest was manifested throughout tho meeting..

Mrs. W. F. Massey wishes to thank all the ladies, who assisted her at the evenings which wore given in the Town Hall on Friday and Saturday for the soldiers. ' ' ■ Sirs. •Flaniiacau (Christcliurch) is visiting Wellington. Mrs. D. Casclberg. (Mastertoii) .is spending a few days in Wellington. Mrs. W. F. Massey wishes to acknowledge a parcel of books from Mr. Sol. Myers for the library at Trentham. The death occurred at her lato residence, Church Road. Epsom, on Saturday, of Mrs. Speight, wife of Mr. )V. J. Speight, registrar of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland. Mrs. Gcorgo Hume (Featherston) is visiting Wellington. Our Greytown correspondent writes that a dance was given hv the members of the Lady Liverpool Seiving Guild in the Town Hall 011 Monday night, with the combined object of farewelling the Seventh Reinforcements and the raising of funds, for the purchase of material for the guild's wont. . A very enjoyable evening was spent. Miss Maguire supplied the music. During intervals Miss Wiron, of Wellington, contributed a recitation, and Miss Barr a song, both being .encored. Tho Hall Committee Were Mesdames Walden/Hulse, and Miss J. Bickuell. The Supper Committee consisted of Mesdames Board, Trotman,Duff, AV. A. Tate, Armstrong, Murray, and Miss Murray. Tho supper tables were prettily decorated by Miss Z. Humphries and Miss E. Davies.. About £13 wore taken at. the door.' Messrs. P. Jackson, N. Skeet, W. Bates, and A. Murray wore M.C.'s.

On July 3V at St. Saviour's Church, South Hampstead, England, by the Rev. Edward Koch, vicar, Mr. Harry Skar-don-Haminond, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Skardon-Ifammo.id, .'Auckland (N.Z.); was married to Miss Mabel B. Ditchfield, eldest daughter of Sir. and Mrs. H. H. Ditchfield, Whitehall, Follows Road, Hampstead.

Passing of a Pioneer. The late Mrs. H. Bennett, > -whose death was recorded last week, was one of the oldest residents of tlie Awahuri district. In her childhood in Scotland she was brought into close contact with David Livingstone, the explorer, and his littlo daughter was one of her play

mates. With her husband she settle* in the South Island, living at Oxfort for some time. Later tliey removed h Waimate South, 'then AYanganui, am then Bulls. Subsequently thoy settled 43 years ago, in Awalniri, their resi deuce being the first building erectei in the township, tho surrounding conn try being at that time clothed in manuki and flax, and Feilding iras not in exist ence. Within a few days of arrivini at Awalmri they were startled one nigh by the chief of the Ngatikawhata'(Tapi to Whata, a fine specimen of Maor chief) searching every corner' of the house with his armed followers, believing that their enemies, the .Natives of a neighbouring tribe, might have been in hiding there. It .appeared that they were expecting an attack that night, via Mount Stewart. The chief assured them that in the event of an attack tliey would be taken to the pa and protected. Happily the dispute was settled in a more friendly fashion. She leaves a family of six sons and two daughters. They are: Messrs. Henry (Apiti), Charles, Joseph, Buckland, and I'-dmnnd (all of Awahuri), Duncan (Hamilton), Misses Laura and Mabel Bennett (of Awahuri).

Our Greytown correspondent writes that a j>ioneer settler, Mrs Mary Benge,' wife of the late Mr. William Benge, died at hor late residence, in Peavce Street, Oeytown, on. Tuesday. The late Mrs. Benge was born at Maidstone, Kent,. England, in 1820, and was married in 1812. She came to New Zealand with her husband in the ship Wailiato, landing in Wellington in 1874. She leaves a family of two sons, Messrs. William and Henry Bengo, of Greytown, and one daughter, Mrs. Wagland, of Ka'lgoorlie, West Australia, and eight grandchildren, and five great-grand-children.

The following "Dont's" hardly apply to people ,iu New Zealand, tut they are interesting as showing the point of view of some people out of New Zealand:—"Mr. Gossip," in the "Daily Sketch," says:—"l wonder whether it wouldn't be a good thing, to publish a little list of 'Dont's' for people in conr nection with wounded and unwounded soldiers. ' For instance; Don't think that you have, a perfect right, to crossexamine n complete stranger because he happens to be in khaki. Doil't ask every wounded- man whether he isn't longing to get back to the front. (You may got a, shock.) Don't call every man who isn't wearing a Sam Browne 'My man.' (Because he isn't your man, and he doesn't like it.) Don't give him tracts about his soul. (Because the man who has been through it is. purged by •fire, and his soul is probably in a better condition than yours.) Don't ask him when wo're going to. advance. (Becau6o lie doesn't know, nml oughtn't to tell you if lie did.)"

At the invitation of Lady Liverpool, the members of the "Hinemoa" Maori Opera Company, visited < Government House yesterday, afternoon. and were entertained at afternoon'tea.'

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